Local book author recalls experiences in children’s book, ‘Going to College with Grandma’—book signing to be held Saturday on St. Armands Circle

 

SARASOTA, FL (Sept. 13, 2007) – When 80-year-old Ann Stephanian Kale started writing her new book, “Going to College with Grandma,” she had real-life experience to draw from.

 

In 2005 Kale attended Manatee Community College with her grandson, Scott, and then went on to become the oldest graduate at USF Sarasota-Manatee in May 2007.

 

“It was a fun experience going to school at the same time as Scott,” said Kale.  “We had some classes together and it made for some funny stories.”

 

She will share some of those stories as she signs her books this Saturday, Sept. 15 at the Circle Books bookstore on St. Armands Circle.

 

Kale received her associate degree from Oakland Community College in Michigan in 1981 and became an educational secretary, eventually moving up to secretary for the Superintendent of Schools in Birmingham, Michigan.  In 1988 she and her husband retired to Bradenton.  When her husband passed away in 2000, Kale decided to head back to school so that she could become a substitute teacher.  Some of her credits weren’t accepted in Florida, so she took some MCC classes while pursuing her bachelor degree at USF Sarasota-Manatee.

 

“Most of my children and grandchildren were up north and I knew I wanted to do something with children,” Kale said.  “Someone said to me, ‘If you go back to college you’ll be 80 when you graduate’ and I said ‘Well, I’ll be 80 anyway.’”

 

And at 80, Kale is keeping busy.  During her retirement and while attending college, she has been involved in the Arts in Sarasota-Manatee, attending area art-shows to display her 3-D and watercolor artwork.  She also holds book signings at Circle Books on St. Armands Circle and Little Bookworms in Lakewood Ranch and is a substitute teacher in Manatee County.  Rowlett Magnet Elementary School in Bradenton recently dedicated an area of their media center, named Mrs. Kale’s Reading Cottage, in her honor.

 

“Going to College with Grandma” is Kale’s third children’s book, joined by “Marco and Princess Gina” and “Artie the Ugly Frog.”  The characters in the books are named after her children, and she does all of the artwork and illustrations herself.  The proceeds from her books go to an orphanage in Armenia, where her parents are from.

 

With enough endeavors to keep her busy for quite awhile, Kale has no intention of slowing down.

 

“I’m thinking of getting my Master of Science in Early Childhood Education at USF Sarasota-Manatee,” she said.  “I want to keep learning, you’re never too old to learn.  And I’m thinking of writing another book about the funny things kids say.  Sometimes the things they say are so funny that you just can’t make it up.  Working with the kids is what keeps me young.”

 

Kale’s books are published by Abril Publishing Co. and can be bought online at www.abrilbooks.com, at Circle Books on St. Armands Circle, or at Little Bookworms in Lakewood Ranch.   

 

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate's or bachelor's degree interested in pursuing a baccalaureate or master's degree, professional certification, or continuing education credit. The regional campus offers the prestige of a nationally ranked research university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at Manatee Community College Venice.