Presentation by former resident, artist/author Patsie McCandless, on her forthcoming book entitled
"Becoming Jesse: Celebrating the Everyday Magic of Childhood"
You are born with magic. We all are. Here’s your chance to re-ignite and revel in your magic.
Jesse O’Neil is an orphan boy of comic charm and soul-lighting wonder, raised by his much loved grandmother, Dearie – a once-upon-a-time Irish gypsy, who owns her own theater in 1950’s NYC —and his entertaining young uncle, Conor, who is studying to be an actor.
At age 6, Jesse has unanswerable questions that lead to an inspired quest: to find the woman he calls his “disappeared” grandmother. With unflappable determination and imagination, Jesse collects surprising clues, as the world of theater, music, classic literature and gypsy storytelling swirl around him.
Jesse’s world reaches across generations, guiding him as he shines his magic, his inner Light, touching those around him, most especially, himself. Without traveling anywhere, Jesse’s quest finds a deep, enduring love in the magic that can turn numbing sorrow into amazing marvels.
We all want our magic back. We want to share it with our children and grandchildren – our whole family. Here it is. Waiting for you. To celebrate the everyday magic of childhood.