Gabby Rohrer-
Author and former University of Wisconsin-Stout professor David Tank is presenting his newest middle-school level book, “Secret Santa: The Mystery of the Magic Watch,” at Bookends on Main. This is the second book of his Secret Santa series. This free book-signing event is an opportunity to meet with the author. The event is in support of Small Business Saturday and is on Nov. 24 at 11 a.m.
The story follows 7-year-old Abby and her 11-year-old brother as they time-travel to the Roaring Twenties. “This book takes place right after the first one does,” said Tank. “Abby ends up sending herself back in time to New York City in 1922, which leaves Sam and Nick to have to try and figure out how to rescue her.”
“The whole book is based off of historical fact, so all of the references to where she is and what’s happening are all true events,” said Tank. “Which makes it a lot of fun for me doing the writing and the research.”
Tank was a professor in the English department teaching mass communication and journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He has been retired for two years authoring books and working on photography. Since he has been retired, he has written four books, “Most of them have been the Postcards from the Past series. They are photography books where I have taken an old postcard from like a hundred years ago and then I reshoot the exact same scene today. I have done Menomonie, Dunn County, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls” said Tank.
He is also hosting a free program called Santa Claus Then and Now at the Menomonie Public Library on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m., “That event is geared for kids, parents, and grandparents,” said David Tank. “It goes over a look at Santa Claus. Where does Santa Clause come from? There are lots of cool old pictures and real old postcards, a look at some of the songs and I even have some costumes. I have been collecting Santa Clause suits that will fit the kids. It is also a way to talk about the new book without it just being a book reading.”