Garden Caterpillar Inspires Local Author’s Debut Children’s Book

Pasadena resident Sandy Reckert-Reusing has been a professional writer for decades. A graduate of Old Mill High School, Anne Arundel Community College and the University of Baltimore, she leads a communications team at a Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. During her free time, Reckert-Reusing recently added to her writing resume with the creation of “How Grace Became Amazing,” a newly released children’s book.

“How Grace Became Amazing” is the story of a chubby caterpillar, Grace, who forms a chrysalis and transforms into a beautiful butterfly. A real caterpillar in Reckert-Reusing’s sister’s backyard inspired the book.

Jeanie Reckert shared with her sister photos taken in her Pasadena backyard as the caterpillar advanced toward its wondrous metamorphosis. It started with an army of tiny caterpillars on a milkweed plant. One of them, whom the sisters named Grace, traveled across the yard to the back of a fabric chair, where she created her chrysalis — “a blanket-type wrap” as the book describes the hardened shell.

The photos of a creature going through its metamorphosis inspired Reckert-Reusing. “I have a pretty strong faith,” she said. “I am amazed every day. God uses the simplest things in everyday life to show us his grace.”

Grace remained in the chrysalis for 10 days; the shell’s color changed, and Jeanie captured the advance of the tiny creature with her camera. “She shared this transformation with me every day,” Reckert-Reusing said. “This happens all the time and we never think about it.” Eventually, a monarch butterfly emerged, drying its wings before taking flight. “It was a labor of love for this caterpillar,” the author noted.

Through her work in communications, Reckert-Reusing knew a designer who could help make a book, using the photos to tell the caterpillar’s story. Illustrator Cynthia Ramirez Herrick used Photoshop to convert the original photos into full-page, soft-colored images.

The process of writing, designing and publishing the rhyming book took four to six months. Reckert-Reusing found a Christian publishing house, Mill City Press, to produce the hardback book. “It’s been a lot of fun and very gratifying,” she said of the experience.

“The book is great for graduates or people who are struggling,” Reckert-Reusing said. The inspiring story of transformation is meaningful to children and adults alike. “This happens in our lives too. We will be given wings to fly,” she added. “When I see how much children love it and connect with it, that’s really rewarding.”

Reckert-Reusing has appeared at Chick-fil-A family nights in Annapolis to read “How Grace Became Amazing.” She is also making arrangements to read the story at Anne Arundel County Public Library events. The book will be featured in a Christian retail show in June and also at BookExpo America, a book industry show in New York City. Work on a second book about the caterpillar-turned-butterfly is underway.

“I’ve shared my faith in a way that I may not be able to share otherwise,” Reckert-Reusing said. “It’s been wonderful to have support from family and friends and strangers. People have been so supportive. They relate to the message.”

“How Grace Became Amazing” is available on Amazon and at the Barnes and Noble website. Check out the “Sandy Reckert-Reusing” Facebook fan page. At her blog (www.meaningfulmoments.blog), she also shares thoughts on the simple beauty of life.