Author shares memories of German childhood

Author Arlene Walker signed a copy of the new book, "Walking Beans Wasn't Something You Did With Your Dog," for Maycele Heimgartner Tuesday at the Le Mars Public Library. The book is a compilation of short stories written by Walker and 29 other authors. [Click to enlarge]

"Growing Up German" portrays parts of a young girl's childhood as the daughter of a German immigrant.

Author Arlene Walker, of Sanborn, shared her story, which was published among 29 others in a book entitled "Walking Beans Wasn't Something You Did With Your Dog," Tuesday with a handful of people at the Le Mars Public Library.

In her story "Growing Up German," Walker wrote of preparing for her first day of school when her mother sharpened a pencil with a knife and her father taught her to write her first name.

Walker also wrote about the hatred directed her way by another student because of her German heritage during World War II.

"Our days were mixed with both happiness and sadness," Walker said of those childhood days.

Walker's story joined those and other authors from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and other states in the book.

Most of the short stories were based on the authors' memories like one called "Fuel" that was written about a family who had to burn its furniture one winter to keep warm in North Dakota, Walker said.

Other short stories in the publication were comedies like "Cyrano the Pig," and another called "The Loft" about a hayloft.

"I want to make our book known amongst the readers in this area," Walker said. "When people read a book like this, it helps them recall memories of their growing up years."

Walker, who belongs to a writing group in Hartley and has many other published works, said she enjoys writing.

"I've been excited about this book," Walker said. "A writer likes to share."

Walker said she published her first work 43 years ago and has been writing since she fell in love with the craft at a Bible camp when she was 16 years old.

Through the years that she was mothering -- she has two sons -- and teaching -- she's retired now -- Walker was writing.

"It's exciting to see your name in print," she said.

Kay Leuckett, of Le Mars, who attended Walker's discussion and book signing, said she thought it was a nice program.

"This is what we should be doing in a public library," Leuckett said.

Sue Kroesche, director of the Le Mars Public Library, said she would like to bring more authors in.

"At this point I'm trying all sorts of adult programming to see what we are interested in," Kroesche said. "I want to do a variety of things so we can hit a variety of people according to different tastes, different interests."