Books with author Donna Griffin

From the author: The "Beans" video became part of Griffin family lore when my daughter, Darcy rediscovered the VHS tape during a summer home from college. I remember vividly taping that moment 20 years ago and knowing even then how special it was. We took it home to Indiana several years ago after recording it on DVD and the simple magnetism of childhood discovery and curiosity prompted viewing after viewing.At that time we lived in El Paso, Texas, 1,400 miles away from our family but the video connected us to a time and place when life was full of promise, security and hope. The "Beans" video and the story took on special meaning when my oldest child, Dani was killed in 2006 by a reckless driver. Somehow in the midst of numbing grief and pain, the "Beans" story became the message I needed to relate to friends and family gathered at her funeral and to readers today:"All of you have asked me what you can do to help - well, I have it. Keep a part of Dani in your heart always - live life a little bigger, hug those you love a little tighter - take that chance and go for your dreams."And most of all (pardon the obscure family reference) 'you get your own beans!'""Dani and The Beans" is taken at times verbatim from the video - I watched it repeatedly in writing the story but the images remain ingrained in my memory. I hope its simple, yet powerful story inspires children and their parents to embrace each moment together and serves to remind us all that we have a part and a purpose in God's plan. - Donna Griffin

Old Whiskers’ Escape tells the true story of President Benjamin Harrison’s pet goat that lived on the White House grounds. The goat often was spotted taking the president’s grandchildren on wagon rides on the lawn but one day escaped with Grandson Baby McKee in tow. President Harrison, upon discovering the goat was missing, went running down Pennsylvania Avenue in hot pursuit, his top hat in one hand and cane in the other. The story, delightful in its own right, will offer readers surprising insight into Indiana’s only president, the popularity of presidential pets at the White House during the 19th Century, and the enduring relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren—regardless of grandpa’s station in life.