As the days get shorter and July fades into the sunset, August patiently waits on the horizon. The ongoing sweltering heat may fool one into thinking it is here for good, but summer is officially simmering down, and school season is swinging on in.
August marks the perfect time to wait out summer’s leftover heat and stay indoors. There’s no better way to get back into the learnin’ rhythm than with a good book and there are a few locally authored books worthy of joining every Knoxvillian’s – and visitor’s - bookcase. Stop into Visit Knoxville’s Gift Shop to pick up a copy of Willie the Weed, authored by Knoxville’s very own Erick Baker, an Emmy-award winning writer and singer-songwriter. There’s no better homage to summer than with a tale about a resilient little weed.
And what better way to is there to inspire young minds than by reading a story written and illustrated by fellow kiddos? Check out East Tennessee from A to Z written by local Jenna McMillan when she was in the sixth grade and illustrated by patients at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. For anyone looking to learn about our beautiful valley town and give back to Knoxville’s kids in a unique way, this book checks the boxes! All proceeds of East Tennessee from A to Z directly benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
It's important to get some field-tripping practice in for the school year too, and nothing beats reading about a subject while living it! 2022 brought the Sunsphere into the sunshine with the reopening of the 4th Floor Observation Deck. So go ahead and snag your own copy of My Friend the Sunsphere, written by local author A.D. Asher, get tickets to go up inside the Sunsphere, and uncover the mystery behind that giant gold ball in the sky!
Whether you’re prepping for the school year or a sea of orange, Visit Knoxville’s Gift Shop and Online Store are here to meet your seasonal needs. Be sure to check in store and online regularly for exciting new & locally made products!
