Front cover of the newly released book “Abby the Antelope” that brings out the creative, family-loving personality and character of a young antelope determined to stand out from the herd. This book authored by Edie Vogel and illustrated by Sarah Broesdor is the first of a series called Montana’s Captivating Character. (courtesy image)
After 10 years of sitting in rough draft form, “Abby, the Antelope” has come to life and her character is now available for parents, readers and lovers of children’s books. Loosely inspired by her baby sister Abby, Edie Vogel of Worden has published the first of her Montana series of children’s books called “Montana’s Captivating Characters.” The books are all Montana based creatures, characters or animals and she will “bring them to life with fun stories and personalities and each character has a little quandary, a little challenge in life that they navigate and figure out.”
“I call children’s books everybody’s books because I think everybody enjoys them,” Vogel said in an interview with Yellowstone County News this week.
In her first book at 32 pages, Abby, the Antelope is a story of a young antelope who wants to distinguish herself because all antelope look the same. Abby lives on the Montana prairie with her family and is determined to stand out from the herd.
“So many life lessons are found in children’s books, so that was my kind of hope with this book in just showing a lovely message for families; it’s a great way for parents to communicate with their kids about some of life’s challenges we navigate with them.”
Sisters, author Edie Vogel, left, and illustrator Sarah Broesder, right, pose for a picture together for a series of books they will be publishing. Their experiences growing up and exploring the great outdoors together with their family inspire their many stories and characters. Both graduates of Montana State University-Bozeman. Author Edie Vogel works as a teacher-librarian in Billings and lives with her family on their farm in Worden while Sarah is an artist and mother of five as well as a sign language interpreter. (courtesy photo)
The book is beautifully illustrated by Edie’s older sister Sara Broesder, who lives in Fort Benton, MT. In reference to Broesder, which Vogel said was a “fun project to collaborate,” but because she is a “super talented artist, I convinced her to be my illustrator.”
Vogel has already gone to other schools including Huntley Project last week when she read to the first graders, and this week went to Senior High School to work with their child development class because they are writing children’s books which was fun since Vogel used to teach child development as an FCS teacher.
“This community has been really, really supportive,” she said in referring to friends from high school and people from her past who have reached out and said they ordered it. It took about two weeks for the book to hit Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as Walmart.com. In addition, support from her husband Adam and family has made the journey so much more enjoyable.
As for a background in education and kids, Vogel, who has two children of her own, has been in the public educational sector for years now. She said, “I taught family and consumer sciences at Shepherd for 15 years. I got my masters in 2020 in curriculum and instruction, and got my librarian endorsement, so I’m on part two of my career as an educator and elementary librarian.”
And now as a librarian in Billings, Vogel’s children’s book is already in her school’s library.
Her book can be purchased at Project Mini Merc in Worden, Huntley Project Museum, R&R Trading in Huntley and House of Books in downtown Billings.
The second book is already in the final stages, but “I won’t tell you the title, yet,” she chuckled.
As for a pen name that some authors use, Vogel said, “I’m just me” in reference to being herself so one can find her books by her name Edie Vogel or visit online at edievogel.com.
