"The Lightning Bug Named Blue" is a children's book created by the author, Melodye Hathaway, Hiawatha, Kansas, when she was 12 years old. She would tell the story to all the children she babysat for. It is a story about a lighnting bug named Blue, who was born unable to turn on his "light." He is picked on and bullied by his schoolmates and is struggling with not fitting in at school. Another classmate, Brute, comes up with an idea to seek out The Old Bug from another forest that will have the answers for helping Blue turn on his light. Together Blue and Brute share an adventure that leads them through many "bumps in the road" and in the end he does find his light, but how he finds it is different than he or Brute ever expected. Melodye published the book to share as a legacy to her grandchildren, to highlight her grandson's artwork, and to share poem contributions written by another Hiawatha, Kansas author/poet, Helen Knabe. This book is an excellent mesh of three generations coming together, and a great tool for helping children deal with their own special gifts.

A true story about a 4-yr-old deaf boy, Jeremy Coots, who wandered away from the babysitter's home south of Atchison, KS, near the Missouri River on February 18, 1977. The author Melodye (Coots) Hathaway describes in captivating and honest detail the 5-day search for her son and the aftermath that followed. She was in her ninth month pregnancy with her second child as thousands of searchers over the course of 5 days came together to find her little boy, which officially ended with the findings of an air scent dog team. It is a sad, heartbreaking, moving, uplifting and hopeful read, with a comfortable flow. The author takes you through a parent's worse fear. You weep with Melodye as well as rejoice with her as she takes you through the grief process. The author gives the reader a wonderful glimpse into a hopeful future even in difficult times. As you read her words you feel the sadness and pain as well as the peace, love and hope she has been given. So many can and will benefit reading this moving, uplifting true story.