Humble’s newest book for ‘Native & the Naïve’

Matt Bower
Posted 11/27/14

Roberta Mudge Humble has a vast knowledge and love for Rhode Island and she’s been sharing that knowledge through books and games for nearly 15 years.

Humble’s latest book, “Rhode Island for …

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Humble’s newest book for ‘Native & the Naïve’

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Roberta Mudge Humble has a vast knowledge and love for Rhode Island and she’s been sharing that knowledge through books and games for nearly 15 years.

Humble’s latest book, “Rhode Island for the Native & the Naïve: A game book suitable for both,” is filled with cryptograms, crossword puzzles, matching, jumbles, picture IDs, and multiple choice questions all about Rhode Island.

“The first half is for the naïve, or those that aren’t that knowledgeable about the state, and the second half is for natives,” she said. “I want people to have fun and learn at the same time. I hope they know some of it, but I hope they learn some of it, too.”

Humble, an English professor who teaches oral communication and technical writing at the Community College of Rhode Island, has been designing box games and writing books about Rhode Island since 2000, but her latest book is her first game book. She lives in Warwick.

“My other books are more expository and informative, but with the game book, I had to make sure the pages weren’t shiny because people need to write on them,” she said.

Humble’s first book, published in 2000, is called “Historic Armories of Rhode Island.”

Humble is president of Westerly Armory Restoration, Inc. and is also attached to militia units throughout the state.

“That first book was my sabbatical project,” she said.

After writing, “The RIght to Crow: A Look at Rhode Island’s Firsts, Bests, & Uniques,” Humble was asked to speak at the State House on Rhode Island’s Independence Day.

“I touched on Rhode Island’s independence and what we’ve become since then,” she said.

Humble said she’s sold thousands of the “RIght to Crow” book to benefit the Westerly Armory.

When asked why the armory is so important to her, Humble said she was born and raised in Westerly and spent a lot of time at the Armory when she was younger, attending antique shows and poultry shows. After moving away and later returning to Rhode Island and seeing the “deplorable condition” the Armory was in, she said she decided to get involved to improve it.

“At least 10 to 20 percent of all sales goes to the armory,” she said.

Although many of her books and games are geared mostly to adults and older kids, Humble has also written a children’s book called “Rhode Island’s Friendly Faces: On the Road with the Old Windmill.” The book tells the story of the historic windmill in Portsmouth and his travels around the state, visiting his friends, which are other historic sites.

Humble has also written “Little Rhody & the Other 49,” which compares Rhode Island to other states in the country; “Sing Rhode Island,” which takes familiar songs and adapts them with lyrics about Rhode Island (and comes with a CD); “The Big Rhode Island Quiz,” in both booklet and DVD versions; and the Rhode Test box game, Rhode Side picture game, and Rhode Scholar game.

“Some of the elementary schools bought the ‘Sing Rhode Island’ book to teach students about the state as well as to learn the songs, such as ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat,’” she said.

Humble said she finds that people enjoy her works because they like the state.

“One fella bought a bunch of the box games for a wedding reception because even though most of the guests were from Rhode Island, he thought it would be a good way to get conversation going,” she said. “It’s a good way to make conversation and memories; it brings people together.”

Humble said it took her nearly five months to write “Rhode Island for the Native & the Naïve.”

“I have a lot of knowledge of the state and it’s about twisting it and turning it around for people,” she said. “I enjoy seeing people smile. We always hear negative things about our state, and maybe we can do something about that, but in the meantime it’s nice to notice what’s good about our state.”

Although Humble is a technical writer, she said she makes sure to keep her Rhode Island books light and fun.

“I want to get non-readers to read,” she said.

Humble said she usually releases her books around the holiday season because they make great stocking stuffers.

“You can keep these out on the coffee table, play with them and learn from them,” she said.

Humble said she makes sure to keep prices low and ensure her books are accessible, which can be found at Benny’s, Books on the Square, Twice-Told Tales, and numerous stores throughout the state (at least 20 carry her books and games), as well as the Westerly Armory. To order from the armory’s website, visit westerlyarmory.org. “Rhode Island for the Native & the Naïve” sells for $9.99.

“It’s colorful and inexpensive and I think Rhode Islanders will not only have fun with it, but will learn much about their state,” Humble said.

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