Book Signing with Author Jan DiRuzzo

 Jan DiRuzzo, children’s author of The Lost Mermaid~A Shem Creek Moonlight Jamboree and its sequel, The Lost Mermaid~Return to the Raspberry Kingdom, will be on hand to sign copies of her books on Saturday and Sunday, February 15th & 16th from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Lily the Mermaid and Lily’s favorite pirate sidekick, Captain Joe, will also make a guest appearance. Lily and the Captain will be passing out complementary magic stones, found aboard the pirate ship, the Flying Dragon. So there’s guaranteed to be lots of magic along with stickers for the children.

These mythical tales will enrich your child’s imagination and immerse them in a coastal seascape, where they will meet loggerhead turtles, dolphins, fish, oysters, crabs, and a scary octopus. They will visit a musical jamboree and search for treasure aboard a sunken ship. The stories also offer valuable lessons about the danger of judging others by appearance and language and gentle approaches to bullying.

Jan is a graduate of the University of RI and RI College. She has taught writing and literature at both the secondary and college level and has worked as a technical writer for the Naval Department of Defense. Jan has always lived near the sea, originally in Newport, RI and now in Charleston, SC. While kayaking with the dolphins along Shem Creek, she became inspired by the diversity of life both on and off shore and has woven these themes together to share with other young readers. Jan is also available for interactive readings and presentations. Visit www.thelostmermaid.com to learn more about these events.

Also this weekend…

While you’re in Cortez, be sure to check out the 32nd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Saturday and Sunday, February 15th & 16th.
This event always draws a crowd and benefits The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (F.I.S.H.), a non-profit, grassroots organization established in 1991. F.I.S.H. is dedicated to the preservation of man-made and natural heritage of Florida’s maritime communities. For more info, http://www.cortez-fish.org