Lynda Rutledge, author of the hit novel “West with Giraffes,” will visit the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library via Zoom at 5:30 Tuesday, April 5. Her visit is the penultimate event of this year’s Community One Read program, also called The Book In The Bluff.
“It’s an opportunity for everybody in the community to read the same book...and have conversations. It’s just a way to connect the community.” said adult services librarian Alora Bauer.
Rutledge was happy to participate when the library contacted her.
“We just reached out to her and told her that we were doing her book for our Community One Read, and she was more than happy to do a Zoom chat with us,” said Bauer.
“West with Giraffes” tells the story of two giraffes who must be trucked from the East to West Coast during the Great Depression, and the humans who join their journey. Amazingly, it is based on true events.
Over 40 people have checked out a copy of “West With Giraffes,” and other bought the book at Whitworth’s Gift Chest Jewelers and Henfer Furniture & Appliance.
“I feel like it probably has something for everyone, just the adventure, excitement, animals,” Bauer said about its popularity.
The library has held a calendar of giraffe-related events in March and April, including a book club discussion, Giraffe Storytime and a visit from some of Dickerson Park Zoo’s endangered animals. The final event is a photo exhibit about trailblazing international photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White, who inspired the character Red in “West with Giraffes.” It opened March 15 in the library’s theater room and will remain until April 16.
The Zoom discussion with Rutledge can be attended at the library or from the comforts of home. The poplarbluff.org/bookinthebluff webpage will display a link to the chat when it begins.
Among Rutledge’s topics, she will “talk about how she came across this story, because it is based on a true story, and her research and writing process,” Bauer said. “And she’s going to answer questions.”
“West with Giraffes” is available in print and audiobook at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library, located at 318 N. Main St.