By KELLY URBAN
SIDMAN — The Forest Hills Ranger has been immortalized in literature.
The school district’s mascot is the main character in a children’s book, “Hello, Ranger!” Written by elementary school librarian Jennifer Raptosh, the story features school-specific text and illustrations.
“A mascot book is a great way to get students excited about their school and their community while demonstrating the importance of reading,” Raptosh said.
The book follows Ranger as he visits classrooms in the elementary school, has lunch at the middle school and attends a pep rally at the high school. It ends with Ranger going to a football game to cheer the team on to victory.
The hardback book was published by Mascot Books, which publishes children’s titles for colleges and universities, professional sports teams and public and private elementary schools.
Raptosh got the idea to write the book last year after reading to pupils another Mascot Books publication, “Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go!”
“I got in contact with them (Mascot Books) and they started me on the process of writing the book,” she said. “I thought about what goes on in this school and as a graduate of Forest Hills, I thought about what I did while I was here and used that for ideas.”
Raptosh went around the school buildings and took photographs, which she sent to the publisher. The photos were used to inspire the book’s illustrations.
“The reaction has been positive and the kids are excited to see their school in a book,” she said.
“We hope this book will continue to promote school spirit and kids will have pride in their school and see this place as something special.”
The book is available for $15 at the elementary school. Proceeds benefit the library.
