A Carousel Tale by Elisa Kleven

Ernst loves the carousel near his house, and his favorite animal to ride is the dog. When the dog's wooden tail comes loose just before winter, the carousel keeper gives Ernst the important job of watching over it until springtime. But the tail looks so sad sitting on Ernst's shelf without its dog that Ernst can't help but try to cheer it up. It isn't long before he has transformed the lonely tail into something wonderful!

As spring approaches, Ernst wonders if he will have to give up his special creation. And if he doesn't, what will the poor dog have to wag? The inventive blue crocodile from Ernst and The Puddle Pail shines in a story children will cherish.

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to an interview. Here's what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It tells the story of a young blue crocodile, Ernst, ( featured in three other books of mine), who uses his creativity to make something wonderful out of a loss. Ernst is sad when his favorite carousel is covered up for winter and vexed by finding the his beloved carousel dog's tail on the ground. When the carousel keeper tells Ernst he can take care of the tail over the winter, Ernst finds himself turning the tail into a friendly bird, which keeps him company all winter. Ernst, however, is also loyal to his old friend the dog, for whom he creates a nice new tail in spring.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

It's the story of my life! I have always cheered myself up by making things with my hands

Who is your biggest supporter?

The children who read my books.

Your biggest critic?

Myself and the occasional ,critical book reviewer!

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Saving planet earth, because it's our one and only, and very beautiful, home.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I am always trying to learn to paint and draw better.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

I usually feel very tired, and take a replenishing walk along the beach. Or eating a crispy and comforting vegetarian meal.

What are you currently working on?

I'm doing finished pictures for a story about a young elephant named Stanley.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Read as much as you can. Try to write at least a few sentences a day, just for yourself, and try not to worry about how polished or "good" they sound.

Is there an author that inspired you to write?

I think that Hans Christian Andersen gave me "permission" to delve into my imagination and animate the world around me, even after I was supposed to "grow up" and abandon these childlike activities.

What are some of your long term goals?

I hope to keep creating stories and pictures for children, and I hope to inspire children to make things with their hands and to appreciate their innate imaginative gifts.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Getting published at all, since I am self taught and really didn't know what I was doing when I started creating children's books 20 years ago.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

I remember how it felt to be a child .

Biggest weakness?

I wish I drew and painted better.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

Every book is unique because every author and illustrators' way of seeing is unique.

You know the scenario you're stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

The collected works of Shakespeare.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

9/11 -- I wish I could have stopped the bad guys. Or I wish I could have prevented Hitler from being conceived!

What is your favorite past-time?

Walking on a grassy slope above the ocean.

For more information about the books or the author please visit http://www.elisakleven.com/

Rebel in Blue Jeans by Beverly Stowe McClure

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beverly S. McClure started her writing career early—though she approached it kicking and screaming—when her eighth-grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to a high school anthology and it was published in Young America Sings. She graduated from Midwestern State University and became a teacher. As soon as she discovered Dr. Seuss and other great children’s stories, she willingly put pen to paper and had stories and articles published in Ladybug, Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr., U. S. Kids, Jack and Jill and other leading children’s magazines, including an article that was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Pre-K anthology and a breakout article that appeared in the June 2007 issue of Writer magazine.


A multi-published author, Beverly’s Listen to the Ghost and Secrets I Have Kept are available in trade paperback. Her latest release is Rebel in Blue Jeans, and she has four more books under contract. A member of the National Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and their North Texas Chapter, Beverly is the mother of three grown boys and lives in the country with her husband, Jack, where an occasional deer, skunk, or armadillo come to visit.

