Book signing set for Sunday by Sylvania author of by 'Two Terrible Eaters'

Sylvania author Amy Fell got the idea to write her new book, Two Terrible Eaters, from watching television and working with children.

“I watch a lot of cooking shows and growing up, I did a lot of babysitting. Inspiration was from my niece and nephew,” she said. “The story just kind of formed.”

As a resident of Sylvania for the past 18 years, Mrs. Fell said the premise of the book is to discuss the topic of picky eaters.

“The story is about two children that are picky eaters. Their parents, the king and queen, present a chef seven days in a row. Each chef is from a different country.”

The characters in the book turn down the meals each day. The book also includes food related activities for parents and teachers to use with their children.

“I also tried to interrelate things from history, from science, math and other topics, into art. Part of the activities kids could try are food from other countries. They can learn how food is healthy for them, write their own recipe. There are all kinds of things you can interrelate,” Mrs. Fell said.

A book signing is scheduled 3 to 5 p.m. July 8 at Common Space Auditorium, 1700 North Reynolds Rd. The event is open to the public and will include prizes, art activities, entertainment and refreshments.

From the book 'Two Terrible Eaters.' Enlarge

Mrs. Fell said merging art with reading is an important part of education today. She runs a magazine, ARTaFacts, to educate teachers about sharing art in the classroom.

“I came up with a way to make a weekly reader magazine for children. I left teaching and we started publishing this full-time,” she said. While the magazine is no longer printing new issues, she is still selling existing lesson plans to schools. Part of this change was due to the increase in technology and the availability of free online lesson plans.

“Now people can easily find things on the Internet,” she said.

Two Terrible Eaters is to appeal to students in third grade and younger, just like the students she taught for 20 years as an elementary school teacher.

“Even if the child can’t read, it has a rhyme in the book,” Mrs. Fell said.

The book is sold online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Lulu.com. It is also sold at Silver Lining Gallery, 122 Mechanic St., in Waterville.

Contact Kelly McLendon at: kmclendon@theblade.com or 419-206-0356.