Children’s author and illustrator Lisa Horstman to appear at Sugarlands Visitor Center

The Great Smoky Mountains Association has announced an upcoming “Meet the Author” event with children’s author and illustrator Lisa Horstman on June 27 at the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Horstman, the author and illustrator of popular children’s tales such as The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball and Fast Friends, will discuss her latest book— Sabrina: A Great Smoky Mountains Story—and autograph copies from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, according to Great Smoky Mountains Association’s official press release.

Sabrina, Horstman’s tenth publication and sixth book working in collaboration with the GSMA, offers a twist on the classic ugly duckling story, while educating readers on the importance of preserving native habitats in the Southern Appalachians and the threats posed to these special ecosystems.

“This is the tale of a special kind of squirrel who finds herself in a strange new home after a run in with an owl,” according to GSMA’s press release. Children follow Sabrina, an endangered northern flying squirrel, as she strives to save her new family and home from outside threats and the effects on her habitat due to climate change.

“This books is a perfect ‘sit on my lap and I’ll read you a story’ book,” says author Steve Kemp, who worked with Horstman on the book We’re Going To The Mountains, published in 2008.

Horstman is noted for her “whimsical” painting style; for her latest book, the author/illustrator combined her illustrations with the use of handmade puppets to create the visual content.

Proceeds from sales of the book will go towards supporting the mission of the Great Smoky Mountains Association, which seeks to facilitate “ongoing educational, scientific and preservation efforts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” says the organization.

Those interested in learning more about the GSMA and it’s work or purchasing Sabrina and other Horstman publications are encouraged to visit SmokiesInformation.org or call toll-free 888-898-9102, Ext. 226.

Press Release:

‘Sabrina’ author to appear in national park

Young and old alike are invited to Great Smoky Mountains Association’s upcoming “Meet the Author” event featuring Lisa Horstman Saturday, June 27, at Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Horstman, author and illustrator of such popular children’s books as “The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball” and “The Troublesome Cub,” has outdone herself this time with “Sabrina: A Great Smoky Mountains Story,” the retelling of the classic “ugly duckling” story from a flying squirrel’s point of view. This is the tale of a special kind of squirrel who finds herself in a strange new home after a run in with an owl.  Throughout the story readers are invited to follow along as Sabrina learns how to survive, and then thrive, in her new environment.

Sabrina and her ilk are denizens of the rich and rare spruce-fir forest that clings to the Smokies highest peaks. Children will cheer Sabrina’s heroic effort to protect her new family, then discover that a much larger danger is approaching.

“Northern flying squirrels are endangered because the spruce-fir forest where they live is getting smaller,” Horstman tells her readers. “This forest in the southern Appalachian Mountains is found only on the highest mountains where the weather is always cool or cold. Scientists are concerned that if the climate gets warmer, this kind of forest will disappear.”

“Sabrina: A Great Smoky Mountains Story” is Horstman’s tenth book. Combining her love of books with the craft of illustration began with the publication of “Fast Friends” in 1994, when she was the recipient of the Dr. Seuss Picturebook Award from Alfred A. Knopf.

“Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball,” her first collaboration with Great Smoky Mountains Association, led to six more picture books with the nonprofit organization: “The Troublesome Cub,” “Wee Ones,” “The Smokies Yukky Book” (written Doris Gove), “We’re Going to the Mountains” (written by Steve Kemp), “Scavenger Hike Adventures” (written by Kat and John LaFevre), and “Sabrina: A Great Smoky Mountains Story.”

Horstman’s adorable illustrations for “Sabrina” are the result of a technique she pioneered using handmade puppets and her usual whimsical style of painting. “This books is a perfect ‘sit on my lap and I’ll read you a story’ book,” said Kemp.

Horstman will be discussing her work and autographing copies from noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Sales of both books support the mission of GSMA, which since its inception in 1953 has given more than $34 million to support the ongoing educational, scientific and preservation efforts of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Support for the non-profit association is derived primarily from visitor center sales of educational products and membership dues in nine locations in and around the national park.  Those who wish to strengthen their national park experience are encouraged to “Get Rooted in the Smokies” through membership.

For more information about GSMA and to order these books, visit www.SmokiesInformation.org or call toll-free 888.898.9102, Ext. 226.