Author publishes new ‘Grammy’ book
Published 11:38 pm Friday, November 16, 2012
Grammy and her imaginary friend, Frieda the Frog, are back in action in the newest book by Suffolk resident Norma Benedict.
Benedict, who lives at Autumn Care, has published “Grammy Flies Away,” the second in a series of books about a spunky, adventurous grandmother and her 10 grandchildren.
The series is loosely based on Benedict and her own 10 grandchildren. In her first book, “Grammy Hits the Road,” which was published in 2009, Grammy, who lives in Indiana, drives to Florida to visit her grandchildren.
For the rest of the series, however, Grammy and her grandchildren will travel together.
“Each time she’s going to take two of her grandkids with her and go someplace different,” she said. “I wanted to do something that’s not only entertaining the kids, but is educational. This lets them know about the different states and cities and what’s out there.”
In the book, Grammy tells her grandchildren all about the states they’re flying over, the sights in the airport and, finally, the destination of Hawaii.
The book is illustrated with photographs and drawings of Grammy and Frieda the Frog.
Frieda wears a pink tutu, purple tennis shoes, a pink floppy hat and a purple T-shirt with the letters “FROG,” which stand for Fully Rely on God.
Benedict has multiple sclerosis, and the disease has left her unable to type. Therefore, she dictates the books to volunteers who come to her room at Autumn Care and type on a laptop computer.
Her grandchildren enjoy reading the books, Benedict said. One even said, “I don’t have to be a football player now — I’m in a book,” Benedict said.
Benedict held a book signing in her room Friday to thank the volunteers, staff members and friends who helped her write the book and supported her. She said the next book in the series will see Grammy taking two of her grandchildren on a cruise.
Copies of “Grammy Flies Away” are $17. For information on how to purchase the book, call 934-2363.