Meet Shirley Castro, author of The Pelican Family Counting Book and Tellly's Story.  A teacher for 35 years, Shirley has long enjoyed observing pelicans flying over the California coastline.  It was this experience which led to this fun children's hardback.

Illustrated by her son Christopher, a therapist living in Santa Barbara (home to many a pelican), her books have many a surprise.  The Pelican Family Counting Book features a fun counting story ("Two little pelicans, Pelly and Melly Pelican, Flying over the ocean, flying over the sea.  "Isn't this fun, Pelly?"  "It sure is, Melly."...), combined with both Christopher's quirky drawings and actual photos of pelicans in action.

Shirley will be signing her books at Russo's Marketplace on Sunday, October 12 (1 p.m. at Russo's Markektplace).