Florence Parry Heide, a Kenosha resident and prolific children’s book author, has experienced many thrills in her life.

She has seen a publisher accept her work after numerous rejections. She has co-authored books with her own children. And she is still an active author at 90 years old.

And Heide is finding plenty to be excited about regarding her latest honor: Florence Parry Heide Day, taking place Sept. 26 in downtown Kenosha.

“I really am impressed and proud and pleased,” Heide said of the honor.

Heide, who turned 90 in February, has written about 90 children’s books, including novels, picture books, poetry and mysteries. Her most recognizable series of books is the “Treehorn” line, which has been in print since 1971.

Heide started writing as a way to fill time as her children started attending school in the 1960s. She began with lyrics for a friend’s tunes, but eventually moved toward her own stories.

Her first book, “Maximillian,” was accepted in 1967 after she submitted it to a publisher for a 17th time.

“I’ve been writing ever since,” Heide said. “I have written a lot of books, and I have loved it. I can’t tell you how lucky I have been.”

The day will start with a mayoral proclamation at 10 a.m. at 58th Street and Sixth Avenue.

This event was organized by Jeni Heim, co-owner of Scoops Ice Cream and Heim’s Downtown Toy Store, to mark Heide’s birthday and the release of her newest book, “Princess Hyacinth, the Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated,” which comes out Monday.

“I just felt like ‘Why has no one ever done this before?’” Heim said. “When she turned 90 I expected there would be this big display for her, but there wasn’t. That’s when I decided we would do this.”

Heide and others will read from her books throughout the day.

“The goal is to get kids hearing this wonderful writing and see what else she wrote,” Heim said.

Children will also receive free ice cream from Scoops from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and children’s choirs will sing songs for which Heide wrote the lyrics.

Heim said getting children involved was very important.

“She is 90 years old and she connects so well with little people,” Heim said. “And not only does she connect with children, but children connect with her.”

Numerous downtown windows have been painted in the style of Heide’s book covers, and a Keep Kenosha Beautiful circle garden on the east side of Sixth Avenue and 59th Street will also be named the Florence Parry Heide Children’s Garden.

Heim said she hopes the event creates some interest in reading to children. But she also hopes to let her friend know the impact of her life’s work.

“I hope Florence realizes how wonderful she is and that people who do not know about her books learn about her and continue what she started — making connections with people of all ages,” Heim said.

Heide is trying to return some of her older works back to print and has a book she wrote with one of her daughters, Roxanne Heide Pierce, scheduled for a spring release.

“Ninety is good,” Heide said. “A long time ago I thought it was old, but I’ve found it is a great period,” Heide said. “I love the feeling of being able to do this. It never has to stop.”

And Heide is looking forward to what adventures still await her.

“As a writer you’re independent. You know that you can keep doing it, and no one tells you you’re old enough to retire,” Heide said. “Ask me when I’m 100, what am I going to be doing? I’ll still be writing. And maybe I’ll be old enough to write a book for adults then.”