BOOK TOUR — Children’s author Abbey Duplaga returned to Buckeye West Elementary in Adena on March 19 to share her latest book, "Ambitious Abbey’s Race Against Time," with students in grades PreK-5. The St. Clairsville-based author has written seven books in the “Ambitious Abbey” series and a cookbook featuring the character. She plans to create an animated show and doll, while her next book is expected this fall.

ADENA — Children’s author Abbey Duplaga returned to Buckeye West Elementary on March 19 to share her latest work and inspire young students with her continuous theme of self-improvement.

Duplaga, of St. Clairsville, published the latest in her “Ambitious Abbey” series, “Ambitious Abbey’s Race Against Time,” this past year. The book, her seventh since 2018, follows young Abbey as she prepares to perform as the lead in a play. Duplaga read the story to students in grades PreK-5, explaining how young Abbey auditions but does not receive the main role, then gets a second chance when the part becomes available. With only three weeks to practice, she schedules time to learn her lines and prepare for opening night.

“I’m excited to be back,” Duplaga said, adding that she last visited the school two years ago. “I wrote a series called ‘Ambitious Abbey,’ and the word ambitious means ‘determined to do something.'”

She said each book focuses on a specific character trait, including ambition, leadership, perseverance, organization, life balance and time management. Her other titles include “Ambitious Abbey Takes the Lead,” “Ambitious Abbey Tries Again,” “Ambitious Abbey Gets Organized” and “Ambitious Abbey and the Balancing Act,” in addition to “Ambitious Abbey Bakes,” a cookbook with 15 recipes. Duplaga said her next story, “Ambitious Abbey Tells the Truth,” will be available this fall and emphasizes honesty.

Duplaga quizzed the students on portions of the book and answered questions from the audience. She noted that the spine of each book represents a color of the rainbow and depicts the story order, while the final books will be pink, white and gold. The last in the series is expected in 2029. She told students she includes family members and childhood incidents in her stories, a hallmark of the realistic fiction genre.

“The stories I write are about something that happens and include a conflict and a resolution,” she said. “It’s easier to write about things you experience. That’s where these stories come from.”

A former accountant, Duplaga said she took a leap of faith to begin writing. She now spends two to four hours crafting each story while working with illustrators over a five-month period to add the art. She completes one story a year because she enjoys reading them at schools. Her future plans include developing a 10-episode animated show and a doll. Meanwhile, “Ambitious Abbey Gets Organized” has earned an International Impact Award, which will be presented this summer.

Duplaga also sold copies of her books and autographed them for students.

“I’m really excited. It’s really cool to have an idea in my head and write it, then see someone read it. It’s really rewarding,” she said.