Community Corner
Former University City Resident Releases Children's Book
Former University City resident Olivia Longstreet wrote "Edgar's Moon," from conversations she had with her youngest son.
“God hung the moon in the sky and flung the stars into space to guide
us through the night.” -Olivia Longstreet
It's never too late to be a first time author, as former University City resident Olivia Longstreet has proven. The 80-year-old, who now lives in Florissant, has just released her first children's book, Edgar's Moon.
Throughout the years, Longstreet wrote many articles and speeches for magazines and for her church. And despite suffering from a stroke this year, she reached beyond the moon to publish her first book, Edgar's Moon.
Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The premise for the book evolved from conversations she had with her then 8-year-old son Edgar.
"He admired the moon and was always gazing at it and talking about how it was his moon," Longstreet said. "When he started talking about the moon following him, I thought it lent to an interesting story."
Find out what's happening in University Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Edgar Davis said he first noticed the moon shadowing him during a car trip to Ohio with his mom.
"As a kid, I didn't understand how the same moon I saw at home seemed to be following me to Ohio. So I asked my mom was it my moon?" recalled Davis. He said his mom explained to him that there was only one moon and that it was created by God for the whole world to enjoy.
Longstreet said she actually started writing the book around 1994 or 1995.
"At the time I was incapacitated and had a lot to think and write about. I’m always reminiscing and thinking about different memories, and Edgar’s Moon, was just a memory that crossed my mind that I decided to write about.”
The story is about a young boy who constantly wonders about the moon and the solar system. The book explores questions such as, “Does a man live on the moon?” and “Is the moon mine?”
Davis couldn't be happier with the book he inspired.
"I want to thank my mother for remembering everything I said as a kid, writing it down and sharing it with the world."
Click here to read an excerpt of Edgar's Moon.
I AM Literacy, an ongoing campaign dedicated to promoting literacy
in the community, is proud to announce that Longstreet will be celebrating the release of Edgar’s Moon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Christian Family Store at 10807 West Florissant Ave., St. Louis, MO 63136. This event is free and open to the public.