Faulkner County Library saw its fair share of fairies March 2, as families from around Conway joined Faye Hedera to celebrate the launch of her first children’s book “The Lovely Fruit Fairies.” 

Hedera created the book with a focus on inclusivity, a theme that carried over into the accessible, family-friendly event. 

Alicia Johnson visited the library alongside her family to pick out books for her daughter’s read-a-thon event for school. Johnson and her family hadn’t heard about the event prior but decided to listen in on the reading.

“I really enjoyed it because of Faye and her daughter. I love the connection they have, and they’ll always have that,” Johnson said. “I really enjoyed the book too because it seemed like it went through the seasons of fall, summer, winter and spring.”

Johnson and her family had previously developed a connection with the author after Hedera painted a portrait of Johnson’s daughter for her “100 Faces of Conway” project. This event was the first that Johnson and her family had attended at the Faulkner County Library. 

“We wanted to come out and grab some books for our daughter and her friend to kind of get them pumped up to read. This just so happened to fall in our lap and we were like ‘Hey, let’s enjoy this too,’” Johnson said. “It was really nice.”

Following the reading, Hedera invited everyone to grab a seat for a tea party. Families were also encouraged to visit the crafts table where they could create fairy-themed artwork to take home. Youth Services Manager Mary Spears Polk and Jen Beritiech decorated each table with colorful tablecloths, teapots and teacups. On par with theming, Beritiech assembled a table of assorted fruits for attendees to snack on.

“Since it’s a fruit fairy book, we went hard on fruit,” Beritiech said. “Then we focused on how to be accommodating since we wanted to make it accessible for people with different abilities. We tried to make sure that we had plenty of space if anybody who utilizes a wheelchair came through. We also hired an interpreter just in case we had somebody who was deaf attend.”

Though this was Hedera’s first children’s book, it wasn’t the first book launch she had organized with the library. Her “100 Faces of Conway” project also had its own event, where she donated all the proceeds from book sales back to the library.

“She’s been an amazing asset to the community and a great ally for the library,” Beritiech said. 

Polk was incredibly excited when Hedera reached out about holding the launch of “The Lovely Fruit Fairies” at the library.

“I’m really passionate and I feel really lucky that we have local authors who feel like the library is important enough that when they want to launch a new book and share a story, they feel like the library’s a great venue to do that,” Polk said. “I think libraries are super important and I’m super glad when both the community and the authors think so too. It all comes together for a fun event like this.”

Above all else, Beritiech and Polk were happy to see the book feature a range of pixies with different abilities.

Beritiech said, “When you’re someone who doesn’t see yourself represented, seeing yourself in media, in a book or in a movie is so important. I think the library’s a very important place for that to happen because we’re a public institution, and if we can’t accommodate and represent, then what are we doing?”

Polk said, ”I think every person finds value in seeing themself represented in art in any form. Whether it’s a book, something hanging on the wall, a sculpture, a movie, a TV show or music. I think it’s very impactful.”

Polk emphasized how important the library is to the Conway area, calling it a “vibrant part of our community.” 

She cited a conversation she had with a mother the previous week, where the mother said their family had decided to settle in Conway after previously living in other parts of Arkansas. The reason? The library.

“There is so much to do here in addition to the books, the movies, the periodicals, the research, the seed library, the programs. We try to make sure there’s a book for every person in our community, and we hope there’s a program for every person in our community as well,” Polk said. “It’s a big goal, but we’re trying to do our best.”

The library hosts regular events for children, teens, adults and people interested in gardening. The event Polk and Beritiech are most excited about is an author talk with Paulette Guerin and Dave Malone, happening March 10 at 2 p.m. 

To check out other upcoming events, you can visit fcl.org.