Author signing: Chip Hester's mother

By Deal Safrit

Literary Bookpost

Jerry Morris Hester, a Raleigh-based artist and the mother of Catawba College football coach Chip Hester, will read from and sign copies of her new illustrated children's book, "Beach Bunnies," at Literary Bookpost on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2-4 p.m.

"Beach Bunnies," written in the form of a poem, tells the story of two little bunnies who sneak out of their beds and onto the sands of the nearby seashore while all the other bunnies are asleep. The two bunnies cavort and play all night long, then return to their beds when morning comes.

Hester, who lives part of each year at her home in Manteo, has taken the scenes of the Outer Banks as her vernacular.

Painted in rich colors, the combination of the cavorting bunnies and the moon and stars of the nighttime sky of the seashore make an enchanting little book that will delight all who read it."Beach Bunnies" is a must for any North Carolina child who has ever spent time on the Carolina shores. The lyrical poem will sing-song its way into the hearts of children everywhere and the paintings will enchant both children and adults.

A professional artist who has studied with Maria Lestyan, Jerry Morris Hester has worked with oils on canvas for more than 20 years. She has been a copyist at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and has sold paintings in galleries and shows from Savannah to Lexington, Ky.The subjects of her paintings, typically taken from Southern life, have varied from thoroughbred horse racing to still life scenes to antebellum life.

While at Literary Bookpost on Saturday Hester will display some of her original paintings which were used for illustrations in "Beach Bunnies." Refreshments will be available.Literary Bookpost is at 110 S. Main St. For additional information about this event, or future events, call 704-630-9788 or visit www.literarybookpost.com.