PHOTO GALLERY

Below you will find photos and captions of kids who have done very special things. Some have written or illustrated stories of amazing subjects, some have participated in the Love Like Lorraine purse project and some are exchange students who are learning that volunteering (giving back) makes the world a better place.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan Marion is a popular speaker, known by teachers around the world. She was a small child in a concentration camp. Her game of finding four pebbles (one for each member of her family) encouraged her every day that they would all survive. Siblings Jon and Christine Mattern met her and heard her inspirational story. They felt those stones gave her hope and titled her book "Never Lose Hope".	WWII Veteran John Gualtier John told these girls what it was like to work as a medic on the front lines in Europe during the war. There was no medicine to spare so if he pulled an injured man back to assess his wounds and there was no hope of saving him, he couldn't give him anything for pain. They would call his name all night long as death lingered. "Barbed Wire Wings" is the title of this important book.
A Lesson on Suicide WWII Veteran John Gualtier can hold the interest of a room full of students. His experiences during the war included working triage on the front lines and having a Jewish man die in his arms when he liberated a concentration camp. He came home with PTSD and tried to kill himself three times. Thankfully, he was not successful, and today, he touches the lives of children and men and women coming home from war with PTSD. He has saved lives and is thankful to be used this way.	Jewish Survivor Francis Shnurman Young Lauren Plumley interviewed Francis to write and illustrate her story. Thankfully, she got there in time because Francis passed away shortly after the interview. "Against All Odds" tells the story of a courageous woman's survival, against all odds.
Graziella Viterbi in Italy An exchange student at the Bowen home, Nic from Italy wasn't interested in the book project UNTIL he heard there were Catholics in Assisi that saved Jews. Nic went home and interviewed a survivor over the phone. He wrote her story in Italian and once text was approved, translated it into English. Deb Bowen went to Italy and met with Nic and Graziella. "Assisi - My Safe Haven by Nicolla Dalla Torre is available on Amazon.	Young Author Recognition In Spring of 2011, young authors and illustrators were recognized for their storytelling efforts. This picture has many American participants along with exchange students from Morocco, Pakistan, Israel, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh. Also, a refugee student from Afghanistan.
The Quad Cities Three Esthers These three ladies are the inspiration for A BOOK by ME. They started it all. When Deb Bowen saw them at a Holocaust Remembrance event in 2003, she could not let their stories die with them. Their stories were written and illustrated by kids for kids. The Jewish Federation received grant monies and put them in area schools. Feedback from teachers said "this makes the Holocaust more real to our students."	WWII Veteran Eugene Parmer Eugene from Iowa shot the lock off one of the gates of Dachau concentration camp. The Jewish prisoners knocked him down because they wanted his American flag lapel pins. He was their liberator. He lived with the memories of sights and smells there for the rest of his life. Young Amanda DeVilder wrote and illustrated this important story for young readers.
Esther Schiff and her young author Michael Bowen was very young when he learned Esther could not bring herself to go into a classroom and speak about her experiences during the Holocaust. He immediately volunteered to write her story and the family's foreign exchange student from Germany agreed to illustrate. Esther passed herself off as Catholic and was shipped to Germany as Polish slave labor. She gave herself a typical gentile name Edwarda. The title of her book is Edward Opatowska Saved My Life. It's available on Amazon.	Frieda Roos-Van Hessen Young Daniel Gittleman captured Frieda's storybook when he was very young. Both live in the Charlotte, NC area. She was a talented singer who was told she could no longer perform publicly after the Nazis invaded. The title of her storybook is From Singer to Survivor and it's available on Amazon.
Dr. Ralph Troll and Sarah Callahan Ralph grew up in Germany and remembers the Allied airplanes flying over his family farm. His mother was Jewish and his father Christian. He was devastated when the Nazis came for her and took her to a camp. At school the next day, he was told he was not worthy of an education. His mom survived and their family immigrated to Chicago. Ralph got his education in America and became a college professor.	Jewish Survivor Eva Schloss Eva became Otto Frank's step-daughter after the war. Her father and brother were killed in the war. Like the Frank family, her family was in hiding and was caught and sent to a concentration camp. Young Eva knew and played with Anne and Margo before going into hiding. Two exchange students (Romania and Vietnam) wrote and illustrated Hide & Seek With Evil. It's available on Amazon.
Yitzhak Lichtenfeld Jewish Survivor This is the first book in the series written in Israel. The story of Yitzhak Lichtenfeld who was a young boy in war-torn Poland. Luckily, he did not look Jewish which helped save his life and feed his family. Young author Elad Jovani wrote his story in Hebrew and translated it to English. The beautiful artwork was created in Iowa by Olivia Allard. Led by the Look is available on Amazon.	WWII Veteran Paul Hauck Young Marisa Paulson interviewed Dr. Paul Hauck. He was born in Germany and his parents immigrated to America before the war. He went back to his homeland as a soldier and was an eyewitness to the horrors at Nordhousen. Paul told his young author his story and she felt he had lived a blessed life. She titled his book A Blessed Life and it can be found on Amazon.