For more about Beverly and her work, please visit http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/
ABOUT THE BOOK:

What’s a girl to do when her mother runs away with the drummer in a rock band, her friendly relationship with the boys on the neighboring ranch starts to change, and a handsome college guy takes an interest in her? Sixteen-year-old Rebel Ferguson faces these challenges with courage and humor and decides to do three things:

1. Bring her mother home where she belongs.

2. Show her neighbors, Will and Sully Garret, she’s not interested in a serious relationship with either of them.

3. Prove to the Garrets, and to herself, that Rick, the cute college guy, is a gentleman.

Nothing turns out the way Rebel plans, however, and she discovers that people are not always what they seem, and she’s a lousy judge of character. If only humans were as trustworthy and dependable as her puppies, cat, and horses. Can she forgive everyone who has disappointed her?
EXCERPT:

Chapter 1

Rebel Ferguson pulled the currycomb across the mare’s broad back. Fine specks of dust floated in the early morning air. A mockingbird sang outside the stables. A lump the size of a barn owl lodged in Rebel’s throat. How could the bird be so happy when her life had been shattered into millions of pieces? Don’t think about Mom, she told herself. Keep busy.

And she tried. She brushed and brushed Sunrise’s coat until the hair shimmered like a new copper penny. One by one–she counted them–she untangled three sharp burrs from the mare’s coarse mane.

The sudden vroom of a car engine rumbling to life made Rebel’s chest tighten. Even though the driveway was not visible from the stables, she darted to the stall door anyway and looked out the open top section. Rain lingered like teardrops on the red tile roof of the white stucco house nestled among mesquite and cottonwood trees a hundred yards away. Last night’s storm was past, at least the storm outside. The clouds had drifted east, leaving behind a clear blue sky.

But the storm between her parents was etched on Rebel’s heart forever. Oh, they never yelled or fought or said horrible things to each other. They were much too civilized for such childish behavior. Sometimes she wished they would. Anything would be better than the unbearable silence. Except for what had to be said, her parents simply stopped talking to one another. They were polite strangers, and she was caught in the middle, loving them both.

She listened to the hum of her mother’s Jaguar until it faded, leaving behind only the chatter of that annoying bird, the swishing sound of the mare’s tail as she swatted flies, and Rebel’s thoughts. Everyone said she was a carbon copy of her mother. She had the same smoky blue eyes, the same long dark hair, and the same slender build. But outward appearances could be deceiving. Their personalities were complete opposites. Liz Ferguson was a city girl who liked fancy dresses and parties and crowds. Rebel Ferguson was a country girl who preferred jeans, T-shirts, and a few close friends.

INTERVIEW:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Yes, thank you for asking. Rebel in Blue Jeans is a contemporary novel for young adult readers. What’s a girl to do when her mother runs away with the drummer in a rock band, her friendly relationship with the cousins on the neighboring ranch starts to change, and a handsome college guy takes an interest in her? Sixteen-year-old Rebel Ferguson faces these challenges with courage and humor and decides to do three things: One, bring her mother home where she belongs. Two, show her neighbors, Will and Sully Garret, she’s not interested in a serious relationship with either of them. Three, prove to the Garrets that Rick, the cute college guy, is a gentleman.

Nothing turns out the way Rebel plans, however, and she discovers that people are not always what they seem, and she’s a lousy judge of character. If only humans were as trustworthy and dependable as her animals. Can she forgive everyone who has disappointed her?

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

The children and teens who live through separation and divorce and somehow survive are the inspiration for this book.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporters are my sons. They encourage me to keep writing and celebrate my successes with me.

Your biggest critic?

Myself. I want my work to be perfect.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Mistreated and abused children and animals are my most passionate causes. Children should be able to trust and depend on their parents and other adults. Sadly, many times these are the very people who abuse them and take away their joy and innocence. Animals, too, are mistreated, when most of them just want a kind word, a meal, and a home with family to love.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

I can’t narrow it down to one thing, but several: my God, husband, children, grandchildren, and my writing.

What are you currently working on?

I have two works in progress with another idea stowed away in my mind, waiting its turn. One story is a YA contemporary novel about four teens who form a club to survive their families. My other work is a MG ghost story about a boy who makes a deal with a ghost to achieve his goal of returning home. I also have several books under contract. In 2009, my YA Civil War story, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, will be published, and a MG contemporary, Just Breeze, is due out. Kate, Little Angel Sometimes and I Live in a Doghouse are scheduled for 2010.

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

Never give up if you really want to write.

What are some of your long term goals?

To relax more and enjoy the process of writing.

