Authors first youth reader harkens back to memories of yesteryear with parents

By Greg Ellison

(Aug. 12, 2021) Ocean Pines resident Maureen Kennedy, who operates the My Backyard store in the Manklin Creek Shopping Center, has realized a lifetime goal after recently publishing her first children’s book, “A Wonderful Day with Gilly Gilay.”

“It was a bucket list thing I decided to do,” she said.

The title character, Gilly Gilay, was inspired by tales shared with Kennedy during childhood, with the volume dedicated to her parents.

“It was a character that my dad made up,” she said. “It’s just a big goofy bird that takes children somewhere that they want to go in their dreams.”

Kennedy teamed up with Dean Lo, who produced colorful illustrations, for the magical bird story.

After digesting endless fables centered on the feathered friend from her father, Kennedy’s first effort sprang from the seeds planted during her youth.

“This book happens to be about under the sea,” she said.

The story line centers on Mac, an imaginative and energetic youth, who avoids sleep at the risk of missing adventures.

Mirroring Kennedy’s formative years, Mac’s mother finagles him to sleep by reading a story about a magical bird named Gilly Gilay.

Once sleep is induced, Mac is visited by the friendly bird, who proposes the pair take a trip to any locale imaginable.

After Mac suggests they go “Into the sea,” Gilay places the youth into a waterproof capsule strapped on his back and dives into ocean currents. 

As Mac descends into the underwater universe, Gilly teaches the youngster about various aquatic creatures.

A Wonderful Day with Gilly Gilay is available to purchase for $15 on Amazon or can be acquired directly from Kennedy by visiting her My Backyard retail location.

“I have it here in the store and I am also having a book signing on Friday,” she said.

The book signing begins at 3 p.m. at My Backyard in the Manklin Creek Shopping Center.

“We’re having light refreshments,” she said.

After endless years contemplating the creative venture, Kennedy is enthused the work is finally published.

“It was just one of those things that after twenty-some years of talking about it, I finally made it come to fruition,” she said.