RELEASE OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS

       

In talking with teachers and those involved in the education of our children, I hear the call for reading material appropriate for children.  Over the years, I have worked with children encouraging them to develop skills that will expand their writing talent.  However, I only recently became interested in writing for the young.  With a new enthusiasm, I rose to the challenge and called upon my penchant for imagination and fantasy to pen four children’s books.  They are being introduced on Amazon.com, both paperback and Kindle.  I hope you will check them out and consider these books as a Christmas gift for your child. I ask that you provide feedback to help with the impact of these titles.  Feedback both positive and negative.  Without input, those who endeavor to provide good literature for your children become discouraged and abandon the difficult task of penning suitable children’s books. 

BOBBY AND THE RIDE is a fantasy of Bobby’s adventure at an entertainment park where he soars above the park seeing his books come to life. Best suited to early primary children just beginning to read.

JUMBO JONAH is a fantasy of the adventures of Jake and Mark, twelve-year-old boys, who find themselves marooned on an island with dinosaurs. In present day Texas, Mark survives a lightning strike and experiences an exciting adventure to challenge the imagination. From eight years to adult.

WILBUR WOLF is another fantasy adventure of Jake and Mark as they join with their Scout Troop for a summer camping trip.  Mark discovers he has a remarkable ability to communicate with animals since surviving a lightning strike one year earlier. As the result of this phenomena, Mark discovers he has knowledge that could mean life or death for the campers. From eight years to adult.

HERSHEY BOY is a light-hearted true tale of the life of a free-spirited Labrador Retriever.  Hershey brought joy to our lives for many years.  Through his life, I found that I often wondered what he might be thinking. Inspired by these thoughts, I wrote this story as imagined from Hershey’s point of view. From eight years old to adult.

I hope you will review these books and find them suitable for your children’s library. Grandparents check them out as the answer to that always challenging question, “What can I get my grandchild for Christmas?”

HOOKED ON BOOKS

HOOKED ON BOOKS is my motto and the force that drives my interest in writing. In honesty, today’s reader must guard with diligence the selection of reading material to be embraced, and the writer must guard against allowing writing talent to digress into the pit of trash simply to cater to the decline in moral character reigning in the world today.

Writers stay informed of the publications that appear on the shelves of our Libraries, as well as the best sellers in the publishing market. Some of the publications labeled as literature astound me. Classic authors of the past would turn over in their graves if they could review what we read today.  Of course, that assumes we’re reading anything.  Many folks will tell you they do not read books at all.  Movies and television have influenced our habits and robbed us of imagination and creativity.

 A brief research of our library shelves reveals the rapid disappearance of printed reading material, and the robust market of replacement with electronics. I’m not at all opposed to the electronic world, but certainly a backup system is needed to assure that the printed book does not become a relic of the past. When the electric grid fails, one can depend on the printed book that can be read by firelight as Abraham Lincoln found to be quite dependable.

The disappearance of books from the literary world pales in comparison to the disappearance of well-composed, grammatically correct, interesting page-turning literature. Pornography, colorful language, and graphic violence drive the literary market today filling the pages with useless repetition, extensive descriptive language simply to add pages, flat characters without dimension, plotless content without hooks to create interest, and stories are completely devoid of rhythm. A well-written story should glide seamlessly connecting one sentence to the next with rhythm as in a piece of music.

 Much of present day creative writing lacks the plot driven story with a beginning to grab the reader’s attention, conflict to ignite his emotions, rhythm to pace his interest, and conclusions that complete and guide the story to a memorable ending. However, hope for the future remains when  among the brass, one finds the golden voice of excellence rising to enrich the reader’s experience with writing that excels in composition and content. We must recognize, nourish,  and encourage the writer with exceptional talent.

Conversely, new and fresh approaches in creative writing with realistic changes that enhance readability in grammar, structure, and content are appreciated and accepted by writers educated in the twentieth century. However, like teaching an old dog new tricks, older writers often oppose and reject new ideas. I try to keep pace with changes, and I appreciate obvious improvements.

Back to comparing books and electronics, as a reader, I prefer to hold a book in my hands, turn the pages, and see the book standing in my bookshelf for future reference. I own a Kindle, and I enjoy the convenience in the doctor’s office and other places of waiting. As a writer, I enjoy creating book covers that complement my story, and I enjoy seeing my adventures come to life on the written page. Books are creations that should be treasured for the value they bring to the world of literature, as well as the knowledge and experience they add to our culture. Visiting and supporting our Libraries will ensure the longevity of the printed page. Reading is a rich and rewarding hobby. Become HOOKED ON BOOKS and visit your Library often.

LABOR DAY

     Turn around twice and it’s fall already. I find the passing of time like the spindle’s shuttle, so quickly the hours and days roll into the past.  This summer has been filled with rain, drought and wild fire, flooding and more rain.  We are so wet in New Orleans that I’m afraid we are all going to grow web feet.  We have a canoe on a rack in the back yard.  I suggested maybe we should take it down and check to be sure it’s seaworthy. If the rain continues, we may need to use it.

 The last holiday of the summer will be this Monday.  Labor Day transports me to warm memories of past family picnics and community festivities.  Labor Day signals the end of summer and is celebrated on the first Monday of September.  The day is set aside to pay tribute to working men and women.  Labor organizers have celebrated the day since 1894 in the US and Canada. Early festivities included picnics and community gatherings usually organized by unions and company owners to celebrate solidarity in the work place.

Also, as I grew up, the first day of school always occurred on the day after Labor Day. Excited and anxious for a new year, we loved the last weekend of summer.  Always, the event meant new clothes and a new pair of shoes.  These were treasured items in the days of WWll rationing. As I became an adult and moved into the work force myself, the three day weekend usually became a special family time spent getting children ready for school.

 Labor Day also marks another dated habit of women of my generation.  On Memorial Day we begin to wear white shoes, carry white purses, and, in the old days, donned white hats and gloves. However, the stylish, fashionable lady removes the white items on Labor Day and stores them until next Memorial Day. I wonder how many still observe these habits from the past?

So I will wear my white shoes this Sunday, and then store them away until May.  At my age, I can’t help wondering if I will be here next May. With that unhappy thought, I will take my last pills of the evening and retire for the night to wake tomorrow with a happy heart ready to enjoy the last hooray of this summer 2016. I wish you a very pleasant end of summer also.