Schaumburg author gets invite to sign books at Mount Rushmore

Catherine Stier of Schaumburg is on a roll.

Flushed with success of her first children's book, "If I Were President" -- estimated at 30,000 copies so far -- Stier wrote a companion piece, "If I Ran for President."

Illustrated by Lynne Avril and published in November by Albert Whitman & Co. in Morton Grove, the book already is drawing good reviews, and interest from some key constituencies.

Would you believe Mount Rushmore officials, for starters?

Late last month, Stier received an invitation to do a book signing at the national state park set in the Black Hills of South Dakota, during its July 4th weekend celebration, when they expect as many as 25,000 people.

"It's all been quite an adventure for me," Stier says.

Mount Rushmore officials already carry Stier's books in their bookstore, but they said inviting the author to meet with families seemed appropriate.

"With 2008 being an election year, and Mount Rushmore being the 'Shrine of Democracy,' it seemed like a natural fit," says Megan Matzen, operations manager of the Mount Rushmore History Association.

The book signing is the latest chapter for this local writer, who began submitting children's articles to Highlights for Children nearly 15 years ago. Over the years she has had more than 25 articles published in Woman's Day magazine, Child Life and other news outlets.

When she's not writing, Stier helps others put their words down on paper. Once a month she facilitates the Teen Writing Club at the Schaumburg Township Public Library. She also leads continuing education classes in writing for adults at Harper College.

For younger children, she offers a picture book writing class through the Schaumburg Park District.

It was while working with preschoolers that she conceived the idea for her first two books, Stier says. When searching for an appropriate book to read to preschoolers about Presidents Day, all she could find were biographies of former presidents.

"They weren't quite ready for that in-depth of a story," Stier says.

However, she believed youngsters still wanted to know more of the details about the job of being president, and all that comes with it.

Consequently, her first book covers everything from living in the White House -- and learning the new address on Pennsylvania Avenue -- to working with the Cabinet, leading the armed forces and delivering the State of the Union address.

Her newest book covers the basics of the election process, from running a national campaign, to earning delegates at the convention, and even some of the issues a candidate might face.

Both books feature images of Mount Rushmore in them, and consequently they fit right in at the historic park's bookstore, but Stier's first book also can be found in the White House Historical Association gift shop, at the Visitor's Center.

For her part, Stier is enjoying the moment, but not resting on her laurels. She's already pitching more story ideas to magazine editors, while working on a novel for middle school students, and two more picture books.

"Other authors have told me that each book takes on a life of its own, and I'm finding it's true," Stier says. "You never know what's going to happen next."