Local author, illustrator team up on book

CELINA - People traveling along State Route 29 west of Celina can hardly miss a 15-foot-tall, 30-ton rock owned by Stoneco that is colorfully painted to resemble a quilt.

Now, the "quilted rock" has been reimagined in a children's book by a local author and an illustrator.

Author Judy Bruns and illustrator Renee Robinson teamed up to create "Quilt Us a Rock!" The book tells the story of how the giant stone, once plain and used to advertise the quarry, has been transformed into the "quilted rock."

Robinson's mother, Brenda Robinson, the creator of the quilted rock, had reached out to Bruns to write about the famous landmark as a way to teach children colors. However, Bruns grew to love the story and decided to make it her own.

Brenda Robinson suggested that her daughter illustrate the book since she was graduating with a bachelor's degree in graphic design with a concentration in illustration from St. Francis University, Fort Wayne. Bruns said she's picky when choosing an illustrator but was quickly impressed by Renee Robinson's work and the awards she had won in school.

The duo began work at the end of last summer, collaborating through email to make tweaks and changes since Renee Robinson was still in Fort Wayne finishing her degree.

"It was a really cool experience because it was my first illustrated book, and I hadn't even graduated yet," she said.

Bruns said she believes children's books should be written through the eyes of a child, which is why she chose to tell the story through Renee Robinson's point of view as a kid.

"Quilt Us a Rock!" is Bruns' 10th book, an accomplishment she didn't always think was in reach.

"In a way I feel humble because years ago I would have never projected I'd be on my 10th book," she said.

Renee Robinson said her mother has long had a creative streak, creating wooden yard signs for local school mascots and constructing the Santa house that appears every winter in Celina.

In 2007, Brenda Robinson noticed graffiti had covered the once plain Stoneco rock. The granite was littered with inappropriate drawings and sayings. So began the transformation of the quilted rock.

The mom asked all five of her children for their favorite colors, and over the course of a few weeks, Brenda Robinson had covered the giant stone in a multicolored quilt inspired by her grandmother, Alvira Stucke.

"It's been a really fun project," Renee Robinson said. "To be able to illustrate a little something that she did for us. … It was really cool."

"Quilt Us a Rock!" is available for purchase on Amazon or from Bruns or Renee Robinson. To contact Renee Robinson, email her at reneelynm5858@gmail.com, and to view her portfolio, visit 15robinr.myportfolio.com/work.

Bruns also released another book three weeks before "Quilt Us a Rock!" "Rhymes and Ramblings of a Small Town Girl" features 82 short stories and poems chronicling small-town life. Bruns said the book provides variety and has something for everyone.

Bruns and Renee Robinson will be at the Fort Recovery Public Library for a book signing from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 17. Bruns also will be at Northend Bar and Grill in Fort Recovery from 9-11 a.m. that day. In addition, Bruns will host another book signing at Hazelnut Coffee Co., Celina, from 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 13.