In Washington, DC
The African American Civil War Museum in Washington, DC, will host children’s author Janet (Kloeckner) Halfmann, formerly of St. Johns, from 11 to 12 am Friday, July 29. The museum has invited Halfmann to do a story time for her Civil War-era biography, “Seven Miles to Freedom: The Robert Smalls Story.”
“Seven Miles to Freedom” (Lee and Low Books) tells the story of Robert Smalls, the slave wheelman of a cotton boat turned Confederate gunboat, named the “Planter.” Smalls, with the rest of the slave crew, stole the ship right from under the noses of the Confederates. With the crew’s families hidden below deck, the ship steamed past several forts in Charleston Harbor, giving the correct signals. At the harbor’s entrance seven miles away, the ship found freedom within Union lines.
For the rest of the war, Smalls was a pilot for the Union, and later served five terms in Congress.
A highlight of the story time will be a replica of the “Planter,” created by Halfmann’s husband, Tom. Halfmann commented one day how great it would be to have a steamboat to show the kids the paddlewheels, pilot house, smokestack—having in mind a simple model from a hobby shop. No such models could be found, and a few months later, her husband had created a two-foot-long wooden replica of the “Planter,” complete with crew, cannons, flags, and even a tiny rowboat for the families. The museum plans an activity centered around the “Planter.”
The African American Civil War Museum and Memorial commemorates the more than 200,000 African Americans who served as soldiers, sailors, and in in other ways during the Civil War.
While in the Washington, DC-area, Halfmann also will do a “Meet the Author” event at Hooray for Books in Alexandria, VA. Halfmann will read her two newest books, “Star of the Sea: A Day in the Life of a Starfish” and “Good Night, Little Sea Otter,” as well as some of her other titles. The bookstore event, which will include a starfish craft, runs from 3-5 pm on Saturday, July 30.
Halfmann is the author of more than 30 books for children, including several award winners. Other recent titles are “Fur and Feathers,” “Little Skink’s Tail,” and “Little Black Ant on Park Street.” Signed copies of Halfmann’s books are available at the Clinton County Arts Council Gallery in downtown St. Johns.