'Little Suzi' Stories for Grandparents & Grandchildren

By J. Kyle Johnson

 

Quaint, humorous tales meant for grandparents and grandchildren alike . . .

 

The "Little Suzi" stories are recollections of actual events in the life of a young, inquisitive girl growing up "long, long ago" (in the 1960's) in Knoxville, Tennessee. They share one child's experiences in a small world that includes a mischievous imaginary friend Albert, a favorite playmate Denny, and the caring and kind-hearted grownups who influence her life and learning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Kyle Johnson
• Release date: Oct 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393625353

Book preview

Foreword

Quaint, humorous tales meant for grandparents and grandchildren alike, the Little Suzi stories are recollections of actual events in the life of a young, inquisitive girl growing up long, long ago (in the 1960’s) in Knoxville, Tennessee. They are meant to share one child’s experiences in her small world that included a mischievous imaginary friend Albert, a favorite playmate Denny, and an assortment of grownups who influenced her life and learning.

Once upon a time long, long ago—in the 1960’s . . . is how each Little Suzi story begins, because that’s how long, long ago those days seemed to our granddaughter Kylie when told about her grandmother’s childhood memories. The events and principal characters in these stories are real and the stories are true (or true enough, as we say in these parts), though they are enhanced for storytelling purposes.

Over time, each story led to another, and we eventually committed them to paper (mostly so we could remember how we told them!). We first shared them via a web blog at jkylejohnson.net, and now we offer them here, greatly enhanced by the endearing and whimsical illustrations created by Alyssa Naudin, a talented young artist.

‘Little Suzi’ and the Queen’s Cat

Once upon a time long, long ago—in the 1960’s—a little girl named Suzi lived in a cozy house on Highland Avenue with her mommy and her daddy. One particular Saturday morning in March after a long week at school, Little Suzi was lying on her unmade bed reading Through the Looking Glass, a favorite book. She was reading it to her imaginary friend Albert when her mommy stopped at the door to her room to remind her to tidy up and bring her things that needed washing to the laundry room downstairs.

I’m ready to do a washer load, Suzi, her mommy told her as she walked through the house gathering up sheets and towels and all manner of dirty clothes for the