Author discusses children’s book based on former UT professor, father – The Daily Texan

Inspired by her father and former UT professor, Charles McBride, UT alumna and psychologist Andrea Zeddies wrote “Charlie’s Friendship Garden,” based on his childhood and experience growing up with a disability. Set in the 1920s, the children’s book discusses understanding, acceptance and his favorite hobby — gardening. The Daily Texan sat down with Zeddies to learn more about the inspiration and experience of writing her book. 

The Daily Texan: You based “Charlie’s Friendship Garden” on your father, a UT professor. What inspired you to write this book? 

Andrea Zeddies: My father was an extremely humble and patient person. He never complained about having a disability, and he never let it stop him from achieving his goals. … He got his associate’s degree at Lamar College, his undergrad at UT in sociology, he got his master’s at NYU and came back to UT to get his Ph.D. At the end of his life, he was one class short of a degree in botany. He really did have a magical garden when I was growing up. If you wanted a salad for dinner, (you would) go outside and get some lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. … We had everything, plus he was also able to breed flowers. 

DT: Many students, such as education and psychology majors, learn about disabilities in their classes. What can UT students learn from your book?

AZ: (The book) is really for four to eight (year olds), but I think it’s relevant to people of any age. It’s about how we accept each other’s differences, because we all have differences. When I go to read the book to second or third graders, they say, ‘Well, I wear glasses and he doesn’t.’ They talk about skin color differences; they recognize (that) some people have learning disabilities or autism. There are (also) hidden disabilities like mental health issues. What (students) should take away from the book is how we should embrace each other’s differences and also celebrate each other’s gifts and strengths. 

DT: How did UT prepare you and give you the skills to write this book? 

AZ: When you’re in a Ph.D program, it’s heavy on the writing requirements, not just the papers that we write, but with our dissertation research. Mine was on a qualitative study on women with lupus, another type of disability that results in a lot of physical and emotional ailments. I stuck in the same arena of working with people who have various disabilities, and most of my work was with children. I was at the Austin Child Guidance Clinic for my year-long practicum and (my internship was) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. … Overall, my UT program prepared (me) to be well-rounded and be able to interact with and help people from a variety of backgrounds. 

DT: Did you think that your book would win a FIRE Book Award?

AZ: I was shocked. I think any time you win an award for your creative work, it is surprising. Then you feel like they really saw me. It was in the category of special needs, and I feel like that’s exactly what I wanted, and that’s exactly what I think my dad would have really loved — to know that his story has been seen and appreciated, and that hopefully it will help people be more aware to treat people with disabilities more kindly.