“Moose the Goose is on the Loose” debuts at UCPL’s story time
Liberty’s own Emma Townsend has been at it again! Our local children’s author has put out a new book for kids: “Moose the Goose is on the Loose”. Like her first publication “Kids Can’t Drink Coffee”, this book is set locally in Union County, IN. “Whitewater has always been a large part of my life,” Emma says. “I grew up hiking and running the trails, so it was an easy inspiration for Moose the Goose.”
Emma is a senior at Purdue University this year, and has a pretty full plate, but she was able to make it back to Liberty for story time earlier this month to introduce and celebrate her new book. A crowd met in Kehila Coffee to hear Ms. Stefanie read the book aloud, and then Emma was available to sign books for guests. A fun Goose-themed craft was included after the reading, and the ladies at Kehila were whipping up great food and drinks, including frozen chocolate-milks for charity (with proceeds going to Liberty Acres Animal Rescue.)
It could not have been more idyllic—some of the best parts of Union County together in one room: people of all ages together on a late-summer morning showcasing local talent and love for our community. And as always with our library’s programs, there was plenty of good old fashioned learning-made-fun! As a bystander in the back, it was evident that Union County Public Library’s (UCPL) story time is something the kids’ love, which is partially how Emma got her start as an author. In fact, her first book was written about Kehila Coffee, and the good folks she grew up around in Liberty.
In 2021, her author’s journey began at the UCPL children’s section as an employee. Library staff wanted to hold their story time at the recently opened coffee shop down the street (Kehila). So, they began looking for a kids’ book about coffee- No luck! Emma and her coworkers joked that she should just write one. And that is what she did! With a rough draft of what would soon become “Kids Can’t Drink Coffee”, Emma introduced young listeners to the people of Liberty and the joys of living in a small town. From a family full of educators, this was a natural fit for Emma.
Set in the Kehila Coffee, the book has bright and beautiful illustrations of local businesses and landmarks as it visits the lives of daily customers in the shop. After publishing, Emma, who is majoring in English and Creative Writing at Purdue, knew immediately she wanted to do another book soon. And already her second book has come to fruition.
So what’s next for Ms. Townsend? While she has really enjoyed being a Boilermaker, she is excited to graduate. “As I look for jobs in the real world, I hope to continue writing children’s books!” she says.
We hope you do too, Emma!
Written by Mary Apel and published to Union County Connect on August 27, 2024.