Staff Report
Published: 9/24/2021 5:50:59 PM
Greenfield author and illustrator Astrid Sheckels will visit the bookshop at 34 Main St. from 2 to 4 p.m. to read from and sign copies of “Hector Fox and the Giant Quest,” which is the first entry in a planned four-book series.
According to a press release, the book’s official release date is Tuesday, Sept. 28, but those who are interested can get a sneak peak at Saturday’s event. Signed books will also be available for sale.
In “Hector Fox and the Giant Quest,” Hector and his merry band of woodland friends are comfortably hanging out near their homes in the Green Wood, when they hear a rumor about an enormous, shadowy stranger living in the Forbidden Marsh, a book description explains. The five friends set out on a quest to learn the truth about the creature and, with some unexpected help, make a giant discovery.
Sheckels, who describes her art style as a mix of classic realism and whimsy, has previously illustrated three books for Islandport Press. These include “The Scallop Christmas,” by Jane Freeberg; “Nic and Nellie,” which marked Sheckels’ debut as an author and illustrator in 2013; and “The Fish House Door,” by Robert Baldwin.
A native of Western Massachusetts, Sheckels grew up in an artistic family, spending much of her childhood playing outside, using her imagination and drawing. According to the release, she studied fine art at Greenfield Community College, works as a full-time artist, and is a member of the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
Sheckels has other events planned for next month. On Oct. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, she will visit the Greenfield Public Library pop-up at the Greenfield Farmers’ Market on Court Square in Greenfield. Then, on Oct. 23, from 2 to 4 p.m., Sheckels will sign books at the Salmon Falls Gallery, 1 Ashfield St. in Shelburne Falls.
