WHO: Houston-based Joe Sutton will read his new children’s book based on a story he dreamed up for his children and has been stored away in the attic for 35 years. The resourceful father, then a U.S. Army Colonel, realized an effective way to get his message across to his children was to tell the girls stories with carefully disguised lessons. 

WHAT:  Meet Wanda. She loves chewing gum. She chews gum all day long: while she plays with her dog Moldy and her little brother Rocky, while she’s singing, even during school.  And that’s okay with her mother, as long as it’s sugarless gum. Wanda’s parents have one rule about all this gum chewing: every night before she goes to bed, Wanda has to deposit her gum right in the trashcan. But what happens when Wanda’s parents go out to dinner and the babysitter doesn’t know the rule? Sometimes even the best child tries to push the envelope. And sometimes the consequences are surprising. When Wanda goes to sleep with gum in her mouth, the Oblahlahs move in. These colorful little creatures throw such a party in her mouth that she can’t chew gum any more. In fact, she can’t even talk.  Her parents can’t help, Rocky and Moldy can’t help, even the doctor is at a loss. It’s all up to her. As Wanda lies in bed trying to rid herself of the pesky Oblahlahs, following the rules starts to seem like a much better idea than it ever has before.

   Blue Willow Bookshop

Story time includes singing songs for toddlers and pre-school children.