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

The day I held my firstborn son in my arms for the first and only time, I’d have cuddled him longer, kissed him more, and told him how much I loved him, had I known he would soon be with his heavenly Father.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

I’ve learned to not stress so much over unimportant things and deal with the important ones.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

Don’t get in a hurry. Enjoy the moment. If you can’t do something today, there’s always tomorrow. And if tomorrow never comes, it won’t matter.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

I wish I had started writing earlier so I’d have years ahead of me to write and publish books.

What is your favorite past-time?

Playing the piano, photography, making scrapbooks, and genealogy.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Please visit me at my blogs:

http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com/

http://rebelinbluejeans.wordpress.com/

http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com/

Thank you for hosting me today.

WIN PRIZES!!!

The REBEL IN BLUE JEANS VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on January 5 and end on January 30. You can visit Beverly's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in January to find out more about this great book and talented author!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 23, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811854604
ISBN-13: 978-0811854603

About the book:

All over America, kids are losing their teeth. And who is there to gather them up, leaving coins in their places? The Tooth Fairy, of course! A self-described "action kind of gal" with plenty of attitude, she reveals her secrets at last. Learn about her amazing Tooth-o-Finder. Marvel at her ingenious flying machine. Watch her in action, dodging dogs and cats and gerbils. You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? is the essential guide for every kid about to lose a tooth. And don't forget, February is National Children's Dental Health Month.

I got the ask the author some questions regarding this book. Here are her answers:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It’s about a feisty tooth fairy who doesn’t have wings. Instead, she zips through the night air on a jet-powered surfboard that is shaped like a tooth. That was the illustrator’s idea. But I came up with her other techno gadgets, including her Tooth-o-Finder (a gadget on her wrist that hears the ting-ting-ting of newly fallen teeth), and her Spy-o-Binoculars, which helps her to plan her entry into each kid’s house. Tooth has sold 12,000+ copies since its publication in August 2007. People tell me they love my tooth fairy’s fun, independent spirit. She’s the first tooth fairy to really promote girl power! And everyone really likes the illustrations. David Slonim did a great job making her so accessible. Her big blue eyes, her wild mop of red curls-- and her Richard Nixon nose! -- make her easy to love. Too, her little firefly friends add to her appeal.

What did you do to make sure that the book appealed to both kids and adults?

I think kids love getting the inside scoop on the tooth fairy's nightly tasks -- including all of the obstacles she has to deal with.But I think adults dig the tooth fairy's rules, including where,exactly, to place the tooth for pick up. Many moms have told me that they like her strong spirit -- that she's a good role model for their daughters. That's a huge compliment. And they love the fact that my tooth fairy only deals in quarters. That really helps out the family budget!

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

There was no one inspiration behind Tooth. I simply ran out of time coming up with a manuscript draft for a picture book workshop I was about to attend. So I decided to stay in bed that day, until an idea came to me. For some reason I started thinking about Santa....and the Easter Bunny...and the tooth fairy. I got to wondering why she was always protrayed as a dainty, winged creature. Because in my mind it made a lot more sense for her to be a go-getter treasure hunter. And that's when I came up with the idea for my book.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

As a child I read tons of fairy tales, mostly because I loved the chivalry of the brave knights. When I got older, I loved reading Nancy Drew; I think because it was a girl figuring everything out! Now, when choosing reading material (I'm always at the public library!), I tend to go for stories with quirky characters who step into the fullness of themselves. I love books with hope, and forgiveness, and transformation. Kind of balances out the crap we're constantly bombarded with by TV and newspapers. ;-)

What are you currently working on?

I'm currently a full-time student in the baking program of my local community college, so I'm hoping some baking-related books or stories will pop up. I've also got my middle grade novel perking on the backburner. I need to get back to finding an agent for it, as I think it's a wonderful story. It's about a kid who lives on a junk lot. He hates every bit of it, until he uses the junk to make an art sculpture for a school art competition. He loves Abraham Lincoln, acronymns, and his pooch Taco. His dad, and the school bully? Not so much.

Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

My biggest piece of advice for any writer is FOCUS. By that I mean turn off your email and the web for at least half of the day. Then use that uninterrupted time to produce something new. I also thinks it's important to write regularly. I don't think it's necessary to writefor a specific amount of time each day -- or even at the same time every day -- but some type of routine is important. Third, I'd say setting deadlines is critical. Tell yourself that a first draft mustbe ready in two weeks. Or a month. Then tell a writer friend about your deadline and ask her/him to hold you accountable. It's too easy to fudge deadlines when there's no editor chomping at the bit. Lastly, make yourself show your work to other writers and editors. People who tell me they've got lots of stories in a drawer make me crazy. All that creativity, but they're terrified of being told it's crap! Give me that problem any day!

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

Oy! I'm too young for this question! HA! But, as I've been married for 23 years, I certainly count that as a great achievement. Seems like only yesterday that I said, "I do!" to a guy with braces and one chest hair!

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

Writers are incredibly lucky to do what they do. To inspire, to ignite dreams, to change lives. So charge forth grandly, because some day, we'll find outjust how much impact we had on others. What an honor!

About the author:

Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt is an award-winning magazine writer and the author of two children's activity books. This is her first picture book. She lives in Buffalo, New York.

For more info visit: www.4kids.Bell-Rehwoldt.com

Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregorson

With mental health issues being so prevelant in society I was very intrigued by the premise of this book. Let me tell you that as hard as it was I read it in one sitting - it grabbed hold and would not let go.

All Destiny wants is to get a job and try to have a semblance of a normal life. Instead she is burdened with the responsibilty of taking care of her mentally ill mother and trying to protect her younger sister Cassidy from the violent rages and outbursts that have become more common than not. Destiny's life has never been anything but that of a constant caregiver and mediator...especially since the incident at Crater Lake. She loves her mother, and even though she knows that this is not a normal family life she is willing to do what her father asks and help keep her mother in their home, for better or worse.

As this book unfolds you watch this family go on such a downward spiral that my heart was literally breaking. As much as I hated to turn to the next page for fear of what was going to happen next, I was compelled to do so in hopes that a ray of light would be found and something positive would happen to change some of the bad to good. At first I was unsure if this could really happen - how could both parents let their children go through this living hell? I then thought of my own life, and the lengths I may go to keep my family in tact. Love is a very powerful emotion, and nothing is more powerful than the love between a parent and their children. As Ms. Gregerson points out in her Author's Note, children that come from abusive families are even more loyal to their parents than children who don't. They seem to constantly be searching for a way to gain acceptance and love from the parent(s) who neglects or abuses them.

This book is a true eye opener, although it is fiction we can't turn a blind eye to the fact that there are families like this in every town in America. I am hopeful that this book will give some of these families the strength they need to get the help so desperately needed before it is too late and the children are damaged to a point of no return. It will hopefully also make people think closely about some people they know and maybe will give them the strength to intervene in situations they know are not healthy for the family involved. The author has done a true service by writing about an issue that should not be ignored.

Questions for the author:

What made you decide to write the story from the perspective of the oldest daughter?
Well, it was personal really. I was a parentified child, meaning that I was one of those kids who took care of my mother and my older sister when my family was spiraling out of control. I was the one who felt responsible to hold everything together because no one else would. And I believed that multitudes of people all around the world experience that same thing -- they become the savior of their families because no one else will. I wanted to shine a spotlight on that problem and what it does to a kid. And on another level, this is a cautionary tale: beware what you do to your children. When 5 children a day die in this country because their mother, a family member, or someone who knows their parent kills them, we're in deep trouble. We are allowing the ruin of our children and then we wonder why these kids can't learn in school or why they turn to crime, or why they're depressed. This book tells why, in some cases, our children are lost.

What was your inspiration for the story?
There were several things that inspired me. And in some sense, it was reaching critical mass and feeling that I had to say something about this problem. I tell everyone the story about meeting a man whose mother set their house on fire after locking him and his little brother in. There was Susan Smith and Andrea Yates. I thought they were anomalies, but I found out that they aren't. I started studying this issue and realized that 500 mothers a year kill their children. I started wondering what it would be like to live in a family like that. What if every day, your little sister's life was on the line and you couldn't do anything except be the one who stood between her and your mother? What if you knew your life was on the line and you had to live with one eye open so you could survive? These are the things I thought about, they're the questions that horrified me, as I wrote this book.

