The Jesse Stuart Foundation continues to add children’s books to the Foundation’s Bookstore.

In 1803, Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States for $15,000,000. It was a great asset to our new nation, but it also created new challenges. No one knew the exact boundaries of the Louisiana Territory nor what lay within this vast expanse of land.

So at President Jefferson’s request, Captain’s Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Corps of Discovery launched a major overland expedition to explore the pristine wilderness that stretched from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. They left St. Louis on May 14, 1804 with 32 soldiers and ten civilians and returned September 23, 1806. Considering the magnitude of their adventure, they enjoyed much success and few major problems.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition accomplished all of its major goals. It collected specimens of plants and animals, and it provided maps that would help guide others. Further, the expedition established good relationships with various western tribes.

Our store contains a number of adult books about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Recently we added Elizabeth Cody Kimmell’s "As Far As The Eye Can Reach: Lewis and Clark’s Westward Quest," an excellent book for elementary and junior high readers.

Last month, I attended a bookfair in Shelbyville, KY along with several of our Board Members and authors. Also present was Lynwood Montell, a widely published folklorist. But the "star" of the show was a young woman and two adorable little dogs.

Leigh Ann Florence, author of the popular "Woody" series of children’s books is known to school children across Kentucky as Woody’s and Chloe’s "Mommy." A native of Murray, she now resides in Shepherdsville with her husband Ron, her two "literary" dogs, and two cats. Leigh Ann, a former public school teacher, now spends her days traveling to schools and libraries where she speaks on Woody’s Five Ways To Be Successful and Woody’s Five Ways to Improve Writing. The Woody books are designed for readers K-3 and they are colorfully illustrated and signed by the author.

Leigh Ann Florence and her dogs recently visited Crabbe Elementary and they’ll be the featured "speakers," Friday September 23rd, at this year’s Jesse Stuart Weekend.

The Woody books, along with thousands of other regional books, are available at the Jesse Stuart Foundation Bookstore, 1645 Winchester Avenue in downtown Ashland. For more information, call (606)326-1667 or visit our website: JSFBOOKS.COM.

The Regional Readers will meet on Tuesday evening from 5:45 - 7:00 pm to discuss Jesse Stuart’s novel "Mr. Gallion’s School," a thinly-disguised autobiographical account of Stuart’s return as principal of McKell High School following his heart attack in the mid 50s. The public is invited to attend. We particularly invite former students and teachers who have memories of this dramatic year of Jesse Stuart’s life.