Bibliophile's Corner

Evergreen

by Matthew Cordell

Flap Copy Description:

Evergreen the squirrel is afraid of many things: thunder, hawks, and the dark paths of Buckthorn Forest. But when her mother tasks Evergreen with delivering soup to her sick Granny Oak, the little squirrel must face her fears and make the journey.

Along the way, Evergreen meets other forest dwellers - some want to help her, but some want her mother's delicious soup! 

My Thoughts:

Evergreen is Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell's most recent picture book - I love it! The whimsical illustrations perfectly bring the heartwarming story to life, and the little protagonist is entertaining as she overcomes her fears! I highly recommend Evergreen for children aged three to seven.

Click here to learn about the author-illustrator Matthew Cordell.

Storyteller's Journey

Autumn's Arrival

As much as I enjoy the sunny days of summer, autumn is my favorite season. One of the things I love about fall is that I almost always begin a new project each September.

This year I plan to continue working on Book 2 in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. It's too early to share a synopsis but stay tuned!

Click here to read my recently released newsletter.

Wishing each of you an outstanding autumn!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Coterie - (n.)

a small group of people with shared interests or tastes.

Example: The coterie of writers and artists met weekly at a local cafe.

 

Bibliophile's Corner

Wildoak 
by C.C.Harrington

Flap Copy Description:

A Snow Leopard.

A Child.

An Ancient Forest

When fates collide, the unimaginable can happen...

Maggie Stephens's stutter makes school especially hard. She will do almost anything to avoid speaking in class or calling attention to herself. So when her unsympathetic father threatens to send her away for so-called "treatment," she reluctantly agrees to her mother's intervention plan: a few weeks in the fresh air of Wildoak Forest, visiting a grandfather she hardly knows. It is there, in an extraordinary twist of fate, that she encounters a abandoned snow leopard cub, an exotic gift to a wealthy Londoner that proved too wild to domesticate. But once the cub's presence is discovered by others, danger follows, and Maggie soon realizes that time is running out, not only for the leopard, but for herself and the forest as well.

My Thoughts:

Wildoak is a wonderful new middle grade novel with a protagonist you'll want to embrace. While Maggie's stutter has made it difficult to make friends, she has a gift for befriending animals. As her adventure unfolds, she not only learns to speak up for herself, but she also has an impact on the whole community around her. I highly recommend Wildoak to readers aged eight to twelve!

Click here to learn about the author C.C. Harrington.

Storyteller's Journey

The Summer of '23

When you live in the Pacific Northwest with his long dark winters, making summer plans is something you look forward to. I know I certainly do!

My main goal for the summer of 2023 was to complete and publish my middle grade novel, The Sibylline Scroll - book one in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. That being said, spending time in the sunshine was a close second! My husband Michael and I planned to continue landscaping our property (which we purchased in 2021), visit some of our favorite local sites, and spend time with family. All of our plans were met, including my new novel being released next Tuesday!

However, something that wasn't on my summer list was an unexpected health challenge that began in late July and is still ongoing. I won't go into the details, but I have been diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say, this has been a significant challenge to the way I had hoped my summer would unfold. I have a difficult road ahead. Due to the cancer diagnosis, and my severe weakness, the book launch events I had scheduled have been postponed or cancelled. Wish me luck!

I learned years ago that writing and reading keep me on a positive path; I'm reminded of that in a big way right now. I'm so excited for the release of my new novel - The Sibylline Scroll - next Tuesday, 9/12! 

Storyteller's Journey

It's Time for Summer Vacation!

Even though my middle grade novel, The Sibylline Scroll, will release in September, I'll be taking my usual summer break from Writ of Whimsy. (Columbia River Gorge.)

That being said, I'll be busy planning the book's launch, giveaways, and of course, a bit of networking. Then, too, I'm hoping to make some headway with our home's landscaping; we still need to complete that.

Click here for my summer reading list for kids! 

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter! 

Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter; that's where you'll find the latest news on my book release - plus news on fun launch events!

Wishing each of you a safe and sensational summer! 

Whimsical Word of the Week

Querencia - (n.)

a refuge; a sanctuary.

Example: The teenager's second-floor bedroom had become a quiet querencia from the family chaos below.