Community Corner

UM Library Welcomes Willow Grove's Newest—and Youngest—Authors

"The Carousel: A Collection of Writing and Artwork from the Youth of Willow Grove" is a children's book that is completely written by children.

Every children’s book at the is special, but there’s only one that is a complete original children’s book written and illustrated by Willow Grove children.

The book, called The Carousel: A Collection of Writing and Artwork from the Youth of Willow Grove, was the result of a writing competition in which 400 local youth participated.

According to Upper Moreland Library assistant director Cathy Gilmore,  the competition is the brain child of both the library and the .

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The writing competition, which started last year, asked youth to submit poems and essays on subjects of their own choosing.

At the book release party, held at the library on July 23, Gilmore spoke of the process from competition to book.

Find out what's happening in Upper Moreland-Willow Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We had no idea that this would be such a success and such a work of art,” Gilmore said, addressing a large crowd of proud family members, friends and first-time authors.

According to Gilmore, over 340 students of the Upper Moreland School District submitted work, and over 60 students from local schools also participated.

Artwork for the book was provided by Upper Moreland Middle School art teacher Dwight Dulsky.

Only 38 written works were selected for publication, and were judged by three retired teachers, some of whom are a part of the Willow Grove Rotary.

Upon the announcement of competition winners in May, the Friends of the Upper Moreland Library offered to purchase extra copies of the book to fulfill requests by family and friends.

“It gives me great pleasure to tell the community that the Friends have contributed to this wonderful, wonderful project that features the work of our talented young people,” Bernice Keebler, an executive member of the Friends of the UM library, said.

According to Keebler, some copies of The Carousel are still available at the library, or upon request.

On the front cover of The Carousel is printed “Tricentennial Edition.” Glimore explained that the competition and the book’s publication coincided with the , which also explains the artwork on the jacket cover, providing a reference to Willow Grove Park’s once famous carousel.

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