THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2005 

By Bayne Hughes
DAILY Education Writer
hughes@decaturdaily.com · 340-2432

PRICEVILLE — Despite the death of her mother, 5-year-old Leah Seibert always seemed to be smiling.

Leah's disposition in the wake of the tragedy impressed children's author Kim Dozier so much that she dedicated a book about smiles to the Priceville child.

"She's such a sweet child with a sweet smile," said Dozier on Wednesday, after presenting the book, "The Confused Tooth Fairy," to Leah at a Priceville Elementary School assembly.

"A lot of children couldn't imagine losing a parent, but she bravely fights through it," she continued.

Cathy Seibert, a former Creekside and East Limestone elementary teacher, died of a massive heart attack at 49 in November 2004. A week later, Leah's aunt, Ann Robinson, called Dozier because she wanted to buy some of her books for her niece's birthday.

Friendship

Dozier, who reads her books to area schoolchildren, wanted to attend Leah's birthday and a friendship was born.

The Madison author said she's written seven books, and independently published four in her family operation. Her 8-year-old daughter, Ashlyn Dozier, who attends Athens Bible School, draws the illustrations, with 4-year-old sister Makenna Joy coloring the drawings. Her husband, Mike, does the layout and design to prepare the books for the printer.

Tooth fairy

Dozier read her fourth book, "The Confused Tooth Fairy," to students for the first time Friday at the Priceville assembly.

She then crowned Leah Seibert, now a 6-year-old in Kim Smith's Priceville kindergarten class, with a sparkling princess's crown. She also presented her a princess pillow with a tooth fairy pocket for when she starts losing her baby teeth.

"She's so thrilled," said Leah's father, Henry Seibert. "I couldn't hardly get her to go to sleep last night. Kim's been real good to Leah since they met. She always tries to keep her involved in her books." 

The Courier Journal (Florence, AL) -- June 23, 2004

The Huntsville Times --- July16, 2003