Local author creates book drive to benefit Children’s Hospital
December 29, 2021

KNOXVILLE - What childhood book brings back flashes of happiness, laughter, and memories of joy? What is one childhood book changed the the way you think? Nikki Glandon, author of the Lessons of Pete the Pony series, said for her that book was The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It was a book that planted seeds of kindness, respect, and gratitude in her and is a book that she still reads to this day.

Imagine giving a new book to children whose spirits may be down from being so sick or injured that they are at Children’s Hospital Emergency Room—a book that puts a smile on their faces, makes them giggle a bit, puts joy back in their heart, and the added bonus of teaching an important life lesson. Imagine how relaxed that would make their parents feel!

Glandon said after talking with Pat Scott of Children’s Hospital, she became aware of the hospital’s need for new books to give to their patients, not just those in the emergency room, but also those who are in the hospital on their birthday and other occasions. Due to sanitary reasons, Children's cannot accept used books, significantly reducing their gift stock. New books are much needed because Children’s has over 60,000 children visit each year the Emergency Department.

She knew that a new book would help brighten a child's day, as well as help parents feel more at ease. Thus, she decided to host her Inaugural Children’s Book drive with the goal of having 20,000 Pete the Pony books donated by January 1, 2022. She believes that reaching this goal is easily attainable due to the generosity and volunteer spirit of people in our area and beyond.

Each book in the Lessons from Pete the Pony series is colorful, fun, interactive, and always makes children and adults smiles at Pete’s adventures as attested by customer reviews: “I read this book to my nephew and he loved it :) The illustrations are adorable and the storyline is one that all kids hear! What a great way to share life lessons with young ones.” - Whitney. Current titles in the series are Pete Meets the Herd, Pete Goes to Dinner, Pete’s Old Saddle, Pete Goes Skiing (Yes, a pony goes skiing), Pete Goes to School and Pete Goes Camping. In each book, Pete shares an adventure in a conversational kid-friendly tone and also teaches an important life lesson such as respect, manners, gratitude, determination, being kind, friendly, and bravery. A mixture of titles will be given to the hospital.

Retail value of each title is $10. For this drive, Glandon has reduced the price to only $6.65. There is also an opportunity to add a personalized sticker inside the cover to let recipients know who provided the books. Glandon and her team are handling the orders and then making the delivery to Children’s. Donations from individuals, schools, organizations, and businesses are encouraged and appreciated. Books may be donated by completing the order form at bit.ly/petetheponybooks.

Planting Seeds Co. was founded by Nikki Glandon in 2018. Lessons from Pete the Pony is part of Planting Seeds. The company mission is to plant seeds of kindness, gratitude, and a positive mindset in youth everywhere because the more seeds of positivity that are planted, the more today's youth will be set up to thrive in a complicated world. For more information, you may visit www.petethepony.com or info@plantseedsco.com.

Lessons from Pete the Pony for your own use is available on amazon.com.

Pete Meets the Herd
Pete Goes to Dinner
Pete’s Old Saddle
Pete Goes Skiing
Pete Goes to School
Pete Goes Camping