MONROE — A retired educator and Monroe resident has found a new passion as a self-published children’s book author.

George Goldsworthy, who served as a Monroe alderman in the 1970s, recently presented a pair of self-published children’s books — “Bradley Loves Getting a Star” and “Bradley’s Bed” — to the Monroe Public Library.

Goldsworthy’s career as a kids’ book author followed decades of service in this region as an educator who was initially trained at Green County Teaching College and went on to serve as Dean of Science/Mathematics at Freeport’s Highland Community College.

He decided to write his first book a few years back, shortly after returning to Monroe to live following a retirement in Florida. The first book, “Bradley Loves Getting a Star” is something he said he’s been writing in the back of his mind for a very long time.

“When you are retired, these things come to you,” he said. “The book was probably written in my head many years ago.”

The book has a positive message for young children around the giving away of gold ‘stars’ to let people who are close to you know they are loved and appreciated.

“…The story reminds children that giving recognitions to others can be just as fulfilling as earning praise for themselves,” said Goldsworthy. “Bradly learns that not all gold stars need to be physical, in fact he gets creative by turning his words into gold stars in the form of compliments, making those he rewards feel valued and appreciated.”

He also reminds readers that for the “stars” to really work, they must be honest.

“I just thought people don’t know how to be kind to each other,” said Goldsworthy. “They should learn that at a young age.”

The other book, “Bradley’s Bed” is lovingly illustrated by his daughter, Tamara Goldsworthy. He describes it as an “amusing adventure about a boy who loves his bed so much he can hardly imagine going anywhere” without it

“He feels like he can take on the world in the comfort and warmth of his bed,” said Goldsworthy. “The only problem is beds aren’t quite so portable in real life. Bradley learns he must keep the feeling of the bed inside his head and carry it with him through life’s many challenges and adventures…”

“We strive to collect materials with ongoing and historical community value for our Made in Monroe Collection,” said Monroe Public Library’s Laura Schmiedicke. “This special collection has two copies of each book, one to stay in the library and one to be checked out. ‘Bradley’s Bed’ is part of this collection, as are books by former mayor William Mitchell Ross, local historian Tom Mitchell, Kenneth Behring, Nathan Twining, and John Evangelist Walsh, among many others.”

The books are available at bookstores or online at Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play and Barnes & Noble.