A retired local teacher has spun her talents into a new children's book, and she will be holding a signing event to celebrate it.
Francie Hall, who lives in Valle Crucis and has spent 30 years in the area, collaborated with another local art teacher for "Appalachian Christmas ABCs." The picture book features rhymes on various aspects of traditional Appalachian culture.
Hall, who lives in Valle Crucis, has written since she was 10, with a childhood radio show. She traveled 13 different countries in Europe, writing articles on various schools for "Junior Scholastic" magazine. In Kenya, she wrote and produced a weekly television show for nine years.
A teacher and administrator in Watauga County schools for 16 years after that, she also served as supervisor for student teachers at Appalachian State University. With eight grandchildren, she has had an opportunity to combine instructional material with entertainment to appeal to many people and is constantly working on new ideas and projects.
The new book was inspired by her first children's book, "Appalachian ABCs." She also wrote a non-fiction book "Scottish Highland Games," both published by Overmountain Press in Johnson City, Tenn.
"I always have some writing in my drawer, and someone said, 'Why don't you do an 'Appalachian Christmas ABCs' book?" Hall said.
She said both children and adults have responded to the book and the illustrations appeal to many people. "The text gives you a taste of the Appalachians," she said, with some people buying them to share with grandchildren so they can see the mountain way of life.
"This one has some of the old-time traditions of the Appalachian area," she said. "I've always wanted to do a Christmas book, and I'm always in progress on my writing."
Oehm, who taught art in Watauga County schools for many years, met Hall through the local school system, and then they began working together on the first book. Oehm now lives in Asheville.
Hall has kept in touch with fellow teachers and hopes families will read the book together.  "I look forward to seeing friends at the book signing," Hall said.
Hall will be signing the book at Black Bear Books in Boone from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 14.