Library holds the answer to age old question: What is a Hoosier?

Chris Della Rocco

Growing up in different parts of Indiana, it’s hard for one person to describe and capture what a Hoosier really is.

However, the book Hoosier Heart written by State Representative and Greensburg native Luke Messer of Shelby County, attempts to answer the time-honored Indiana question, “What is a Hoosier?”. He uses thirty-two pages with big, colorful pictures illustrated by his wife Jennifer to get to the bottom of it.

“I thought I would be the most unlikely person ever to write a children’s book,” Messer said. “However, being a father has inspired me and I would like to write more.”

Messer will hold a book signing from 6-7 p.m. today at the Greensburg Public Library. Messer encourages people to stop by and purchase an autographed copy.

“Some of the proceeds from the books sold in Greensburg go back to the Greensburg library,” Messer said.

The book signing will be followed by the Messers speaking about the book and the writing process at 7 p.m. Call the library for more information.

In Messer’s book, his two young daughters Emma and Ava and their friend Ben find out what it means to be a Hoosier as they journey through the state learning about Indiana’s special people, places, popular culture and history.

“There is a large map of Indiana my wife drew in the book with different historical landmarks representing each part of the state,” he explained. “Of course, Greensburg’s Tree Tower is included. In fact, I made a few references to Greensburg since that is where I grew up.”

In just six weeks, the book has sold close to 2,000 copies.

“It’s quite an accomplishment that we’ve had such a great response from the public,” Messer said. “My wife did all the hard work, however, drawing all the pictures.”

For four years, Messer was also the Executive Director of the Indiana Republican Party. In that capacity, Messer traveled across the state breathing in the different lifestyles and unwittingly gathering information for the book.

“The first time I really thought about even doing the book was last Thanksgiving,” Messer explained. “My family and I were all on our way to my wife’s parents in Tennessee. I enjoy reading to my kids and at my kids’ school. So we had talked about the fact that there were no books out there for children about being a Hoosier. So my wife looked at me and said, ‘Well, write one.’”

The children’s journey comes to an end with a conclusion about what a Hoosier is.

For more information on Hoosier Heart, log onto www.evapublishing.com or contact Jennifer Messer at 1-317-697-6615 or Jennifer@evapublishing.com. The Messers are conducting book signings and visiting schools around the state, and would be glad to consider a book signing or school visit anywhere in Indiana. Next weekend they will be in Northwest Indiana.

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