VIRTUAL EVENT via ZOOM. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register just once for your family. Please note how many students will attend in the "Notes" field of the registration.

There will be a KIT to pick up at the library the week prior to the event.

Join local children’s book author, Ilona E. Holland, as she introduces her latest book, The Great Explosion: A Powder Mill Chronicle. Published by Hagley Museum and Library, it tells the story of the courage of the DuPont children as they escape the Great Explosion of 1818. It is based on a firsthand account and has much informational back matter about life on the Brandywine in the 19th century. Dr. Holland will share how the book came into being as well as behind-the-scenes images of both inspiration and historical fact. She will read the book pausing to point out “secrets” and explaining the nonfiction backmatter and sharing primary source materials. There will be plenty of time for her to answer questions from the children about this exciting adventure.

This presentation could serve as the perfect foundation for a spring field trip to Hagley Museum, the beginnings for a student research project, or it can stand on its own as a glimpse into the world of writing historical fiction and life in Delaware in the early 19^th century.

Dr. Holland is the author of the award- winning book, The Lost Locket of Lewes and Buddy Bison’s Yellowstone Adventure. This presentation is geared for children in grades 3-6.

This event will take place on Zoom. Basic written instructions for using Zoom are available courtesy of the Lewes Public Library. A brief video tutorial on how to join a meeting can be found on the Zoom Support website.