Local author pens first book

WHITESBORO >> A former college basketball star at the University of Albany who went on to play in Europe and to coach at the high school and college levels has written his first book, and it’s a children’s story about a boy and a girl who en- counter magical tree trolls during a walk in the woods.

Barry Cavanaugh, a native of Rensselaer who now lives in Whitesboro, imagined the story “Tree Trolls and Their Secret Gifts” for years before

finally bringing it to publication late last year through Log Cabin Books of Hamilton.

It’s quite a departure for the SUNY Albany alum, who was a four-year starter for the basketball team (1975-79), played two years in Sweden, and later was named to the college’s Sports Hall of Fame. “I honestly laugh when I think that I wrote this book,” he says. “It’s so far from my days on the basketball court that it’s hard to believe. I thought to myself, ‘I am not getting any younger, and the time is now to get this book completed.’ I’m sure many of my coaches, teammates and friends will be a little taken aback. My playing career is now just fading memories, but I believe this book will have a longer and more important impact on children’s lives much longer than my basketball career ever had.”

In truth, his career on and off the court may have led him to the book. He is currently a service provider for the House of the Good Shepherd in Utica; previously, he was a residence coordinator for Upstate Cerebral Palsy and executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mohawk Valley.

As a coach at Morrisville State College, he brought his teams to local elemen- tary schools to demonstrate their skills before talking frankly to the children about issues like tolerance, respect, and personal responsibility.

The 12 tree trolls in the book, whose names include love, anger, compassion, friendship and eight more for the reader to discover, each have unique gifts they want to share with people all over the world.

Cavanaugh’s friend and neighbor, Fred Wiginton, took on the task of illustrat- ing the book. “He did beautifully with the artwork,” Cavanaugh says. “When I saw his first drafts, I realized that he had interpreted my vision almost exactly.”

Several hundred books were sold in the first three months since the book’s release.

The author has already made visits to several local schools and organizations, reading his book and sharing his vision with children of all ages. In March he visited his old high school and read to students in a Rensselaer elementary school as well.

The book is already in 24 classrooms for the local Head Start program. “I believe it has great appeal and teachable moments not just for children and their parents (caregivers) in their home, but I believe it can be even more valuable and reach more kids in a classroom setting,” he says.

“Tree Trolls and Their Secret Gifts” is available at logcabinbooks.com.

Barry Cavanaugh