2005 presented a new opportunity for me, and one I never could have anticipated. As the Executive Director of Chartwell Literary Group, I manage and create book projects, from research to finished manuscripts. After being made aware of First Lady Laura Bush’s recommended reading list, a public list available on her website, I created a proposal for a book based on that list and presented it to Penguin Publishers in New York City. They liked the idea and wanted to publish it in seven months, and they decided that I should be the author. I dove in and read all 57 books and wrote a chapter on each one, including summaries,excerpts and reading guides that outline the themes and suggest discussion questions. It was a challenge, but a great deal of fun, and certainly a satisfying accomplishment.

I am hoping the book is encouraging to parents, teachers and grandparents everywhere. I love to read emails like this one I recently received: "[Laura's List] is lovely and helpful. I purchase books for my grandchildren and like a book like this to help with suggestions as to which books to buy. I plan to buy a copy of your book for me and one for each of our children."