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Audrey's Legacy: Little RES Q's Turtle Sanctuary!

11/28/2022

Find out even more about Audrey's Legacy!
Buy your copy of my picture book, Tamara Turtle's Life So Far, and help support Little RES Q...
And most important, make your donation to little RES-Q & Audrey's Legacy

Rosie gives "Chloe the Unfeathered Parrot" MANY thumbs up!

11/24/2022

“Chloe the Unfeathered Parrot” is set at The Parrot Sanctuary, which is in Toronto, Ontario!

Get something of lasting value for the kids in your life. Cheap toys last a short while, then end up in landfill.

“Chloe the Unfeathered Parrot” not only encourages literacy in your child, a portion of proceeds goes to the Parrot Sanctuary, which is featured in the book—so, you’re helping them do the important work of finding parrots their forever homes, too!

You can also visit Chloe’s BookStop Page, hosted by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators...

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Henry really gets "Libby the Lobivia Jajoiana"

11/18/2022

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What is it that Henry likes most about Libby the Lobivia Jajioana? Find out in this video!

Cheap toys last a short while, then end up in landfill.
Get something of lasting value for the kids in your life.

Libby the Lobivia Jajoiana teaches that beauty comes in many forms. What you think is your worst flaw may very well be your greatest asset.
Give a gift that empowers children’s self-esteem.

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My interview with children's author Laya Brandt

11/15/2022

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Welcome to the blog, Lynn! Now, tell me about yourself.

I write under the pen name of Laya Brandt for children. I am a new author, having written my first book over several years and publishing it with Jurnee Books, an Imprint of Winged Publications in 2021. The second book came out on May 18, 2022 (my birthday) and is a prequel to the first. It supplies the background to the story of the first book.

Tell me about your first two books.

Book 1, Evod and the Children of the Star:

When a mysterious bird, Evod shows up at a private school in New Hampshire, he finds the Children of the Star: David, a shy, awkward boy and Julia, an untidy streetwise girl. He leads them down a strange tree and out of their classroom.

A tent intrigues them, a whirlwind scares them, a treasure chest tests them and a fire comforts them.

Evod also leads them to a glass star in the basement of their school. David takes it to Mel, the janitor, who explains the star’s background and tells them about a book written by David’s great-grandfather. Afterwards, the children give the star to their principal, a sinister character named Mr. Aark. In truth, he and Mrs. Barrey, the secretary, are plotting against David, his parents and the star.

When a nearby school has an explosion, David and Julia try to solve the many mysteries brought about by the appearance of Evod. Mr. Aark threatens David, Julia, and their friend JJ with expulsion unless they give up their quest for the star, but the dove continues to lead, protect, and comfort them.

In this fast-moving tale, the star disappears. David, Julia, and JJ trace it to a millionaire who doesn’t want to share it. Will David, Julia and JJ be able to return the star to its rightful place?

Book 2, Evod and Moishe:

Out of the ashes of World War II emerges a blue and white glass star with special powers. Who made it and why? That is the question before David and Julia, our heroes from the last Evod Series book, Evod and the Children of the Star. Armed with a book written by David’s great-grandfather, Moishe Blum, David and Julia must show the School Board of Naples Christian Academy why the star must be honored there.

The familiar characters of Mel, Mom and Dad Roth, and Mrs. Hingle re-emerge. So does Mr. Strumpstein, the mysterious millionaire the children met in the last book.

In this historical-fiction prequel to Evod and the Children of the Star, you are introduced to Moishe, Edward, and Leah, key characters in the decades-old mystery of the star.

Evod again reveals unsolved mysteries and even future events. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself crying, laughing, and gasping with surprise while reading this exciting tale for kids and adults.

Will David and Julia be able to uncover enough material to prove the mystical star belongs in the foyer of Naples Christian Academy? Will David grow from a wimpy kid to a strong voice for history and his people?

What are you working on now, what inspired it, and how is it topical?

I am working on the third book in the series, tentatively entitled Evod and the Warriors. It is inspired by the confusing and somewhat dangerous times we seem to be living in. I want to offer help and comfort to children as they see clashes in the cultural, physical, and spiritual world. I think it is topical because of all the changes and conflicts we see in our world today.

What do you hope children, and their parents, will take away from your books?

