First-grader Paige Gillett has a new book-writing project that she hopes will raise money for a community playhouse at the original site of her family’s business, Cressman’s General Store.
The iconic business and Paige’s Shaver Lake-area home were wiped out in the devastating Creek Fire in September 2020 that destroyed more than 800 buildings and burned nearly 380,000 acres.
She and other children participated in a group book-writing project, “Where’s My House? Sierra National Forest” that raised money to help young fire victims create new bedrooms. The book was the No. 1 bestselling children’s book in four categories on Amazon.
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Susie Harder, a Clovis clinical service provider who as founder and director of authorable.com has overseen the book project, said Paige’s artwork of her lost home, along with drawings from 10 other kids who lost homes in the fire, are included in the book. The project ended up connecting kids in 41 states and 26 countries who learned about the fire and the importance of forests, and cheered Paige on as the book was published, Harder said.
Now Paige, who attends Pine Ridge Elementary, will be signing books on Saturday at A Book Barn in Clovis. She’ll be bringing along two of her recent, and as-yet unpublished books: “The Unfunny Bunny” and “Where’s My Birdhouse?”
Paige is scheduled to be at A Book Barn for the signing from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The bookstore is at 640 Clovis Ave.
Proceeds from Saturday’s event, including online Amazon orders, will go toward the playhouse construction. Contributions also can be made through Venmo @Kidsrebuild.
