E N D O R S E M E N T S
"JUST WHEN PARENTS are fretting over what the culture is exposing their children to, here comes my friend Donna Braymer with a refreshing series skillfully teaching Biblical values in an engaging fashion. What a satisfying tool for savvy parents!" J. OTIS LEDBETTER, Author and Senior Pastor of Sonrise Church of Clovis, CA; also serving as co-founder and Board Chairman of the Heritage Builders Assoc.
"AS A SPEAKER, mother, and teacher, Donna is uniquely qualified to craft children's books. As she invites readers to enter Rowdy's world, children and adults alike can't help but laugh, learn, and be delightfully entertained. I'm sure to read every one of her books to my grandchildren time and time again." SHARON HOFFMAN, Conference Speaker, Author, and Founder of G.I.F.T.ed Living Ministries
"DONNA IS GOOD at finding the story in any life situation. Whether she's taking a lesson from life and teaching it from the perspective of human-like animals, or uncovering what is behind the actions of real people, her story-telling is always engaging. Having Donna as a friend has a trap--let her get too close, and she will find your story too!" KEITH BASSHAM, Executive Editor of the Baptist Bible Tribune
“Congratulations on your very successful venture with Rowdy Raccoon. It is indeed a treasure for children to help them learn simple basic values and behavior. " JOHN PAUL HAMMERSCHMIDT, Retired Congressman, Third District, Arkansas
I HAVE HEARD Donna Braymer speak a number of times, and have invited her to speak for two different events for women. One was a Christmas tea at our church and another a regional fellowship seminar for women. Everytime I have heard her speak, she has been insightful, warm, encouraging and challenging. Her genuine love for the Lord, His Word, and His people is evident. I am thankful to call her a friend. CARLA SLAYDEN, Owasso, Oklahoma
A Family Camping
Trip Changed
Her Life
DONNA C. BRAYMER was
a busy pastor's wife, mother
of three growing boys, business
woman, and committed community
volunteer, when a mischievous
raccoon changed her life!
Now she is passionate about her
urry little fellow and using his
antics to help change children's
lives. From his home in the Big Oak
Tree in Harrison Hollow State Park, Rowdy Raccoon, along with his best friend Savannah Squirrel, helps Donna impart the importance of helping children develop strong character.
Where I Came From
I grew up in Tyler, Texas, where I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. I was blessed to marry a fine man, who eventually felt God's call on his life to be in full-time Christian ministry. I have served alongside my husband, Howard, as he has pastored at Open Door Baptist Church in Harrison, Arkansas. It was in this beautiful small town that we "survived" raising three active sons. They are all married and in ministry themselves today.
What I Do
My activities through the years have been varied and interesting. I was privileged to graduate from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri with a Bachelors Degree in Missions and Bible. My adult life has always included ministering to children--from teaching piano lessons, to volunteering in the school system as a teacher's helper, to a 15-year stint as an elected member of the Board of Education, and as a director at the state level for the Arkansas School Boards Association. I'm also a leader for our church's WiseGuys children's program and director of our church choir.
As Business Editor at the Harrison Daily Times, our local newspaper, my job gives me the chance to write positive articles about the businesses in our area, and to touch lives of children through our NIE (Newspapers in Education) program at the newspaper. Rowdy Raccoon is able to be a part of that program.
How the Raccoon Lady Began
One day my husband and three sons were camping at a state park in Arkansas with another pastor and his wife. It was the first time I had gone camping as an adult. I left a loaf of bread out on the table and the park animals had a feast. That gave me the idea of a story about a mischievous raccoon. My first raccoon, Rascal, became very popular among our family and friends, and I soon became known as the "Raccoon Lady." I was able to use these stories to teach Biblical character traits to children--a deep passion of my heart.
After a number of years of writing and sharing my raccoon stories with children, I was accepted by a publisher who saw the potential for a series. It was then that ROWDY RACCOON and his home in the Big Oak Tree in Harrison Hollow State Park was created. He has been giving me "pleasant fits of anguish" ever since!
Why it Matters
Today I regularly step through new doors of opportunity--taking Rowdy with me whenever he's not rummaging through a trash can somewhere!
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