Wallowa author to sign children's books at Book & Game April 5

Kathy Hunter of Wallowa, Oregon, will sign copies of her children's books from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Book & Game, 38 E. Main St. on Saturday, April 5.

After a journalistic career in Alaska, Hunter arrived in Wallowa to perform as a storyteller and musician, write and record for children and to help put out a radio show called "Fishtrap Storytime."

Because the COVID-19 pandemic was not kind to storytellers, she said, she changed her focus and now spends her time producing children's books based on her four CDs and in sculpting clay creatures that have their own back stories. 

Her book "Grotski and the Magic Wheat," written in Seuss-style rhyme, is a tale of warning about get-rich schemes and GMO crops. 

In it, farmers are enticed by a salesman to abandon their sustainable agriculture practices in exchange for an easy life and lots of money. They end up facing consequences for their choices. The book is illustrated by Lyn Westhoff. 

Her other book, "The First Annual Go-Cart Race for Dogs," is written in Robert Service-style rhyme and tells the story of dogs of all breeds racing in go-carts of every shape and size from the top of Barton Heights in Joseph, Oregon. 

The book is illustrated with Hunter's own sculpted creations, photographed by Kendrick Moholt. 

The racing book will be especially fun to read for those who are familiar with Joseph, Oregon, Hunter said. 

"I'm pleased to bring these to Walla Walla to such a great store," she said.