Pam Hefley, who lives in Eatonville, is a published children's author for the first time with the recent release of "The Blueberry Deer.GÇ¥ The author/illustrator has read her book to classes at Eatonville Elementary School, with good reactions from her young audience. She talked about that and more in a question-and-answer session with The Dispatch. Dispatch: Tell us about yourself. I have lived in Eatonville for 13 years. I was born and raised in Cordova, Alaska. The book is set there, and I painted all of the illustrations while I visited there over the last 11 years. What's "The Blueberry DeerGÇ¥ about? It's for kids 3 years and older and anyone who loves blueberries, deer and family. It takes you on a humorous ride on a forested Alaska island. Two young girls find adventure through berries, their boots and a curious deer. It's an Alaska berry patch surprise. You'll love my original story, illustrations and favorite family recipe. What gave you the idea for the book? I set the goal to write and illustrate a children's picture book when I was in the eighth grade. The joy of reading Roald Dahl books with Quentin Blake illustrations inspired me to reach kids' imaginations with my story and paintings. My nieces and parents, serving as Grandma and Grandpa, are characters in the book. My husband Doug and I have two children -- ages 3 years and 3 months -- and I created it for them, too. How has the book been received? It has been so rewarding to read my story to the kids at school and see their reactions. When I read the book, I invite kids to use movement to live in the story. Most classes groan when one of the characters has the idea to carry blueberries in their boots. The kids pretend to take off their boots and stuff their socks into their pockets and wiggle their toes in the soft, wet moss. Where can people get the book? It's available at Kirk's Pharmacy and etsy.com/shop/AKdeerest. Do you plan to do more books? I would love to create a sequel some day to "The Blueberry Deer.GÇ¥
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