SXU: SXU Alumna Publishes New Childen's Book

Press release from Saint Xavier University:

06/02/2021

Saint Xavier University (SXU) alumna Kathleen Doherty '74 (nee Cuculic), a children's author, has just published "The Thingity-Jig," which follows her first picture book, "Don’t
Feed the Bear." With creative and fun vocabulary, whimsical syntax and joyous, action-packed
adventure, Doherty's books are a hit with children everywhere, as she draws inspiration
from just about anywhere.

"While in Alaska, I saw a sign that said, 'Don’t feed the bears,' so I decided to
play 'what if?' What if campers were feeding a bear? What if that prompted a park
ranger to put up the sign? What if the campers were also feeding the park ranger and
the bear retaliated by putting up his own sign not to feed the ranger?" said Doherty.
"Seeing a discarded couch at the curb was the inspiration for 'The Thingity-Jig.'
I remembered jumping on my parents' couch when they weren't looking. Again, I played
'what if?' What if a bear found a couch, wanted to keep it, and struggled to bring
it home?"

After many drafts and revisions, "Don't Feed the Bear" was sold to an editor at Sterling
Children's Books and debuted in 2018. The book is illustrated by Chip Wass, a Disney
cartoonist. It's currently in its second printing and is featured on Kirkus Reviews'
recommended list. 

"The Thingity-Jig" was released in spring of 2021 and is illustrated by Kristyna Litten.
It's received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Foreword Reviews, as well as
complimentary reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal.

Doherty, who is a former reading specialist, is most interested in sparking a love
of reading in children with her books and says she is delighted when children want
her books read to them over and over again. One young fan has a park ranger outfit
and sleeps with "Don't Feed the Bear" every night.

Doherty majored in elementary education with a minor in English at Saint Xavier. After
graduating, she earned a master's degree in reading and an educational specialist
degree in curriculum and instruction from Purdue University. While teaching, she began
writing for "Highlights," a popular children's magazine. Kathleen has won the Highlights
Pewter Plate Award, the Highlights Celebrate National Poetry Contest and a letter
of merit from SCBWI's Magazine Merit Competition. After retiring as a reading specialist
in 2012, she began trying her hand at picture books.

Doherty recalls reading a slew of picture books for a children's literature class
while at Saint Xavier and thinking that she'd like to write a children's book someday.
Though teaching jobs were scarce when she graduated in 1974, she was hired to teach
third grade before she even graduated, for which she credits her Saint Xavier credentials.
Doherty loved her time at Saint Xavier. She enjoyed attending the dances and listening
to the jukebox in the student lounge. She describes herself as quiet and studious,
and laughs that she only cut class once in four years – to play ping-pong!

Doherty also loved the Saint Xavier Mercy mission, which she continues to carry into
her daily life.

"We're at our best when we're serving others. For me, that means being thoughtful,
charitable and prayerful. I'm active in my church and attend daily Mass. Because schools
don't have money to spend on assemblies, I do free virtual visits, and I also donate
my book earnings to various charities," said Doherty.

Doherty's nephew, Joseph Rycerz, an SXU accounting student and Cougar baseball player,
currently attends SXU, and she couldn't be prouder. Doherty writes every day, and
in the future, she plans to sell a few more books.

This press release was produced by Saint Xavier University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.