Amanda Rose Holt, a student in Tusculum College’s education program, has written and illustrated a children’s book, “First Flight.”
Holt has been asked to do a reading of the book to elementary school students in Jefferson and Cocke counties, and the book is now available at local bookstores and the Tusculum College Bookstore. Her book has also earned her mentions in regional newspapers. Holt will be signing books in the Tusculum Bookstore from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 1.
“First Flight” is about a baby barn owl who is about to take his first flight, but becomes a little scared to take the big leap on his own. With some encouragement from his mother, he gains confidence and gives it his best try. Succeeding in flight, the young owl discovers he loves flying and begins to soar with the knowledge that he can do anything on his own.
Written in a rhyming style, Holt was inspired by her oldest son’s experiences in starting school as she wrote the book.
This is Holt’s first book. She has always enjoyed writing, but with three small children, it has been a challenge to find time to do so. However, she was prompted in a Children’s Literature class to write a book. “But, I took it a step further and liked it so much that I had it published,” she said.
Holt has already written a sequel to “First Flight” entitled “New Home.” She is currently illustrating the book and hopes to have it published by next Christmas.
“This is something I really enjoy and plan to do it for a long time,” Holt says.
She is a student in Tusculum’s undergraduate human growth and learning, K-6 elementary education program offered through the Graduate and Professional Studies program designed for working adults. Holt attends class at Tusculum’s Morristown center. She will being student teaching in January and plans to graduate in May 2012.
Amanda Rose Holt reads her book “First Flight” for elementary school children.