I hope that children and parents take away the idea that there is HOPE. There are unseen helpers that guide and protect us through life. What may seem to be a terrible disaster can become a launching pad for something wonderful through love, friends, faith, and family.

What are your favourite scenes in Evod?

My favorite scenes are when the supernatural dove first appears to the main characters, David and Julia (and Moishe, in the second book.) I love the surprise and curiosity that draw the kids to follow and befriend the dove, Evod. I also love it when Moishe escapes death in the second book and is reunited with his father.

Where do you get your ideas?

My stories generally come from my imagination. I see pictures of scenes and write them down. Then I meditate on them and they are connected somehow to develop a story. Some experiences from my own life were seeds to sprout the plot, but most things just develop from the pictures I see.

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What does PJ love about "Tamara Turtle's Life So Far"?

11/10/2022

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Get something of lasting value for the kids in your life. Cheap toys last a short while, then end up in landfill. "Tamara Turtle’s Life So Far" is a valuable resource and learning tool, and a portion of proceeds go to Little RES Q Reptile Rescue—so you’re also helping turtles! 🐢🐢🐢

Give a gift that makes a difference.

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Find out what Sofia loves best about "Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese"!

11/3/2022

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Did you know that “Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese” was my first picture book? It even goes all the way back to a Grade 6 project of mine at R. A. Sennett Public School. Children’s author Emily Hearn (do any of you out there remember her? She was awesome!) was our guest teacher and took us through the process of creating our very own picture storybooks by hand.

The result was what I called “Down, Out, and Around for Beverly” … a book I wrote and illustrated myself. And the idea stuck with me—all these years later, it’s out there as a bona fide published picture book!

Cheap toys last a short while, then end up in landfill. “Beverlee Beaz the Brown Burmese” emphasizes the importance of letting your imagination run wild! This holiday season, give something of lasting value to the kids in your life. Give a gift worth keeping.

Also available in French as “Beverlee la chatte de Birmanie”!

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#IReadCanadian

11/2/2022

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My 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween wraps up with a Bonus Day of the Dead feature...a preview of a sequel to my picture book "Mixter Twizzle's Breakfast"...

11/1/2022

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It's brief, and it will definitely need to be edited, possibly changing a lot before it's finally published (and I have no idea when that will be...I'm at the very beginning of the process), but here's a little preview of my first Halloween-themed children's book, the second Mixter Twizzle tale:

It’s that time of year
In the neighbourhood of kale
Where ornamental cabbages adorn
The gardens and boulevards
Mini demon and imp extraordinaire
Mixter Twizzle does conjure his friends
For the one time of year they might
Galavant in the public square.
It is Halloween,
The eve of thin veils
Between the world of peoples and animals,
And the land of shadows where monsters do dwell–
When they are not cavorting with chickens
And other farm friends.
This year, Mixter’s hundred and thirteenth…
Mixter does dress his chick—now well on her way to henhood–
In the garb of a spooky creature,
So she might go forth with Mixter and company
Into the night of revels and treats.
When his little hen, Harley, is dressed and ready
He casts his invocation spell
To call on his friends beyond the veil
Who do not live beneath a coop at Riverdale Farm
Like Mixter does.
A dash of witch hazel into a black pot of hot water,
A splash of holiday latte with whipped cream,
A pinch of petrified candy corn,
A smash of smirking jack-o-lantern,
Then Mixter mixes, one, two, three…
…the froth bubbles forth
And explodes with light and smoke
Then is it the right time for Mixter’s chant…
“On Gnazzleboot, on Aarobellow,
On Zinfoot and Cinobrillow!
On Shockofane, Jack-o-Blitz,
Bristolbane, Krinkelnitz
On Swizzfizzbinn, on Roarefaction,
On … Frank!
Sally forthwiths and meets with me
For Halloween treatses and revelses of glee!”

You can get the first Mixter Twizzle book through my website, Mirror World Publishing's shop, and Amazon!

Be sure to check out previous 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween, including 2021, 2020, and 2019...

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Day 13 of my 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween -- it's HALLOWEEN at last! -- with special effects artist and ghost storyteller, Rodd Matsui

10/31/2022

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TODAY IS THE DAY! And I have special guest Rodd Matsui, Special FX Artist and Ghost Storyteller. This time I've got an audio interview for you to listen to while you enjoy some associated imagery...check it out below, and have a ridiculously wonderful Halloween!

