Old family journal discovery.
In an enthralling tale of reconnection with family heritage, relatives of the late Helen Bixby Moore have endeavored to publish a story that their grandmother had crafted nearly a century ago. The family’s journey to bring this story to life again has led them to numerous surprising discoveries about their familial roots.
Helen Bixby Moore, a woman of multiple talents, wrote and illustrated a book titled “Jackie Boy and the Sea Folk” in 1929. However, due to unforeseen circumstances – a Category 5 hurricane that hit Miami in 1935 – the book was destroyed before it could be published. All that was left of it were black-and-white photographs of the original text and illustrations.
Holly Barbo and Larry Moore, Moore’s grandchildren who sustained the family’s creative lineage, have now taken up the mantle to bequeath their grandmother’s undiscovered work to the world. Both bearing the artistic streak running in the family line, Barbo, an award-winning author, and Moore, an artist, found their calling in the pages of their grandmother’s lost works.
Nearly a century later, Barbo stumbled upon these photographs and the idea to finally publish her grandmother’s work dawned upon her. Barbo volunteered to polish some of the antiquated language used in the text, while Moore was entrusted with rejuvenating the illustrations. Fascinatingly, Moore and Barbo were completely unaware of their grandmother’s talents as an author and artist, and it has been a revelation to unearth their similar passions within this project.
The project also presented a pleasant surprise about the characters of the story. The characters Jackie Boy and Coral the Mermaid were based on Moore’s father and Barbo’s mother, respectively – another testament to the extent of their connection with the story.
Jackie Boy and the Sea Folk is not just a representation of the family legacy but also shares a concern for the environment and appreciation of sea creatures – a sentiment that Barbo and Moore share with their grandmother. With its multi-layered story and the surprising alignment of interests, the book has been described as a celebration of family, nature, and the remarkable coincidences of life.
After a year and a half of diligent work, Moore has completed the fresh set of illustrations and Barbo has worked her magic on the language, ensuring it will resonate with the readers of this century. Currently, they are collaborating with a designer for the final print and digital layout and the book is expected to be published by September. It will be available for purchase from Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
The unraveling of this project has allowed both Barbo and Moore to closely connect with their family’s past and fulfill an enduring legacy. While they wish their grandmother could have seen her work come to life, they truly believe that the spirit and voice of Helen Bixby Moore resonate within the story. This venture is as much a tribute to her as it is to the story she crafted.
Sources: HERE News Network
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