A creative side of me I didn’t know I had blossomed when I wrote this book.  A story line came to me one afternoon while daydreaming and staring at a houseplant from across the room.  I never thought of myself as a writer and author until a day in January nearing the end of the pandemic, my wandering thoughts came up with a story-line for a children’s book.  I suddenly found myself reaching for my cell phone and opening the note pad option and I began writing.  The words poured out faster than my index finger could move across the keypad.  Well, from that afternoon of daydreaming and a past promise to a young friend of someday writing a book with her in mind come alive within me.  The story was written and completed weeks later, and so it all began.

This book was written with your young elementary school-age child in mind.  Fun characters, artful illustrations, and a unique story line sets this book apart from others.  The wonderful illustrations highlight the reading and bring the characters to life.  Your kids will love the lead character Carly and will enjoy following her adventures.  Don’t be surprised when your kid’s ask for more.  I won’t disappoint them!  I too, fell in love with Carly.  I love writing about her and her friends.

Enjoy!  Stay tuned for future Carly and friends adventures.

                                –Mary–

***AVAILABLE NOW*** at Ingramspark with this QR Code!!

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DEDICATION

Inspiration for this book came from my young friend Jasmine.  This picture is from one of Jasmine’s spider monkey days; this one taken in Mexico.  (It’s one of those pictures you can have taken with different backgrounds–like your picture on a Wheaties box–but in this case National Geographic).

I am Aunt Mary to her even though we are not related.  A friend to her Aunt B is how we met.  One weekend the three of us found ourselves at the resort of Ocean City, Maryland where Jasmine was drawn to a balloon artist.  In a few short minutes Jasmine was handed a blue spider monkey from that artist.  She hung onto that balloon like it was her best friend.  All day, Aunt B and I took turns holding that spider monkey while Jasmine was into being a kid at a resort with carnival rides.  Jasmine played with that balloon all the way home.  “Jasmine the spider monkey,” I would repeat every now-n-again on our ride home.  

I told my little friend Jasmine that day long ago, “I’m going to write a children’s book someday about a spider monkey named Jasmine.”  Well, Jasmine is a college student and I finally followed through with writing the book I spieled about.  

Thank you Jasmine!  Your enthusiasm, energy, and fun spirit brought me to a unique storyline to entertain young children with for years to come.  

What a wonderful look back on fun times with you and your Aunt B.  I’m forever blessed knowing you as a child and today as a young adult with a great life moving forward. 

With much love,  Aunt Mary