Blog Archives
Hunnie Bunny’s Special Gift
Hunnie Bunny’s Special Gift is the delightful fourth installment in the Hunnie Bunny series, a charming tale that captures the warmth of friendship and the spirit of giving. In this book, we join Hunnie Bunny, Mr. Squirrel, and Mr. Frog as they prepare for the approaching winter season.
The story is set in a beautifully depicted woodland, where the three friends ready themselves for the cold months ahead. The narrative is engaging, drawing readers into the heartwarming activities and the camaraderie shared among the characters. Central to the plot is the mystery of Hunnie Bunny’s special gift. The story gently unfolds, revealing how each friend contributes to the preparations and the significance of Hunnie Bunny’s unique present. The anticipation builds as readers are invited to discover not only what the gift is but also who receives it and why it holds such special meaning. The book excels in conveying themes of cooperation, kindness, and the joy of giving. Young readers will find themselves enchanted by the colorful illustrations and the relatable characters, while also learning valuable lessons about the importance of community and generosity.
Hunnie Bunny’s Special Gift is a heartwarming addition to the series, perfect for children and parents to read together. It’s a story that celebrates the simple yet profound pleasures of friendship and the thoughtful acts that make the winter season special.
Page: 32 | ASIN : B0D3B6D5TR
Charlie’s Crabby Day
Charlie’s Crabby Day is a delightful tale that highlights the values of friendship and hard work. Joan Enockson introduces us to Charlie, a crab who feels self-conscious living next to Chuck, a bigger, stronger crab with many more friends. As a sand sculpture contest approaches, Charlie decides to prove himself by gathering the best materials to win. He discovers a large shell that he plans to use as the centerpiece of his project, keeping it a secret from others. However, new rules require the sculptures to be made in teams, forcing Charlie to collaborate with Chuck, leading to an unexpected journey of learning and growth.
Charlie is a wonderfully crafted character who evolves throughout the story. He learns from his mistakes, realizes that his assumptions about others are not always correct, and shows great resilience by setting aside his prejudices. Charlie becomes more honest and communicative, gradually making new friends without even realizing it. This character development is why I found his story so compelling.
Joan Enockson’s writing is natural and fluent, imparting valuable life lessons to young readers, such as the importance of listening, sharing ideas, and understanding that teamwork, while challenging, can lead to achieving great goals. The detailed descriptions in this children’s book make it easy to visualize the scenes, emphasizing emotions, allowing readers to connect with Charlie on multiple levels. The illustrations are artistic and of high quality, adding charm to the story.
Charlie navigates various situations as he dares to try new things, faces his fears, and overcomes each challenge. Charlie’s Crabby Day is a fun and engaging chapter book that teaches children the importance of letting go of pride and shyness and encouraging them to embrace every opportunity for play and learning.
Pages: 94 | ISBN : 978-1958023433
How Animals Would Treat a Human
Animal Court follows a group of animals in an African jungle who put a human man on trial for extensive environmental damage. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
There are so many court shows on television: Judge Judy, Divorce Court, and Judge Steve Harvey. What if animals had the same playing field? What if they were able to take a person or company to court for the damages they had incurred against nature? That question began my journey into writing Animal Court.
I was also inspired by a true African tribal practice. When one tribesman misbehaved, the others did not punish him. Instead, they gathered in the center of the tribal territory, formed a circle, and asked their fellow member to stand in the center. One by one, the tribesmen reminded the stray of the good he had done throughout his life, eventually allowing him to come to terms that he merely strayed.
We wondered how animals would treat a human if they could put one on trial. If they won the case, would they drag him into the jungle and tear him apart? This whetted our imagination and got us started.
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
An early fondness for wildlife coupled with a growing awareness of the plight of the natural world – wildlife, water, land, trees, and so on – prompted us to take a look at these dire circumstances from a different perspective. By giving voice to animals, some of which face endangerment or extinction, we tried to understand their problems, which, for the most part, are manmade. Some animals were shy; others more aggressive, depending a lot on the circumstances that brought them to testify in the trial.
We thought it was important to make the animal participants in the courtroom portray themselves according to what we know about the animals; for instance, the wolf as the prosecuting attorney or the lion as one of the judges. Each carried his or her own unique weight in relating their fears and hopes in a courtroom setting.
Was it important for you to deliver a moral to readers, or was it circumstantial to delivering an effective novel?
We certainly did not set out to deliver a moral. I think as the trial progressed, however, with some heartrending testimonies – the young giraffe orphaned due to the sport shooting of its mother, the young elephant torn from its family to perform slave labor, the humble ant whose domain was poisoned by insecticides, a mahogany tree lamenting the deforestation around it, the indiscriminate killing of sea lions – it seemed only natural that a moral would emerge.
What is your next book, and when will it be available?
Sunrise Over Casablanca is a post-World War II saga with the same group of characters from the classic film Casablanca and our first sequel Brazzaville. At stake is the pending collapse of Western Europe and the efforts made by the Americans to stabilize her prior to the Marshall Plan. Sunrise Over Casablanca deals with the Greek Civil War and both British and American involvement as well as the struggles of Morocco and Algeria to gain independence from French colonial rule.
