Meet The Characters of Katy Has Two Grampas!

Katy Has Two Grampas is based on a true story.. our family’s true story! During the illustration process we also decided It would be important for us to include some of Katy’s friends and family in the book. We also included a tribute to one of Katy’s friends who recently passed away.

Below are some notes about each character!

Charlie

Charlize Maree "Charlie". was a true joy bringer to all who knew and loved her. That joy was infectious and changed us all. ⁠
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Katy and Charlie had a special friendship and so it was important to Katy that Charlie was featured in this book. Charlie passed away a little over a year ago but there is still a hole in all of our hearts. We hope that we are able to help keep her memory alive by having her in our story.

The butterflies in the illustrations are a tribute to Charlie!⁠

Grandma Schanke

On the grandparents day page the woman in the front is Ruth Schanke—a wonderful mother to Julie, grandmother to Katy and Madi, and former wife and dear friend of Robert.

Shakti

Shakti was Katy's best friend when they were young! He really did help Katy out on the day there was a misunderstanding about her grampas …AND cheered when her grampa was introduced to the classroom.

Ava and Elise

Friends of Katy's in real life! Ava is the one running w arms out toward Katy and Elise is on the floor making the banner.

The Red Dress

Each of the girls wore the dress on their first day of kindergarten!

The Girls

When Katy was little and had a STRONG lateral lisp people had a really hard time understanding her. Madi, her older sister, would often have to translate what she was saying.