Book Signing/Reading at Waldenbooks

Early History Lessons
By Novella Fry

Slavery isn’t something that is easily spoken of with our children. Yet Last Saturday September 20th, 2008 that is just what took place in the Waldenbooks store in the Florida mall.
The author of Abraham the Alligator, Paula Allene Stark hosted a book signing and reading where the historical events of Abraham Lincoln’s involvement in the civil war and the freeing of the slaves took center stage.
Accompanied by her daughter who dressed up as the playful kid friendly Alligator version of Abe Lincoln, Paula introduced her book for the first time to the handful of children and Parents who came to be entertained and informed.
“History is important for all ages and the sooner they are exposed to it, the better.” Says Stark who uses frogs to depict slaves, an alligator to introduce our 16th president, and instead of the south the story takes place in a pond divided.
Some applauded her efforts such as Sarah Wildmon who brought her 3rd grade cousin out to the reading and nabbed a signed copy of the book saying “Fairy tales are a dime a dozen, this information will come in handy”. Others felt it was a topic best left for more advanced grade levels. “I don’t think I want to answer questions about slavery to my child just yet” says Joy-Anne Shrewsbury that decided half way through the reading to relocate to a different section of the bookstore with her four year old son.
Though critics were present in the audience the overall mood of the Abraham the Alligator reading was one of enjoyment. Mrs. Stark kept the attention of the children who came out and almost everyone left a little more knowledgeable and with one more book to add to their home library.