Capped for Courage
A father Chickadee and his son overcome their fear and rise up to help save their valley home and their neighbors' homes from a raging forest fire. In this tale, all Chickadees show their respect for the two Chickadees' act of bravery by wearing a "cap for courage."
Boids of a Feather
This is a story that shows us what can be accomplished with team work. Surprisingly a team of characters from different backgrounds and neighborhoods rally to help a small bird overcome an obstacle in her young life.
Grawnma Becky's Bread
Little sage is feeling sorry for herself because she did not get a part in the school play and thinks she is a failure. Retreating to her beloved Grawnma Becky's house, she seeks comfort in the warm cozy kitchen, a grandmother's understanding and soothing words, and maybe a bit of something sweet to take her mind off her bad feelings.
What she finds instead is a magical closet that allows Sage to see the wisdom of Grawnma's words, Feelings are like clothes: If you put on a happy face you will have good things, but if you wear a frown...!
The Quiniela of Angels
Two tales of trust, hope and love, "Darby's Tear" and "Eighteen Healer" chronicle the lives of two teenagers traveling on dark paths filled with anger and fear. They both meet someone holding a light. The light is inner happiness.
(A note here: These two short stories are being added to my most recent work, my first novella, "Caterina's Storm." It tells the story of how a young girl, blind from birth, reacts to a family emergency with the help of her Uncle 'D.' The question for young readers of this story is, "Just who is this Uncle 'D'?" The trio of stories will be presented when published as "The Stormwalkers.")
The Princess Happy Bean
This picture book/story answers the question of who gave happiness to any Princess before Storks (and their Stork family) took over the Franchise!
My step-granddaughter Elise inspired the story and assisted me with the illustrations. Thank you Elise!
Stay Tuned - Burtle McTurtle's Adventure is being written as you read this. This story is about a young green turtle who has a scar on his shell and is bullied in school. His famous father and two new friends help him stand up to the cowardly bullies and the three new friends are off to a great adventure! They meet a new friend who will surprise you as she did Burtle.
Burtle McTurtle has been inspired by my grand daughter Caitlin. She helped me with the development of Burtle's adventure story. Thank you, Caitlin.
Please note, my wife Joan and I are blessed with eleven grandchildren. Addison our oldest has already shown her creative mind with her poetic works and art. Elise has graced us with many works of her art. She also has a love for music and reading. Caitlin, Grant, Henry, Jack, Julian, May, Selina and Calvin are avid readers too. I believe reading is fundamental in sparking creative fires of imagination. Living life aware and open to each moment helps too! Our newest grandchild has had a daily page turning adventure, coloured by the loving cadence of her mother and father's voice, read to her. It won't be long before she finds her own voice in the stories waiting to be read. Vivienne, we, along with a book, welcome you home.