Years in the making, a children’s book written by Tom McDonnell, executive director of Dog Ears Bookstore & Café, will be officially released during an event at the South Buffalo bookstore from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4.

“Monster in the Morning,” illustrated by Hamburg resident Robert A. Wright and published by RPSS Publishing, will be available for $16.95 (plus tax) in hardcover and just $10.95 for the softcover version.

“Monster in the Morning is about the hectic morning routine in every house in America,” said McDonnell, a West Seneca resident. “It is my childhood recollection of how mornings in our house worked before mom had her favorite drink (coffee). This wild tale is inspired by the most wonderful women in my life, and a green bathrobe where money grew and Kleenex just magically appeared. The illustrations genuinely make the story come to life!”

McDonnell will do readings of the book at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. during the May 4 event.

For more information on the nonprofit community bookstore, located at 688 Abbott Road, please visit dogearsbookstore.org.