Children’s Book Makes Its Way Back to Owner After 64 Years

This summer, Shery Thomas bought an old 1st-grade reader at a church flea market in Trafford, Pennsylvania, for 50 cents. She discovered an inscription inside the book in a child’s handwriting:

Sandra Chadeayne, 119 Henry Street, East Haven, Conn.

Thomas, who lives in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, loved the book because “it was quaint,” but after finding the inscription, she decided to see if she could find Sandra.

“I wasn't sure if this little girl was no longer with us since the book had been published in 1930, but I looked anyway," said Thomas.

Thomas entered ‘Sandra Chadeayne’ into Google and came across an article about the with Sandra Chadeayne Meehan listed among the inductees.

“To think that a six-year-old put her name in her reader and never knew that someday she'd major in phys ed and teach high school students–I love it!" said Thomas. "I’ve got my fingers crossed that this is our gal.”

Finding Sandy

Thomas emailed me and I enlisted the help of Chris Webster, founder of the , to get me in touch with Meehan.

Upon tracking down a phone number for Meehan, I called her and said, “This may sound strange, but did you live on Henry Street in East Haven when you were little?”

When she said yes, I explained how Thomas was trying to return a childhood book to her. While Meehan had no recollection of what book it could be, she was looking forward to receiving it.

Back to Its Rightful Owner

Meehan was finishing up spending some time in Maine and then traveling back to her home in Arizona so Thomas sent the book on yet another leg of its journey. But before Fact and Story Readers went to the post office, Thomas took some photos.

“This book is so sweet and the handwriting is unbelievably clear,” said Thomas. “What makes it even better is that the book is in really good condition for its age…no missing or loose pages and the binding is perfect.

“I thought she would love to have this adorable book that obviously has had quite a journey,” added Thomas. “It’s too bad it doesn't have little ears and a mouth so it could tell about its journey.”

When Meehan got home to Arizona, she received the package all the way from Pennsylvania. Though she didn’t remember the book from her childhood, Meehan was grateful to Thomas for her efforts.

“I finally had a chance to take a picture with the book that Shery was so gracious to send to me,” said Meehan. “Unfortunately, I really don't remember the book–it has to be about 64 years since I saw it last, but I am glad to have it. I still can't get over this whole saga and the journey that this book has had.”