Christmas Genie

Ellen and Sue from River Forest PL just sent an email with some cool news.

Apparently Dan Gutman's new book The Christmas Genie is set in Oak Park's very own Lincoln Elementary School. Sue sent him an email asking why he chose OP, and was thrilled when he responded almost immediately:

Hi Dan-

I am the Children’s Librarian in River Forest IL—the smaller village due west of Oak Park, IL. I just ordered a copy of your new book forour library collection. I live in Oak Park and attended LincolnSchool in Oak Park as a child. I am curious how you came to choose Lincoln School as the setting for your book? It will generate a lot of excitement and questions among our patrons. Your website lists NewJersey as your home, but I am wondering if perhaps you have relocated to the Chicago area? Please give us the lowdown--librarians love to be in the know. Thanks!

--Sue Quinn

Sue,

Thanks for sharing my books with kids. I still live in New Jersey,but I have an old high school friend who lives in Oak Park IL. I got together with him in Chicago this past summer, and I guess that was on my mind when I needed a setting for The Christmas Genie. If I recall,I went on the Internet to get the name of a school in the town. I hope the folks in Oak Park are pleased. Do you think I should have asked permission?

Cheers!Dan Gutman