||| FROM JENNY DEGROOT for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY |||
The Orcas Island Public Library is pleased to welcome back acclaimed children’s author Rosanne Parry on Wednesday, June 5th at 2pm for an author visit.
Parry is a Portland-based author of numerous novels, many of which have landed on the New York Times Best Sellers lists, racking up countless literary awards, and translated into multiple languages. Parry is also a part-time bookseller at the independent bookstore, Annie Blooms, an educator, and a mentor for writers of all ages – something admittedly unforeseen given she hated writing as a child.
Her standalone Voice of A Wilderness novels – A Wolf Called Wander, A Whale of the Wild, and A Horse Named Sky – present readers with stories from a wild animal’s perspective, something still largely uncommon in today’s publishing world. Earlier this month, she released her first Voice of Wilderness picture book, The Wolf Effect: A Wilderness Revival Story, which is anticipated to receive similar accolades.
A Horse Named Sky (2023) will be the subject of her upcoming library event and tells the story of a wild horse on its way across the treacherous terrain of the West in search of its family after being captured by the Pony Express. With beautiful illustrations by Kirbi Fagan, the fast and beautiful Sky and Storm literally race across the pages of her novel and into her readers’ hearts.
Kirkus reviews notes, “This compelling novel has wide appeal and readers need not be horse or animal lovers to appreciate its heartfelt message of family and freedom.”
Parry, not one to shy away from difficult subject matters, also touches on lingering environmental challenges – polluted waters, drought, global warming, human encroachment – these animals face for survival in the wild. These are critical subjects for many of Parry’s readers and educators, though again, not necessarily subjects encountered readily in children’s literature.
Animal lovers and other readers need not feel lost at the end of the novel as Parry provides additional educational material, ripe for further discussion and a deeper dive. Parry also empowers her readers to be a voice for future change. She ends with, “I hope my readers pay attention to the world around us and love the wild places on the earth and the creatures, plants and humans who live there. I hope you will love them enough to protect them….The wild creatures of this world need your voice.”
After the author’s event, Rosanne will sign her books, which will be available for purchase, thanks to Darvill’s Bookstore. Orcas Island Public Library events are free and open to the public. Please email Jenny De Groot at jdegroot@orcaslibrary.org or visit orcaslibrary.org for more information.