Rodd's novel The Night Visitors Book One: A Hot Friday Night was recently released! Click the cover image below to link to the BUY PAGE!

What follows are some trailers and YouTube episodes containing a good deal of footage (and fun!) from Rodd Matsui's featurette Zombie Party...

Plus this fun Halloween special Rodd created, with host Brinke Stevens...

You can find Rodd's podcast at Rodd Matsui Productions on Patreon.com
Rodd's website
Rodd's Artist Facebook Page

And if you're looking to relax after all the horror content you've been consuming during the month of October, enjoy this “Cave Stream Waterfall” - a 15-minute relaxation, meditation, and art piece, in video form created by Rodd:

The Trilogy of Horrifically Half-Baked Ham is not for people who like Great Expectations. Or The Great Gatsby. Or A Soldier of the Great War. Well, maybe you like a GREAT diversity in your literary subject matter, but this trilogy really isn't about being great literature. It's about being great SILLINESS! Great SCHLOCK! Great giggles and great gore--GREAT ENTERTAINMENT. And if you're liking my 13 Days and the kinds of guests I have on this annual series, these books in my Trilogy of Horrifically Half-baked Ham series ARE FOR YOU!

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Day 12 of my 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween...actor Elizabeth Saunders, FROM

10/30/2022

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Elizabeth Saunders has been in TONS of awesome series and movies: Mary Kills People, Clarice, Disappearance at Clifton Hill, Orphan Black, The Strain, Murdoch Mysteries, Goosebumps, Forever Knight - you name it! But what you really want to see RIGHT JUST NOW, if you haven't already is the series FROM. Her performance as Donna is brilliant, and my friend Scott McCord also turns in an excellent performance. You'll see more of both of them, as well as the rest of the incredible ensemble cast in Season 2 next year! But while you're waiting for that particular terror, check out my interview with the lovely Elizabeth Saunders...

Now...check out that KILLER video of the FROM art department literally BUILDING the town! It's on VIMEO...click on the FROM video (top left, or at least it was last time I checked).

Here's the official trailer for FROM Season 1:

And check out this trailer for Disappearance at Clifton Hill!

Find the series and movies Liz is a part of, or that happen to be her favs:

Find Space Zombies: 13 Months of Brain-Spinning Mayhem! on Amazon Prime and more streaming services!

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Find out even more about Audrey's Legacy!Buy your copy of my picture book, Tamara Turtle's Life So Far, and help support Little RES Q...And most important, make your donation to little RES-Q & Audrey's Legacy

It's brief, and it will definitely need to be edited, possibly changing a lot before it's finally published (and I have no idea when that will be...I'm at the very beginning of the process), but here's a little preview of my first Halloween-themed children's book, the second Mixter Twizzle tale:

You can get the first Mixter Twizzle book through my website, Mirror World Publishing's shop, and Amazon!Be sure to check out previous 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween, including 2021, 2020, and 2019...

Rodd's novel The Night Visitors Book One: A Hot Friday Night was recently released! Click the cover image below to link to the BUY PAGE!

What follows are some trailers and YouTube episodes containing a good deal of footage (and fun!) from Rodd Matsui's featurette Zombie Party...

Plus this fun Halloween special Rodd created, with host Brinke Stevens...

Now...check out that KILLER video of the FROM art department literally BUILDING the town! It's on VIMEO...click on the FROM video (top left, or at least it was last time I checked).

Here's the official trailer for FROM Season 1:

And check out this trailer for Disappearance at Clifton Hill!

Find the series and movies Liz is a part of, or that happen to be her favs:

Find Space Zombies: 13 Months of Brain-Spinning Mayhem! on Amazon Prime and more streaming services!

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Find out even more about Audrey's Legacy!
Buy your copy of my picture book, Tamara Turtle's Life So Far, and help support Little RES Q...
And most important, make your donation to little RES-Q & Audrey's Legacy

You can get the first Mixter Twizzle book through my website, Mirror World Publishing's shop, and Amazon!

Be sure to check out previous 13 Horrifically Silly Days of Halloween, including 2021, 2020, and 2019...