The Little Lucy Series, of which A Lick and a Promise is the first, grew out of the author’s passion to play with and understand words. Written in honor of her mother (Lucy), who passed away in December 2009, many of the idioms and expressions in this book are from her mother’s stories and songs. This book is not just a children’s story—it’s a story that inspires dialogue across generations, as Lucy tries to understand the seemingly nonsensical sayings her Grammy and Papa frequently use.

Future books in the Little Lucy Series include Busy Bee Hill, which takes place during winter and focuses on Lucy’s sledding adventures; Wrinkles of Time, which takes place during spring and lets Lucy hear the stories that gave Grammy and Papa their well-deserved laugh- and worry-lines; and This Little Light, set during the summer.