They say necessity is the mother of invention–add to that a local coffee shop, and for Liberty native Emma Townsend this was the path to becoming a published author.  Born and raised in Liberty, the 2021 UCHS grad also credits a love of her hometown, and the encouragement of her coworkers at the Union County Public Library.  Her author’s journey began when UCPL’s staff wanted to hold their children’s Story Time at Kehila Coffee and began looking for a kids’ book about coffee. When they couldn’t find one, Emma, who works in the Children’s section at UCPL, and her coworkers joked that she should just go write one.  And that is what she did!  With a rough draft of what would soon become “Kids Can’t Drink Coffee,” Emma introduced young listeners gathered at Kehila Coffee to the people of Liberty and the joys of living in a small town. From a family full of educators, this was a natural fit for Emma. Through some of these family connections in Cambridge City, Emma quickly found illustrator Alease Brier, and the two began creating the book.  The stars continued to align as Emma was sitting in Kehila one afternoon discussing how she would like to find a publisher.  The following day she received a phone call that someone from Kids At Heart publishing company, Cambridge City, had been in the coffee shop that day and overheard the conversation, and it was off to the proverbial races.  

This book and the story of its creation are about the heart of a town like Liberty.  Not only was the book conceived and pushed along in Liberty, several local residents make an appearance in Emma’s book as well.  Set in Kehila Coffee, it has bright and beautiful illustrations of local businesses and landmarks as it visits the lives of daily customers in the coffee shop.  Emma’s mother Mrs. Townsend, third grade teacher at LES, is not only a feature in the book but has read the book aloud to her class already.  Emma, who is majoring in English and creative writing at Purdue, already has another book in the works.  “Liberty is my support system,” she said.  “It’s this place and people that influenced the whole thing and have been cheering me on.”  Emma is surprised by the way the book has taken off, and grateful for the way her town has shaped her.  She speaks with excitement about a meeting with her illustrator regarding their next project, and says of her love for Union County, “I just want to be able to share it with everybody.” Copies of her book are for sale at the library, and she is also looking forward to a book signing at Kehila Coffee on June 24.  It is where and why the book was born, and the coffee shop will be celebrating its second anniversary, so the event seems timely.  Stop by on the 24th and get a copy of “Kids Don’t Drink Coffee” and chat with this vibrant local author!