Do you have any books currently in the works?
I currently have one book in the works about a girl whose mother deserts her at the local grocery store, leaving the girl with her eccentric extended family and the question, "Why did she leave me?" I'm about a third through that and may get back to it soon. I also have another book finished about a girl in a trailer park who's the underdog and can't seem to find her way.

What hobbies do you enjoy?
Oh, I'm an odd one. I love to research. That is really relaxing to me. I pick a topic and then I search it out. I travel a little. We have a summer place on a beautiful glacier fed lake and I love going there. I hang with my daughters who are almost 18 and 21. They're my greatest joy. I read some, mostly nonfiction. I have a few favorite TV shows like CSI and Ugly Betty. Other than that, I just hang and try to find things to laugh at. The absurdity of life amuses me.

The Ghost Under Third Base by Fran Orenstein

We all know a kid like Willie. Smarter than all of the other kids, and due to this he has trouble making friends. Perhaps other students are threatened by him. After all, he is 2 years younger than all of them, and still surpasses most of them when it comes to intelligence. He even has a hard time at home due to his brother and sister and their constant razzing. The only place he can go to escape and feel comfortable is an abandonded cellar just next to his property.

One day, just after he has come out of the cellar and is laying in the grass, he meets Huby. Huby seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but they develop a wonderful friendship, and Huby helps Willie gain the confidence he so desperately needs. Having this new confidence even gains him a few friends at school. But there is something not quite right about Huby. Like the fact that he seems to just disappear and appear out of thin air. And the fact that his parents have yet to see him.

The real problem, though, is that something is in the cellar. Not something menacing, just the spirit of a boy who died tragically years earlier. So, when Willie proposes the field where the cellar is located be turned into a baseball field, they need to make sure that "Daniel" finds his way home.

This book was totally engaging and even though it is geared towards tweens, it held my interest the whole way through. I am thankful that I have books like this to review, as they really open my eyes as to the fantastic stories available for the younger crowd. There were only a few authors like this when I was growing up.Hopefully this is not the last we hear from Fran Orenstein!

Questions for the author:

Any chance of a sequel to this book?
A first draft of the sequel, at the request of the publisher, is complete. This will be the second in a Huby series, as he is the continuing character. This next book, called The Goblin Murder Mystery, is a Halloween based story which will come out next fall, in time for, guess what, Halloween (also my birthday).

In March, the next book to be published, will be the first in a fantasy series. It is called The Book of Mysteries, The Wizard of Balalac. It's about 2 boys in New York City who are sent to a mysterious, disappearing bookstore to find The Book of Mysteries. The Wizard of Balalac will be first, then next year it will be followed by The Gargoyles of Blackthorne (working title).

What are you currently working on?
I am currently doing a final draft read through on The Fat Girls From Outer Space, expected out by July. It is a contemporary Tween story of pre-teen obesity and the intolerant and cruel culture we live in. Don't worry, though, the girls get their revenge in the end and come out shining stars.

What is your favorite book, or character?
My favorite Tween book is Holes by L. Sachar. My favorite Tween characters are Harry Potter and the gang, expecially Hermione, who reminds me of me.

There's an Angel in my Closet by Louise Aveni

As the mother of 4 and 3 year old girls, I read quite a few children’s books. Most of the reading I do with my girls is at bedtime, so I look for a few specific qualities in the books we read. "There's an Angel in My Closet" meets all of them for me.

1. Length of story. Since I read 2-3 books an evening, stories that aren't too long to hold my girls interest are a must.

2. The quality of the story. Even though a book may be only a few pages long, I still look for stories that capture my girls attention. "There's an Angel in My Closet" is a delightfully charming tale.

3. Illustrations. My girls (and myself included) love pictures. The illustrations in this book are first rate. They are vividly colored and very engaging.

