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Local Children's Author to Inspire Others at Dearborn Library Luncheon

The annual Children's Author Luncheon, hosted by Dearborn Library Foundation, will feature Lansing-based author Ruth McNally Barshaw.

For Ruth McNally Barshaw, a love of journaling and sketching turned into a full-fledged career. Now, the Lansing-based author hopes to pass that passion on.

This Saturday, the Dearborn Public Library Foundation will host its second annual Children’s Author Luncheon at Park Place Banquet Hall, located at 23400 Park Street in Dearborn.

The event will feature a talk by Barshaw, creator of the successful children’s book series, Ellie McDoodle, Barshaw’s books share the artistic works of Ellie, an 11-year-old Michigan girl–a character inspired from the author’s own experiences.

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“Ellie brings a sketch journal with her everywhere she goes, sketching and writing whatever she sees," explains Barshaw.     

There are three books currently in the Ellie McDoodle series, with a fourth one in the final stages of completion due out in April 2012.

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“Right now, I’m working on proposals for the next Ellie McDoodle books and a possible spin-off book," Barshaw said. "I’m not able to share more about it yet, but it is very exciting.”

She is proud to reside in Michigan and quick to offer her enthusiasm for the state’s natural resources and an optimistic future, adding, “I’ve traveled all over Michigan in my tours and we have everything here–it’s beautiful."

A native Michiganian, the author grew up in the Detroit suburb of Harper Woods. She fondly remembers spending time at Camp Dearborn when she was a young girl. But after attending Michigan State University, she described falling in love with that area. Having met her husband in a local bookstore there, the two decided to make Lansing their home, where they reside today.

As a youngster, Barshaw’s mother used to give her journals, hoping that she would sketch or write, but she admits not taking any interest in journaling until a teacher gifted one to her as a teen. It was this time that it spoke to her, inspiring a new journey of sketching and writing.

“I really cherished it and took good care of it," Barshaw recalled. "I couldn’t stop journaling. Now, I have between 300-500 sketch journals in my home. They are from my youth to my honeymoon in Toronto, weddings, funerals, kids' T-ball games, the birth of my granddaughter–complete with her footprints.

"Every significant moment in my life."

Barshaw urges everyone to journal, adding that, “You can capture happy and sad experiences and it is therapeutic for you."

Sharing the stories of Ellie McDoodle, she travels across Michigan and to other states on author tours. The stops are usually in schools and libraries, where she talks and sketches, offering insight about being an illustrator and inspiring children and adults to journal and sketch–a hobby Barshaw believes can be for everyone, not just skilled artists.

“Everybody is taught to write in school, but not everyone is taught that they are already an artist," she said. "We begin to hesitate in our early teens to not draw, because we don’t believe we are experts."

She encourages everyone to pick up a pencil and draw or write. Any kind of journaling, Barshaw adds, is a good idea.

During Saturday’s luncheon, Barshaw will share samples of her own sketch journals and help show attendees how they can tap into their own talent. She encourages everyone to bring their own pencils and be ready to participate.

“My goal is that everybody there will go home with an original piece of art from me–and there’ll be a surprise for the audience," she said. "I promise it will be a good time. There will be something for everyone."

The luncheon begins at noon on Saturday at Park Place Banquet Hall.  Tickets are $22 for adults and $17 for children and are available at any Dearborn Public Library or online at dearbornlibraryfoundation.org.

For more information, please call the library at 313-943-2037. To learn more about Ellie McDoodle, about sketch journaling and tips for inspiring your own work, visit Barshaw’s website.

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