Mae Charles began telling stories to her son when he was three. Eventually, she began telling the same stories to her grandson, Gus. One day, Mae was walking to the gym to exercise. She began thinking about Gus and what he might want for Christmas that year. Gus has always asked her for special gifts. She began to think about what she might buy for him and then remembered the stories. By the time she reached the gym, all she could think about were the stories. As soon as she was finished, she rushed home to write the first story. The next day she was so excited, she called Gus as soon as he was out of school. He loved the story and was very excited to have a book about him. The series has 34 stories to date with many introducing new characters. Many of the names of the characters are real people. The books are in libraries in California, Massachusetts, and eight cities in County Dublin, Ireland. The Miramar Marine Base in San Diego, California stocks the series year round. Mae has read to public schools in San Diego, Palm Springs, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Donabate, Ireland along with Boys and Girls clubs in Las Vegas, Nevada and day care facilities in Tennessee.