The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone, written by Luann Atkin Koester, is a magical, witty tale of a grandmother's transformation and a family's love and acceptance after a trip to Ireland where she kissed the Blarney Stone. Last week, Koester read her recently released book to participants of Haxtun Summer Reading program.

Inspired by her own trip to Ireland in 2016 where she also kissed the Blarney Stone, Koester explains that she was not the same after experiencing the sunrise, daffodils, music, food, and hospitality of the green, really green, island of Ireland. Her inaugural children's picture book combines Koester's love of travel, language and humor. Girly and Scamp can't imagine what has come over their once ordinary Gran after her trip to the green island of Ireland where she kissed the Blarney Stone. Whatever it is, though, they sure do like it! Now Gran tells them silly stories she swears are true. When she does her chores, she twists and twirls, sings and swirls cheerfully. But she isn't their normal Gran, and Gramps, Daddy and Mama are worried. Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone is the charming tale celebrating the love and joy that exists between grandparents and their grandchildren. Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone is a wonderfully lyrical story filled with shenanigans, malarkey, and plenty of blarney.

Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone offers children and families more than just a charming, poetic read. Adrienne Vaught, author of The Little Red House, writes that"[Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone] is [f]ull of educational tidbits about another culture." Emma Parrish, library assistant and a children's interactive activity creator on YouTube, believes this little book will have a wide appeal. She explains, "I work in the youth services department of a public library that serves homeschool families looking for books about history, geography and different cultures," Koester said.

"I think this little book will not only appeal educationally to these families, but also those children and families simply interested in how Ireland is represented in children's fiction. It is a fine book for reading to children and a great choice for the more advanced reader who wants a challenge in addition to pictures."

Elif Balta Parks' bright, lively illustrations, capture the personalities of each character, from silly, carefree Gran to forehead smacking Gramps and giggling Scamp. Kylie Noojin, graphic artist and Art Manager at Gallup (Omaha) explains "[t]he illustrations enhance the arch of the story and capture the whimsy of Gran's adventures in Ireland and her silly exploits at home.

Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone has been endorsed by Sir Charles Colthurst, proprietor of Blarney Castle and Gardens. "The illustrations and story of Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone are extremely well done and encapsulate the tradition and history involved in the legend of kissing the Blarney Stone!" he said.

Author and educator, Koester has taught high school language arts for over 26 years, as well as college composition. A fellow of the National and Colorado Writing Projects, she considers herself a writer teaching writers. 

Koester graduated Cum Laude from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Colorado College and a Post Graduate Certificate of Expertise in Writing from the University of Denver. In 2003 and 2021, she was recognized by the Boettcher Foundation as a Boettcher Educator. And In 2009, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) named her an MIT Influential Educator.

  Recently retired, Koester enjoys teaching, traveling, spending time with her immediate and extended families, writing and playing golf.  In addition to Gran Kissed the Blarney Stone, she is a published poet and novelist. A Gran to four girlies and a scamp, Koester lives on a cattle ranch near White Butte Creek in Northeastern Colorado.