SPOKANE, Wash. — A local veteran has helped fulfill his late mother’s dream by publishing a book she wrote decades ago. Despite family efforts to bring the book to life, it remained unpublished—until a chance encounter with a local publisher made the dream a reality.
The story of Mister Deedles' Treehouse, written by Margaret Morrison Roeth in 1948, centers on the magical adventures of two children. The book was celebrated this summer with a signing event in Coeur d’Alene, attended by the author's son, Chuck Roeth, who recently turned 94.
Roeth, a Navy veteran, proudly signed copies of the book on behalf of his mother and illustrator, reflecting on the long journey to publication.
"My mother had written this book and completed most of it in 1948," Roeth said. "I was a senior in high school at that time and really didn’t pay much attention to what she was doing."
Margaret Roeth, an accomplished artist, had faced challenges in getting the book published during a time when female authors struggled to find success. After her passing, the story remained untold for decades. When Chuck inherited the manuscript and illustrations, he knew he wanted to publish it. However, progress was slow until a chance meeting between his wife and a local publisher, Carrie E. Pierce of Morgan Pierce Media & Publishing.
"I couldn’t believe what I was seeing," said Moran. "The quality of the artwork and the heart in the writing were staggering."
Even with a publisher, the project wasn’t without its challenges. Adapting the original artwork to a modern print format proved difficult, and time was the biggest hurdle. The book, which normally would have taken 5-8 months to publish, was completed in just two months.
Now, decades after the original work was completed, Mister Deedles' Treehouse has been published, bringing a treasured family story to the public.
"It’s such a treasure," Moran said. "It’s a story for everyone and for every time."
If you're interested in reading this special book, it's available on Amazon.