Help a Young Author Bring Her First Children’s Book to Life

A dream is taking shape — and it started with hearing many stories that began with "did I tell you about the time your papa" and a big imagination.

My daughter is an inspiring young author with a heart full of stories. She has written a beautiful and charming collection of ten short children’s stories, each one based on real events from her father’s and brothers’ childhood adventures — full of mischief, laughter, and life lessons.

Our dream is to have her book professionally illustrated and bound so she can hold it in her hands, share it with family, and gift it as a treasured family heirloom for generations to come.

This project isn’t just about publishing a book — it’s about encouraging a young storyteller to see her words become something real.

About the Book

Her book captures the humor, warmth, and sometimes hilarious lessons that come from growing up in a big-hearted Southern family. From “A Dip in the Ditch”, “The Painted Dog,” or "Carwash," each story shows the world through a child’s eyes — curious, funny, and always learning something new.

It’s written with love, charm, and the kind of storytelling spark that we hope will keep inspiring her (and other young readers) for years to come.

How Funds Will Be Used

We’re seeking donations to help cover:

Professional illustrations – to bring each story to life in full color

Professional printing and binding – to create high-quality hardcover heirloom copies for family and friends

Layout and formatting costs – to prepare the book for printing and possible wider distribution

Every dollar helps move her closer to seeing her dream come to life.

Why It Matters

At a time when creativity in children is often overshadowed by screens, this project reminds us that stories still matter. Watching her light up as she writes, edits, and dreams about her book has been such a joy — and I want her to see what’s possible when you work hard and dream big.

This book will be a tangible reminder of her talent, her heart, and her family’s love for storytelling.

How You Can Help

Donate whatever amount you feel led to — every bit helps!

Share this page with friends and family who love children’s books, storytelling, or supporting young authors.

Leave a message of encouragement for her — we’ll read every one together!

Thank You

Thank you for helping make one young writer’s dream come true. Your support doesn’t just create a book — it builds confidence, preserves family stories, and encourages creativity in the next generation.

Sample Story based on REAL life. If you're Lillie's Papa, STOP reading here.

"Greg Baker was a six-year-old boy who always seemed to find trouble. It wasn’t that Greg was a bad kid—he just had bad judgment. He didn’t realize that bouncing a ball in the house might break something, or that curiosity could sometimes lead to chaos. No matter what he did, trouble always seemed to find Greg.

One particularly hot summer afternoon, Greg’s mother went down to the basement to work out. Just as she climbed onto the treadmill, she heard a loud thump from one of her ancient deep freezers.

She lifted the lid of the biggest, oldest one and gasped. Every ice cream box was empty, and Greg—his skin a shade of frosty blue—was lying between the frozen pizzas and the fish sticks.

“What in the world do you think you’re doing in there? Get out before you catch pneumonia—or frostbite!” she shouted.

“It’s soooo hot, Mom,” Greg moaned, shivering. “I had to cool off somehow.”

Greg’s mother yanked him up out of the freezer. “Well, you’ve cooled off plenty! Now go outside and play like I told you—and stay out of trouble!”

Greg reluctantly obeyed. He loved being outside—it was one of his favorite places—but not when it was so dang hot!

At first, stepping through the basement door into the sticky South Carolina heat felt good on his icy skin. But before long, Greg felt like he was going to melt. His face turned red, sweat dripped down his forehead, and the air felt like fire.

“It’s too hot to do anything!” he grumbled, stomping his foot.

He was about to march back inside and tell his mom just that when he spotted the most beautiful sight in the whole wide world.

There had been a thunderstorm the night before, and the ditch by the road was full to the brim with cool, glistening rainwater.

Greg knew he wasn’t supposed to play by the road. But as his dad always said, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Greg didn’t really know what that meant, but he was definitely desperate to cool off.

He raced down the driveway, ready to leap into the ditch—but stopped just in time.
“Should I really jump in?” he wondered. “That water doesn’t look too clean… and Mom just washed my clothes.”

Everyone knew how she was about cleaning. Why, Jesus Himself could come knocking, and she’d probably say, “Just a minute, Lord. Let me finish mopping—Eternity can wait for a clean floor!”

But ohhh, it was so hot.

“I’ll just take my clothes off so they don’t get dirty,” Greg decided.
And that’s exactly what he did.

Tossing his clothes in a heap on the grass, Greg leapt into the ditch with a tremendous splash! The water was cool and wonderful. He laughed, splashed, and played until time didn’t seem to matter anymore.

Then, the sound of tires crunching on gravel made him freeze.

Sheriff Jones pulled up beside the ditch, stepped out of his car, and stared in disbelief.
“Greg Baker! What on earth are you doing?”

“I’m swimmin’, Sheriff Jones!” Greg called cheerfully. “When my mom found me in the freezer, she told me to go outside and play—and that’s what I’m doin’! You wanna come in? It feels real good!”

Sheriff Jones chuckled. “No thanks, I’m good, Greg. Does your mother know what you’re doing?”

“Nope.”

“Well, why don’t I walk you up to the house, and we’ll tell her together?”

Greg sighed. He knew what that meant. Trouble—again.

He climbed out of the ditch, gathered his clothes, and trudged up the long, hot driveway beside the sheriff.

When they reached the porch, Sheriff Jones knocked on the door. Greg silently prayed that his mom was still downstairs on the treadmill.

No such luck.

She opened the door, sweaty from her workout, a protein shake in hand. When she saw her naked son and the sheriff on the porch, her face went white… then pink… then bright red. Greg knew it wasn’t from the heat.

“Mrs. Baker,” said Sheriff Jones, tipping his hat, “I found your son skinny-dippin’ in the ditch down by the road.”

“LORD have mercy!” she gasped, pulling Greg inside. “When I told him to go play outside, I never dreamed he’d do something like that!”

“It’s all right, ma’am,” said the sheriff kindly. “You don’t have to explain. I best be goin’ now. See you at church.”

As the door clicked shut, Greg’s mother leaned against it, shaking her head.
“What in creation made you do a fool thing like that?”

“Well,” Greg said softly, “it was so hot I thought the water would feel nice. But I didn’t want to get my clothes dirty—’cause then you’d have to wash them.”

His mother pressed her hand to her face and sighed. “What am I gonna do with you, boy?”

Greg stayed out of the ditch after that—
but only because he found out the hosepipe worked just as well.