“Oatmeal & Lavender” is a gentle story about friendship, acceptance, and kindness. Annie Beth is a ten-year old in foster care who has no friends but her dog and does not speak much. She follows a mysterious bird and is befriended by Riley, who is a popular kid at school with many friends. The story is set in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia in days gone by. This is a story for all ages. (Price includes shipping in the continental US)

“Coral Musick” is a tender story about friendship, kindness, and hope. Annie Beth and Riley are ten-year olds growing up in the beautiful, soft mountains of Appalachia. Annie Beth is living with a foster family and met her first friend Riley in the summer through a mysterious bird that she named Oatmeal. The girls share adventures, laughter, family times, and a love of singing in this story that takes up where "Oatmeal & Lavender" ends. They meet new friends, including Rory, a boy who has odd behaviors and struggles to communicate with people. All ages will enjoy this fictional book set in Russell County, Virginia; it begins in September and ends at Christmas in 1969. The book is written to be read by adults to and with children to open up conversations about life lessons about friendship, acceptance of those who are different and standing up for others. (Price includes shipping in the continental US)

“Oatmeal from the Other Side” is the parallel story of Ann’s first two books “Oatmeal & Lavender” and “Coral Musick.” In the first two books, readers meet Annie Beth, a young girl in foster care, and her best friend Riley, as they share childhood adventures. Set in the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia in 1969, these stories gently discuss foster care, adoption, kindness, friendship and acceptance of others. In “Oatmeal from the Other Side,” readers view the first two stories from the perspective of the birds that live on the Other Side. The Other Side is a magical place where peace, love, kindness, and friendship abound. Under the supervision of the Great White Owl, Oatmeal and Lavender, along with the sister birds Jade, Mint, and Teal, travel back and forth, between the Front Side and the Other Side on missions to help people. (Price includes shipping in the continental US)

Follow the friendship of Annie Beth and Riley--from meeting by following a mysterious bird in the summer and through school and adventures in the fall and winter of 1969. This set of books gently discusses foster care, adoption, friendship, acceptance, bullying, and facing fears and failures. (Price includes shipping in the continental US)