Lemont Bookseller To Host Event For Families Living With Disabilities

LEMONT, IL – Thera Schrank has always done what she can as a local bookseller to help Lemont families who may have needs others don’t.

Schrank, who works at Three Stories Books along with owner Sommer Steele, feels like it is important to provide support her community any way she can. With April being set apart as Autism Awareness Month, Schrank is offering an event this weekend that will spotlight autism by connecting local families with authors who have written books on the subject as a way of informing and educating readers.

Three Stories Books, which is located at 310 Canal St., will host a book event featuring three authors who will also engage in activities with attendees, Schrank said. The event will run between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday and will include authors Sandy Sotzen, author of “Why Do They Do That?”, Megan Prendergast, author of “Included” and Brian Swift, author of “Have A Ball.”

The Disabilities Awareness Day event will help local families living with disabilities cope and provide encouragement about inclusion and other topics that parents can use in their daily lives.

All three of the authors will collaborate for the event after Sotzen was the guest for a special event last year, Schrank said. Sotzen’s son, Tyler, is autistic and served as the inspiration behind Sotzen’s book.

Schrank said the local book shop loves hosting events that deal with topics of national and worldwide interest.

“To be honest, events have been the backbone of Three Stories Books," Steele, the shop's owner said in an email to Patch on Monday. "We believe after the last couple of years with so much isolation, families in the community are looking for safe and local spaces to do meaningful things with their children.

"So whether they have gathered for story-time, author readings, art classes or other special events, we have had a positive response. Since starting our events in the fall, we’ve had several inquiries regarding story times or activities for our special needs community. We know that the pandemic has robbed so many kids of opportunities to learn and play with their peers of all kinds. We’re catching up on socializing and developing empathy and understanding. Parents are looking for support. We’re looking for families to be part of what we’re creating here in downtown Lemont."

Three Stories Books will also partner with A.C.E. Therapies in Lockport to present two story time events for children and families. Those events will take place at 10:30 p.m. on April 14 and at 4 p.m. on April 28. Cindy Mrotek, the founder and CEO of A.C.E. Therapies will be the guest reader for both events.