Author Michelle Staubach Grimes recently entertained students at Garland’s International Leadership Texas Elementary by reading her new book, “Where Is Pidge,” and explaining the book creation process.
“The biggest thing I want you guys to take from this today is to think out of the box,” she said. “Know that you can do whatever you want to do. To get there, reading and writing is going to help.”
Journaling led Grimes to become an author and after practicing law for a couple of years and taking time to be at home with her children, she returned to school for writing classes.
Her first project was a fiction novel which she said she would get back to someday, but the story about Pidge is what she felt that she needed to tell. Grimes chose the name Pidge because it was the childhood nickname of her mother, Marianne Staubach.
In addition to promoting literacy, Grimes’ book carries multiple messages. It encourages doing things for others and reminds readers to tell others that they are important as well as not to underestimate their own value. It wasn’t until Pidge, who is a middle child, went through a lonely, frightening experience that she realized what an important space she filled in her family.
Grimes drew from some of her own life experiences as she wrote the book and there are several similarities. Pidge’s dog is named Maverick, the same as Grimes’ dog. And like Pidge, she is a middle child in a large family. In addition, the number “12” is used on football jersey in an illustration and that was the number of Grimes’ father, the legendary quarterback Roger Staubach, NFL Hall of Famer and winner of two Super Bowls.
The book was illustrated by Bill Deore, former editorial and sports cartoonist of the “Dallas Morning News” and Grimes said that she was fortunate to work with him.
She encouraged the students to write as she explained the creative process. “It doesn’t matter if you make mistakes, or if there are misspellings, just keep doing it,” Grimes said. “Stories don’t just happen. They don’t just come out right the first time.”
As she explained editing, Grimes held up a page to show the students how her editor marked up her work and inserted comments and changes.
“It can be frustrating at times but like anything you do, there is hard work and you get through the tough times, and it’s all good,” Grimes said. “That’s the only way you learn. I’m 46-years-old…and my editor is still ripping apart my paper.”
The book, which will be released in March, is dedicated to her parents who she said always made her feel loved and important.
“This story is so close to my heart,” Grimes said. It is me at 46-years-old telling my mother thank you.”
She shared in an email that she loved the students’ questions and regretted that there wasn’t time to answer them all. She added that receiving a handmade card from one of the students made her day.
“I love going to schools,” she said. “I love talking to the kids.”
About IL Texas: At ILTexas Garland Elementary, we are committed to providing all students a rigorous and engaging education that empowers them to excel during their entire educational career. ILTexas will prepare them for the challenges they will encounter at the post-secondary level. High expectations have been set for both students and staff and it is of the utmost importance that all goals are reached.
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