“She puts the pie on a plate and I put a fork into the pie. My mouth begins to say yum, yum, yum. I open my mouth, it touches my tongue, and the pie tastes bad to me.”
– an excerpt from the book
ARPress is honored to publish “Red and the Egg Pie” by Donna Gingery. This book is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the ARPress website.
In “Red and the Egg Pie,” author Donna Gingery crafts a heartwarming and hilarious tale that captures the innocence, mischief, and lessons of childhood with unmistakable Southern charm. Aimed at young readers but enjoyable for all ages, this beautifully illustrated picture book is a vivid snapshot of a child’s day-to-day life and the loving but firm guidance of a wise grandmother. Told from the perspective of a vibrant young girl named Red, the story delights with its playful voice, expressive imagery, and timeless message about honesty, listening to your elders, and learning from your mistakes.
Donna Gingery was born in Selma, Alabama, in the 1960s. She is a survivor because she was a premature baby and was not expected to live. Donna says her life in elementary school through high school was not very pleasant. She was diagnosed with a learning disability and struggled with reading and writing. Donna’s high school counselor told her that she would never make it in college—but today Donna has a bachelor’s degree in theater, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a K-12 administration license. She credits a teacher she had for counteracting what her high school counselor told her. This teacher told Donna that she was smart and learned differently. She told Donna to never allow anyone to tell her otherwise. Her words helped Donna become the educator she is today.
Her love for storytelling started at a very young age. Donna has always had a big imagination. It was her imagination that helped her get through school and other adversities in her life. When Donna grew up, if someone asked her a question, she would always answer with some elaborate story. Every night at bedtime, Donna’s sister would ask her to tell her a story. If Donna refused to tell a story, her sister would get very upset. This is when Donna realized her love for storytelling. Donna is a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a friend to many. She lives in Prior Lake, Minnesota, with her husband.
What makes “Red and the Egg Pie” such a compelling and delightful read is its ability to blend humor, cultural flavor, and universal childhood experiences into a single, joyful story. The voice of Red is refreshingly authentic—funny, innocent, and full of life—and children will see themselves in her curiosity and impulsiveness. Adults, meanwhile, will be reminded of their own childhoods and the wise elders who helped shape them.
The vibrant illustrations by Letizia Rizzo bring the characters and their Southern setting to life, making this book a visual treat as well as a literary one. Ideal for reading aloud at bedtime, in classrooms, or at family gatherings, Red and the Egg Pie is a story that entertains while gently teaching life’s small but essential lessons.
In the end, this book is more than just a fun story about a funny mishap—it’s a celebration of culture, imagination, and the unique bond between grandmothers and their grandkids. Donna Gingery’s story will leave readers laughing, reminiscing, and perhaps craving a pie of their own—just not an egg one.
“Red and the Egg Pie” by Donna Gingery is now available for purchase via ARPress Bookstore: