We all need more joy in our lives!
Maxine shows us the way.
Available Now!
Introducing Maxine’s Joy
A children’s book with a greater life lesson.
While most people chase after happiness, Maxine teaches us to choose joy—a deeper, more lasting state of being.
Inspired by the real life of Maxine Landrum Thaxton, Maxine’s Joy takes children on a heartwarming journey through significant historical moments like The Great Depression, The Dust Bowl, and World War II. Despite facing difficult times, Maxine’s joy always shone through. Her story teaches young readers that joy comes from within, is resilient through adversity, and is best when shared.
With gentle touches of faith, this timeless tale introduces important topics such as family, Alzheimer’s Disease, the loss of a loved one, and the hope of heaven—handled with care and compassion.
Whimsical illustrations by Kompal Rana bring Maxine’s radiant spirit to life, making the book a joyful experience for readers of all ages.
Key life lessons include:
Never giving up, even when times are tough
Recognizing that joy is always present in our hearts
The power of resilience
Sharing joy to make life more meaningful
Interactive tools and discussion activities are available on the Maxine’s Joy page of the author’s website, encouraging deeper conversations around the themes in the book.
Proceeds from Maxine’s Joy support organizations helping families impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia.
Available from your favorite local booksellers and online
Events
(Exciting events in the works…check back for updates!)
Watch the trailer
Author and Philanthropy Advocate Rena Olsen
“I’ve written a children’s book about joy. So why am I crying?” - Rena
Click here to read the article
Maxine’s Joy: A Short Story Long in the Making
For years, I’ve felt a persistent tug on my heart to do something meaningful to celebrate my mom’s life. But for the longest time, I couldn’t quite figure out what that something was.
In launching Uncommon Philanthropist, I found myself confessing on video—not once, but twice—that I had yet to honor my mom’s memory in any real way. The second time, my confession finally moved me to action. It had been 28 years since she passed away. It was time.
In the quiet space that followed, the idea finally came: a children’s book about her life, titled Maxine’s Joy. It would be a children’s book for purposes of philanthropy: to serve families walking through the disease and to raise money for Alzheimer’s-related causes.
As I reflected on what made my mom so special, the answer came easily—it was her joy.
To have known my mom, you would have encountered her joy. But little would you have known, that she endured significant hardships in life, especially when she was a child growing up in poverty in rural Oklahoma in the 1920s.
I’ve since written the story of her beautiful and often difficult life. Maxine’s Joy is built around real events: growing up during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, having to leaving school to pick cotton and provide for her family, meeting my father and the start of WWII, and ultimately, her journey through Alzheimer’s and home to heaven.
I hired a gifted illustrator, Kompal Rana, who immediately “got” the heart of the story and captured my mom’s image beautifully, working with source material I provided. We had to creatively fill in the gaps of what baby and young Maxine might have looked like. There were no photos of her during that time.
This book is more than a personal tribute. It’s a brief historical narrative that I believe will resonate with families navigating hardship, those walking the path of Alzheimer’s, or anyone in need of a gentle reminder that joy is worth chasing—even, and especially, during life’s hardest moments.
So here it is.
Let go!
With joy,
Rena
Fun times with my parents, Maxine and Hooney, at Homecoming at the University of Wyoming.
Resources for Families Walking through Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Understanding the Disease of Alzheimer’s
Don’t miss that enlightening conversation with Lisa Skinner, a dementia coach. Rena interviewed Lisa for her Relevate Podcast. Lisa is a tremendous source of wisdom and information for families who are loving a caring for a person with dementia. Listen, learn and share!