Rural Missouri - March 2025 - 45

They enlisted two of Markie's sisters, Emma and Rose
Discher, for the illustrations. One of the fi rst books was " ABC
with Nature, " which pairs Rose's original animal paintings with
each letter of the alphabet. Similarly, she created watercolorstyle
illustrations to depict a popular psalm in " Psalm 148. "
The sisters also brought to life a story that had been passed
down through generations of their family - " Pollywog Frog. "
" My grandmother and mom heard this story at a teacher's
conference about 40 years ago, " Markie says. " I grew up hearing
the story but it had never been put down in a storybook.
My grandmother died before she could see it printed, but now
we can continue to pass the story down. I love how my sister's
imagination brought Pollywood Frog to life. "
The now third-generation family tale focuses on Pollywog
Frog, who is a good little frog - most of the time. He takes a
captivating adventure through Bayberry Bog and encounters
memorable characters along his journey. Jacob and Markie's
daughters adore the book.
In April 2023, the couple offi cially launched their business,
Forever Leather. They offer a variety of books, toys, earrings
and more. All products are nontoxic and durable, so they
should last for years, if not decades. The couple sells their
products online and at a variety of festivals. Books cost $55,
earrings cost $12.50 and games, such as checkers, matching
games and board games range from $35 to $65.
" When people actually pick up one of our books, they realize
the difference, " Jacob says. " A lot of people are just blown
away by them because they haven't seen anything like them
before. The price does scare a lot of people at fi rst. But if somebody
has a specifi c event they're buying for, oftentimes they'll
go ahead and pick one up. As far as we know, there's not a
comparable product out there. "
Jacob and Markie lean toward a minimalistic life. They want
their children to have quality toys - not excessive toys. That's
why they focus on making products that last.
" A few months ago, I did a price comparison on a book my
daughter was given for her fi rst birthday, " Markie says. " That
was the same year we printed our fi rst prototype. The board
book she was given didn't even last a year. The one we made
is still going strong. So even if our book only lasts fi ve years,
it will be the same price as that book that lasted one year. We
estimate our books lasting 30 years, but that's a low estimate. "
Jacob and Markie hope their business brings happiness to
many children. They say each story is written with the hope of
instilling important values and bringing joy. Plus, each book is
made by parents who read the same stories to their little girls.
To learn more about Forever Leather or buy their products,
visit shopforeverleather.com. It is one of 600 companies in the
Buy Missouri initiative overseen by Lt. Gov. David Wasinger. To
fi nd more Missouri-made products, visit www.BuyMissouri.net.
photo above courtesy Imagination Library
Fordland
Top: To expand their product line beyond books, Jacob and
Markie created several games made of leather, such as this
matching game. Middle: All Forever Leather products are
tested by the couple's four daughters. Above: In August
2024, the couple's book, " Psalm 150 " was presented to Dolly
Parton at a celebration in Kansas City to honor her Imagination
Library expansion in the state.
MARCH 2025 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP 45
http://www.shopforeverleather.com http://www.BuyMissouri.net http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP
Rural Missouri - March 2025

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