Author Description

Mary-Ellen O'Keefe is a smart and happy little girl who loves to talk, sing, ask questions, and generally speak her mind. That is, until her first day of school where the unfamiliarity of a new and different environment makes her nervous and shy and causes her to go on an unexpected and very unusual "Word-Speaking Diet"."This is strange! It's not normal! Mary-Ellen's never quiet!It was like she was on some sort of Word-Speaking Diet!"Unfortunately, Mary-Ellen's sudden bashfulness at school prevents her new teacher and classmates from getting to know what a great little kid Mary-Ellen really is. This "shy-acting act" goes on for weeks and eventually, after a gentle pep-talk from Mom about the importance of speaking up, it's up to Mary-Ellen to decide if she'll be able to muster the courage and the confidence to once and for all end her "Word-Speaking Diet" and finally let her schoolmates hear her amazing voice.