When Dr. Nedra Downing needed a way to comfort her granddaughter Katie, Downing’s mother and one of her closest friends came to the rescue.
‘Katie had never been without mom and dad,? Downing said. ‘It was naptime, and we were sitting in an antique oak rocking chair given to me by my mother.?
One-year-old Katie’s parents, Margaret and Temel Tirkes, were on a trip this past summer to the Upper Peninsula with her brother, John.
The sound of a 135-year-old clock, given to Downing by her friend Elizabeth Yeager Grosch, filled the room.
‘We rocked to the tick-tock sound of the clock, I looked at the sky and the birds, and the baby settled in my arms,? Downing said. ‘I’ve had so many jobs to do, and it seemed this was my reward for all my hard work. I had nothing more to do but rock ? nothing was more important.?
She put those feelings into words, which became the poem ‘Tick Tock,? the first to be included in her new picture book ‘Carousel.?
‘This is my legacy as a grandma to her grandchildren,? she said.
The book, published by Clifton Carriage House Press, includes four poems for children, all inspired by her grandchildren.
‘It’s intended for children 1-4 years old, learning what words sound like through repetition and rhythm,? she said.
The poem ‘Carousel? was inspired by John, 4, and Katie’s visit to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum and its fully restored, 93-year-old merry-go-round.
‘John told his dad about it ? he was so excited,? Downing said.
The poems ‘Bath Time? and ‘Feeding Birds? round out the book.
‘It’s all about family values and having good times together,? she said. ‘One of John’s favorite things is to feed the birds with his mom, and Katie and John like to splash around in the bath.?
Downing retired in 2006 after 19 years as a physician and nutritionist with The Downing Clinic in Independence Township.
‘I never expected to be an author,? she said. ‘I’ve done a lot of writing. My daughter (Margaret Tirkes) said my poems were better then the ones she was reading to her children ? why not put them in a book? That’s how it started.?
The book is illustrated by Alla Dubrovich, Downing’s art instructor at Flint Institute of Art.
‘The illustrations bring the poems to life ? she’s very talented,? Downing said. ‘The Carousel horses are very detailed.?
Dubrovich and her husband, graphic designer Igor Macherkevich, incorporated Downing, Katie, John, the chair, clock, and toys, and the Indianapolis carousel into the illustrations.
‘You can see the actual toys my grandchildren play with,? Downing said.
Dr. Downing was born and raised in Wauseon, Ohio. She graduated from the University of Michigan Pharmacy School, and owned and operated her own pharmacy in Flint for several years. She returned to Michigan State University to attend the School of Osteopathic Medicine and also earned a Master’s degree in nutrition. She completed her medical internship at Flint Osteopathic Hospital.
Nedra and her husband, Howard, live in Holly. They have two daughters, Margaret Tirkes and Laura Kovalcik, married to Richard Kovalcik.
‘Carousel? is published by Clifton Carriage House Press, BRIOprint.
‘I felt compelled to finish it by Christmas,? Downing said. ‘I sent it out to the publisher on a Monday and then on Thursday they said they’d like to publish my book. I felt extraordinarily lucky.?
She had her first book signing at the Indianapolis Children’s Museum this past December.
‘It was quite an experience,? she said. ‘There were people from all walks of life. The museum was all decorated with Christmas trees and elves, and a great big slide from the second to the first floor.?
She plans to write additional books including one she wrote when her children were young about their family cat, Minette.
‘Carousel? is available at the Downing Clinic, 5715 Bella Rose Blvd., suite 100 in Independence Township or her website at www.nedradowning.com. It will be available on Amazon.com and local bookstores this fall.