Press Release
Immediate Release
Norman, OK-- Whorl Books announces the release of a new edition of the children's book by Marilyn A. Hudson, Elephant Hips Are Expensive. The book features the whimsical black and white drawings of Mustang resident and well-known storyteller and author, Molly Lemmons.
In 1949, children across Oklahoma raced to see who could donate the most money to bring a new elephant to the Lincoln Park Zoo. In this fictional work nine-year-old David, seven-year-old sister Molly and their friends are determined to help make it happen despite a troublesome bully. It includes bonus section with activities and coloring sheets.
This delightful fiction book will be of note to children as they explore what a group of children did in 1949 or for adults who fondly remember the "good old days". Bullies, obstacles, teamwork and just plain hard work emphasize how these kids of "The Greatest Generation" faced problems to realize a dream.
Marilyn A. Hudson has been a library professional in public, school, and academic libraries. She started writing by authoring essays, articles, and editorials in a number of periodicals, serving as a contributing editor for two and as a newspaper stringer in Enid, Oklahoma. Hudson is also author of The Bones of Summer, The Mound, When Death Rode the Rails, Madame Delaine, Noel Brooks, The Windows of Wesley, Stories Stage Center: A History of Storytelling in Oklahoma, and others. She received a B.A. in History and an M.L.I.S. from the University of Oklahoma.
Her first introduction to the story of “Judy” was in taking her children to the zoo and then meeting people who had been part of the fundraising activities bringing the young elephant to Oklahoma in 1949.
Her first introduction to the story of “Judy” was in taking her children to the zoo and then meeting people who had been part of the fundraising activities bringing the young elephant to Oklahoma in 1949.
Molly Lemmons, illustrator, is a storyteller, author, and artist, and has been listening to stories all of her life. She continues that family tradition by sharing stories and adding her own unique perspective with humor and heart.Many of the stories she tells are taken from her book, Kind of Heart released in 2000. The book is filled with nostalgic tales about growing up during the 1940's and 1950's. Her other published works include The Passing of Paradise, As Bright and as Pure as the Driven Snow, Seize the Flashbacks!, We are Invisible, and Hold my Hand, my Precious Child.
Molly was herself one of those spunky Oklahoma children who were known as “Judy’s Kids.” Their drive, passion and vision leave an important legacy about what working together to achieve a common goal can mean.
"I remember sitting in the audience at the Municipal Auditorium (Aka Civic Center Music Hall) while at a school wide concert, and the emcee announcing: "Boys and Girls, you have bought an elephant for the Oklahoma City Zoo." The entire audience of elementary school children jumped to their feet and screamed and hollered to the top of their lungs. I was one of these children."
The book is available currently on Amazon in both print and Kindle formats.
The authors are planning to tour libraries and schools in the state in early 2015.
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