Rotarians treated to book reading, Christmas songs

It was only about one year ago that Leif Pederson was visiting with the Rotary Club of Crowley about his first book and his plans moving forward.

Things are moving along quite well for Pederson it seems as his second book in “The Swamp Kids” series was released about two and a half months ago, and the next few books are already lining up well.

The first book, “The Missing Chord” has been received successfully and has been followed up with “TuTu’s Christmas on the Bayou.”

It was from that book he read to the Rotary Club of Crowley Tuesday at the club’s weekly meeting at The Town Club.

The children’s book, like its predecessor, has a “moral of the story.” In this book, TuTu the Turtle looks to surprise the Swamp Kids with the group’s first evergreen Christmas tree, and the meaning of gifts and friendship are explored.

Also, just like its predecessor, a “lagniappe lesson” is presented at the end of the book. This time book readers will learn from Santa Claus himself how to say Merry Christmas across the globe and make ornaments like the Swamp Kids.

Pederson, before reading, also told the club that the world of the Swamp Kids only continues to grow with the next book already lined up and others on baseball, healthy eating, bullying and good manners planned and already being worked on.

In fact, Pederson explained that some of the lagniappe lesson authors have already been lined up for the books, such as world renowned New Orleans chef John Besh, on board for the healthy eating/cooking book.

He is also hoping to create an exhibit at the zoo of The Swamp Kids Review in the future.

To end his program, Pederson entertained Rotarians with a few Christmas songs. With program organizer Lee Lawrence serving also as sound guy, Pederson delighted Rotarians with “The Christmas Song” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” before calling on Rotarians to help sing along to “White Christmas.”