For Maumelle children’s book writer/illustrator and retired preschool music teacher Carol Dabney, connecting with young readers has meant hitting the road this summer. Dabney has traveled to locations across Arkansas and as far as St. Louis from libraries to Whole Foods stores and has in the past conducted butterfly release parties, children’s birthday and tea parties, baby showers, and other special events.
Equipped with her voice, her ukulele, and songs and books she has written (as well as a few hand-puppet friends), Carol works with organizers to provide a memorable experience for kids and parents alike. She has even printed a large-scale version of her most recent book, Butterfly Dreams: A Friendship Takes Flight, to read from as pre-recorded background sounds of chirping birds and frogs play softly to set the scene. Regarding a tea party at the Dover, Arkansas, Library, Dabney said, “This tea party reading felt so magical. I feel like I stepped into a wonderland to read my storybook. Librarian Kimberly Tise from Dover had families register in advance so she would know how many to provide cookies and cakes for . . . yummy!”
To hire Dabney for your special event, visit CarolDabney.WordPress.com.
To find her on YouTube, subscribe to her channel YouTube: Dabohana, featuring whimsical puppetry and songs to entertain kiddos. To purchase Carol’s book, Butterfly Dreams, and her CD single, “Butterflies and Honey Bees,” visit etaliapress.com.
Hot Springs native Erin Wood is a writer, editor, and publisher in Little Rock. She owns and runs etaliapress.com.
Wood is the author of “Women Make Arkansas: Conversations With 50 Creatives” (2019) and editor of and a contributor to “Scars: An Anthology” (2015).
