Written by Stacey Bess
Illustrated by Melissa Ricks
Planting More Than Pansies is a resonant story of love, repentance, and rebirth. Based on true experiences, this moving account reminds us that when parents plant well, their children can weather the severe storms of life and return to a safe harbor even if they stray for a season.
Planting More Than Pansies offers hope that children will return to their teachings, and reminds them of the magic of faith as it leads them there.
"Stacey did a wonderful job. She was a terrific and everyone had positive comments." -Dallas Furniture Bank
"During Stacey’s visit to Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in April to celebrate the 2016 Student Affiliate Dinner for Month of the Young Child, she shared the gifts of teaching with our education students including compassion, trust, mentorship and leadership, importance of service, and conquering diversity. Students attending from Seton Hill University; St. Vincent College; University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg; Carlow University; and Westmoreland County Community College; Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children (PAEYC) members and community members were inspired by her message and her dedication to the profession of teaching. Most of all, Stacey shared how important it is to love our children from the top to the bottom. We are not just teachers to our students; we are so much more!" -Dr. Kathleen I. Harris, Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education, Seton Hill University
"It was a pleasure for our campus to host the Midwest premier of Beyond the Blackboard. It was an inspirational movie and our community and campus audience were treated to a great evening. Beyond that, Stacey appeared in several campus venues with students and faculty. She is an effective communicator of the values and techniques of great teaching. She has been where the toughest educators labor, and did it with skill and passion. Southern Nazarene University would welcome her again as she shared values of genuine care and concern for students that we try to teach. I highly recommend her to any audience who wants to understand the challenges of education today, and who wants to hear from a person who knows how to get it done, even in the most difficult circumstances." -Southern Nazarene University