Local attorney adds another role as children's book author

Bob Schuck can add another title to his resume. A practicing attorney, Schuck has also branched out as a children's book author with "The Miracle of the Ugly Little Sweater: A Tale of Redemption." The self-published book is available in both English and Spanish and tells the story of Maria, who lives in Mexico and knits a beloved sweater. To help pay for her family's move to America, she sells her sweater. They are both sad that things will never work out, but with encouragement they're able to stay hopeful. Schuck said he has come to see this as a story of redemption. "The sweater is a metaphor for things that aren't working out," he explained. "The grownup sweater says, 'Well, things always work out in the end.' And the little sweater cries, 'They're not working out.' And she says, 'Well, it's not the end.'" Schuck said he actually had a dream about the story in March 2022. After writing it down, he visited Ben Sapp, executive director at the Mazza Museum. "Ben was very encouraging and he read the story," said Schuck. Sapp also helped him find an illustrator. Maggie Linn of Boston was chosen for the job. Schuck said the two worked together online to get the right look for the grandmother in the story. "I wanted her to be a little elegant and a little more, she's traveling over to Mexico, so a little more with it," he said. He even send Linn a picture of former First Lady Barbara Bush to help with the process. Linn also introduced him to Richard Newman of Bluffton, a graphic artist and children's book illustrator who became Schuck's mentor and sounding board. Schuck said he would love to pair up with some organizations that are working with children who have come over the border into America. "All a child should have to worry about is having a full tummy and feeling safe. That's all," he said. "And then the rest should be being a child." But many of these children have adult issues forced on them through no fault of their own, he added. "Their parents want them to have a better life and I understand that. But right now they're going through a difficult time. So this book kind of offers a message of hope," he said. Schuck would also like to go to Texas and Arizona and visit with these children. "I think reaching out to these children who have nothing and they get a writer to come and speak to them and an autographed book, I think that would be a big deal. And an opportunity to tell these children that anything is possible if you can dream it," he said. "I hope to do that and maybe make a difference in their lives. They need to know that somebody loves them." Schuck said he has no intention of giving up law but is also enjoying the chance to write for children. He's working on a sequel to the story and said he has several other ideas as well. "Why this came to me, I'm not exactly sure but it did. So who knows?" he said. Schuck will be one of 22 authors participating in the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library's eighth annual Author Fest from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday during ArtWalk. He's also planning a book signing and meet and greet on Nov. 11 at Smarty Pants, 618 S. Main St. The book was published by Archway Publishing, a division of Simon & Schuster. It is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and as a digital version.