Decorah author releases a children's book

Even Grandma makes mistakes, learns young Ella, the child character in a new Nordic-themed children's book written by Carol Hagen of Decorah.  

"What's in the Rommegrot?" is a read-aloud storybook filled with illustrations by Kari Vick and published by Penfield Press in Iowa City.

"Seeing the story come to life through Kari's drawings was one of the most gratifying aspects of this project," says Hagen.  "It just made my day to see her illustrations come through text or e-mail, day by day last fall."

 Hagen recently retired from Luther College where she worked as a clinical social worker in the college counseling center.  A third-generation Norwegian-American, she says the simple porridge, rommegrot, was made on a regular basis in her home while growing up.  "My mom was widowed and a single parent.  We didn't have much money so rommegrot was a staple for us. The basic ingredients were usually on hand, plus the dish is quite filling.

In the book Ella and Grandma prepare "the sweet, creamy porridge," but something goes awry.  Then Ella steps in to save the day—and the rommegrot.

 The book is available for purchase locally at the Luther College book store, Agora Arts, Dragonfly Books and KL Design Co. and directly from the author by emailing whatsintherommegrot@gmail.com or calling 563-382-4007.