A large crowd of children and parents gathered today at the South Regional Library on Lake Robbins Drive for a story hour featuring As You Grow, by Kirk Cameron. The book made national headlines recently when Cameron claimed more than 50 public libraries rejected his applications to hold a “story hour” to promote it. The main character is a tree who grows up to protect Freedom Island.

 

The story hour also included Surfing Past Fear, Bethany Hamilton’s newest book. Hamilton is a professional surfer who lost her left arm in a shark attack in 2003.

 

Shayla Parker and Michele Nuckolls organized the event after seeing an invitation on the Brave Books website for anyone who was interested in hosting a story hour. “We thought we’d have 35 people, but we filled the room,” Nuckolls said.

 

Cooper Bell, who leads the sales team at Brave Books, also attended and said he came out to support the effort.

 

Anyone interested in leading a similar story hour at their local library can visit the Brave website or email Parker and Nuckolls at twomomsandsomebooks@gmail.com.