WWII Veteran Jesse Crawford This was the very first WWII veteran interview for A BOOK by ME. Jesse's book titled A Boy Called Jesse: A Hometown Hero was written and illustrated. Jesse served his country during WWII and was shocked to find the Jewish prisoners in a camp after the war ended. Young Joshua Bowen wrote his story and a German exchange student named Laura Kase illustrated it. Jesse's book can be found on Amazon.	Jewish Survivor Doris Fogel Young Doris and her mother were caught in Hitler's web in Europe. They learned there was a chance to escape by going to Shanghai, China. Young author Amen Gabre (Ethiopia) and illustrator Faith Mutum did a brilliant job capturing her story for young readers. RUN is available on Amazon.
Jewish Survivor Roman Frayman Teen author Miriam Duhamel, and teen illustrator Anna Wolf, have created compelling text and images to explore the life of Roman Frayman. All live in Ohio. Born a Jew in Poland, Roman believes that it was a miracle he survived the Holocaust. The title of his book is Three Miracles and it can be found on Amazon.	Marguerite Mishkin Young Maya Baker wrote the story of Marguerite, a Jewish child who was hidden with a tavern owner during the war. A Nazi soldier would hold the young girl on his lap while bragging to his friends he could smell a Jew from a mile away. A Nazi Loved Me is available on Amazon.
Righteous Gentile Jeno Berta Jeno was a six year old in Hungary when Hitler invaded. His Catholic family bravely decided to hide a Jewish family of four in their bar. Alexis Ryckaert was inspired and wrote his story with great love. Strangers in Berta's Barn is available on Amazon.	Jewish Survivor David Wolnerman David was a young boy in Poland when the Nazis invaded. When they rounded up his family, he noticed the old and young were sent one way and the able bodied were sent another. He bravely told a lie when asked his age. His fib saved his life as the old and young went straight to the gas chamber. Author Sydney Pearl did a great job telling his story for young readers. A Lucky Lie is available on Amazon
Lorraine's Great Granddaughters Many of Lorraine's great-grandchildren didn't get a chance to meet her. So thankful we can share her heart with these beautiful sisters. Missing from the photo: Sydney Lorraine.	Happy Customers Although filling a purse with basic items seems a bit dull to some people, it's such a blessing to those who receive. These women said it felt like Christmas. Another woman told me she was so embarrassed that she hadn't been able to afford deodorant for weeks. Most of us have no idea what that is like.
Welcome Adela from Romania Fall 2019 Each year in August students arrive in America to greet their new host family and attend an American high school. Host families are always needed. Please email Deb at abookbyme@gmail.com if interested.	Virgil - a WWII Hero Deb Bowen and Sharon Taylor with Veteran Virgil Juliot of Geneseo, IL. He was a navigator on a B-29 Superfortress in the war. His model airplane was signed by Paul Tibbets, the pilot who flew the Enola Gay when it dropped the bomb called Little Boy on Hiroshima
My beautiful Mama Here's the little gal who started it all. The adorable Lorraine. She raised eight children (Deb was youngest) and worked very hard as a farm wife. Many women would come to her kitchen table to talk about their life struggles. She had a loving heart.	From Broken to Beautiful Deb volunteers occasionally at a safe house where women were once addicted and/or sex trafficked. They asked for her help and purses, jewelry, make up, hair, dresses and shoes were given so they can go to a gala event in Chicago with heads held high. These women have great hearts and are learning that their lives have great value. They are truly moving from broken to beautiful.
Beautiful Donors I can't do it without wonderful people who believe in my mission. A big thank you to my niece Jamie Heymann whose company donated $625 to Love Like Lorraine. Thank you American Marketing & Publishing Donations made to Love Like Lorraine will go toward the items we place in the purses. All empty purses are donated.	Spring Hats for Beautiful Girls Provided purses, a meal and program for refugee women and their daughters. Spring 2019
St Paul the Apostle Catholic School Kids loved the book set someone donated! They collected purses and items to put in them after hearing my presentation.	Lorraine's Grandson Michael Youngest grandson Michael didn't get a chance to meet her, but he delivered purses to homeless shelters in her memory.
Heart of Hope Ministries Hundreds of filled purses have been donated to this wonderful ministry. Heart of Hope serves men and women in at- risk neighborhoods in Rock Island IL	Pregnancy Resources Hundreds of purses have been given to organizations like this who serve struggling moms. This organization offers parenting classes and you earn points by coming. The purses have been used as incentives for this life-changing opportunity.
Refugees and Daughters Love Like Lorraine partnered with World Relief and the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities to honor our refugee women and their daughters. All enjoyed the gift of purses and the little girls also received princess dresses. International Day of the Woman 2018 - Moline IL	Understanding Works! Board members Maxine Russman, Deb Bowen, Cassie Holler and Marietta Castle
Quad City Times Deb Bowen, in the Quad-City Times photo studio, holds up a number of purses ready to be donated.	Congresswoman Cheri Bustos Nana Lee, a refugee student who attends United Township HS, Deb Bowen and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos celebrate International Day of the Woman together. 2019
Vacation Bible School 2018 All filled bags were given to World Relief to share with teenage refugees as a back to school gift.	Jefferson Award 2019 Deb Bowen holds her Jefferson Award. It was a great honor to be nominated.
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PHOTO GALLERY

Marion Blumenthal Lazan

WWII Veteran John Gualtier

A Lesson on Suicide

Jewish Survivor Francis Shnurman

Young Lauren Plumley interviewed Francis to write and illustrate her story. Thankfully, she got there in time because Francis passed away shortly after the interview. "Against All Odds" tells the story of a courageous woman's survival, against all odds.

