Grandma Cecelia
The little girl in this picture is the real Doris. Her name was Doris Freemore, and when I was a little girl she told me stories about her childhood. Her grandmother, Cecilia, is in the picture with her. She is wearing a simple dress that Cecilia made for her. Doris was very proud of that dress.
Ann Barrow used this photo as a sample for some of the illustrations in Doris Free. This was the photo that I watched on the wall in Doris' house when she told me stories. Photos like this can inspire people to write books and dream about what the past was like.
Doris is shy, but filled with determination and creativity. Her first adventure in 'Neighbor to Neighbor' is an introduction to life in the 1930's. Her family faces the struggled of daily life, but they also realize how fortunate they are.
When Doris unexpectedly befriends a thief, her life becomes complicated. In order to help her struggling neighbor, she must keep secrets from her family.
The pure desire to do good brings together not only Doris' family and their neighbor, but the entire town of Tomah.
