White, Gerds to hold book signing

Noted Lakewood wildlife artist Joan White and veteran writer Warren Gerds have released a unique children’s book titled “A Friendly Tree.”

The two have scheduled a book signing from noon to 3 p.m. May 25 at Joan White Nicolet Studio, 15346 Gage St. in Lakewood.

Surrounding the story in the book, White has included 170 images of wildlife. She urges youngsters to “find the critters” in each of her drawings. A key in the book identifies each animal and bird. Also, White offers simple tips for youngsters for drawing with pencil and paper.

A real tree that is disfigured is the basis for the book’s story, which has a moral: “What the tree looks like makes no difference to the animals around it,” Gerds said.

White is in her 40th year in her studio/gallery, a former church off Highway 32.

Along with being available at the studio/gallery, “A Friendly Tree” ($25) is on sale at the Neville Public Museum gift shop in Green Bay and Bosse’s News and Tobacco in De Pere.

Gerds was a journalist with the Green Bay Press-Gazette for 45 years and more recently WFRV Channel 5 for nine years.

“A Friendly Tree” has been accepted into the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.