We tend to believe that there was nothing going on in the world after WWII until Korea, but the world never stopped fighting after Germany and Japan were beaten. We see how our characters – Rick Blaine, Ilsa Lund Blaine, Louis Renault, and Sam – develop in a rapidly changing world and how they meet those challenges.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Persistent Positivity
Penelope the Pesky Pelican follows a friendly pelican who sometimes does not have her cheerful disposition appreciated and needs encouragement from her best friend. What inspired your story?
It all started as a bit of an inside family joke about a Pelican statue we had at my late grandparents house on the coast. We named her Penelope and would always make up funny little stories and jokes about her. After years of erosion and rust, Penelope eventually succumbed to the elements, but my father wanted something to help her spirit live on in the family. One day he called me out of the blue to express his excitement about the short story he had written, starting off as just a casual way to pass the time and share with family. With my experience in both design and development and having previously worked with many publishers on their book promotions, I knew we had to bring this story to life.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Evelina Losich?
Collaborating with Evelina was fantastic. We knew exactly how we wanted the spreads laid out, and worked with her to develop the characters and styles, and provided direction on the layout to create what came to be a very vibrant experience our children love to just look at while being read to.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The core message of persistent positivity and the significant impact it can have in your life is a virtue my father has always instilled in us from a very young age. We wanted this book to really personify those values and provide a creative outlet for us to share them with the world.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
This book has really created a “domino effect” with my father and me on our journey into authoring the book, we don’t have anything concrete yet, but we have a number of other concepts in the works that we’re excited to share when the time comes!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Lessons of Life
The Selfish Shellfish follows a shellfish with a bad attitude who chases off all his friends with his refusal to share. What was the inspiration for your story?
I was inspired to write this story for my daughter Haylie to help teach her lessons of life in a fun constructive way.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I wanted to include talking about friendship, bullying, dealing with bullying, and after a heartfelt apology forgiveness.
The art in this book really brings the story to life. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Brent Plooster?
It was a fun and exciting process to work with Brent on the artwork. Zoom calls were conducted where he would create the art in front of us and we gave him live suggestions so the characters were exactly what we imagined.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I plan on writing many more Children’s books, I have already started on another story of one of the other characters and their adventures.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Swim along with Selfish Shellfish and his ocean friends to find out!
Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo
Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo, authored by Andrea Hyatt, explores the whimsical tale of two avian friends, Sophie and Sullivan. The narrative unfolds as these two birds engage in a delightful conversation about their dream identities, with Sophie aspiring to emulate the elegance of a flamingo and Sullivan wishing to embody the strength of an American Bald Eagle. Their story takes a turn when Sophie learns about Miss Sapphire, a new neighbor rumored to possess magical abilities. This element introduces a sense of wonder and anticipation as Sophie contemplates the possibility of her wish being granted.
Hyatt’s storytelling is notably effective in illustrating a common childhood phase—envisioning oneself in different roles or identities. The character of Sophie, in her yearning to transform into another bird, mirrors the imaginative minds of children who often dream of being someone or something else. This narrative subtly conveys the message that while aspirations and dreams are important, embracing one’s true self is equally, if not more, valuable.
The illustrations by Nicholas Child are a standout feature, adding a vibrant and engaging dimension to the book. Every page is adorned with colorful and imaginative artwork, some intricately detailed, which significantly enhances the storytelling experience. These illustrations not only complement Hyatt’s narrative but also serve as an engaging visual treat for young readers.
This book, with its strong theme of self-acceptance and identity, resonates well with its intended audience of 6 to 8-year-olds, effectively imparting an important life lesson. Hyatt has done a commendable job in crafting a narrative that is both enjoyable and educational. Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo is indeed a delightful read that is likely to captivate its young audience and leave a lasting impression on them.
Pages: 44 | ISBN: 978-1035825813
Social Anxieties and Insecurities
In Owl B. Blue on Valentine’s Day, an owl learns to overcome his own fears and insecurities as he sets out to find the one thing he has always wanted but has never been able to find–a best friend. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My own life experiences and inexperiences reflect on a lot of the situations in which OBB finds himself. I grew up in a single-parent home, as an only child, and because of that, I am inherently an introvert. Shocker, right?! So, it was difficult for me to navigate social situations as a youngster. Unfortunately, it is still a struggle for me as I avoid crowds and have a fear of public speaking. Hopefully, numerous crowded book signings and school visits will cure me! My inspiration is to help kids learn coping skills early on to deal with their own social anxieties and insecurities. I want to show kids that they don’t have to be afraid in uncomfortable situations and, with the help of loved ones and friends, that they can become strong enough to overcome those obstacles!
This story seems like so much fun to create. What was your favorite scene in this story?
My favorite scene is when Blue finally lands on the branch next to Pink when everything becomes quiet and still. He is a hot mess and so nervous my heart just goes out to him. He is so out of his element and you want to cheer him on! I love the anticipation in that moment and having the reader wonder just what will happen next and what will Blue do?!
