Fitch grad illustrates second kids book

Fitch grad illustratessecond kids book
CLEVELAND -- An ordinary hubcap and a little imagination take children on extraordinary adventures in "Something Shiny, Something Round," a new book by author Julie Goulis and illustrator John Ferguson.
Ferguson grew up in Austintown. He graduated from Fitch High School in 1987 and received his bachelor's degree in fine arts from Youngstown State University in 1991. In addition to illustrating children's books, Ferguson is an art director at a Cleveland advertising agency. He is married with two children and lives in North Royalton.
Using rhyming repetition and bold colorful graphics, he and Goulis encourage children to be creative like Sam and his two friends. Desperate to enjoy the last days of winter, the three go sledding down their favorite hill when they hit an old hubcap buried in the snow. Not knowing what it is, they spend the rest of the day daydreaming about what it could be until they find out where it really belongs.
"Something Shiny" was published by Bubblegum Books and distributed by Parklane Publishing, a trade division of Book Club of America. It is a sequel to the team's first book, "The Things A String Can Be," and part of a literary series in which ordinary objects lead characters and readers on wild adventures. It lists at $14.99 (hardcover) and is available at Barnes & amp; Noble Booksellers and Borders, and online at Amazon.com, BN.com. and www.bubblegumbooks.com.
W.Va. author pensfirst book, a comedy
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. -- Out this month by author and humorist Katherine J. Leisering is "Life's a Hoot, Man: Maggie and Lorna Tackle Life, Living It, and Research into the Love Life of the Locust."
"Life's a Hoot, Man" is the first book by Leisering, who lives in Parkersburg and is an award-winning college speech professor and humor writer. It is a humorous look at some of life's most irritating situations as seen through the eyes of two savvy Scottish terriers -- Leisering's dogs, Maggie and Lorna -- and their friends -- Vivien the chicken; Ludwig, a kleptomaniac chipmunk; and Euclid, the town C.S.A. (Certified Squirrel Accountant). The work is set in Washington, Pa., where Leisering was born, but features her memories of other Western Pennsylvania locales (Pittsburgh, Crafton and Sharon). And, while essentially a comedy, the book is not all fun and games. A tribute to opera star Rosa Ponselle, an inspirational Christmas story and a single paragraph on death add some serious moments, and underlying themes emphasize a return to past values such as morality, good manners and the importance of proper English skills.
Published by Maggie and Lorna Enterprises, the book lists for $19.95. For more information, contact the author at (888) 200-9030.
Leisering has a bachelor's degree from West Liberty State College in West Virginia, a master's from West Virginia University and a doctorate from Ohio University. She taught speech at Slippery Rock University, Bethany College and West Virginia Northern Community College and was founder/coach of three nationally recognized college speech teams. She also earned two teaching excellence awards, both in 1987. In 1991, she won the regional classical comedy contest sponsored by WQED, Pittsburgh, and has received awards for her humor writing from the West Virginia Writers Association in 2003 and 2005. She also has written and performed comedy pieces.
Combined dispatches