Meet The Authors
We’re Denise and Allison Gaede, a mother-daughter duo with a shared love for nature, family, and storytelling. Denise spent over 20 years inspiring young minds as an educator before retiring in 2025. Allison, a proud graduate of UGA, spent five years in the corporate world before teaming up with her mom for this special project. Our bluebird adventure began more than five years ago, when Allison’s older sister, Anna, gifted their dad a birdhouse.
Soon, bluebirds became a beloved part of our family story, sparking endless conversations, birdhouse upgrades, and even a camera to watch all the action. As we learned about the challenges eastern bluebirds face, we felt inspired to help. This is our very first book, and we hope it brings a little bit of bluebird magic and a lot of heart to your home!
Our book was inspired by simple moments spent together sitting in the backyard watching the birds flying around the yard, visiting the bird feeders and splashing around in the bird baths. We have seen several broods come and go through our bird house, while we continue learning from each new and heartwarming experiences. These experiences sparked our idea to write a children’s book and share our story about the bluebirds.
How it All Began…
Why We Created This Book
What started as special backyard moments took flight into a story about Anna Marie. Writing this story together has been a special journey for us as mother and daughter. We named our character Anna Marie after two very special people in our family - Anna for the older sister, and Marie, which is Allison’s middle name.
Our goal is to inspire families to spend more time outdoors and appreciate the beauty of nature close to home. Birdwatching is one of those rare activities that can be enjoyed by all ages, creating opportunities for children, parents, and grandparents to learn and explore together.