The Rainy Day That Started it All
The Story Behind the Book
Dear Readers, you may not know this, but author Mary Jane McKittrick’s childhood adventure is the basis for her Boomer and Halley Scavenger Hunt – Discover Rewards by Working Together. The Mom’s Choice Gold Award print book is now available as an eBook on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. If you go to our Books Page you can order it from those two sites plus download a Free Boomer and Halley themed Scavenger Hunt to play at home with proof of purchase. https://shadypinesstorytown.com/fun-facts-about-shady-pines/about/boomer-and-halley-books
Mary Jane really should tell you herself how the idea for the book came to her.
“Hi everyone. Picture this: It was a gray drizzly weekend in Pasadena, California. I was about seven years old, maybe younger. My older brother, Scott and I were visiting our grandparents, Harold and Edna Sanders. Yes, my maternal grandparents are the role models for the characters in my books who adopt an Australian Shepherd dog, Boomerang, (Boomer) and a silver streak of a cat, Halley’s Comet (Halley).
The Real Harold and Edna
“The actual Harold Sanders worked for the Union Oil Company in downtown Los Angeles as that company’s Chief Financial Officer. The cartoon character in the book, who bears his name, owns the Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware story in Shady Pines Story Town. Both Harolds have the Boy Scouts in common and are kind, trustworthy, loving men and devoted to their wives.”
“The real Edna Sanders had a bunch of funny sayings (I love using them from time to time in my stories) and she’d call out, “You- Whoooo!” whenever she arrived at our house. You may find the cartoon version often does the same. Both Ednas love to cook and bake. It’s their love language. The cartoon Edna is a dancer which my grandmother was not. Both Edna’s are warm and gracious, along with being absolutely loveable and caring.”
Now that you’ve met them, back to the story.
Solution For Boredom
“If you’ve ever been trapped indoors with a couple of high-energy kids on a rainy day, you know how quickly walls can start closing in. Scott and I were bored and restless on that Saturday morning after our folks dropped us off the night before.
To their credit, our grandparents didn’t just tell us to go watch TV. Instead, Harold and Edna sprang into action with a brilliant plan that just came to them. They asked us to stay in the kitchen while they scurried around the house hiding treasures.
What was the loot they were hiding? Classic Hershey’s chocolate bars and one dollar bills!
Scott and I tore through the house hunting into every nook and cranny as our grandparents shouted clues. The boredom vanished. It was replaced by the sheer thrill of the chase. That adventure stuck with me. It wasn’t just about the chocolate or the dollar bills. Although, I have to admit as a kid, that was like hitting the jackpot!
But it was also about the excitement of discovery and the joy of working together to find stuff.”
From Pasadena to Award Winning Pages
“Years later, that memory became the basis for the Boomer and Halley Scavenger Hunt book for 6-9 year olds. When I sat down to write the story I realized that this activity is a perfect way to show kids how to navigate the world. In the book the cat uses her agility and the dog uses his strength to gather the goodies. They are working together as a team to discover rewards.
Along the way the four-legged kids are learning four life lessons embedded in the storyline that pop up on the page with a PAW print: Teamwork, Cleaning Up, Manners and Sportsmanship. Those are highlighted in the book with prompting questions to allow for discussion. My grandparents were very good at encouraging good behavior through play at home or even at an amusement park. That’s something that stuck with me, too. No matter where we went they wanted their grandkids to be kind, cooperative and resilient.”
The Real Boomerang
“By the way, Boomerang, the Australian Shepherd dog in the books, is based on my real life childhood dog by the same name. Boomer had endless energy, was determined to herd any and all family members at will, and had too many adventures and misadventures to name. I adored him. In fact, I often used him as the subject of writing assignments in school. Classmates laughed at my retelling of the outrageous events. Teachers scolded me and reminded me I was suppose to write about true experiences. They told me my stories about Boomer had to be made up.”
“The cartoon character, Halley’s Comet, is a composite of the many cats I have shared my life with over the years. To pair my beloved and mischievous dog with a sassy, athletic feline like Halley, meant I could invent countless stories with action. It also provided me a brother-sister relationship filled with plenty of sibling rivalry as my brother, Scott, and I experienced.”
