Written and Illustrated by Gayle Beharrell
TELL ME A STORY, NANA
This story is for my granddaughters Kayla and Kylee, who were my inspiration. It was so refreshing when as a small child Kayla would climb up on my knee and say, “Tell me a story, Nana; tell about when you were little.” When she then taught her little sister to do the same, I decided to write Charlie’s Story.
The following is based on a true story about two remarkable people, their garden, and a Seagull named Charlie. Oh yes, and a sassy tabby cat named Rastus.
Gayle’s life has always had art within its boundaries. She has worked as a painter, potter and illustrator for children’s books. Her love of family and children has always been reflected in her work.
Gayle was co-owner and illustrator for The Big Book Bin for fifteen years. In that time she illustrated seventy-nine Big Books and other teaching aides that were sold across Canada and the United States. She also volunteered for over twenty-five years at the elementary schools where her husband was the Principal. It seemed natural that her love of children’s books would lead to her writing children’s stories. Her first book is based on a true story with life lessons tucked subtly inside.
She has had great fun writing and illustrating this story. It brings back many wonderful memories that she now gets to share with others. Her family’s encouragement and her granddaughter’s love of stories inspired her to publish Charlie’s Story. She hopes that both adults and children alike will enjoy reading it.
Gayle is the mother of two children and Nana to two beautiful granddaughters. She and her husband Ron have retired in Peachland, British Columbia, overlooking the beautiful Okanagan Lake. She is now working on her second book.
Clump, clump, clump, went the little girl’s shoes on the steps as she headed for the path to the garden. Her hands were stuffed way down in her pockets, and she was sulking. “I wish someone would tell me a story,” she said to herself. “I am so bored.” As she stomped along the path, all of a sudden, from under one of the bushes came a strange voice. The little girl looked down, and there lay a big old tabby cat. “Oh, hello there,” he said. “My name is Rastus. You want a story? Hmm, well, let me think. I know. You sit down here beside me, and I will tell you a story about a seagull named Charlie and his two human friends, George and Enid.” The little girl sat herself down and cuddled up, and Rastus began.
