KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna author and historian Carol Van Boxtel has published her latest book, with this one aimed at younger readers.
“Exploring Kaukauna: A Journey Through History,” is now available for $15 at the Kaukauna Public Library and 1000 Islands Environmental Center.
Proceeds will be donated to the library and 1000 Islands.
Readers can join 10-year-old Taylor on an engaging adventure throug Kaukauna’s historic landmarks.
This enjoyable read brings the city’s rich past to life for readers of all ages—children, parents and grand-parents alike.
Taylor, it turns out, is Taylor Jansen, the authors great-granddaughter.
Over the past couple of years, Van Boxtel says as she’s talked with people, the same subject kept coming up – how hard it was to recruit volunteers to help at the Grignon Home, library, 1000 Islands, local history societies and city committees.
“It suddenly dawned on me that the younger generation, for the most part, is not aware of Kaukauna’s rich history,” Van Boxtel said.
She says kids don’t realize that today’s events are tomorrow’s history and that they will be responsible to help preserve the history of these events.
Van Boxtel, who has written more than 17 books on Kaukauna history, said the main decision in writing the book was to give kids only what she felt they were interested in.
In later years, she said that would inspire them to seek out more knowledge and feel a responsibility to become more involved in Kaukauna Community activities.
For Van Boxtel, the process for creating this book was so involved, but Sarah and Ashley at the Kaukauna Public Library kept her on track.
“I am planning to write up my journey through producing this book,” Van Boxtel said. “It was a learning experience with highs and lows.”
