Ponca City Brace Books

October 2024

It was an eventful day driving to Ponca City Brace Books which was about a two-hour trip north to the top of the state of Oklahoma on I-35. Brace Books was located next to a clinic. It had a great smell and a very homey feeling. This is why it is called Brace Books and More because the store has more than just books. Brace Books has a wonderful and friendly staff attending to your needs to make you feel welcome.

I was like a kid in the candy shop with so much to look at and had lots of stuff I really wanted. I could spend all day in this store with all the books, games, coffee, coffee bar, and cool kids stuff. Deep down, I am still a “kid at heart.” Maybe, this is why I am a children’s book author.

I was told to expect maybe just 0-2 years old, so I was highly surprised when various ages of older children came to the event. One little girl’s grandmother came up to me and bought a book before the event. Grandma wanted me and the girl to take a picture, but I knew the girl was shy, so I said, “how about trying to have her take a picture with my book cover (20 x 30 posterboard cover of my book)”. Grandma thought that was a clever idea. I called her the mother which she really appreciated the compliment. I signed the girl’s book with the words “Dream Big.”

The girl then joined the other children that began to come into the store for their craft time, snack time, and reading time with me. I was reading my book, “Nicoli Picoli!” So, I got to read to about 10-15 children and their parents. Of course, I had to wear my pickle hat. Before I began to read and share about myself, I asked everyone attending if they liked sweet pickles, sour pickles, or both. Everyone raised their hands for their choice.

It was a wonderful day to be reading to children in a different community and to be a children’s book author. I am incredibly grateful for Brace Books, Ponca City News, and my social media coordinator for putting the word out. We all make a wonderful team. 

This upcoming week, I am off to read to a daycare in another city. Wish me luck!