From Staff Reports
Cari Barnfield Pointer of Marshall, Mo., will be at the Puxico City Public Library from 3-5 p.m. Monday, May 1, to sign her newest children's book in the "Hey Mom Series" and to donate a copy to the library, said Puxico Public Library Director JoLeah Tettleton. The library is located at 201 N. Hickman St. in Puxico.
Pointer first became interested in writing children's books while taking a creative writing class during high school in Puxico. She attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo, where her career interests turned toward helping ensure the safety and welfare of children. Pointer has been working as a child welfare advocate for the state for more than a decade. In addition to working full time as a professional child welfare advocate, she is the mother of two growing boys, Cade, 12, and Kelar, 6. She says her sons' antics provide inspiration for the main character, Kale, in her story books. She says Kelar is particularly full of "Hey Moms."
In 2015, with the support of her husband and two boys, Pointer decided to pursue her dream of writing a children's book. Now with her new role as a published children's book author, Pointer has a new tool to use in her continued advocacy for child welfare. Pointer encourages other aspiring authors to live a life with big dreams, no regrets.
The books, with their vibrant illustrations, tell a story any parent can relate.
As she was raising her sons, Pointer's love of reading and writing was not forgotten. It just found a new outlet. "I was talking to an old friend and mentioned that I had always wanted to write a children's book since high school," she said. "They knew me back then and knew I loved to write. They said to go for it!"
In June, Cari will be appearing at back-to-back book conventions in New York City to promote her book when she makes appearances at Book Expo America June 1 - 2 and BookCon on June 3 - 4 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
While in Puxico, she will have books available to purchase and will personally sign each book.