LeBlanc publishes first book
After 11 years, one Pine Island woman made her dreams come true, by publishing her first children’s book, highlighting two characters that paved the way, opened the doors and created a story that touched the author beyond belief.
Paulette LeBlanc, the editor of the Pine Island Eagle, first began writing “Toofer & The Giblet” 11 years ago when her son and daughter were teenagers. She said she would run chapters by them to see their reaction.
“My granddaughters will get to read the books. It’s crazy. A dream come true,” she said. “Oh my goodness, I cried when I held it in my hand. I have the proof. They will be here Monday (Dec. 6).”
The book shares the story of two mice named Toofer, reserved, thoughtful and observant, and The Giblet, who is outgoing and sociable.
“It began when I pictured my best friend at the time. We were always together. I thought about our relationship as though we were mice and how that would look,” LeBlanc said. “How funny it would be as a children’s book, funny to little kids and adults. It kind of just fell into my head and became this unstoppable force to write each story . . . more profound with each book. It does get magical. They are so real to me.”
“Toofer & The Giblet” will eventually be a seven-book series.
“I finished six last week,” LeBlanc said of the series. “Sometimes I will go a year without touching the mice. It took me about four days to write book six.”
The first book of the series introduces the two mice before the chapters go deeper and share the journey of life.
“The main characters show me where they are going to go,” LeBlanc said. “I don’t know who is behind the door until the character opens the door. It’s a weird way to write. I had no idea and all of a sudden Toof, I think today this is how you feel. The Giblet is this way. They have taken me to places I never saw coming. They had me crying my eyes out.”
The illustrator, Dmitry Morozov, from Ukraine, LeBlanc said, captures the characters perfectly.
“Dmitry fit the bill. Oh holy night, I think the stars are brightly shining,” she said of his illustrations. “We just love him and how much he loves the series just blows me away.”
The story of “Toofer & The Giblet” is shared in a classic fashion without cell phones, bullies, or modern issues.
“There are really big things dealt with in these books. A story within a story,” she said. “I felt like when my kids were little there were certain things my mom would teach me, that I taught them. Time didn’t change those lessons.”
Like many writers, the love of the craft began as soon as she could hold a pencil. Although she never finished her degree, LeBlanc fell into writing and became the managing editor of Gulf Coast Woman before eventually becoming a freelance reporter for the Breeze, and later the editor of the Pine Island Eagle.
“The islanders are so unbelievably supportive,” she said.
The book is published through Dragon Horse Publishing.
LeBlanc said when President Julie Koester read the story, she said she was making a home for “Toofer & The Giblet.”
“They started a publishing company in house. They are so good at anything in the book world. Being an advertising agency is their bread and butter, but Julie just loves literature,” she said.
The book can be purchased at www.dragonhorsepublishing.com. The characters can also be found at www.facebook.com/TooferandTheGiblet.
LeBlanc said she is thankful to the team and the extraordinary adventure they are on.
“I am so grateful,” she said.