What is one thing you hope young readers can take away from Owl B. Blue’s experience?
I want them to see that being brave can lead to marvelous outcomes and WHOOO knows…you may just make a forever friend in the process!
Can we expect to see more adventures from Owl B. Blue? What are you currently working on?
YES!!! I have over 15 stories already written that I still need to illustrate. Blue’s next adventure will be at the beach! Do you think he might be a bit crabby?? Later this year, I will be putting out Halloween and Thanksgiving stories as well! And, of course, Blue needs to tell his birthday story which will be a perfect read for young ones on their birthdays!
Author Links: GoodReads | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Amazon
OBB lives up to his name once again in this Valentine’s Day love story! Read along as Blue searches to find a friend, and possibly more than that. Hopefully, Blue will find someone to warm his heart and melt away the chill of loneliness on this cold winter day!
Blue is a sometimes sad, always lovable, little owl that works hard to overcome his insecurities and fears. He faces many challenges on his path to find true happiness.
Join little Owl B. Blue on his many adventures and learn how he copes with, and eventually conquers, his fears. He learns that he can do anything with the help of family, friends and his own inner strength!
This is the second book in the Owl B. Blue Adventure series with much more rhyming fun to come!
Always remember…WHOOO LOVES YOU?! BLUE, THAT’S WHOOO!!!
Impressions Are Always Changing
Nugget and Bandit’s First Winter follows an adventurous and curious raccoon living on one side of a mountain who makes friends with another raccoon and two squirrels, and together they explore the other side of the mountain. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for Nugget & Bandit’s First Winter came from my own “tail” of friendship. My adventure started with learning to ski at West Mountain with the instructor who became the inspiration for Bandit. I swear when I first met him, I thought he was crazy, so it was only fitting that Bandit experienced the same first impressions in our wintry “tail.”
The gifts inside our debut chapter book were also reminiscent of the “Chicklets from your chick” I used to give Bandit. The necklace in the book was one of my most cherished gifts from Bandit. The mountains on the map are all places that we explored together, and Bandit did actually gift me a day of skiing at Bromley that ended in a terrible tumble. My right big toenail will never look the same!
The art in this book is fantastic. Each page is filled with wonder and draws young readers’ attention right into the story. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Anthony Richichi?
When starting my author journey, I was encouraged to query traditional publishers, but during my research, I found that was not the best publishing path for me. I wanted to be fully hands-on throughout the whole publishing process, including illustration design and layout. In the end, this desire to retain full rights to all decisions made indie publishing the best for me. When I found Saratoga Springs Publishing, owned by Vicki Addesso Dodd, she was as passionate about creating my books as I was!
As I created this “tail”, images were already swirling around my head like the snowflakes in this wintry adventure. After drafting my image ideas and placements, SSP and I storyboarded. There were so many little details from my own memories that I wanted to highlight! The names of the trails are actually from West Mountain on page 67.
My amazing publisher, Vicki, introduced me and Anthony. I had told Vicki I had all the images already thought of but would be in need of an illustrator and she had happily provided referrals. I fell in love with Anthony’s gorgeous nature paintings.
It was amazing to be able to storyboard with Vicki, and her encouragement has led me to actually like my “Franken-coons” as we call my cat-faced, stick-bodied, and raccoon-tailed attempts at drawing! After creating our storyboard drafts, we all worked together with Anthony through initial drafts to final images. Watching Anthony be able to capture the images that were in my head with such skill is mind-blowing. I look forward to more fantastic artwork collaborations with Anthony and Vicki!
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In this chapter book, I wanted the message of friendship to resonate throughout the adventure. As a mother of five children, I think that it is important to remember that friendships won’t bloom if you don’t give them a chance. Anyone and everyone you meet could possibly become a friend. While first impressions are very important, I wanted to remind my children that impressions are always changing. Having an open mind to try new adventures with all kinds of people makes life memorable. I would know from experience! If I hadn’t become friends with Bandit, I would not have earned the nickname Nugget. There would have been a lot of experiences I would have never enjoyed as well!
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in a winter and summer series featuring the adventures of Nugget and Bandit. Fans can expect a sassier Nugget and even bigger surprises from Bandit! There will also be lots of new friends made along the way. The next book will really highlight the underlying message of exploration and believing in yourself as you continue to learn new skills. We anticipate another furry release in Winter 2024! While you wait for the next snowy adventure, check out Nugget and Bandit on the Hudson River in Raccoons Go Rafting. The rafting sequel, Raccoons Ride the Dragonback, will be released this summer!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Everyday she would visit her favorite log on West Mountain until Nugget meets new friends and experiences a different side of the mountain.
Join the adventure as Nugget learns to ski with Bandit, the raccoon, and Pip and Squeak, two squirrel brothers.
Explore West and Bromley Mountain with these furry friends. Both mountains bring new lessons and new memories.
“There are more skiing adventure to come,” promises Nugget.
LITERARY TITAN 