Local author releases children's book series

TIFFIN --- A 2004 Mohawk High School graduate, Grant Rettig, hosted a book signing for his new children's book series: "Christian the Cardinal." The book signing took place at Vicek Orthodontics, 10 Riverside Drive, on Jan. 26 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Rettig is a fairly new author with his first book "Christian the Cardinal in a Helping of Christmas," published in November of 2023. This month, he released his second book titled "Christian the Cardinal Love is in the Air." Rettig said he has been a writer his whole life, and the idea of his book series got started when he and his wife Brittany were brainstorming Elf on the Shelf ideas for their children around the holidays. Elf on the Shelf refers to a Christmas tradition of hiding an elf during the holidays and having children find it in different spots around the house every day leading up to Christmas. "Long story short, we have a little ornament with a cardinal on it, and I just started making this character and I designed this character, and started writing and all the sudden I had a finished book," said Rettig. "The second one (book) I just had all the same characters and kept everything going," he said. Rettig explained when people read his books, he hopes they feel a sense of happiness and the books can bring a smile to their face. His stories have lessons in them as well, the first book includes a story about helping others while the second one focuses on forgiveness. Before the book signing, Rettig also stopped by his alma mater, Mohawk Local Schools, to read his stories to elementary children. The books are available for purchase through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.