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Local author soothes the ‘savage beasts’
What do you do when surrounded by wild beasts? Read to them, of course.
At least that’s what local author Trina Ayling did last week at the Kimberley Public Library’s Halloween-themed story time session where she and illustrator Micheline Ryckman shared their newly published children’s story ‘Miss Emily Goes to Bat.’
According to Ayling this is the first of at least five Library and bookstore readings she and Ryckman will be doing throughout the Kootenays over the next couple of months as part of a fundraiser for the Kootenay Child Development Centre.
Both have offered to donate 20% of the retail cost of book sales at these events for the Centre during the months of October to December 2011.
“Young families in Cranbrook and the Kootenays really need a centre like this one. The new facility will reduce travel costs and undue stress for families who are currently forced to travel in order to receive the specialist services their children require,” explained Ayling.
Ryckman’s young son has Tourette Syndrome, so has firsthand experience with how difficult it can be for children and parents to get the help they need. That’s why she approached the fundraisers for the Kootenay Child Development Centre with the offer.
“A children’s book is such a great tie-in to the centre because literacy is so important to a child’s learning and development. I like the idea that when people buy this book they’re investing in their child as much as the development centre,” she said.
Ayling advises that local libraries and bookstores have been very supportive of this fundraiser as well. “Our book is available for loan at the Kimberley Public Library and we also owe a huge thanks to Lotus Books in Cranbrook and Black Bear Books in Creston for carrying our books so that people can purchase them locally, in addition to on our website,” she said.
“We’re also doing readings for the EK Homeschoolers and Fernie School Aged Care, an after-school program for school-aged children located in the old Max Turyk school. The Fernie reading takes place on November 25 during a “schools not in session day” and will be open to anyone who wishes to join us.”
For information on when and where you can attend a reading of ‘Miss Emily Goes to Bat,’ or if you would like to book a reading for your organization or classroom go to www.whimsicalpublishing.ca. For more information on the Kootenay Child Development Centre go to www.kootenaycdc.ca).
The next readings will take place on November 4 at the Invermere Public Library, November 16 at the Cranbrook Public Library, November 17 at the Sparwood Library and November 26 at Lotus Books in Cranbrook.
Photos by Micheline Ryckman