Book Nook to hold children’s author book signing
With the help of a monster trap, a bear, morse code and a colorful cast of characters award-winning children’s author Linda Salisbury is working to help children enjoy becoming better readers.
Salisbury will be on hand to discuss and sign books at the Island Book Nook, 2330 Palm Ridge Rd., Sanibel on Tuesday, June 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Salisbury will also visit Sanibel School during the prior week to visit with students and share chapters from her newest book in the popular series. Book 6, “Trouble in Contrary Woods” has many Sanibel references and a beach illustration as the primary character, Bailey Fish, 11, wistfully remembers visiting the island with her mother. Their beach walks prompt Bailey to name her dog after the author’s favorite shell, Goldie. (Island school children suggested names to Salisbury’s visit 2007.)
Salisbury, a free lance writer and former newspaper columnist said the youth-oriented fiction series appeals to both boys and girls for its realistic characters and situations, as well as the American history woven in the story and discussion questions.
“There’s a lot to talk about in my books,” Salisbury said.
Salisbury bubbles the way her characters do as she discusses the importance of inspiring young people to read.
“Reading is so important,” she said. “Drawing them into a series they want to read is what’s important.”
The first four books have already garnered five national awards or honors since 2005 when the first book, “The Wild Women of Lake Anna,” was released. Other Bailey Fish adventures are “No Sisters Sisters Club,” “The Thief of Keswick Inn,” “The Mysterious Jamestown Suitcase,” and “Ghost of the Chicken Coop Theater.” Salisbury is working on book 7, and hoping for a Christmas release.
Salisbury’s other recent book is not part of the adventure series, although it ties in with her concern about the environment, a theme threaded through all her books.
“Mudd Saves the Earth: Booger Glue, Cow Diapers, and Other Good Ideas,” is about a boy nicknamed Mudd, who is on a mission to save the earth with his friends Art and Pie. Auntie Pine tells Mudd every day that it is up to him and all the other kids to recycle, reuse and reduce to save the planet. Mudd and his friends really want to help, but their “good” ideas, such as creating a sanctuary to save endangered squirrels, or recycling boogers into glue, often backfire.
children and adults will laugh at Mudd’s efforts, but will find practical suggestions of what kids and families can do to save the environment at the end of each chapter.
Island Book Nook co-owner Melanie Wifford places importance on inviting children’s authors such as Salisbury to the store.
“Linda’s book appeal to children of all ages and her stories carry a great message,” Wifford said. “Her books are part of the Accelerated Reading program for the reading program in Sanibel School. Linda’s books make for great summer reading material. As always: “A book can take you any place in the world”.
The Island Book Nook is a popular paperback exchange shop known for its cozy and friendly atmosphere and of course loveable mascot Shiloh, a Jack Russell terrier always waiting to greet customers with a wag.
For more information or to reserve autographed copies, call the Island Book Nook at 472-6777. Salisbury said she will be giving out a couple of T-shirts during the book signing.
(Press reports contributed to this story.)