Children's Story Time with Kristin Gray

Kristin L. Gray, a winner of the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) 2022 “Words of Wonder” fellowship, will read her book, Koala is not a Bear at the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library on Wednesday, August 24, at 10:30 am. Where does Koala belong? Find out, in this sweet story of friendship and family—with fun facts about marsupials thrown in. The library is located at 194 Spring Street in Eureka Springs. The event is free and is part of the library’s weekly Preschool Song and Story Time.

The “Words of Wonder” fellowship was awarded to two writers working on a picture book for children that tells an engaging, relatable story.  Gray’s submission was ranked highest by the judges for its literary merit and the likelihood of publication. She willreceive a two-week residency at the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow as well as a stipend.

Kristin L. Gray is the author of Vilonia Beebe Takes Charge, a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year; The Amelia Six: an Amelia Earhart Mystery, an Amazon editors’ pick of the month, 2021 Kansas Notable Book, and distinguished Junior Library Guild selection; and the forthcoming polar whodunit Penguin Ranch. She has also authored two picture books: Koala Is Not A Bear and Rover Throws A Party: Inspired by NASA’s Curiosity on Mars. A retired pediatric nurse, Kristin adores mysteries, weird science, and writing funny, fact-filled books for curious kids. She calls Arkansas home and loves nothing more than hearing from young readers. Visit her at KristinLGray.com.

During her WCDH residency, Gray will be working on a picture book biography about Swedish librarian Elise Adelsköld. In the early 1950’s, Adelsköld noted many of Stockholm’s library patrons who lived on remote islands remained underserved. It wasn’t feasible for them to make the long trip to the mainland to check out or return library books. Adelsköld developed a floating library that is still in service today. Gray said she spent the pandemic learning Swedish to better research this program. She explained the book was, “inspired in part by Sweden’s floating libraries and by my own solo trip to Stockholm one summer where I took a ferry to a remote island and stayed for a week.”

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow would like to thank James Dean, author and illustrator of the best-selling Pete the Cat children’s book series, for generously funding the “Words of Wonder” fellowship. Learn more about James Dean and Pete the Cat at www.petethecatbooks.com. For more information about funding a fellowship supporting the genre and/or area of interest you are passionate about, visit www.writerscolony.org/sponsor-a-fellowship.

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is “to nurture writers of all backgrounds, genres, and levels of experience in a supportive environment that builds community, stimulates new thinking, energizes creative expression, and optimizes productivity.” Since opening its doors to writers in 2000, the Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow has made a lasting impact on the arts and literary communities hosting over 1,800 writers from 48 states and 13 countries. For more information, please call (479)253-7444.