Children’s Book Launch: Alpaca Poe and Cricket: Inspiring young minds to think independently.

Alpaca Poe and Cricket: Inspiring young minds to think independently.

The Frugal Frigate Bookstore in Redlands will host the book launch of Alpaca Poe and Cricket, a children’s book by local author and educator Susan Cortz at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 15th. Special guest Cricket, the Great Pyrenees herself, will be present to meet her fans.

The Adventures of Alpaca Poe series uses engaging characters, relatable social situations, and rhyme to convey important concepts surrounding character, kindness and individuality. This second book of the series, geared toward children ages 5-8, encourages children to seek the truth through investigation, observation, and questioning.

Cortz noted that in a world filled with misinformation and bias, fostering critical thinking in young readers has never been more important.

The book begins with the arrival of Cricket, a huge dog, at Humming Oaks Farm sending the alpacas into a frenzy. While none of them have actually met a dog before, the herd immediately labels it dangerous, dirty, and dim based on things “THEY” has said. Young Poe, however, is not convinced. When faced with the decision to stay safe and follow his herd or embark on a potentially dangerous fact finding mission, Poe’s brave heart, determination and mother’s wise words guide him on a quest for the truth.

Cortz’s husband Jamie shares her passion for storytelling and illustrates her books. Jamie Cortz,
also a career educator, founded Readers Rising, a local non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring a love of reading in pre-K children and their families. His innovative illustrations are uniquely crafted with acrylic paint on watercolor paper and digital art to bring the world of Humming Oak Farm to life. He will lead a short interactive demonstration of the artwork at the
March 15 event.

Although the real Alpaca Poe will remain at Humming Oaks, alpaca yarn, made from his fiber and sold at the Hands On knitting Center in Redlands, will be available for purchase.

Alpaca Poe and Cricket will be available starting March 8th at the Frugal Frigate, BarnesandNoble.com, Amazon, and other online retailers as is the original Alpaco Poe. All profits from sales of Alpaca Poe books are donated to animal welfare organizations.