A play preview, club, card-making and autism discussion on tap at Blue Apple Books in May
MADISON – The early days of May promises a full schedule at Blue Apple Books with a play preview, a card-making workshop, book club and a professional counselor and author who is living with autism.
Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy will preview its upcoming production of “A Wrinkle in Time.” The session on May 1 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. will feature a meet-and-greet time and some snippets of the cast’s upcoming performance of the play based on the award-winning book by Madeleine L’Engle. Show times for “A Winkle in Time” are May 9 at 7 p.m. for Alumni Night and May 10-11 at 1 and 6 p.m. at the Von Braun Center Playhouse. For tickets, visit fpcta.ludus. com/select.php.
On May 4, back-to-back events are scheduled. Local author Jessica Penot, a licensed professional counselor in Madison, will converse with Blue Apple Books owner Robin Dauma from 1 to 3 p.m. With 20 years’ clinical experience in various settings, Penot specializes in treating trauma and autism spectrum disorder.
Penot is founder and director of Tree of Life Behavioral Health and The Neuroaffirmative Autism Resource Center. Diagnosed with autism in her 40s, she advocates for neuro-affirmative approaches to treatment and works to help autistic people in transitioning from self-critical to self-compassionate outlooks. For her perspective on autism, Penot combines research and study with her life experiences.
Penot has authored 10 novels and books about exceptional women and girls who are born different and need to find magic in their ‘otherness.’ Blue Apple Books will have her most recent book, “The Unmasking Workbook for Autistic Adults” for sale during the event, along with her other books, including “Haunted North Alabama.” Visit jessicapenot.me.
Then on May 4 from 3 to 5 p.m., the bookstore’s “Not Your Grandma’s Book Club” will conduct its second meeting with focus on a discussion of Toni Morrison’s novel “Beloved,” which earned the Pulitzer Prize. Books will be available for purchase. Anyone who plans to attend should email contact@shopsouthandpine. com.
On May 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., local artist Katie Calvert will lead a card-making and letter-writing workshop for individuals interested in communicating with their legislators about issues surrounding vulnerable children left without legal representation in immigration court. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services terminated payment for attorneys recently, Dauma said. Tickets are required to pay for supplies; for tickets, visit blueapplebookstore. com and click “Events.”
The bookstore’s address is 14 Main St., Suite B in Madison. For more information, visit Facebook/ Blue Apple Books, blueapplebookstore. com or shopsouthandpine. com.
