ABOUT Gram cracker
"Situations are presented to us that we and only we can choose to use. We can ignore them, temper our enthusiasm and dull our desire for expression or we can pursue them, kindle our enthusiasm and sharpen our desire for expression. We may allow unavailable and distasteful conditions to effect our decisions but in quiet moments of reflections inside us will remind us how dreams and ambitions can serve to change circumstances and environment. With reflection we will find direction and receive purpose to our lives." Raymond W. May (1907-2003).
The first two years of my life were spent on an island, Alcatraz Island, where my father began his career as a correctional officer with the U S. Prisons Service. At this early age my parents started my interest in children's books. My mother read to me and my father made up great bedtime stories. After these early years, my family moved to another very beautiful, much larger island in the Puget Sound, McNeil Island, Washington, where most of my growing up years were spent. This island was also a part of the federal prisons service. I went to a one-room school for elementary school on the island and later traveled to the mainland by boat to go to school in the outskirts of Tacoma, Washington. My interest in reading continued.
i graduated from Washington State University with a B. S. in 1962. I worked for a few years until I began my family. I raised three children and read to them regularly.. My focus on children's books seriously developed.
I returned to the working force with a change in career as I studied nursing. First with an AD degree, Then as I worked I earned my B. S. N. and finally my M. S. N. Most of my 30 year working career was spent in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio as a nurse coordinator in women's health research.
During those years my grandchildren were born and grew up. I read to all 8 and my Christmas and birthday gifts were children's books or young adult books depending on their age. Reading out loud to children became an enthusiastic passion.
Now with the pending birth of my first great grandchild, Owen, I have chosen to record my readings of children's books as a helpful legacy for him, his parents, and those cousins that will follow him. So over a lifetime a positive situation can become, "Yes" unavoidable, but tasteful if you choose enthusiastically to let it.
GRAMCRACKER FAMILY TESTIMONIALS
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"I hated reading when I was growing up, but grandma never gave up on trying to introduce me to different genres of books. Eventually, I fell in love with some books she gave me and have loved reading ever since."
— Rachel Easton
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"Gramcracker is responsible for 2/3s of the books in my personal collection. Her love of reading has been instilled into all of her grandchildren. Even though I haven't read every book she's given me, there was always one ready for me anytime I had the urge to pick one up."
— Jake Spitz
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“What i think of when i see Gramcracker is how everyday we would read together after she picked me up from school. i could never stay focused except when she read a book called “brown girl dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson. that book will forever be remembered in my mind and it’s all thanks to Gramcracker.”
— Emma Easton
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“Grandma Easton has always been my reading supporter. For years she supplied thrilling adventures to me on my birthdays and Christmases. Somehow she always knew the perfect adventure to keep me entertained. I thank her for being that person in my life that kept me interested in books and reading.”
— Jack Easton
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Gramcracker and I have always shared a passion for reading - particularly getting lost in an exciting fiction novel. Growing up, she often gifted books which would inspire my next book series binge or obsession with an author. I loved the time we spent discussing books we were both reading (or had read multiple times, ie Harry Potter). I can’t wait for my son to experience Gramcracker Reads - I hope to help foster in him the same love for reading that we both share.
-Kate Edwards
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"My Gramcracker has never missed an opportunity to give someone a book and has always stressed the importance of reading."
-Will Spitz
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I was never a big reader as a kid. I hated it. However I still sat every day and grandma would read to me. For a while I just sat there but as time went on I began to like it more and more. I still remember the first time she read Number the Stars to me and I realized I loved to learn and read about WWII. So we read more and more books about WWII and I was more and more intrigued. This taught me that reading is fun and easy, you just have to find something you like to learn about. Now my goal is to apply to the Navy and never would I have thought that young my interest in military would prevail through reading.
-Natalie Easton
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"My Mother read to me when I was a kid. I then read to all 4 of my children and I will now start reading to my grandchild. It's such a wonderful bonding moment for both the parent and the child."
-Erin Spitz
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“My mom instilled in me a passion for reading by her dramatic, enthusiastic readings at bedtimes. This passion was not ALWAYS good for my academic success— my fourth grade teacher gave me detention for inserting my novel inside my textbook and pretending to engage in the class while reading for enjoyment instead— it did contribute to my success— good test scores and I ultimately earned my PhD. Being well-read is critical to success in our modern, fast-changing society. Thanks Mom!”
-John Easton
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“I can still remember how relaxing it was as a young boy when my mom would read to me as I sat on a milk crate on our front porch waiting for the school bus to arrive. It always helped set a great mood for the day!”
-Muarry Easton