My Mask. My War.
A WWII Memoir by Gary Metivier & Norma Thoeming
The streetlights were dark. Black-out curtains hung on every window on every home. The buzz of bombers circled above, searching for targets in the night.
For a little girl named Norma, this was the only life she knew. This was life in World War II England.
A shiny apple for Christmas was all her father could give. Her mother had walked away without saying a word to her children, after young evacuees escaping the Blitz bombing in London flooded their town. Norma’s older sister Pat comforted and protected her as they watched the “pretty little lights” that lit the way for bombers above their home. Her mischievous brother Brian entertained them with his antics when he wasn’t entertaining himself in his search for adventure. He ran out onto the streets to see where the bombs landed when most ran to shelters instead. But
together they found a way to live life.
Soon, two American service members on leave would open their eyes to a whole new world filled with new tastes and new dreams for a brighter tomorrow.
But what would it take for Norma to make it through? She takes us on an inspirational journey of love, loss, laughter, and hope. Norma reveals life behind the masks she would need to wear to survive.
My Mask. My War. Norma’s War.
*A portion of the proceeds from this book are being donated to support non-profit veteran's programs.
If I Could Fly
Written by Gary Metivier, Photography by Jay Wolf
Young readers are invited on an imaginative journey through the skies, exploring what it would be like to take flight as different types of birds and animals. Through rhythmic, playful verses, the book captures the joy of swooping, soaring, and gliding, encouraging kids to think creatively about the animal kingdom and dream of adventures above the clouds.
About the Author and Photographer:
Gary Metivier is an award-winning author and journalist who crafts heartwarming stories for children and adults alike. Known for his storytelling on his YouTube channel The Heart of the Story with Gary Metivier, he also hosts That’s Wild with Gary Metivier, a series highlighting the beauty of nature.
Jay Wolf, a dedicated wildlife photographer, captures breathtaking images of animals in their natural habitats, no matter the season or terrain. His adventurous spirit and passion for nature come through in every photograph, many of which are showcased on That’s Wild with Gary Metivier.