This is a wonderful children’s book that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Questions to the author:

What inspired you to write a children's book?
When my grandson, Scott was a baby I would read stories to him and thought to myself “I can do better than these” So it was that I began writing stories with him in mind. Scott is now sixteen, but the stories keep coming.

Can we look forward to more children's books in the future?
Yes, actually I’ve written eight children’s stories thus far and will get them all out as soon as I locate the perfect illustrators for them. I have been blessed as I’ve found one that has captured the essence of a mischievous little angel bear who is the lead character in one of my story series titled “The Adventures of Little Bear Blue” which has an accompanying song that I wrote called “If You Believe in You”. I hope to get this released in 2008.

Just as an aside, all my children’s stories were “given” to me. By that I mean that I’ve never sat down and thought about the story – they simply came to me in one felt swoop and I’ve not changed one single word. Some people call it channeling, or a muse - I call it a gift…

For the older children, I am writing a story for the TWEENS called “The Prophecies of Jake Little Feather” which should find its way into the marketplace by the end of 2008.

What other hobbies do you enjoy?

I write music and love doing outdoor activities. Anything that puts me out in nature nourishes my soul.

What is your favorite book? TV Show? Movie?

I have several favorites:

Movies- E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Lake House, just to name a few.

For TV shows – I love good comedy series such as Gilmore Girls, Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters.

My favorite books, besides my own (I write novels – LUPO-Conversations with an E.T. which is the first of a trilogy sequel with HYBRID-The Conversation Continues and KRYSTAL-The Final Saga), I enjoy self-help and metaphysical writers by a variety of authors. Some of my favorites are Sheldon Nilde, Jim Sparks, Esther Hicks (Abraham ) and of course Dr. Wayne Dyer

Dancing with Dragonflies by Jack Gorfien

Having two small girls at home, I am always looking for something new to read to them. They are at the age where princesses and fairy tales are their favorite thing, and if I am honest, I am also a sucker for a good fairy tale as well. I am happy to say that Jack Gorfien has introduced a new book to our family that will remain on our bookshelves and be read for many years to come.

Lirona is the type of princess any girl would hope to be - "She had purple eyes, soft porcelain colored skin, and long hair made of spun platinum that felt like silk." She also was blessed with the multicolored wings of a dragonfly that she could sprout at will. Although she loved her wings, as a child she was ridiculed because of them and now feels very along and afraid, in search of something that will make her happy and feel whole.

Lirona continues looking every day for the thing she is unable to put her finger on - the missing part of her life. One day she crosses the path of some elves who enjoyed nothing more than dancing and playing music all through the night. After being invited to join them she totally immerses herself in the beat of the music and begins to dance along with her new friends. She promises to come back, and on one such visit encounters a knight named Zohar that has emerged from the woods. After a lifetime of battle he too is searching for something, his way home.

As much as he wanted to find his way home, he can't help but become enchanted not only with the music and atmosphere, by by the beautiful Lirona. They dance with each other through the night, but as daylight approaches they part ways, still searching for the things they are missing.

In the background of the story is Adamina, someone who is a teacher and guardian...a mother earth of sorts. She decides it's time to step in and help these two along the path they are destined to follow.

This is not just a story for children, but adults as well as it show us once again that happiness is right in front of us everyday, you just have to look for it. This is a wonderfully uplifting tale and is beautifully illustrated by Grace Turman.

Questions for the Author:

Do you have any other books in the works?

I am working on a follow up story to Dancing with Dragonflies where the characters will be further developed and new characters introduced.

What made you write a book with dragonflies as part of the theme?

I've always been captivated by these fascinating creatures. Also, they hold some interesting symbolism that spans many cultures. I've pointed some of them out in the introduction to the book.

Do you only write YA or children's books?

Dancing with Dragonflies is my first published book. While it is packaged as a children's book, the messages apply to people of all ages. I also write poetry geared towards adult readers but I have yet to publish these. As a writer, I enjoy crossing genres even though that tends not to be what the large publishing houses are looking for.

What other hobbies do you have besides writing?

Photography has always been a favorite past time of mine. I also collect antique photographic equipment. Beyond that, I enjoy travel and hiking in the woods.