“What are some of your favorite rainy-day memories from childhood? Have you ever turned a moment of boredom into a grand adventure for yourself or family members? Ever had that pet that became legendary in your life?
Do drop your stories in the comments below. I’d love to hear them!”
I really enjoyed this. Can’t wait to find out what other family members pop up in your stories
It sound like you had amazing grandparents. I’m not sure I can remember one event from childhood that had such a profound impact
This is amazing. Really cool to learn the back story to this series that turned into a whole lot more. Thanks for sharing
So glad you enjoyed it!
MJ! Why did I not know this? What a great story and to find your childhood was the inspiration. Your grandparents must have been wonderful people. Love this all
I’m so glad you liked the story Tricia!
Finally seeing this on “the big screen.” Haha! The family photos are fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your story of how the stories began!
So glad you enjoyed the origin story Amy!
You were so lucky to have such wonderful grandparents. And good for you for taking a rainy day moment and turning it into something that teaches important life lessons to young children. We need more of this!
Mary Jane, this is absolutely beautiful! I love getting to see the real-life inspiration behind Harold, Edna, Boomer, and Halley.
It’s so moving to see how a sweet, rainy-day childhood memory with your grandparents blossomed into a national award-winning book. Your grandparents would be incredibly proud to know that their love and creativity are now spreading kindness and wonderful life lessons to a whole new generation of children. You & Scott were blessed to have such wonderful grandparents.
Congratulations on bringing these stories to the digital world—the world truly needs more of this magic!
That is so kind. Thank you Barbara!
Enjoyed the backstory and the inspiration to the characters, furry and otherwise. Look forward to sharing with my grandchildren. BTW, I didn’t know there were rainy days in California 😉
Glad you liked it Kathy. Not often, but it does rain in California!
I never knew the origin story of this series. It’s really terrific
What a wonderful childhood memory that became so much more. God for you. Enjoyed reading about it
So happy you liked it Berne!
I have had several memorable pets in my life but they never made it to the pages of a book. Good for you. Fun seeing the real life image of the characters
What a “fun” gift of the true info of Shady Pines. All the characters put personal meaning to each member
of readings and the tale itself……
KINDNESS ….if every man, woman & child used what that word means
what an incredible world we’d live in
So true jane. Thank you for your comment!
I love how your childhood adventures became the foundation for Shady Pines Story Town. It really makes me think about all of those small moments from childhood and how they can quietly shape who we become. Keep sharing those stories!
Thank you so much Tammy!
Very sweet.
So nice to learn the back story.
And it seems like a nice environment to grow up in.
Thank you.
It was. Thank you Frank!
Nice to hear this bit of history and inspiration. Love the family photos too. Who would have thought your grandparents’ games would give us all your wonderful characters and stories. Thanks real Harold and Edna!
That’s so nice Sandi. Thank you!
So that’s the real Boomer. And your grandparents are part of all of this too, Very special. Thanks for sharing
So glad you liked it Jim!
What fun to get to know the story behind the book. Great pictures!
How wonderful to learn the back story of the Sanders family, both real and fictional.
What an imaginative adventure your grandparents took you on! They must have been so special.
Congratulations on launching the digital books on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. Any child who is lucky enough to read them will be greatly enriched.
Thank you Sheri.
Shady Pines always warms my heart. Although I know the back story, I love seeing your pictures, especially your handsome grandparents. What creative, involved couple they were!
They were indeed. Thank you Elaine!
I love knowing that your grandparents were the inspiration to create Harold & Edna Sanders! What a wonderful tribute to them and their character which obviously made such an impression on you growing up. Having a real life “Boomer” growing up was “Icing on the cake”. Well done !
Thank you Teressa. They were special and he was a character well before he became a cartoon!
I guess you never really know where inspiration is going to come from or when. I enjoyed knowing the back story
I’m so glad you liked it Sharon!
I absolutely loved this! We finally get to meet the real life Boomerang, Harold and Edna. Very fun
Mary Jane, what an interesting post – it was fascinating to learn of the origin of the characters in your books. Thank you for sharing this very personal part of your writing.
My pleasure Joanne. Glad you liked it!
Your stories are captivating while incorporating true values we should all be practicing and sharing. Thank you Mary Jane, the world needs more empathy and kindness.
What a nice thing to say. thank you Janis!