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.
"We've had overwhelming, positive comments about Stacey's message to our teachers. ‘She said everything I needed to hear before school started,’ was one comment I've heard over and over. Another consistent theme our teachers have been talking about is ‘love your kids, the academics will come...’ While I listened to her speak last week in our district, I was excited to feel the same enthusiasm and passion for my profession as I had the initial time I listened to her speak at the National Title I Conference in SLC. She delivers a powerful message! Thank you again!!!" -Federal Programs, Preschool Center – Principal
"Women Helping Women had an outstanding luncheon! The guests had an abundance of positive comments and Stacey was fantastic. She captivated the audience and took them from crying to laughing back to crying again throughout the whole speech. She’s simply the best—what a great speaker!" -Women Helping Women Fund – Tri Cities
"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