T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — “A Book by Me” Creator and Executive Director Deb Bowen poses for a photo with Iowa Veterans Home residents Ralph Alshouse, Tom Werch and Bob Gosse after presenting them with 150 copies of the historical student-written and illustrated books in the Malloy Leisure Resource Center (LRC) on Wednesday afternoon.

For nearly 25 years, the “A Book by Me” series created by Deb Bowen of the Quad Cities has been connecting students with senior citizens through a series of books written by the students and detailing historical events like the Holocaust, the Underground Railroad and more.

On Wednesday afternoon, Bowen visited the Iowa Veterans Home and presented them with 150 copies of the books, telling the T-R she decided on IVH because of the country’s 250th anniversary and a desire to honor heroes. One of her audience members, WWII veteran Ralph Alshouse, is an accomplished author in his own right and has been featured in the newspaper for his work.

The books, she said, have helped to forge connections across generations.

“That’s been very successful, and it’s sparking some friendships. And it’s getting people visitors who didn’t have visitors before,” she said.

The books themselves have been written by students from as far apart as North Carolina, the Quad Cities, Ohio and California. The overarching message Bowen hopes kids take away, she said, is the sacrifices that have been made for them.

“I want them to know what these people did for us, for the freedom (we have),” she said.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.