RATHDRUM - Rathdrum Willie may have wreaked a lot of havoc when the brakes went out in his car, but he sure made Betty Kiefer Elementary students laugh on Wednesday.

Alexander Henkoski, a 21-year-old author from Athol, read his book of rhythm called "The Adventures of Rathdrum Willie and his Motor Car" to students and showed a video he created of the goofy hermit at a golf course.

"I've always thought that hermits are funny," Henkoski said of why he chose the character for his kids' book published last year. "If I think hermits are funny, I'm sure others do, too.

"Plus, hermits haven't been written about a lot."

In the 28-page book, bare-footed Rathdrum Willie lives on a mountain near Rathdrum. When he's not being a public nuisance, you can find him inventing unique contraptions. This time, Willie built a car without brakes and readers ride along with the wrecking ball as he rumbles through a farmer's fence, stirs up a bee operation and takes out City Hall.

"The book had a lot of expression and character," said sixth-grader Hayden Ransom after hearing Henkoski read it.

Sixth-grader Aubry Kidwell called the character "hilarious."

To Henkoski, that was the ultimate compliment.

"Kids' books and cartoons have always been my favorite - still are," Henkoski said.

There's also a lesson wrapped into the book - respect other people's property.

Henkoski, who plays the guitar and harmonica and is a vocalist for the bluegrass and gospel band called The North Idaho Hat Band, said his book was derived from a bluegrass song he wrote. The book, the first of a four-part series Henkoski is working on using the same character, was published by Tate Publishing of Mustang, Okla.

Henkoski and Rathdrum Willie share some of the same interests, including inventing.

"I've always enjoyed seeing how far I can go with things," he said.

Henkoski's video of Rathdrum Willie at the golf course shows the hermit flipping over a cart when he stuck his club out in front of it. On the green, Willie's putts kept overshooting the hole, causing him to be frustrated and give the ball a whack. But the ball ricocheted off the flag pole and knocked Willie on his duff.

Sixth-graders giggled so much they had Henkoski, the voice in the video, play it twice.

Kidwell said meeting Henkoski made her believe that it doesn't take middle-aged folks to become authors and video producers.

"It persuaded me to write children's books when you're young," she said.

The book can be purchased for $9.95 at Little Town Market in Athol and Spirit Lake Books and Coffee or through rathdrumwillie.com, where there is also a game and other information.

Henkoski, as Rathdrum Willie, said he plans to drive a go-kart in the Rathdrum Days Parade this summer.

If it's anything like his school appearance around students, it should be a worthwhile experience, he said.

"I really enjoy kids. This was a fun day," he said after his last presentation at the school.