Author Susan Plenge and illustrator Susan McLaren will be on the front porch at Ikenberry’s Orchard in Daleville Saturday, June 2 for a book signing from 9 a.m.-12 noon.
Plenge wrote the children’s book “The Joy of Being Me, a Tree.” She said the book is inspired by a grand ole maple tree rooted at the entrance Bonsack Baptist Church’s youth center.
“The tree’s low limbs and long reach has invited generations of all ages to gather beneath her canopy and explore in her branches,” Plenge notes. “In the comfort of her shade, adults loose themselves in conversation, while watching their children circle up into her limbs, and youth cluster to mingle in the brinks of her shadow.”
The maple’s essential role becomes clear as budding friendships blossom and community connections grow. Wondering what the tree would say if given an opportunity to tell her story, Plenge gives this maple a voice to express her joy as she discovers her purpose in serving others where she has been planted.
“Come celebrate your purpose. As reflective as the servant’s heart in “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein and with the confidence in “I’m Gonna Like Me” by Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Joy of Being Me, a Tree” captures the joy of discovering and embracing who we are called to be where we are planted,” notes about the book say.
Plenge notes she grew up in Eagle Rock on a secluded farm where she developed a love for discovering God’s fingerprints in nature. She says she learned that creative story telling using illustrations from nature is a marvelous tool for teaching life lessons of faith.
After living in the countryside of Japan, and in the Sierras of Nevada, she returned home to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and began working as the Children’s Music Coordinator at her church. For the past five years, she has been overseeing the creative production of children’s programs and musicals by integrating her love for teaching, ministry and children. She continues to enjoy writing educational stories with a spiritual message. She currently resides in Fincastle with her husband and two children
McLaren, the illustrator for the book, had a career in health care which was abruptly cut short by sudden adult onset deafness. Her favorite hobby was participating in music. However, walking through this journey, she rediscovered her love for art, and began receiving instruction in the genre of watercolors.
A chance encounter with the Plenge led to McLaren becoming an illustrator. This is Susan’s first attempt at such an endeavor, and it has fueled her desire to continue to explore this versatile and challenging medium.
“The Joy of Being Me, a Tree” is intended to be a fun and an imaginative read, Plenge notes. “The story of a real live tree comes to life through colorful words and illustrations. It captures the magical experience of a child first learning to climb a tree and the nostalgia for an adult, remembering sticky, sappy fingers and the fresh smell of leaves.”
Books will be available at Ikenberry’s on Saturday and are available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.
