Ferradiddledumday

Folks who weren't at the Westlake Library the night of January 28th missed a treat. Becky Mushko, author of the recently released book Ferradiddledumday, and book illustrator Bruce Rae, put on quite a show. After the introduction by librarians Pam Palmer and Marilyn Amerson, Becky and Bruce performed parts of Ferradiddledumday, an Appalachian version of Rumpelstiltskin.

Pam Palmer, children's librarian at Westlake

Becky Mushko as Gillie; Bruce Rae as Ferradiddledumday

Even though I have read drafts of Ferradiddledumday and the published book, I laughed hard and often. Becky played the part of Gillie, an Appalachian farmer's daughter who spins hay into gold. Bruce acted as Gillie's father, as well as the character Ferradiddledumday, a little magic man who granted Gillie the ability to spin the hay into gold. If you ever get the opportunity to see Becky and Bruce perform this, do it. You won't be disappointed. And if you want a good read, go buy the book. I own 11 copies! They will make great gifts for my grandchildren.

Marilyn Amerson, head librarian at Westlake, and Becky Mushko.

To visit Becky's website, go to www.beckymushko.com. To read her blog posts, go to www.peevishpen.blogspot.com.