Local author launches first edition of The Big E Book

Date: 8/23/2018

WEST SPRINGFIELD – If you live in Western Massachusetts, chances are you’ve been to The Big E. From the big yellow slide to the Avenue of States, the fair is an opportunity for visitors to indulge in great food and great company – and one local author wants to memorialize those experiences for everyone.

Ashley Kelleher, a Springfield native, recently launched the first edition of The Big E Book. The children’s book offers readers a “guided tour” through some of the fair’s most notable aspects. It addresses the reader directly, placing them as the subject of the book. The text is a rhyming poem, and reads in a similar manner to Margaret Wise Brown’s Goodnight Moon. The first page starts with an illustrated version of a classic ticket booth, and reads “Rise and shine, the ticket booth is open at nine.” Kelleher then takes the reader to other pit stops, including the famous yellow slide – the page reads “Weeze, down the big yellow slide!”

“The first page walks you up to the ticket booth. The ticket booth has become a logo, everybody recognizes,” said Kelleher. “They start putting it up before the fair and it has become the anticipation of it all. It’s very nostalgic in a way – especially because it’s the old style ticket booth.”

There is also a place in the book where readers can insert a photo of themselves at The Big E, along with an empty page in the back to write down their favorite memory.

Although it was written for children, Kelleher told Reminder Publishing she hopes people of all ages will enjoy it.

“I think it’ll be a really fun gift – whether someone is having a baby, or is graduating from high school,” she said. “It’s something that happens from your hometown, so you can always look back at all you’ve achieved. So, I don’t think it’s necessarily just for young kids. We realized its going to be great for not just kids, but for all different ages.”

Kelleher co-authored the book with her two sons, Jesse, 4, and Dylan 3. The book was illustrated by Hope Walsh, a recent graduate of Keene State College.

The author said she wanted to create the book to bring families and friends closer together.

“We’re hoping the book gets people communicating, it could be with your great grandmother who has also experienced The Big E. You can share your experiences together and talk about how some of it has changed but some of it is still very much the same,” said Kelleher.

As someone who grew up attending the fair, she added that the fair has always had a special place in her heart – her mother even went into labor at The Big E while  pregnant with Kelleher.

“I just think there is something special about Western Massachusetts and the New England area, and I thought this would be a nice way to bring the community together in a different way,” said Kelleher. “It’s such a fun event and it’s an event for everyone and all ages. No matter what town you come from, everybody goes – it’s become a tradition for a lot of families.”

“Originally, my first thought was that there’s so much going on at The Big E – your senses are so indulged with the lights, smells, food, music and animals. So, It’s nice to have the book to read to your little guys and girls before you go to kind of take it in a quiet way, and then when you go, they will say, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s the big yellow slide from the book!’” she continued.

Kelleher said she has received nothing but support from The Big E, and that the books will be available for purchase throughout the fair at souvenir shops. It can also be purchased online at https://store.bookbaby.com/book/The-Big-E-book<http://bookbaby.com/book/The-Big-E-book>.

For further information, book signings or community events, contact Kelleher at akmkdk@gmail.com or 413-427-5326.