The Juggler comes to town: Meet The Juggler. Actually, he's a wanna-be juggler, who can't seem to set aloft anything but cabbages. Jeanette Hopkins is the author, and along with her husband Bruce, will read and talk in local schools October 10-18. The work of Stormy Mochal, illustrator, will be on exhibit at the Orange City Public Library Oct. 14-28. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 14 at the Orange City library, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
ORANGE CITY – The author and illustrator of a new children’s book, The Juggler, will be presenting their works in schools, a retirement community and the Orange City library in October.
A reception will be held Friday, Oct. 14 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Orange City Public Library for Jeanette Hopkins of Sioux City, the author of The Juggler, and Stormy Mochal of Dubuque, the illustrator.
Hopkins and her husband Bruce, an environmental writer, will speak in schools October 10-18, and Mochal’s art will be on exhibit at the library Oct. 14-28.
The Juggler is a story about Henri, a young farmer who dreams of juggling almost everything, but is heart-broken at only being able to set aloft a few cabbages.
Filled with rhyme, rhythm and repetition, the story includes a visit to the circus, air-borne “piggies,” and colorful and detailed illustrations.
“Henri enchants as we dream with him, learn with him, overcome our fears with him, and find him sharing his gift with the world,” said Amy Robbins-Wilson, The Lullaby Lady, Amazon.
Hopkins, a semi-retired educator, wrote The LadyBug Waltz, which was published in 2009 by Ice Cube Press in North Liberty. The Juggler was published by Ice Cube Press this year.
Hopkins and her husband travel throughout the U.S. sharing insights about reading and writing with students of all ages. They’ve been in 150 schools since 2009.
The Juggler began when Hopkins purchased a print of a colorful juggler created by Mochal, and was inspired to write a story. “She creates wonderful and whimsical drawings of magical people,” said Hopkins. Both a children’s book and a relationship were born.
Mochal is an artist inspired by the country of Iowa: farmhouses, starry skies, birds, flowers. Art, she said, is her “connection to the inner child… a playful, not-so serious self.”
She studied painting and art history at Loras College in Dubuque, has taught art classes at NICC Community College and in her home studio, and has exhibited widely. She co-owns Outside the Lines Art Gallery in Dubuque, selling her own work, and the work of other regional artists..
The Juggler is her first children’s book.
Jeanette and Bruce Hopkins’ workshop schedule includes Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community on Oct. 10, where Bruce will talk about his book, When Foxes Wore Red Vests, a blend of essays, poetry, drawings and photographs.
Other school and library sessions include Rock Valley Elementary Oct. 11, Ireton Christian Oct. 12, MOC-Floyd Valley Elementary in Orange City Oct. 13, Northwest Iowa Home Educators Oct. 14 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Orange City Public Library, and Northwest Iowa Reading Council at the Orange City library Oct. 18. The public is invited to the Oct. 14 session at the library.
“The children have loved The Juggler,” said Hopkins, “and they love learning the first step to juggling.” She leaves each student with directions and a bag of three colored balls.
All are invited to the reception Oct. 14. Refreshments will be served. Sponsor is the Orange City Arts Council. For more information, contact OCArts@orangecityiowa.com, www.orangecityarts.net, 712-707-6514.
