The first-ever work of children’s book author Nancy Larner is now out on shelves and the Grand Lake Art Gallery is hosting a signing this afternoon.
“Grand County is such a magnificent place to live. For the past 12 years my husband Ken and I have felt so fortunate to be part-time residents here,” she said. “Our joy has been compounded by being able to share my first book with our friends, neighbors and visitors to the Grand Lake area.”
Her story, called “A Mouse in the Rabbi’s Study,” tells of Mazel (luck) the Mouse who learns about the Jewish holidays and the enticing delights associated with the religious culture.
Larner, who can laugh at the ordeal now, came up with the idea for the book after dealing with a mouse problem at her Evergreen home during the High Holidays. A longtime early childhood instructor, she was teaching Religious School at Congregation Beth Evergreen when she began to capture the experience on paper.
The imagination which she shared with so many of her students sparked images of what would happen if a mouse found its way into a rabbi’s study at Rosh Hashanah. As the story goes, the Rabbi Saltzman leaves crumbs on his desk and he makes a new friend — a mouse.
Their relationship grows, as does Mazel’s belly. Humor and education fill the pages.
Mazel and readers also learn about challah, latkes, hamantashen and other Jewish holiday traditional treats.
Her students, who got a sneak peek when she read them the manuscript, were so enthusiastic Larner was encouraged to pursue publishing the work. The book is aimed at children kindergarten through second grade, but she says the story is educational “for youngsters of any age,” as well as for adults interested about Judaism.
