About the Book
2025 Ella's Way Award Winner: Promoting Kindness Through Children's Literature
What happens when an unexpected guest comes to visit? What if that guest moves in for a while? What do you feed 'em? How do you entertain 'em? And just suppose that the visitor is not a person but a white-tailed Deer named Maxi? Read Ruby's diary to find out all the answers!
"On any given day, a miracle of life and nature can touch our hearts and teach us lessons that can change our lives and fill our souls. With her diary, Ruby shares her life-changing interactions with Maxi and Mini. A simple story with easy characters and winsome animals, it is also a story of great love and wonder." --Denna Patterson, retired English department chair and teacher, Stow-Munroe Falls High School
"How delightful to see a new collaboration between the generations! What began as a friendship between two mothers has produced a literary and artistic partnership. Deer Diary reflects the talents of seasoned author Lauren Persons and the budding creativity of artist Lydia Whitehouse. Deer Diary will gladden the hearts of children and those who read to them." --Nancy Greissing, literature, history and literacy teacher
"A true and heart-warming twist on a 'new pet' story! Ruby's authentic and humorous voice narrates the ups and downs of raising a baby deer. Illustrations and doodles by Noah Hrbek and his 11-year-old daughter, Lydia, add bounce and spontaneity." --Pegi Deitz Shea, award-winning children's book author
"This is a true and magical story, the best kind for children and adults to read and talk about together. Truly magical!" --Mary M Salibrici, grandmother and poet
"Deer Diary is such a fun yet meaningful adventure. The characters were relatable, warm, with a consciousness to appreciate nature and all its gifts. I recommend this book to everyone but especially for teachers to use as a read-aloud and to have it accessible for students in their calming center or in a classroom library." --John Mascia, elementary school teacher
"Maxi is not the hero we deserve, she is the hero we need! Deer Diary had twists and turns, highs and lows, I laughed and I cried. Maxi's adventures will live on forever within the beautifully illustrated pages of this instant classic! A wonderful gift or addition to any library." -Tyler Pritchard, writer, rapper and devoted dad
Learn more at www.LaurenPersons.com
From Loving Healing Press
About the Author :
I have played many roles as an actor, playwright, newspaper columnist, mother, teacher, and best of all--grandmother. As a grandmother to two rambunctious grandsons, my love of storytelling has been honed. This latest story is most "deer" to me. Besides getting to take a long walk with Maxi and seeing her baby, I have had the privilege of working again with artist Noah Hrbek, and his talented daughter, Lydia Whitehouse. Best of all, in the middle of a pandemic and divisive politics, Maxi walked into my life. Her meeting, and the family who took her in as a baby, reminded me of the healing powers of nature and the incredible kindness and generosity of people. My name is Lydia and I'm eleven years old. I really enjoyed making this book. Seriously, it was really cool! Drawing is one of my favorite things to do. I've been doing it ever since I was a little kid. I also love making crafts, such as blind bags and squishies out of paper, tape, and cotton. I'm really into music and have my own record player, which I often listen to ELo and Hadestown on. Lastly, I love all kinds of animals, and I have a cute little cat named Luna. Thank you for reading this book and taking the time to read my bio! My name is Noah Hrbek, and I am Lydia's dad. This is my third, and definitely not last collaboration with Lauren Persons. For this book, I simply helped add color to Lydia's drawings. Getting to work alongside my daughter has been a truly exciting and fulfilling experience. I hope this book brings as much joy to you in reading it as it did to us in creating it!
Review :
"On any given day, a miracle of life and nature can touch our hearts and teach us lessons that can change our lives and fill our souls. With her diary, Ruby shares her life-changing interactions with Maxi and Mini. A simple story with easy characters and winsome animals, it is also a story of great love and wonder." --Denna Patterson, retired English department chair and teacher, Stow-Munroe Falls High School
"How delightful to see a new collaboration between the generations! What began as a friendship between two mothers has produced a literary and artistic partnership. Deer Diary reflects the talents of seasoned author Lauren Persons and the budding creativity of artist Lydia Whitehouse. Deer Diary will gladden the hearts of children and those who read to them." --Nancy Greissing, literature, history and literacy teacher
"A true and heart-warming twist on a 'new pet' story! Ruby's authentic and humorous voice narrates the ups and downs of raising a baby deer. Illustrations and doodles by Noah Hrbek and his 11-year-old daughter, Lydia, add bounce and spontaneity." --Pegi Deitz Shea, award-winning children's book author
"This is a true and magical story, the best kind for children and adults to read and talk about together. Truly magical!" --Mary M. Salibrici, grandmother and poet
"Deer Diary is such a fun yet meaningful adventure. The characters were relatable, warm, with a consciousness to appreciate nature and all its gifts. I recommend this book to everyone but especially for teachers to use as a read-aloud and to have it accessible for students in their calming center or in a classroom library." --John Mascia, elementary school teacher
"Maxi is not the hero we deserve, she is the hero we need! Deer Diary had twists and turns, highs and lows, I laughed and I cried. Maxi's adventures will live on forever within the beautifully illustrated pages of this instant classic! A wonderful gift or addition to any library." --Tyler Pritchard, writer, rapper and devoted dad
