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The names of 35 distinguished Illinois authors are etched into the 4th floor frieze of the Illinois State Library Building.

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    Cyrus Colter
    City of light; The Hippodrome; The rivers of Eros...
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    Henry Blake Fuller
    Bertram Cope's Year; Cliff-dwellers; Under the skylights...
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    Abraham Lincoln
    Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address; The Language of Liberty; The Gettysburg Address...
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Mary E. Elliott

Born:
Connection to Illinois: Elliott lives in Illinois.

Biography: Mary E. Elliott made a career of working with special needs children and has always loved how books can relate to kids. Her son, Brodin, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor at the age of 2, and he learned how to cope with fears and illness. Her daughter, Myia, was only 4 when Brodin fell ill, and she learned to do the same. Myia and Brodin are grown now, but the Elliott family learned what bravery is through them, and Mary hopes to share a piece of that bravery with her book.

Awards:

Primary Literary Genre(s): Fiction

Primary Audience(s): Children

E-Mail: maryelliottbooks@yahoo.com

Selected Titles

Brodin's Magic Blankee
ISBN: B0CTBH3SMR OCLC:

Palmetto Publishing 2024

Brodin has a special blanket that helps him get through fear and fall asleep. Brodin believes that his blanket is magic and does not know what he would do without it. But what happens when Brodin doesn't have the blanket? Brodin is a busy little boy who has so much he wants to play and do. Out of all the toys and objects he owns, his absolute favorite must be his special blankee. Brodin's blankee is light blue and pastel green striped. It is knitted out of soft yarn, so there are tiny holes he can barely see through when he puts the blankee over his head. Brodin has had the blankee forever, and he wants to keep the blankee forever too. Brodin's convinced that the blankee is magical. Whenever Brodin feels anxious or afraid, he can curl up with his blankee and begin to feel better. Brodin always sleeps with his magic blankee over his head. Brodin doesn't go anywhere without his magic blankee. One day, after a big trip, Brodin can't find his magic blankee anywhere. How will Brodin sleep? What can Brodin do to make himself feel better when he's sad, scared, or anxious? Brodin's Magic Blankee tells the heartwarming story of a little boy finding courage through his attachment to an ordinary thing. Parents and caregivers can use the book as a conversation starter to let their kids know that it is okay for them to find a way to comfort themselves and that there are many "magical" places they can get courage.

 

 

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