Deborah Wagner Brenneman was inspired to write “Little Feet” by spending time with her granddaughters. “With babies, you always want to kiss their little feet,” she said.
Deborah Wagner Brenneman is pictured with her three granddaughters. From left: Quinn, Mara and Harper.
Submitted photo
Deborah Wagner Brenneman was inspired to write “Little Feet” by spending time with her granddaughters. “With babies, you always want to kiss their little feet,” she said.
Submitted photo
“The Perfect Tree for Mrs. B.” is another of Deborah Wagner Brenneman’s books.
ACCIDENT — Inspired by the blessing of three granddaughters in the past three years, Deborah Wagner Brenneman of Accident has published her fourth book, called “Little Feet.”
“I guess when you are a mom, you don’t pay as close attention to the growing years due to being so busy,” Brenneman said. “But, as a Nana, you can watch it all unfold right in front of you. And that’s what happened with Harper, Quinn, and Mara. I have enjoyed the inspiration they have given me to write this book. I’ve had the opportunity to watch these three little girls get to this part of their life, and it’s just such a blessing.”
The book is illustrated by Kristina Bender of Oakland, a self-taught illustrator who Brenneman met in the summer of 2020. “Little Feet” is the first children’s book she illustrated.
“We clicked right away, and she saw the vision I had for my book,” Brenneman said. “She has been blessed with an amazing gift. I have been very blessed with very talented illustrators.”
Brenneman said she has actually written 10 or more books.
“I start, I stop, and some I finish,” she said.
Her other three published book titles are “The Perfect Tree for Mrs. B.,” “Look What’s Under My Bed” and “Snakes Give Me A FREAK OUT!”
Many of her ideas came from her years as an educator.
“In the beginning of my teaching career, I began to enjoy most conversations that my students would have with one another,” she said. “I was an Early Childhood educator for 17 years and the dialogue became very entertaining. I started writing down funny thoughts on Post-it notes. And from there I would create a poem from it and then a story.”
Brenneman has two more books that are finished. “I’ll Paint You Another Sky” will come out next spring. “Almost Happy” is a story that is finished, but still needs illustrated. “Toothpaste In My Sister’s Bed” is the newest project she is working on now.
“My favorite part about being an author is watching people read my books and telling me how much they like them!” she said. “It is very rewarding.”
Brenneman’s teaching years have all been in Garrett County. She started out at Loch Lynn Elementary School, teaching Pre-K, and then went to Rt. 40 to teach Pre-K there. Next, she transferred to Northern Middle School and taught sixth-grade science. She enjoyed the change and different grade levels.
“I then moved to Hickory Environmental Education Center and taught grades Pre-K to 12th grade, she said. “The last part of my career, I enjoyed teaching fourth grade at Accident Elementary. I attended Garrett College and transferred to Frostburg State University and majored in education, as well as administration. I have always lived in Garrett County. It is the best place to grow up, raise a family and be a part of a great community.”
Brenneman said she thinks she gets some of her ability from her mother.
“Mom was always very creative,” she said. “So I think I get that creativity from her, but it’s also a gift from God. I attribute that, and just my love of kids. I just love kids. So a little bit from Mom and a whole lot from God.”
Brenneman currently has her own inventory of books that people can purchase.
“Locally, people have contacted me through social media and my email,” she said. “Customers love to have the books signed, and I can do that when the books are bought through me.”
In addition, major online bookstores carry all of her books. These include West Bow Publishing, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million and Amazon.
Upcoming book signings are planned for Barnes & Noble in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Nov. 26, from 1-7 p.m. and Dec. 16 from noon to 8 p.m. and Spruce Forest Christmas in The Village on Dec. 1 from noon to 8 p.m. in the lobby of Penn Alps Restaurant, Grantsville.
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