OxfordPress.com

Children's books frequently emphasize character issues to illustrate how to treat people and that is the theme of "Andy & Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure." A copy of the book was recently donated to the Oxford branch of the Lane Library.

"Andy & Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure" was published for Rotary International and makes that point using Rotary's "Four-Way Test."

The book was written by Andrew J. Shoup, of Kettering, and is being distributed to schools and libraries through Rotary District 6670 and District Governor Susan Bantz.

She visited Oxford recently to make the donation of a copy of the book to the Oxford branch of Lane Library along with Oxford Rotary President Bill Schilling.

It's the story of Andy who makes a large batch of his favorite dessert, apple dumplings, and decides to start a business to sell them. Nagged by a voice in his head asking, "Is it the Truth?" Andy decides that since he used apples that fell on his head from the tree of his neighbor, Elmer, he decides to make him a partner.

At each step of their business, the voice in his head asks another question.

The four questions are those of the Rotary "Four-Way Test":

• Is it the truth?

• Is it fair to all concerned?

• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Bantz said the book is a good children's story with a double message.

"They will get some idea of what Rotary is and explain the Four-Way Test," Bantz said. "My year (as governor) is focused on youth. That's the future of Rotary."

She said The book not only carries a message about building character, it has a recipe in the back for apple dumplings, a recipe she said gives an added value to the book.

In fact, she is planning on serving those apple dumplings as dessert at a district meeting she will host at the Hueston Woods Lodge.

The book was authored in conjunction with the Fairborn Rotary Club and brings to children an understanding of the message behind Rotary's Four-Way Test....which promotes honesty, fairness, goodwill and partnerships that benefit all involved. Many Rotary clubs across the U.S. are giving the books to libraries and school children.

The donation to the Oxford branch is part of not only the character building aspects of this book, but it is also a part of the Rotary International effort to promote literacy.

Rotary International is a strong advocate of worldwide literacy efforts, understanding that the gift of literacy will pass from generation to generation. The Oxford Club's primary literacy effort is the Sandy Hormell Dictionary Project, in which every Talawanda School District third grader receives their very own dictionary. These books are distributed at the start of school each fall.

Bantz said she is pleased with the acceptance the book has enjoyed.

Word about the book is spreading, she added.

"It's all the way to Rotary International in a short time, just about a year," she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or bratterman@coxohio.com.