My Children's Book Manuscripts
(available)

Reader Reviews

Lizzy and the Twisted Sisters
"very engaging", "one of the best original tall tales I've ever read", "clever and inventive", "highly illustrative" "this funny tall tale has lots of unexpected twists and turns"

Pork Belly
"infectious and fun," "love the rhythm and rhyme scheme and playful language"
 
I'd Rather Be Naked
"who wouldn't?", "captures the real feelings of every child", "fun to read out loud and watch the reactions!" 

An Eggstra Crazy Day
"an energetic and fun way to introduce egg-laying critters" 
"Mr. Grim makes me want to clean my room -- right now!"

DaddyBaby
"laugh out loud funny", "can't wait to see the illustrations"
620 word zany picture book exploring the strange but true theory that adults were once children

Roxy the WonderDog
"the concept/idea for this book is excellent", "sweet and charming"
150 word light verse concept book that packs an early educational punch

 

Descriptions
Completed Manuscripts
Lizzy and the Twisted Sisters
Winner of the SCBWI-MI Fiction Picture Book Mentorship Competition (judged by Newbery Award winner, Lynne Rae Perkins)
In this original tall tale, Lizzy loves order, but three massive troublemakers (tornados) are threatening her tidy world. Lizzy bravely squares off against the bullies, uses her special talent to tame them, and brings peace and right angles to her community once again. (Correlates with math and science curriculum expectations.)

I'd Rather Be Naked
It’s cheeky, all in good fun, and uncovers a universal truth: naked feels good. This 144 word rhymer exposes every child’s frustration about covering up. 

Pork Belly
The Biggest Loser meets Charlotte’s Web in this story of a big pig who reinvents himself as a slim pig to win a blue ribbon at the county fair.  Losing weight stinks, but it’s all worth it when a porker can look in the mirror and see a new reflection -- and a shiny blue ribbon.

Old Dog, New Dog
Old Dog is content with his, um, mature life until New Dog joins the family and upsets the order (and the food bowl). Old Dog will do anything to get his old life back--even help New Dog become lost--until he realizes New Dog makes him happier than he was before.

This humorous story explores universal themes of jealousy, sibling rivalry, embracing change, and the many layers of love. As long as there are new pets and new babies joining families, this topic is timeless. However, this story’s crux hinges on the frisson of egocentric behavior and resulting natural consequences.

An Eggstra Crazy Day
Which came first -- the chicken or the alligator egg? That is the question for new teacher, Miss Miller, and her class. When grumpy Principal Grim presents the class with eggs for the annual chick hatching, he doesn’t know they hold everything but chickens. Can the class save the chick hatching tradition and Miss Miller’s job? All they need is a little luck -- and some tiny chicken costumes.  What they get is a surprising change of heart.

Roxy the WonderDog
This novelty concept book packs an early childhood educational punch.  First, there is the word play of “wonder” dog; Roxy is not a superhero, she just wonders about the world around her.  Second, readers count woodland creatures as Roxy explores.  Finally, the five senses are introduced as the main theme of the text. 

DaddyBaby
This story explores the strange but true reality that adults were once babies.  That's so weird!

Works in Progress
Chasing Home
a middle grade historical novel 
    The power of friendship shines in this story of loss, love, and ultimately, hope.  In 1961, Danny, a twelve year old boy finds himself a half-orphan when his mother dies and his father refuses to sober up and care for him. He's placed in the Holy Family Orphan's Home where forty Cuban boys are living to escape Communist indoctrination. 
    One Cuban boy, Emilio, and Danny find common ground through their mutual desire to return to their old lives and their interest in baseball.  However, when an older Cuban boy bullies Danny, they each must choose their alliance and the clash between cultures becomes clear.   
    Outside influences and abandonment wounds threaten their tentative friendship.  But, when they accept that their old lives are gone forever and recognize the value of their friendship, they forge an unbreakable bond -- and find hope in their future.