Author and retired Celina Elementary School teacher Laura Hays Hoover dropped by the Mercer County District Library in Celina Thursday night for an author visit, launch party and book signing, hosted by the Friends of the Library. Her new children's book "It Won't Be Long," left, was released Sept. 8 by Reycraft Books. Hoover spoke to a packed room about how the idea for the book came about and her journey to publication. "It Won't Be Long" is a lyrical picture book in which a parent traces their child's growth from age 1 to 10 through gentle, rhythmic verse that celebrates childhood milestones like first steps, starting school and discovering unique talents. Hoover was a "mostly" second grade teacher at Celina from 1995 until her retirement two years ago. She and her husband live in Celina.