86°F
weather icon Clear

Story tellers corner: Appleby draws on bond with goddaughter to illustrate book

Longtime Boulder City resident and business owner Brad Appleby recently embarked on a new adventure: helping his 11-year-old goddaughter face one of her fears by writing a book about ghosts.

Recently, Appleby and his goddaughter, Sophia Zhong, were in Oregon, and he challenged her write a story about ghosts because she was afraid of them. Zhong said she visited a lot of bookstores on the trip and noticed ghost stories were a common theme at them, so she accepted the challenge and decided to write “The Unforgettable Adventure” about a friendly ghost that tries to help protect animals in the Amazon rainforest.

“There are people in the Amazon rainforest,” she said of the book’s premise. “The Amazon tribe is not happy with the people taking animals from there to the zoo, so it tries … to stop it.”

Appleby said he tried to find someone to illustrate the book but stepped into the job when no one was available.

To create illustrations for the book, Appleby used a computer program that allowed him to draw in layers as well as sketch. Once Zhong finished the book, Appleby created a company, God Daughter’s Ink, to publish and distribute it.

“It’s been fun,” Appleby said of the project.

With her first book under her belt, Zhong is already working on her second book and plans to have Appleby illustrate it.

“It’s fun,” she said of why she writes.

She also said it’s a way to use and process emotions she feels.

“If you feel sad, you can make the person in the story feel the same thing,” she said.

“The Unforgettable Adventure” is available on Amazon and on Zhong’s website, http://www.sophiazhong.com/. Part of the proceeds from the book will go to help workers at the E Mei Mountain in China.

Zhong, a sixth-grader from Claremont, California, visited China in June and said she was impressed by the people there because they carry heavy loads up the mountain for very little money. She wants to help them financially.

Appleby also recently published a book of his mother’s poems, “Life is a Poem.” Zhong wrote a poem that was included in the book.

Contact reporter Celia Shortt Goodyear at cgoodyear@bouldercityreview.com or at 702-586-9401. Follow her on Twitter @csgoodyear.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
When household products overpromise and actually deliver

Every now and again you come across a product that makes you stand back and say, “Wow, that worked way better than I thought it would!” These gleeful moments come as a welcome surprise when we’re often disappointed by products that overpromise and under-deliver. When I find these little gems, I store them away in my mental DIY toolbox. This past month, I was happy to add a few more “must have” products that exceeded my expectations.

Summer is a time to be safe

It’s a safe bet that the one thing we all have in common every summer is managing the extreme heat and our body’s reaction to the excessive temperature prevalent in our geographic location.

Free fishing fun

Logan Davis, along with his kids Winter and Maverick, tried their best to catch a fish Saturday, along with all the many others who enjoyed the city’s free fishing day at the pond at Veterans Memorial Park.

Ordinance promotes cleanliness, accessibility of public places

Individuals camping in public spaces has increased dramatically in the past few years across the nation. On May 27 the city of Boulder City joined the cities of Reno, Las Vegas, Henderson, and Sparks, along with Clark, Washoe, and Nye counties in passing a measure to expand the prohibition on camping in public places within city limits. The new ordinance goes into effect on June 19, 2025.

And all that jazz (in the park)

A relatively small but appreciative crowd turned out Saturday evening for Jazz in the Park, sponsored by the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department and the Las Vegas Jazz Society. The evening featured the Marlane Coker Quintet and guest at Bicentennial Park.

Flushing faux pas may lead to clogs, costly repairs

When it comes to plumbing clogs, we can definitely apply the adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”…or in this case, a quart of Liquid Plumr.

Art exhibition to showcase work of Connie Ferraro

Connie Ferraro has worn many hats in her life. They have included Broadway dancer, actress, wife of longtime Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro and these days, artist.

Year ending on high note at Mitchell Elementary

From the first day to the last, it takes a great deal of energy to get through a school year. The students, staff, and families are ceaseless in their efforts to ensure that we have a great year from beginning to end. We are successful because we are supported by our community.

Mental health in an aging population

The American Psychiatric Association defines mental illness as health conditions involving changes in emotion, thinking, and behaviors.

Sunflower Breakfast celebrates King’s parent volunteers

Boulder City’s commitment to community was on full display at this year’s annual Sunflower Breakfast, a heartwarming event dedicated to honoring the incredible volunteers who help our school thrive.