Son Article

In January of 2004, I was in Minneapolis to attend the Black Belt Cere- mony in Karate for my ten year old grandson, Benjamin. It was twenty-five below when we arrived but that did not freeze the excitement and joy we experienced as we watched him earn his award. After the ceremony, our family met at the hotel for re- freshments and pizza. How special to celebrate with loved ones.

Our grandson Sam has carried a legal pad and pencil with him from the time he was three years old. Today was no exception. He stood at a table writing his story. I said, “Sam, can Gram read your story?” Of course, the answer was yes. It began, “Once upon a time there lived a castle” I said, “ Samuel Ellis, castles don’t live.” “Oh, Oh” was his reply. He took his pencil and was going to erase. I said, “No, let’s talk about it.” I just wanted to see the wheels in his mind work. It was no time before he had soldiers in the back yard and vines growing on the castle. We continue to discuss his story and see it take shape.

After a wonderful weekend we returned to Texas. For some reason, the word Castle had done something to me. I decided I needed to write a story for Sam to keep him inspired to continue writing. Not that he needed it, it was a Gramma thing.

I walked into my computer room and began the story of “Magnus the Troll.” What a time I had!! I began to weave some of my childhood and my family through the story. I was having so much fun, laughing out loud and really feeling the need to write. Not only did I write “Magnus the Troll” but I continued on and wrote “Magnus Meets Peder’s Cousins” and “Magnus and the Great Potato.” Peder in the first book is my oldest grandson, Brandon. Magnus meets the other four grandsons, Evan, Ben, Nick and Sam in the second book. Their names have been changed to

Edvard, Bjorn, Niklas, and Sievert. In each book, a lesson of life is taught.

I hope to have “Magnus Meets Peder’s Cousin” published by Christmas this year.

Thank you so much for the grant. It helped to get my project completed. It is my hope that others will take a part of their culture and walk forward with it to teach the next generation. Let us not lose this precious gift.

“Magnus the Troll” can be purchased at the Wooden Spoon for $9.95 plus shipping.

Regards,

Gwen Workman