Arthur Geisert of Galena, Ill., is the co-author of “Nursery Crimes” and a featured speaker today at the Octagon Center For The Arts’ “Arts For Lunch” program.

Geisert and his wife, Bonnie, combined efforts to write “Nursery Crimes,” a children’s book featuring a family of pigs that comes to Ames.

“Ames was chosen since it sounds similar to Amiens, France,” said Letitia Hansen, curator for the Octagon Center.

As part of their research, the Geiserts came to Ames to gain a sense of what Ames is like, Geisert said.

“It is a wordplay; it makes the story sillier,” Geisert said of the book.

“The story is pure silliness, the play on names adds to the humor.”

Bonnie wrote the text for “Nursery Crimes” and Geisert drew 18 hand-colored sketches.

Geisert will give a lecture from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., presenting a slide show and speaking about illustration.

He’ll also be available from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“Geisert is also going to give a longer speech in the evening. This speech will focus more on `Nursery Crimes,’ ” she said.

The Octagon Center will have the book for sale, and Geisert will be signing during the day.

Geisert began his career as a sculptor in college at the University of California-Davis. He also sketched many illustrations which always involve humor and narratives, he said.

“Twenty years ago I began to write children’s books which incorporate humor and narratives,” Geisert said.

Geisert is now writing his 18th book. His wife has co-written five of them.

The Octagon Center is the second stop on the tour for “Nursery Crimes.”

Hansen said, “After the speech there will be time to meet with him and to talk him.”

Etchings and text will be on display until Jan. 27 during regular gallery hours.