Christmas is coming in the fall for area children ? ‘Christmas at the Candle Factory? that is.
As author and Clarkston resident Barbara Johns prepares to release ‘Christmas at the Candle Factory? in September, she is scheduled to read her first book ‘The Cat in the Candle Factory? at the Independence Township Library on June 19 at 7 p.m. As part of that reading, Johns will provide an early glance at the new book’s illustrations.
‘I’ll be reading, sharing the origins of the candle factory collection and showing the children a sneak peek of illustrations from the new Christmas title,? said Johns.
The new childrens? book is Johns? second based on a cat that used to live at the Davisburg Candle Factory, which Johns owned in the 1980’s. The book follows ‘The Cat in the Candle Factory,? released last year.
‘I’ve done really well with the first title,? said Johns. ‘Locally, it’s been received really well and has had some success regionally. I’m hopeful the second title will strengthen what the first book did.?
According to Johns, Barnes and Noble received some demand for the first book which has since been picked up by Partners Book Distributing, Inc. based in Holt, Michigan.
The response from children rippled out to the Davisburg Candle Factory in downtown Davisburg where eager readers have frequented since the first book came out.
‘The parents bought the kids the book for Christmas and then came to see (the shop). The kids had read the book and were anxious to see how close it was to the book,? said Melissa Beznitz, who owns the factory with her mother and sister. ‘They were really looking forward to the second book.?
Beznitz said other than not being able to see the cat, who moved on to better places, the children are not disappointed when they see how closely the images drawn in the book resemble the shop.
Like the first book, some of the details of ‘Christmas at the Candle Factory? are taken from the candle factory. In her latest story, the Santa Claus Saucerball Candle, sold at the factory, plays a prominent role.
‘We made (the candle) when were there in the 1980’s,? said Johns, who plans to take some of the candles to future book signings.
‘Christmas at the Candle Factory? picks up where the first book left off. With Christmas bringing in the factory’s busiest season, Midnight the cat struggles with the holiday rush and the annoying new kitten named Elvis. During the mayhem, Midnight loses her patience and the true meaning of Christmas.
‘I think the illustrations are amazing. It’s all about Christmas and a continuation of the first book,? said Johns, who noted the illustrations are done again by illustrator Carolyn R. Stich.
‘Christmas at the Candle Factory? is a full color 32-page hardcover book for children ages 3 – 8. For more info visit www.steepleridgepress.com.