Thank you for sharing the odyssey that you and Olive undertook at this last stage of her life - and creativity.
Although Olive and I have been friends since our children were young, many years ago, and although we have had long lapses in "keeping in touch," she will always be one of the dearest people I have ever known. Sheer goodness radiated from her - and I think that, in addition to her sensitivity and creativity, shown through during the years when she brought historical figures alive (I think of Emily Dickinson particularly), her story-telling, and certainly that is true of the "Thrift Store Bears."
Her spirit brought others to her, including the wonderful artist who gave the bears form and the musician who gave them voice, so that these shared talents created a very special book for children, of all ages.
Your unfailing support and assistance in bringing the book into print, David, becomes a lasting tribute to you - and to her.
Carolyn
Mar 15, 2008 Rating
Olive Evans, An Amazing Woman by: Nancy Jackson
Thank you, David, for sharing the beautiful story of your beloved Olive and her delightful Thrift Store Bears.
Olive was an amazing woman and I am so blessed to have known her. Having also fought cancer, Olive's strength and courage never ceased to amaze me. I will forever be inspired by her spirit, her attitude, her talent and her friendship.
I love reading and listening to Olive's bears with my grandchildren. Her works are a precious gift to all generations and to me, personally, a wonderful reminder of my gifted, delightful, amazing friend.
Mar 13, 2008 Rating
With much love by: Gwenno Dafydd
I had the great priveledge of meeting Olive in October 2004 when I came over to make a film about the life of one of their closest friends, Eluned Phillips. Dafydd and Olive took me into the heart of their family and gave me a wonderful 'croeso' (Welcome) I was so sad to hear that Olive had finally lost her fight with cancer and that's what she did - she fought to try and overcome the beast eating her up literally. I have a copy of the Thrift Store Bears and it is so obvious that a great deal of love and talent went into writing it.
With much love
Gwenno Dafydd
Mar 11, 2008 Rating
Olive Evans, An Inspiring Artistic Soul by: Myla Lichtman-Fields
David Evan's moving tribute to Olive is to be commended. They were quite a team. The testimonies that were their labor of love, the two marvelous Bear Books as well as their lovely children and grandchildren will continue to enrich our world. Olive Evans' artistic soul permeated her life and all of her creations.
Her books are a wonderful addition to home and public libraries.
Mar 10, 2008 Rating
Tribute to Olive by: Linda Reinstein
David
Your article is a beautiful tribute to your amazing wife and your love for her. Olive enriched our lives greatly and also will be remembered for her delicate sensitivity. She gave too much of her self to others, especially with my late husband Alan.
Sincerely,
Linda
Mar 08, 2008 Rating
Inspiration by: Ivor & Pat Thomas
What I have read catches the world and dreams of children and adults alike. That Olive used her talent for children at a time in her life that would make many people climb into bed and pull the covers over their head is an insipration. We knew Olive and always thought of her as a magnet to children and adults alike. We are forwarding this on to Kiwanis and KidZKount in Northern California as great reading. Hope that other people volunteering in their community will do the same. She will be remembered and she certainly will be missed.
Mar 08, 2008 Rating
The Virtue of Tenacity by: Meredith Parry
In my travels through life I have come across many who would like to become authors of children's books. David's beautiful description of Olive's experience as an author searching for a publisher and her tenacity to see the task through beyond traditional methods shows us all what can be done when one's heart and spirit are in the right place. My students love The Thrift Store Bears, their parents love them, and my friends and their children love them. The Thrift Store Bears have touched our lives in ways that only Olive could produce. May god bless you Olive in your Heavenly home. Meredith
Mar 08, 2008 Rating
Olive's journey by: Valerie Perrin
Olive’s journey
When Olive first started writing her poems on the Thrift Store Bears, she had no idea of the happiness and fulfilment her work would bring during the ensuing years. Emotions that would help her during the darker days that lay ahead as her health deteriorated. Her gift at being able to reach out to young children shone through and, through the words of her adorable characters, she was able to instil the social attributes of tolerance, compassion and empathy so necessary in today’s society. David has very successfully summed up Olive's journey and we know that along the way she had a lot of fun.
Olive’s great fortune in being able to bring together the talents of Pat and Jim, together with the business acumen and printing knowledge of Paul and David, all combined to make the books outstanding. Their journey into self-publishing had proved very successful. Here in Australia, self-publishing is still fairly rare and I use my sister’s books as an example of how good it can be. I miss Olive every day but listening to her on the CD’s will continue to be a joy.
Mar 07, 2008 Rating
My Dear Friend by: Pat Woolley
I knew David and Olive years ago, but it was only a few years back that we became the fast friends we are now.
Olive and I could read each others minds when it came to teddy bears. She would write the poems, bring me a basket with the bears she had written about and after I had "gotten to know them," I would see the images I wanted to illustrate. She always seemed so pleased with my drawings,it was a wonderful, uplifting experience for me and I think it brought her great pleasure to see her dreams of publishing a book come true.
We had a great team working together, Olive, Jim, David, my son Paul and myself.
Thanks David for writing our story. Olive and the teddy bears will always be part of my life.
Mar 06, 2008 Rating
A Beautiful Story by: David Thomas
A wonderful story of strength, fortitude and obvious love, Daffydd ... Olive will live on in the memories of the thousands of children that have read and enjoyed her beautiful books.
Mar 06, 2008 Rating
Finding Our Bearings by: Dave H
I was touched by the story of how my Grand-daughter's new favorite book came to light. The energy, talent, creativity--and most of all the love--come through clearly in David's wonderful account.
Mar 06, 2008 Rating
A Wonderful Tribute by: Patricia Fry
David did an absolutely terrific job with this article. What a wonderful tribute to his talented and generous wife.
I met David and Pat at the Los Angeles Times Book Festival last year when they graced us with their visit to the SPAWN booths (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network). They left us with a copy of Olive's book and I've enjoyed it immensely.
Thank you for your contributions of love through Olive's words and Pat's art.
Patricia Fry, President
SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) www.spawn.org
Mar 05, 2008 Rating
Praising Olive by: Lp
Hi David,
Thanks for your heartfelt submission.
I think what your words best reflect is the need for all people to have the opportunity for creative expression. Self publishing is opening up doors for many who otherwise would remain voiceless. And reward young readers with unique creativity and spirit like Olive's.
For this, we should always remember her as a pioneer.
Mar 05, 2008 Rating
What a beautiful story by: Steve B.
David, thank you so much for contributing. Olive's story reminds me how much my old opinions about self publishing were wrong. (I thought it was for suckers.)
In truth, self publishing is a way dreams can be made to come true (provided your dreams are realistic!). It's a way to keep one's vision pure and to make sure it comes to market. It's a place where you take responsibility for your book's - and your own - place in the world. It's a place for grown-ups. And Olive clearly was a very special one of those.
