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Pappy Knows Best
New book helps paci-fy common parenting struggle BY » Holly Becker PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of » Frank Johns
ike most grandparents, Frank Johns likes to help his children when it comes to solving common parenting struggles. The Mooresville grandfather found a creative yet unusual approach to tackle the pacifier battle—he wrote a book about it! Known as Pappy to his five grandsons, Johns is the author of Paci Boy and the Ooey-Goey Slime Monster. Charlotte-based Warren Publishing published the book. Paci Boy is the imaginative tale of a little boy named J.J. who struggles to give up his paci habit until he must use his superpowers to con22 LimitlessMagOnline.com | June 2020
front the Ooey-Gooey Slime Monster. J.J.’s initials stand for Jasper and Jack, two of his grandsons who were particularly fond of the paci.
From beach idea to book
Johns thought of the idea for the children’s book during a family beach vacation. He watched his own children engaged in paci wars with his grandchildren. “I thought, I have a better idea,” he says. “I see the book as a way to help parents weaning children off of the paci in a more positive way.” Once he shared his idea with his family, the book project became a group effort. His children and grandchildren started brainstorming ideas.
