Statesboro native and Herald columnist Julie Lavender is holding a celebration of the release of her children's picture book, "A Gingerbread House" on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 2-4 p.m.
She's partnering with Sugar Magnolia Coffeehouse owner Caroline Joyner to hold the event at the coffeehouse.
"Caroline has some really fun ideas to make it a festive celebration," Lavender said. "We'll read my book, play some gingerbread games, and snack on delicious, fresh-made cookies from the coffeehouse. We're even having a 'Create Your Own Gingerbread House' event from 4 to 5 for those who want to reserve and purchase a gingerbread house kit."
Written in rhyme, the rollicking story takes the creation of a gingerbread house from dough to completion in a tale that tantalizes all five senses and brings joy to the two bakers, as well as the readers.
Though she's written for years, Lavender said this is her first picture book.
"It's a longtime dream come true," she said. "Over three decades ago, while teaching public school, I first dreamed of writing a picture book.
"One of my favorite parts of teaching elementary kids, besides watching them learn to read, was reading books aloud to them. I dreamed of writing a book a teacher would use in a classroom."
Later, Lavender became a homeschooling mom, and the dream shifted to writing picture books for her own children.
"But it wasn't meant to be," Lavender said. "God led me down a different path, and I wrote books for parents and homeschooling families, devotionals for moms, magazine articles and newspaper articles. Just no picture book."
Until now.
"My book is a sweet story about family," Lavender said. "I wrote the book in honor of years of creating gingerbread houses with my own four children.
"It holds a lot of precious memories for me. Now I get to create the gingerbread masterpieces with my grandson, and when they're older, two more grandkids."
Participants who want to create a gingerbread house on site can visit the website for details at sugarmagnolia.biz.
For families who want to start a gingerbread house tradition of their own or continue an already established one, attendees may purchase and take home a pre-prepared kit, made and designed personally by Joyner and Sugar Magnolia's baker, Kaylee Johnson.
"It'll have everything you need to make precious memories and have gobs of fun, one sweet candy décor at a time," Joyner said. "It's perfect for the holidays."
Lavender will have copies of her book available for purchase at the launch. Though no reservations are needed for the drop-in event, participants who want to create a kit on site at the Sugar Magnolia Coffeehouse may visit the coffeehouse website for details about reserving a kit by Wednesday, Nov. 20.