Our Family Treasure
Howard Fridson
Paperback
(ASA Publishing Company, Sept. 21, 2011)
Our Family Treasure is an inspiring book about creativity, friendship and family. The story is taken from the author's own family history and tells of his lovely Aunt Elsie who collected odd bits of things and made her life a joyous creation. The book is a heartfelt journey of two friends who share a creative afternoon. Russell and Lindsay each have a very different idea about what we treasure in life. Fridson's illustrations are soft pastel pencil and include a diagram to help children and adults create their own version of Elsie's paper doll square dance cut-out. When Aunt Elsie turned 75, Howard wrote a story about her and drew a few pictures to present at her party. Elsie had always been like a second mother to Howard and his brother Marty. After she passed away, Howard thought it would be nice to finish the book as a gift to all the cousins and their children. In this way they would always remember their wonderful Aunt Elsie. To his surprise, Howard discovered cousins he never knew existed, from Canada to Viet Nam! The cousins were so excited to read the book, that they insisted everyone should be able to read about their aunt. The result is Our Family Treasure. Howard Fridson is also the illustrator for Martin Scot Kosins' book Maya's First Rose with a Forword by Burl Ives of everyone's favorite "Frosty the Snowman".