Author delivering 'From the Sky' messages in Spencer classrooms

(Photo by Kris Todd) Iowa-based author Sharon Rexroth is reading "Iowa from the Sky" to all of Spencer's elementary students this week. Sacred Heart and Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran students, as pictured, will also be treated to a narration of her latest book, "Bethlehem From the Sky." [Order this photo]

Spencer elementary students are being guided on a tour of Iowa cities by a yellow goldfinch named Barnaby this week. Iowa's state bird, along with his creator, is allowing them to view the Hawkeye state, while at the same time learning interesting facts about its cities' special attractions, "from the sky."

Sharon Rexroth, the Burlington author of "Iowa from the Sky," is also passing along the message that education is important during the high-energy, fun-and-fact-filled presentations showcasing her first-published children's book.

As she narrated Tuesday, students from Lincoln, Fairview and Iowa Great Lakes Lutheran intently watched a PowerPoint presentation filled with true-to-life watercolor pictures from the "Iowa from the Sky" book detailing Des Moines, Pella, Ottumwa, Burlington, Davenport, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Ames, Clear Lake, Fort Dodge, Sioux City and Council Bluffs. Their peers at Johnson and Sacred Heart are scheduled to do the same today.

During a question-and-answer period with students, Rexroth explained she was inspired to write the book, which she self-published initially, because of her grandchildren.

Jackson in particular.

After reading and re-reading Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" to him, she searched for similar "rhythm and rhyme" books aimed at young readers about where they lived. After finding no such thing in bookstores or in the library, Rexroth answered the "need" by writing her own.

It came naturally for Rexroth because she's written Christmas cards highlighting her family's annual happenings as rhyming poems.

"Iowa from the Sky," which was accomplished about three years ago, sold out in two months. At the time, Rexroth was told by her current publisher at Quixote Press that the literary piece was a "great learning experience." He also encouraged her to continue writing educational books for every state in the United States.

To date, Rexroth has had "From the Sky" books describing Ohio and Illinois published. In addition, she's penned "America from the Sky," which features an eagle flying over the United States, and "Bethlehem From the Sky," which tells the tale of Jesus' birth from the eyes of a dove, issued. The latest, she explained, was written in 15 minutes on a recent Christmas Eve following her family's departure.

Diligently advancing toward her goal of writing a book for each state, Rexroth is currently working with a cousin to co-author an "Arizona from the Sky" book. Rexroth also told Spencer third and fourth grade students yesterday that her "Michigan from the Sky" book is "ready to go" and at the printer now. She's also waiting for books about the states of Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Wyoming and Florida to proceed through the publishing process.

Besides writing, the 56-year-old grandmother, who was named Mrs. Iowa in 1981, serves as a financial advisor who sells investments and insurance. Rexroth's "passion for children" is also filled as a substitute teacher.

* Rexroth's visit to Spencer, which is in observance of the co-occurring National Children's Book Week and American Education Week, was possible courtesy funding from the Spencer Community School Foundation.