Ann Arbor is getting within the Halloween spirit with the latest launch of “Frankenwalnut,” a kids’s ebook written by Ann Arbor resident Don Hicks with assist from his 17-year-old son, Alex. To advertise the ebook, Hicks hosted a free pop-up occasion on South Important Road this weekend, which might be open once more this coming weekend, and features a digital tour of Walnuttia, the land the place the story happens, together with Halloween-themed crafts and the prospect to take photographs with cardboard cutouts of ebook characters.
Brad Torreano, inventive director for the ebook launch, advised The Michigan Each day that whereas the occasion was Halloween-themed, the ebook “Frankenwalnut” is definitely not a narrative concerning the vacation. As a substitute, the story relies round totally different sorts of speaking tree nuts and their relationships with each other. The ebook offers with themes associated to bullying and studying to understand variations.
“The principle character relies on Frankenstein, a Halloween character, however the ebook isn’t Halloween-themed,” Torreano stated. “As a substitute, it has actually sturdy messages about friendship and bullying prevention.”
Hicks stated he and his household are long-time supporters of the Trevor Undertaking, a nonprofit targeted on suicide prevention among the many LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Based on Hicks, 20% of proceeds from the ebook’s gross sales might be donated to anti-bullying causes, together with the Trevor Undertaking.
Hicks stated he hopes his first ebook is not only entertaining but in addition comforts kids who could really feel like they don’t slot in with their friends.
“If some child feels rather less lonely as a result of they see these weirdos in my ebook which might be heroes, that’s simply wonderful,” Hicks stated. “That might be a dream.”
Torreano advised The Each day that he hoped the occasion would have interaction native households in a significant approach.
“It’s a enjoyable occasion for Halloween, and it’s greater than promoting a ebook,” Torreano stated. “It’s a solution to get children engaged downtown.”
Haley Burrill, the digital advertising supervisor for the pop-up, stated the launch was designed to immerse guests within the ebook.
“We created totally different exercise stations, like portray your individual pumpkin, so children and households can work together with the ebook,” Burrill stated. “We organized this launch as a solution to immerse your self on the planet and bringing it to life was a lot enjoyable as a result of we had deliberate it for weeks — even months.”
LSA junior Francesca Courtney is the president of Wolvereads, a month-to-month on-campus ebook membership on the College of Michigan. Courtney advised The Each day she believes ebook launch occasions just like the “Frankenwalnut” pop-up not solely promote studying but in addition deliver communities collectively.
“It’s undoubtedly a enjoyable solution to generate curiosity and pleasure for a ebook,” Courtney stated. “It’s additionally an effective way for the neighborhood to become involved.”
Each day Information Contributor Violet Boyd and Each day Information Contributor Sachi Gosal will be reached at viboyd@umich.edu and sgosal@umich.edu.
