28 Aug New Story Time Tent Feature in the Family Area!
Meet the CSRA Based Authors Featured in the Family Area's NEW Story Time Tent!
What is the Story Time Tent?
This NEW feature to the Family Area at the Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival is a cool, quiet space for children to sit and read to unwind from what is often a bustling festival. This year, the festival invited local area children’s authors to exhibit, sell and read their work to families and children. Sharing the love of all things arts is a cornerstone of this festival. Instilling that in the next generation is incredibly important. This year’s 5 featured children’s authors (listed below) each have two separate scheduled reading times and will be available for the duration of their three-hour time slot to answer questions, share their art, and inspire little minds to think outside of the book.
The Authors
Yvette Long
Friday, September 19, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with readings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Yvette Long is an author and counselor who enjoys providing knowledge and insight to others. Her book “African American History: Young Minds” is a beautifully illustrated example of the achievements and accomplishments of Americans of African Descent, individuals whose stories and experiences are not often told, but which provide an insight into the untold stories of individuals who accomplished the unexpected against immense odds, discrimination, and profound opposition.
African American History: Young Minds
This book is about lesser-known individuals in American History with a focus is Americans of African Descent. Each coloring image is paired with a short story associated the imagery. A coloring book experience great for interactive learning. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and at Arts in the Heart 2025!
Ron Baxley Jr.
Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. with readings at 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
With over three decades of storytelling under his belt, Ron Baxley, Jr. invites readers into worlds where Corgis talk, geese are magical, satire dances with fantasy, and Oz is reimagined for new generations.
“Goldey Goosey of Oz” puts a new feathery, flying spin on the classic fairy tales about the goose who laid the golden eggs — a goose who is named Goldey Goosey in this tale. In this version, Munchkin Jack helps Goldey Goosey escape from the Pink and Blue giants who live at the top of the beanstalk on Sky Island above Oz.
“Ziggy Zig-Zags the Light and Dark Fantastic, Volume 1” is a fantasy graphic novel with a story and scripting by author Ron Baxley, Jr. and art by renowned Oz artist Vincent Myrand. Ziggy, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is one of many steeds of the elves in Wales and is the elves’ chosen champion for great quests.
Christina Petrides
Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with readings at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Born in Texas and raised in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) of Georgia, USA, Christina E. Petrides lived and worked in Washington, DC (2003-2013), and on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea (2017-2023), before returning to the CSRA. Her first children’s book, Blueberry Man, was published in 2020 by Tchaikovsky Family Books (Jeju Island, South Korea). 블루베리 맨, the Korean translation of Blueberry Man, was published in 2021. It has been selected by both the Georgia and the North Carolina Farm Bureaus as a Book of the Month for their Ag in the Classroom programs. Christina’s second children’s book, The Refrigerator Ghost, was first published in Korean translation as 냉장고 유령 by Kong Books (Seoul, South Korea) in 2022. Christina and Tchaikovsky Family Books collaborated again on her third children’s book, Tea Cakes, Quilts, and Sonshine, issued in Fall 2022. Mr. Fisher’s Whiskers, her fourth children’s book, was published in July 2024 by Cep Books, the American company which published the English version of The Refrigerator Ghost in late 2023. Christina is currently overseeing the layout of her fifth children’s book, My Batty Aunt Betty, which is slated to be published by Cep Books in 2025.
Who was The Blueberry Man? This is a true story, a picture book based on Christina’s childhood memories in Georgia, USA. Christina remembers her grandfather, an American Navy veteran who had fought in the Second World War. After the war, he worked as a farmer, and grew many delicious blueberries, which he generously shared with friends and neighbors.
Tea Cakes, Quilts, and Sonshine is the companion book to Blueberry Man (2020). Like Blueberry Man, this is a true story, this time about Christina’s grandmother, a generous and joyful lady, whose 100th birthday was in October, 2022. Grandmas are busy people. Besides her family, Mrs. Tennant always makes time for three activities: baking, quilting, and giving weekly Sonshine programs in her local nursing homes. Over many years, she brings sweetness, color, and joy into countless lives.
Eva Creel
Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with readings at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Award winning internationally published author E. G. Creel writes many genres but is most recognized for her children picture books. She is currently blooming with her family, and backyard dinosaurs (chickens) in Grovetown, Georgia. Works include: Mulch for Sale, Backyard Treasure Hunt, Sand Dollars by the Seashore, The Gobblers, The Moon Children, Dim the Moon, The Immortal, Gena, Lily, Hearts on Paper, and many more currently in production.
Hurricane Stew: After a powerful storm leaves a community in disarray—trees uprooted, power out, and food running low—neighbors come together to make the best of what they have. One by one, they contribute ingredients to a pot of stew. As the stew bubbles, so does a newfound sense of community, proving that even in tough times, kindness and togetherness can bring hope.
Sand Dollars by the Seashore is a charming and educational poem for children about the wonders of the beach and the importance of respecting nature. It encourages young readers to explore the shoreline and discover its beauty while learning the difference between living sand dollars and cherishing their shell souvenirs as a special gift from the sea. Perfect for a day at the beach or a bedtime read, Sand Dollars by the Seashore is sure to delight and inspire young imaginations.
Melissa Burch
Sunday, September 21, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with readings at 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Melissa M. Burch is a CSRA children’s author of three books: The Three Bears, Blondie and Their Spaghetti, STICK with ME!, and Whatever You Do, Don’t Brush Your Teeth! A former dental hygienist turned homeschooling mom, she writes stories to inspire kids to dream, decide, and do.
Whatever You Do… Don’t Brush Your Teeth! Dunkin’s mouth is under attack— and Smutan is behind it all! With no toothbrush or floss in sight, Smutan, a mischievous sugar bug, and his rapidly expanding colony move in, causing chaos! Can Dunkin blow the entire operation before it’s too late? Caregivers, prepare yourselves! After reading this book, kids may spontaneously brush and floss! No reminders needed!
STICK with ME! I once was a stick, but I’m not one today. I’ve met a young boy who was longing to play. In his hand, I’m no stick— I’m a sidekick instead! Come along… Join our EPIC adventures ahead.
