Beverly Rosas turns a childhood story she made up into a published book.
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What: Book signing, “The Hand That Scared Jenny” by Beverly Rosas
When: noon-4 p.m. May 31
Where: Borders Express,1675 Lacey Blvd., Hanford
Info: (559) 584-3281
KINGSBURG -- A childhood game has been turned into a book by Beverly Rosas. The 47-year-old Kingsburg resident, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, has written "The Hand That Scared Jenny" (Publish America, $16.95) inspired by an idea she had at age 9.
As a child, Rosas came up with a story about a disembodied green hand. She would tell her younger brother about a mysterious (is there any other kind?) green hand seen over a fence in the neighborhood.
In the book, characters Jenny and Will decide to investigate the mystery of the green hand.
"I had a wild imagination," Rosas says. "It was an idea that we made into a game when we played in the backyard. I had kept the idea for the book in my head for years. But I couldn't come up with the ending."
Rosas grew up in Colusa, a small town northwest of Yuba City. The town's population was less than 2,000 when she lived there.
"My brother, Steve, and I played outside all the time," she recalls. "We rode our bikes everywhere and collected glass bottles and turned them in for candy."
She wrote out the story in 2006, but no publisher responded until last May. Another younger brother, Jeff Davis of Fresno, is the book's illustrator. She dedicated her book to her brothers: "To my brother Jeff, whose illustrations brought this story to life. To my brother Steve, who shared in many of my childhood adventures."
Publish America bought the rights to the book and publishes copies on demand. The book is available through amazon.com, bordersbooks.com and PublishAmerica.com.
"I have to do my own marketing," she says. "It's a new thing for me and out of my comfort zone."
Rosas is more at home in her classroom, surrounded by second- and third-grade students. She's a resource specialist, focusing on children ages 7-9 with learning disabilities. Rosas has a master of arts degree in special education from Fresno Pacific University and a bachelor of arts from California State University, Fresno.
"I try to inspire the imagination of the kids," she says. "Many kids sit in front of the TV or Nintendo. You have to use your imagination or it gets stagnant."
Rosas was an avid reader during her childhood. "I read animal stories like 'The Black Stallion' and 'Lad: A Dog.' I was also crazy about horses. My mom [Yvonne Davis] was an avid reader and read to me when I was very young."
In fact, Rosas had asked her mother to do the book's illustrations.
"She thought Jeff could do them better, so they would look more modern," Rosas says. "At first, Jeff didn't seem excited about the book. Then he saw the book after it was published and was happy about it."
The Kingsburg Library will carry a copy of the book, as will Kingsburg elementary school libraries. "That's a real thrill for me," Rosas says.
The excitement about the book is secondary to being on the verge of becoming a grandmother "any day now." She and her husband, Milton, have lived here since 1979.
"I grew up in Colusa, but I consider here my home," she says. "Most of my family lives here."
Rosas served as editor of her high school paper and once dreamed of a career as a journalist. She enjoys reading historical fiction and books by Christian authors. She is the mother of three adult children.
The book is a satisifying accomplishment for Rosas.
"Of course, my mother is thrilled and telling everybody. She's my biggest supporter."
Lincoln Elementary students are also fans. Student Julissa Navarro, 10, is one of Rosas' students.
"Jenny is the type of little girl who likes to find mysteries," Julissa says. "Her brother wants to be in her personal stuff. I think of him as a brat."
"I have read my book in class and other classrooms," Rosas says. "It's really wonderful to see their reactions. You should see how big their eyes get when I read the ending."
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