'KenKarta' Author and Daughters Sign Book Copies to Benefit Library

Alison Kartevold and her daughters, Veronica and Sophia, co-created the fantasy epic, "." The book made its national debut at on Friday. The magical land gets its name from an interwoven mix of the author's two family names, Kendall and Kartevold.

Fantasy fans braved torrential rains to meet Kartevold and her young co-creators at the . Les Polinko, the book’s illustrator, was also in attendance.

“It’s a magical read. It was a pleasure to illustrate,” Polinko explained. “(Kartevold's) creatures are one of a kind.”

Kartevold was surrounded by family and friends for the event. Her neighbor, Christi DeWitt, and Barb Wylie, a friend from , sold T-shirts with KenKarta characters on them. Connie Donaldson assisted the author at the signing table, organizing the piles.

It was a festive atmosphere. There was food, music and entertainment. Popcorn, cupcakes and all sorts of goodies were continually being replenished on tables set up in the KEENage Korner. The Much Ado Players, an acting troupe in Renaissance regalia, performed magic tricks and posed for pictures with young fans.  

At 5:30 p.m., Kartevold read from the book, enticing eager young fans.

Emcee Brian Welden announced raffle winners. Ann Sexauer was one of the first winners; she won a KenKarta poster with Polinko’s artwork.

The author’s mother, Grace Kartevold, came in from Twisp, Washington for the event.

“She had a real vision,” she said. “She’s very determined. She had been developing the book for five years. She made up her mind to get it done and she did.” 

“There’s a mountain in the book named after me: Mount Grace.”  

The characters represent members of the Kartevold family. In the book, daughters Veronica and Sophia are gifted princesses who can talk to magical creatures. Their world is crushed when Lord Leamoldae seeks revenge. Sophia is kidnapped and must fend for herself while Veronica, a boy named Zane and other creatures embark on a quest to save her.

Kartevold explained as she signed a stack of books, “I wrote the book with my daughters. We used names of family and friends in the book. As it evolved, I always assumed we were going to change the names of the characters, but the names stuck. My husband is a king in the book and we sort of torture him. His character is beset by rats and he hates rats,” she joked.  

The authors and co-creators signed piles of the book. The youngest daughter, Sophia, signed every copy with a smiley face woven into her initials. The girls were having a blast.

The writer and artist are not resting after the book launch. Polinko is teaching a sculpting class with a new online site. She will also be teaching classes at a gallery in Springdale, Pa.

“If its interesting, I’m up for any shenanigans that come my way,” Polinko said.

Kartevold and her daughters are hard at work on the sequel.

Portions of the book sales benefited the Peters Township Public Library.