Author Erik Korhel, who grew up in Covington, has published his first children’s book, “My Tooth Fell in My Soup.” Korhel expanded his understanding of the rich variety of literature that wasn’t available to him in high school by using libraries.

The book grew out of his love of literature and his desire to not lose the freshness and excitement of childhood.

Korhel has been writing poetry and stories for close to 15 years.

“I started by purchasing a notebook and writing down my thoughts and any ideas that came to mind,” Korhel said.

Much of his writing started with a line or phrase, which he then crafted into something understandable.

His book is a collection of 21 poems based on personal experiences of growing up in Covington. There are also 26 full color illustrations by local artist Celia Marie Baker.

“I grew up in the Timberlane neighborhood and went to Cedar Valley Elementary,” he said.

This book gave Korhel an opportunity to “envelop myself in pure nostalgia.”

Covington in recent years has undergone rapid growth and tremendous change. Korhel remembers nothing but trees and fields growing up in the 80s.

“I remember only having a Johnny’s grocery store…the bank across from McDonald’s was a small trailer in the middle of a gravel lot,” Korhel said.

Korhel uses his writings for children to keep a strong connection with the endless possibilities of childhood.

“I was going to be Spider-Man when I grew up and there wasn’t a person on the planet who was going to tell me different,” Korhel said.

He may not have completed his transformation into Spider-Man, but he has inspired the dancers of the South Side Dance Force to interpret the poems in the book into the physical form of dance which was the brainchild of studio owner and choreographer Joselito Castillo.

From the book Castillo created an entire performance with original music and acting.

“I didn’t know what to expect and was not only amazed, but feel quite honored by the experience,” Korhel said.

The performance premiered at Seattle Children’s Hospital last January and has toured many elementary schools and public libraries since.

For more information visit his Korhel’s website.