2008 Year in Review

Book Signing for Wally Kilgus' Books

by Anne Frame

The Odell Public Library will host a book signing on Friday, April 18, 2008, beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Odell Public Library, 307 South Madison Street. Local Morrison attorney Wally Kilgus will read the second book of his” The Great Woods” series, “Bess Takes a Ride,” followed by the signing. Concluding the signing, a reception will be held to meet the author and his family, including granddaughters Bess and Emma.

In his first book, granddaughter Emma explores the Great Woods, accompanied by Chaucer, the watchful English sheepdog, and meets the woodland animals, including a wild boar. During the second book, younger granddaughter Bess discovers the Rock Creek flowing through the Great Woods, and has quite an adventure before being rescued. Children will love Craig Howarth’s colorful illustrations, which bring the Great Woods to life, including the animals: Olivia Owl, Beulah Bear, Willi, the wild boar, and of course, Chaucer, the old English sheepdog.

While discussing both books, “Emma and the Wild Boar” and “Bess Takes a Ride,” I asked Wally to reveal the secret to his writing. “Actually, I find all this a little embarrassing,” he said. “These books were just for creative fun, not for publication. I wanted something for Emma and Bess, from me, to enjoy and to have something to pass down to their children, grandchildren, etc from Grandpa Wally. A heritage of sorts.”

I pressed Wally further about his “urge to write” since not all of us sit down and write a children’s book. He told me he loves the written word and has always had a great love of literature. “I ‘think’ the storyline and characters in my spare time, and continually rehash it all in my thoughts-day and night. When I actually put it down on paper, the story is done except for the punctuation and other tedious chores.”

Wally has more book projects in his ‘mind’. “The Far Side of the Woods” will be the third book in the series and is a chapter book. It concerns the adventures of the beloved animals, Emma and Bess, and Grandpa Wally. I had the great pleasure and privilege to sit on the porch in Door County and listen as the author read the book aloud to me. It, too, is a delightful, fanciful story that will enchant children. A fourth book, “The Dark Side of the Woods,” is still in the ‘hashing stages,’ but will be for older children because of its poignancy.

“What about an adult novel?” I asked. “I have an idea,” Wally replied. “It would be a spy novel that includes chasing around the world, much in the genre of “The DaVinci Code” or a Robert Ludlum novel. However, I could not keep all that in my head. I would have to write it down.”

Maybe when he retires!!

“Bess Takes a Ride” and “Emma and the Wild Boar” will be for sale at the book signing. The price of “Bess Takes a Ride” is $24 for the hardbound cover, and $18 for the softbound cover. Both books may be purchased at for $44 or $32 respectively. The books are also available at The Gallery on Main, 112 Main Street, and at the author’s office, 209 West Main Street, Morrison, Illinois.

Bring your children to meet the author, to hear his story, and to have the book signed on Friday, April 18 at the Odell Public Library. Plus, meet the family of the book: Grandpa Wally, his wife Joann, daughter Amy, and granddaughters Emma and Bess. What a great way to celebrate National Library Week!

by  Editor, theCity1.com
April 7, 2008