Authors coming to town

Looking at the coverage in this week's entertainment section, you'd think Cape Girardeau is a music town. We're something of the sort, but this area also produces writers and artists to chronicle and draw the experiences of living in Southeast Missouri.

To highlight some of those written accomplishments, Gospeland, 245 S. Broadview St., is hosting four local authors for book signings Friday and Saturday. Lynelle Herron, Gospeland owner, said she plans these events periodically throughout the year to get authors in and to help get their books out.

Most of the authors write childrens or religious books.

Sherry Elliot has a preteen story, "The Great Veiled Pearl," that includes adventure and observations on life choices. Her most recent children's story is "Turtle and Duck Find Joy."

Barry Winders will be signing copies of "Finding the Missional Path" and "Leading with Ministry Intelligence."

"Little Birds in the Sun" by Melba Elledge is a sweet observational story about a family of robins that takes up residence in her backyard. Elledge writes so when the story is read aloud it sounds pretty much the way it would if your grandmother told it to you on her knee. The knee is sold separately.

Elledge will also be signing "I Remember This Little Mouse From Bollinger County," her personal story of growing up in post-Depression Bollinger County with a widowed mother and five older siblings.

"The Saving of Dogtown" was written by James W. Riley Jr. and illustrated in Don Greenwood's familiar style with a story by Luke and Jim Riley. The clever rhyming and cliffhanger phrases engage children who can't read but want to guess what's coming next.

"So sit down lest you fall over -- and hold onto your hat -- because the thing that changed Dogtown was the arrival of a ..."

It's a cat.

The story is about a cat who moves to Dogtown (a town full of dogs) and is shunned but soon leads the dogs to save the town, from an army of mice stationed underground.

The story is a cute way to explain prejudice and the Golden Rule to youngsters. The authors even included a glossary in the back to explain what some words mean.

The authors will be at Gospeland from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Herron said Stan Crader, LeDora Covington and Bonnie Cebulak will be at the store Sept. 25 and 26.