Graziella Viterbi in Italy

Young Author Recognition

In Spring of 2011, young authors and illustrators were recognized for their storytelling efforts. This picture has many American participants along with exchange students from Morocco, Pakistan, Israel, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh. Also, a refugee student from Afghanistan.

The Quad Cities Three Esthers

WWII Veteran Eugene Parmer

Esther Schiff and her young author

Frieda Roos-Van Hessen

Young Daniel Gittleman captured Frieda's storybook when he was very young. Both live in the Charlotte, NC area. She was a talented singer who was told she could no longer perform publicly after the Nazis invaded. The title of her storybook is From Singer to Survivor and it's available on Amazon.

Dr. Ralph Troll and Sarah Callahan

Jewish Survivor Eva Schloss

Yitzhak Lichtenfeld Jewish Survivor

WWII Veteran Paul Hauck

WWII Veteran Jesse Crawford

Jewish Survivor Doris Fogel

Young Doris and her mother were caught in Hitler's web in Europe. They learned there was a chance to escape by going to Shanghai, China. Young author Amen Gabre (Ethiopia) and illustrator Faith Mutum did a brilliant job capturing her story for young readers. RUN is available on Amazon.

Jewish Survivor Roman Frayman

Marguerite Mishkin

Young Maya Baker wrote the story of Marguerite, a Jewish child who was hidden with a tavern owner during the war. A Nazi soldier would hold the young girl on his lap while bragging to his friends he could smell a Jew from a mile away. A Nazi Loved Me is available on Amazon.

Righteous Gentile Jeno Berta

Jeno was a six year old in Hungary when Hitler invaded. His Catholic family bravely decided to hide a Jewish family of four in their bar. Alexis Ryckaert was inspired and wrote his story with great love. Strangers in Berta's Barn is available on Amazon.

Jewish Survivor David Wolnerman

Lorraine's Great Granddaughters

Many of Lorraine's great-grandchildren didn't get a chance to meet her. So thankful we can share her heart with these beautiful sisters. Missing from the photo: Sydney Lorraine.

Happy Customers

Welcome Adela from Romania Fall 2019

Each year in August students arrive in America to greet their new host family and attend an American high school. Host families are always needed. Please email Deb at abookbyme@gmail.com if interested.

Virgil - a WWII Hero

Deb Bowen and Sharon Taylor with Veteran Virgil Juliot of Geneseo, IL. He was a navigator on a B-29 Superfortress in the war. His model airplane was signed by Paul Tibbets, the pilot who flew the Enola Gay when it dropped the bomb called Little Boy on Hiroshima

My beautiful Mama

Here's the little gal who started it all. The adorable Lorraine. She raised eight children (Deb was youngest) and worked very hard as a farm wife. Many women would come to her kitchen table to talk about their life struggles. She had a loving heart.

From Broken to Beautiful

Beautiful Donors

Spring Hats for Beautiful Girls

Provided purses, a meal and program for refugee women and their daughters. Spring 2019

St Paul the Apostle Catholic School

Kids loved the book set someone donated! They collected purses and items to put in them after hearing my presentation.

Lorraine's Grandson Michael

Youngest grandson Michael didn't get a chance to meet her, but he delivered purses to homeless shelters in her memory.

Heart of Hope Ministries

Hundreds of filled purses have been donated to this wonderful ministry. Heart of Hope serves men and women in at- risk neighborhoods in Rock Island IL

Pregnancy Resources

Hundreds of purses have been given to organizations like this who serve struggling moms. This organization offers parenting classes and you earn points by coming. The purses have been used as incentives for this life-changing opportunity.

Refugees and Daughters

Love Like Lorraine partnered with World Relief and the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities to honor our refugee women and their daughters. All enjoyed the gift of purses and the little girls also received princess dresses. International Day of the Woman 2018 - Moline IL

Understanding Works!

Board members Maxine Russman, Deb Bowen, Cassie Holler and Marietta Castle

Quad City Times

Deb Bowen, in the Quad-City Times photo studio, holds up a number of purses ready to be donated.

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

Nana Lee, a refugee student who attends United Township HS, Deb Bowen and Congresswoman Cheri Bustos celebrate International Day of the Woman together. 2019

Vacation Bible School 2018

All filled bags were given to World Relief to share with teenage refugees as a back to school gift.

Jefferson Award 2019

Deb Bowen holds her Jefferson Award. It was a great honor to be nominated.

253_j211

Describe your image here.

1 - SCRA Grant book distribution 8_18_20

Describe your image here.

I'm an image title.

Describe your image here.

I'm an image title.

Describe your image here.