Newberry Honor-winning children’s author to visit Richland Library

“I am a children’s book author and illustrator, and, quite possibly, a hermit. I eat nuts, avoid nits and gnats, and make lovely nets out of knots.”

So Cece Bell describes herself on her website.

And if that isn’t intriguing enough to make you want to meet her Wednesday at Richland Library Main, read on.

Bell’s “El Deafo” – which chronicles her hearing loss and experiences wearing the bulky Phonic Ear hearing aid to school – won a Newbery Honor, the runner-up award to the coveted medal, in 2015.

She says “Bee-Wigged” is her favorite of her published books: “In a crazy way, it is autobiographical, because, like Jerry Bee, I am a wig-wearing child-sized bee who tries to radiate positive energy wherever possible.”

The characters in her Sock Monkey series, including the title character, were inspired by actual toys: “Sock Monkey is indeed a real sock monkey, who lives with me,” Bell writes.

Other books include “I Yam a Donkey!” – in which a donkey makes that assertion to a yam – and “Chuck and Woodchuck,” about a show-and-tell guest who facilitates a friendship.

Bell will discuss her books and artwork at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the children’s room at Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. A book sale and signing will follow the event, which is free and open to the public.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 5:56 PM with the headline "Newberry Honor-winning children’s author to visit Richland Library."