Clarkston News

Picture book author's gift to grandkids

by Phil Custodio

March 24, 2010

When Dr. Nedra Downing needed a way to comfort her granddaughter Katie, Downing's mother and one of her closest friends came to the rescue.

"Katie had never been without mom and dad," Downing said. "It was naptime, and we were sitting in an antique oak rocking chair given to me by my mother." One-year-old Katie's parents, Margaret and Temel Tirkes, were on a trip this past summer to the Upper Peninsula with her brother, John.

The sound of a 135-year-old clock, given to Downing by her friend Elizabeth Yeager Grosch, filled the room.

"We rocked to the tick-tock sound of the clock, I looked at the sky and the birds, and the baby settled in my arms," Downing said. "I've had so many jobs to do, and it seemed this was my reward for all my hard work. I had nothing more to do but rock – nothing was more important."

She put those feelings into words, which became the poem "Tick Tock," the first to be included in her new picture book "Carousel."

"This is my legacy as a grandma to her grandchildren," she said.

The book, published by Clifton Carriage House Press, includes four poems for children, all inspired by her grandchildren.

"It's intended for children 1-4 years old, learning what words sound like through repetition and rhythm," she said.

The poem "Carousel" was inspired by John, 4, and Katie's visit to the Indianapolis Children's Museum and its fully restored, 93-year-old merry-go-round."

John told his dad about it – he was so excited," Downing said.

The poems "Bath Time" and "Feeding Birds" round out the book.

"It's all about family values and having good times together," she said. "One of John's favorite things is to feed the birds with his mom, and Katie and John like to splash around in the bath."

Downing retired in 2006 after 19 years as a physician and nutritionist with The Downing Clinic in Independence Township.

"I never expected to be an author," she said. "I've done a lot of writing. My daughter (Margaret Tirkes) said my poems were better then the ones she was reading to her children – why not put them in a book? That's how it started."

The book is illustrated by Alla Dubrovich, Downing's art instructor at Flint Institute of Art.

"The illustrations bring the poems to life – she's very talented," Downing said. "The Carousel horses are very detailed."

Dubrovich and her husband, graphic designer Igor Macherkevich, incorporated Downing, Katie, John, the chair, clock, and toys, and the Indianapolis carousel into the illustrations.

"You can see the actual toys my grandchildren play with," Downing said.

Dr. Downing was born and raised in Wauseon, Ohio. She graduated from the University of Michigan Pharmacy School, and owned and operated her own pharmacy in Flint for several years. She returned to Michigan State University to attend the School of Osteopathic Medicine and also earned a Master's degree in nutrition. She completed her medical internship at Flint Osteopathic Hospital.

Nedra and her husband, Howard, live in Holly. They have two daughters, Margaret Tirkes and Laura Kovalcik, married to Richard Kovalcik.

"Carousel" is published by Clifton Carriage House Press, BRIOprint.

"I felt compelled to finish it by Christmas," Downing said. "I sent it out to the publisher on a Monday and then on Thursday they said they'd like to publish my book. I felt extraordinarily lucky."

She had her first book signing at the Indianapolis Children's Museum this past December. "It was quite an experience," she said. "There were people from all walks of life. The museum was all decorated with Christmas trees and elves, and a great big slide from the second to the first floor."

She plans to write additional books including one she wrote when her children were young about their family cat, Minette.

Flint Journal

Interview

November 20, 2009, 8:35AM

Nedra Downing is a doctor of environmental nutritional medicine and a children’s poet. Dr. Downing's professional biography can be found at The Downing Clinic website.

What led you to write a book?

When I retired I was hoping to get back to my creative self by painting and other things. I was first a pharmacist then went back for a master’s in human nutrition and then my D.O. I had a long, hard working career. I worked for 37 years. Two months after I retired, I had my first grandchild. Two years later Katy came along. I was asked to babysit once or twice a month. At first I was flying to Dallas to babysit, later my daughter and her family moved to Indiana.

I was spending my time getting down on the floor, playing with the kids and these poems just came. The one I like best is “Tick Tock.” I was rocking Katy while she stayed at our house. It was strange for her because her parents and her older brother, John, had gone on a trip to the Upper Peninsula. Even though she had stayed with Grandma and Grandpa before, she was still on her own for the first time. As we were rocking I started “Tick tock, so we rock, Tick tock goes the clock ...” I played with it a little bit and e-mailed it to some friends. Oh, they were nice, said nice things.

I went for about a week to Indiana and had more good times. The poems were just coming into my head, compelling little rhythm poems. The kids would say, “Grandma, say it again!” I did four short little poems like that, not intending to write a book. My daughter wanted to read them. “Mom,” she said, “These are better than the books we have here.”

I thought I’d self-publish, that’s what people do these days. I wanted a quality book, not a floppy thing. If I was going to put my name on it, I wanted it to be a quality book. I sent it on a Monday to Brio Books in Minneapolis. They called on Thursday to say they wanted to publish it.

Who helped with the book design?

I asked Alla Dubrovich, who had been my art teacher, to illustrate it for me. Her husband, Igor Macherkevich, did the graphic art for the book. They both teach at the Flint Institute of Arts. Igor works full-time as a graphic designer for a printer in Flint.

What’s next for you?

When my children were young I wrote a book about our cat. They liked that book; we drew illustrations for it. My other daughter said, “You already have your next book.” It was called “The Story of Minette.” It’s based on our cat and things that actually happened when my kids were growing up with our cat. I probably will do that one, too.

What’s a typical day like for you?

Since I’m retired, I don’t have to do a lot of things. We live in the woods so I usually enjoy watching the outdoors, the birds at the feeders, have some time for meditation and prayer or just reflection. I take our dog for a walk. It’s like a walking meditation. I spend as much time outdoors as I can. I brush the dog, read, work on my computer. I spend time on the art projects I’m working on and I do a lot of cooking. I like making lunch for my husband. When we were working, we didn’t have lunch together. It’s kind of nice to have this nonstructured time. He’s still busy and I’m busy.

Where would you like to go on vacation?

Actually, we’ve traveled a lot. It’s one of the wonderful things that has happened with retirement. We’ve been to Spain, the high desert of Utah, Zion National Park. We have some beautiful pictures. We’re going to the Canadian Rockies next year. One place I’d really like to go is to hear some opera in an old opera house in Europe. After hearing some opera, I picked Prague and we’re looking at Slovenia, too. My husband likes to plan vacations. He does a wonderful job. We’d just rent a car and go off on our own to Prague or Budapest or, perhaps, Romania to find old opera houses and hear some Puccini.

What could you not live without?

I just can’t wait to get outdoors even on the coldest day of winter. I just bundle up and go. I love the outdoors. I don’t like the city. I love the energy of the outdoors. Walking outside in the natural environment is not something I’d want to give up.

What are you most proud of?

I would have to say the proudest moment of my life was when one of my daughters and I were able to “hood” my other daughter as an osteopathic doctor at the commencement ceremony for the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. Both my daughters are now osteopaths. It was the first time a mother and two daughters had graduated from the school. We took a little green surplice and put it over her shoulders. It was a wonderful moment and I’ll never forget it.