The Secrets Inside the Book
Secret #1
The Red Robin: As a kid there were always birds in my backyard. Mainly little Blue Jays. So what was done in my book is I replaced the Blue Jay with a Red Robin. The Red Robin represents my mother who passed away just two months before I got pregnant. Her name was Roberta Robin Carle and some people called her "Birdie." She also loved having rad hair styles which is why the character "Lady Bird" has such rad head feathers. Also, if you have the book, go ahead and look at the last photo in the last chapter before the short stories. There is a halo over the birds head. This represents my Mothers angel watching down on us.
The Red Robin: As a kid there were always birds in my backyard. Mainly little Blue Jays. So what was done in my book is I replaced the Blue Jay with a Red Robin. The Red Robin represents my mother who passed away just two months before I got pregnant. Her name was Roberta Robin Carle and some people called her "Birdie." She also loved having rad hair styles which is why the character "Lady Bird" has such rad head feathers. Also, if you have the book, go ahead and look at the last photo in the last chapter before the short stories. There is a halo over the birds head. This represents my Mothers angel watching down on us.
Secret #2
The Strawberries: There Is a place in Yosemite CA where they have a "Strawberry Bluegrass Festival." My parents were at the very first one, long before it moved to Yosemite and turned into a week long camping trip. We all went twice a year for their 6-7 day camping adventure full of hippies, music, tie dye and STRAWBERRIES! This is where my obsession with strawberries came from. It was the one place where the kids could be free and the parents can unwind, and everyone was happy. Memories I will hold dear to my heart forever. But, we also grew the strawberries on the side of our house, just like in the book. In fact, there were a number of times where my mom had caught me as a child sneaking out all the biggest strawberries I could find. Early in the morning, or sneaking away when everyone was busy. I even climbed out of the doggie door one night to grab some. I totally got away with that one too.
The Strawberries: There Is a place in Yosemite CA where they have a "Strawberry Bluegrass Festival." My parents were at the very first one, long before it moved to Yosemite and turned into a week long camping trip. We all went twice a year for their 6-7 day camping adventure full of hippies, music, tie dye and STRAWBERRIES! This is where my obsession with strawberries came from. It was the one place where the kids could be free and the parents can unwind, and everyone was happy. Memories I will hold dear to my heart forever. But, we also grew the strawberries on the side of our house, just like in the book. In fact, there were a number of times where my mom had caught me as a child sneaking out all the biggest strawberries I could find. Early in the morning, or sneaking away when everyone was busy. I even climbed out of the doggie door one night to grab some. I totally got away with that one too.
Secret #3
The House: The house in the book, with blue trim and grape vines behind it, was actually my house I grew up in. I can still remember all the details. The strawberries were along the side like the book. The grape vines were behind the house before you got to the back yard. And in the back yard we had a huge orange tree. I even remember getting the swing set with the slide. At that time, we lived in Modesto CA.
The House: The house in the book, with blue trim and grape vines behind it, was actually my house I grew up in. I can still remember all the details. The strawberries were along the side like the book. The grape vines were behind the house before you got to the back yard. And in the back yard we had a huge orange tree. I even remember getting the swing set with the slide. At that time, we lived in Modesto CA.
Secret #4
The Short Stories:
The first short story about the boat is something my mom taught us to make when we were very young. It was one of my favorite things to make when I was outside playing. The illustration in the book shows my exact memory of my favorite little boats I use to make.
The second short story about fishing is something me and my brother would do for hours upon hours. In our driveway there was a dip where the pavement rock met the sidewalk pavement. So we would fill that seemingly huge dip at the time, with water, until we made ourselves a little "lake." Then we took the little yellow weed flowers and used them as fish. We tied the grape vines on sticks to make fishing poles, and we would "fish" all day. Catching flower fish while our parents made hamburgers on the grill.
The Short Stories:
The first short story about the boat is something my mom taught us to make when we were very young. It was one of my favorite things to make when I was outside playing. The illustration in the book shows my exact memory of my favorite little boats I use to make.
The second short story about fishing is something me and my brother would do for hours upon hours. In our driveway there was a dip where the pavement rock met the sidewalk pavement. So we would fill that seemingly huge dip at the time, with water, until we made ourselves a little "lake." Then we took the little yellow weed flowers and used them as fish. We tied the grape vines on sticks to make fishing poles, and we would "fish" all day. Catching flower fish while our parents made hamburgers on the grill.
Secret #5
The Ladybug Wall: On the side of our garage next to the house, every year, there were lady bug larva. And I mean they completely covered the entire side of the garage. I'm pretty sure our house was the main ladybug spawning ground. So every year we would watch all the larva grow, and then hatch into tiny lady bugs. Who all got bigger later. And most of then stuck around all year until it was time to go "mate" and make more lady bugs. It was a great thing to grow up with and see. haha.
The Ladybug Wall: On the side of our garage next to the house, every year, there were lady bug larva. And I mean they completely covered the entire side of the garage. I'm pretty sure our house was the main ladybug spawning ground. So every year we would watch all the larva grow, and then hatch into tiny lady bugs. Who all got bigger later. And most of then stuck around all year until it was time to go "mate" and make more lady bugs. It was a great thing to grow up with and see. haha.