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Hartselle-native author makes appearance at library

Penny Coutlee reads her children's book "The Adventures of Jumberhoo" to the students at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. Alabama native Coutlee is the author and illustrator of two complete sets of children's books entitled "The Adventures of Jumberhoo." | Joy Harris
Penny Coutlee reads her children’s book “The Adventures of Jumberhoo” to the students at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. Alabama native Coutlee is the author and illustrator of two complete sets of children’s books entitled “The Adventures of Jumberhoo.” | Joy Harris

The Falkville Summer Reading Program “Fizz! Boom! Read!” hosted a special guest author Thurs., July 9.

Penny Kirby Coutlee read her children’s book “The Adventures of Jumberhoo: Monster in the Garden” to the students. The Hartselle native is the author and illustrator of five volumes of children’s books entitled “The Adventures of Jumberhoo.”

She now resides in Canada, but she visited the Falkville Library for her first reading to children while on a summer vacation to the area. Coutlee was inspired to write the books from mentions of a character named Jumberhoo she heard during her childhood. The characters in the series are caricatures of her father, son, nieces, nephews and other family members.

A new volume will soon be released. All of Coutlee’s books can be purchased from the Amazon Kindle bookstore. The Falkville Library owns some volumes that can be checked out, and Coutlee loaned her latest volumes to the library for a short time.

The program also featured a scientific magic show performed by Pam and Emily MacDonald. They performed card tricks, skewered a balloon without popping it and made a ball disappear.

Next week’s program will feature an electrical theme with an appearance from a Joe Wheeler EMC employee. Those in attendance will learn about how electricity powers our homes and safe electrical practices.

Pam MacDonald performs a magic trick for Weston Pike and the rest of the kids in attendance at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Pam MacDonald performs a magic trick for Weston Pike and the rest of the kids in attendance at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Emily MacDonald pokes a skewer through an inflated balloon as a magic trick during the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Emily MacDonald pokes a skewer through an inflated balloon as a magic trick during the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Emily MacDonald pokes a skewer through an inflated balloon as a magic trick during the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Emily MacDonald pokes a skewer through an inflated balloon as a magic trick during the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
A tiny attendant of the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10 takes a much needed nap. | Joy Harris
A tiny attendant of the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10 takes a much needed nap. | Joy Harris
Meggie Bramlett flips cards over one by one from a deck as part of a card trick at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Meggie Bramlett flips cards over one by one from a deck as part of a card trick at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10. | Joy Harris
Children at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10 listen to Penny Coutlee read her children's book "The Adventures of Jumberhoo." | Joy Harris
Children at the Falkville Public Library summer reading program Thurs., July 10 listen to Penny Coutlee read her children’s book “The Adventures of Jumberhoo.” | Joy Harris

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