The second annual “Oh What FUN!” Christmas celebration, presented by the Ponte Vedra Woman's Club, offered local children's author Rhonda Goodall an opportunity to share her work with friends, festival goers and members of the community.
The event, which took place Dec. 2 at Sawgrass Village in Ponte Vedra, featured horse-drawn carriage rides, a visit with Santa, music, activities and more. The festival also featured numerous vendors, including the “Frizzle” booth where Goodall promoted her latest children's books.
"The idea came to me one day on the first Frizzle book, but I was busy raising kids,” Goodall said. “Then, my mom was killed in a very freak car accident three years ago on my birthday. I knew I needed to throw myself into something, being kept very busy with the kids, I knew I needed to do something else as well.”
Goodall came up with the concept for “Frizzle” nine years ago. At this year’s “Oh What FUN!” event, the local author was invited to feature her newly-published Christmas book “Frizzle’s Holiday Treasures," about how a blue creature named Frizzle discovers the true meaning of the holidays. After discovering a family in need, it occurs to Frizzle that he can help by coming up with the best holiday gift ideas that cost absolutely nothing.
The back of the book features those gift ideas, and they came from a contest that took place at last year's “Oh What FUN!” celebration in which children shared their favorite free gift suggestions ranging from "lots of love" to “a drawing.”
Although Goodall wrote the book, she credits the support of her family, her publisher and her graphic designer for the success of "Frizzle.”
"Susan Brandenberg published this book,” Goodall said. “I do the writing and the illustrating. She's local. We met her at the same time in life when I needed to do something; I truly believe God makes things happen for a reason – she’s been a big help”
“Frizzle’s Holiday Treasures” is available on Amazon paperback for $10.
