By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
Since publishing her first children’s book two years ago, author Marla McKenna’s book, “Mom’s Big Catch,” has caught on. The story was inspired by a day at Miller Park with her family.
“The book has really taken off,” McKenna said.
Now, the Waterford mother of two is excited about the release of her second book, “Sadie’s Big Steal,” which is coming soon.
But aside from writing her second book, she has been busy working as a public speaker at local schools.
Publishing a book has given McKenna the opportunity to present to children her message about the importance of perseverance and hard work – in all that they do.
McKenna promotes her book by talking about the process it took for her to become published.
She went through a two-year process of rejections and re-writes before finally getting published. McKenna said she encourages children to never give up, to follow their dreams and to believe in themselves.
“It’s so important for kids to have positive encouragement,” she said.
On a May 22 visit to Union Grove Elementary School, McKenna spoke with each of the grades –kindergarten through sixth –during the school day. That evening, she addressed a group of parents and students in a family literacy event, where she spoke about the importance of reading.
According to McKenna, the theme for the day’s visit was “Follow Your Dreams.” Prior to her visit, each of the children wrote about that theme. Each grade had a winner, and those winners were awarded a signed copy of her first book, “Mom’s Big Catch,” as well as a photo opportunity with McKenna.
“It was really a great day and night,” McKenna said. “The school really went out of their way to make it a special day.”
Third-grade teacher Amy Hegeman said the children were thrilled to meet a real author.
Hegeman thought the message of perseverance was received loud and clear by the students. She said they didn’t really understand what an author does until McKenna explained what she went through to get published.
McKenna’s second book, “Sadie’s Big Steal,” is due to come out later this summer. The book features an anti-bullying theme for children. “It has a positive message about teaching kindness,” she said.
For more information about McKenna and her books, please visit www.momsbigcatch.com.
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