ELEANOR’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS WISH COMES TRUE!
A Charming, Old-Fashioned Christmas Story Brightens the Holiday Season
“My very merry Christmas wish is to have a best friend and home of my own,” wrote Eleanor, a rag doll who lives at the North Pole, in a personal letter to Santa. Although she loved living with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves and reindeer in their glistening, magical world, Eleanor knew that every toy should belong to a special boy or girl. With the help of her North Pole family, Eleanor learns that wishing alone is simply not enough to truly make your dreams come true.
Eleanor’s story of her wish and the lessons learned when it comes true is told in Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish by Denise McGowan Tracy available this holiday season from Koehler Books.
“The wonders of Christmas are magical and the desire for all of us to have a warm, loving home is universal,” said McGowan Tracy. “Eleanor’s wish relates to everyone – young and old. I hope parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles will take the time to read her story aloud to a special child during the Christmas season. A roaring fire in the fireplace and hot cocoa are optional.”
Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish began as a bedtime story that was re-told every year at the holidays. In 2012, the story was printed as a Christmas card to friends and relatives. The 2015 edition was the first-ever publicly available printing. In 2019, Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish—The Musical debuted in Chicago and an online version was available for streaming during the 2020 Holiday Season.
Make Your Wish!
“Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish contains a recipe for life disguised as one for cookies that leads us to resilience strength, compassion and determination. This beautiful story not only exposes children to the concepts of self-reliance and courage at a young age that will help them grow into strong, capable adults but has an inspiring effect on every adult as well — it sure has on me. Thank you for a story that both entertains and empowers us all.”
About the Author/Playwright
Denise McGowan Tracy has been immersed in Chicago’s and the Midwest’s live entertainment and events community – both onstage and behind the scenes – for more than 40 years. In recognition of her contributions The Chicago Cabaret Professionals presented Denise with their Gold Coast Award in 2014 for her career-long support of local and aspiring performers.
Many Chicagoans know Denise as the producer and co-host, with Beckie Menzie, of Petterino’s Monday Night Live the popular, impromptu musical showcase which celebrated its 13th Anniversary in September, 2019 before Covid prompted its final bow in March of 2020.
In the early 80’s Denise opened, managed and, in a twist of fate, served as the House Master of Ceremonies at the now-storied Byfield’s nightclub in the Ambassador East Hotel.
She served as Director of Entertainment at Chicago’s Navy Pier producing headline talent at Skyline Stage, directing in-house performance troupes, dozens of live stage productions, holiday programming and over 300 fireworks shows.
As an independent event producer, her client roster included The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence, the Congressional Medal of Honor Convention 2008, The Art Institute of Chicago, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, The American Bar Association, Sarah Siddons Society and numerous private clients. In 2010, she founded DMT Entertainment & Events – www.dmtentertainment.com - a full-service event and entertainment production and management firm that produces a variety of high-profile, often private, events. Her tagline: “Creation to Ovation”.
Denise was is a lifelong resident of Chicago until May, 2021 when she returned to her childhood “playground” of Southwest Michigan where she now resides full time with husband Ed Tracy. Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish is her first book and first musical theater production.
“With all that’s going on in the world, it’s so nice to see something shiny and new. Eleanor is life-affirming.”
ON SALE Now!
Publisher: Koehler Books
Distributor: Ingram
Publication Date: 11/15/2020
Soft Cover: $14.95, 978-1-64663-302-9
Hard Cover: $24.95, 978-1-64663-304-3
Ebook: $7.99, 978-1-64663-303-6
Size: 8”x8”
Juv. Fiction: Holiday/Christmas
Original artwork by the late John Michael Downs.