Local Author Seeks to Help Kids Organize

Andover resident Carol Ekster taught elementary school for 35 years, and now she's brought that experience to her new career -- writing for children.

Her second published book, "Ruth the Sleuth and the Messy Room," was published in December 2011.

"It’s a picture book to help children with the character traits of organization, focus, time-management, and self-motivation," Ekster said.

The book begins and ends with chocolate chip cookies, so ekster decided to visit Fisichelli's Pastry Shop. Shop owner Nina Fisichelli Gaffny agreed to carry her book and package it with chocolate chip cookies.

"I was impressed at Nina's complete responsiveness to the idea and her support for a local author" Ekster said.

In "Ruth the Sleuth and the Messy Room" Ruth’s mom needs something that’s in her child’s messy room and sets a timer, which motivates the “sleuth” in Ruth.

"The clock, counting off ten minutes, is shown in the page corners, as Ruth looks for her mom’s potholder in time to take out the cookies that are baking in the oven," Ekster said.

The book is meant to help kids see the benefit of being organized.

See a reading of the book here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up8wvwgJ6w4&feature=share