Transport Yourself And Your Children Back To A Simpler Time

Remember when responsibilities and worries were few?  Everyone was so kind and the world seemed magical.  Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore can take you there. Welcome to Ballymore.

The setting is deep in the Irish countryside surrounding a large pond in the year of 1891. The lovable animal residents have the ability to speak and have created a self-sustaining community that has existed for many years. The success of the community is rooted in the caring and sharing they extend to each other. The underlying theme of the book is the "Golden Rule".

You are most welcome to join the animals as they help each other through their many adventures -- big and small. 

There is Bartholomew, the wise old owl, who watches over everyone including:

Branna Bluebird - the brave, spunky messenger;

Wilde and Wilder Weasel - the mischievous, unofficial security guards;

Finn Frog - whose middle name is "Adventure";

Grenby - the eccentric, weather forecasting groundhog;

The Chipmunks - who seem to attract trouble wherever they go;

The "Pond Creature";

and many more.

This is a heartwarming, humorous, and adventurous book of intertwined tales that the whole family can enjoy together. The book is intended for parents to read to their younger children. It is also intended to be read alone by children eight and older but can be appreciated by anyone still young at heart.  The classic tales are enhanced by beautiful full-color illustrations.

The world can be a harsh place for children.  It can be a harsh place for everyone.  My intention for this book is to provide a respite - a place of softness.  Let children enjoy their childhood and not grow up too soon.  And when they do grow up, let's leave some pieces of softness in their hearts for the future benefit of all.

You may also enjoy my other book, Ballymore Adventures, Book 1, which features ten short-stories about these same animals.  It is written for younger children.

Thank you,

Bob Brooks

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Transport Yourself And Your Children Back To A Simpler Time

Story - "A Red Rose"

This mini-story is based upon the animal characters in the children's book: Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

Rachel Rabbit decided she would like to make a new friend. She didn't know who it would be, but that would be part of the fun. So she got up early one day and went to the garden with one of her mother's baskets. She filled it to nearly overflowing with many kinds of beautiful flowers. There were roses and Canterbury bells and poppies and more. In addition to looking beautiful, they smelled wonderful.

It was a lovely day for a bunny hop, and she decided to go to a glade about 1/2 mile into the woods. She had only been there once before, but it seemed like a nice place to find a friend. When she arrived, she placed the basket on the ground, sat down, and waited. The ground was covered in soft moss and clover. Bees were buzzing all around the clover. At first, she heard no sounds even though she listened very hard. Then a few birds began to tweet, and possibly, she saw a squirrel hiding in a nearby tree. She decided to just sit there and remain very quiet and see what would happen.

Suddenly two sparrows landed on the edge of her basket. She was about to say hello when they grabbed a poppy and flew away into the woods. That was a bit rude, she thought. Then a small rabbit hopped quickly through the glade but seemed not to even notice her.

Nothing else happened for a while, and before she knew it, she heard the church bell from Waterford bong 12 times. She should go home for lunch. Rachel stood up and said to whomever could hear her, “I have to go home for lunch now but I’ll leave the flower basket here. Anyone is very welcome to take and enjoy the flowers.”

Then someone said, “I would like a flower but I can’t walk to the basket.”

Rachel thought the voice was coming from a hollow in a large oak tree and hopped over to it with her basket. She looked inside and saw an old squirrel with one leg wrapped in a cloth.

The squirrel said, “Welcome to my home. My name is Chauncey.”

Rachel responded, “My name is Rachel Rabbit, and I am very pleased to meet you. How did you hurt your leg?”

“I fell out of a tree when I tried to jump between two branches. I guess I’m not as young as I used to be.”

“I’m very sorry. I hope you get better soon,” said Rachel kindly. “Which flower is your favorite?”

“I think the red roses are beautiful."

“Yes, they are.” She picked out the biggest rose and gave it to the squirrel.

“Thank you so much,” said the squirrel. “I know you have to go now, but would you like to come back and visit some time?”

“I would be honored to come and visit, and I would like to be your friend," she said.

“Then we shall be friends,” said Chauncey and smiled.

Rachel said, "I do have to leave now, but I promise to return soon for a visit."

Chauncey said goodbye, and she began her hop home.

Rachel was thrilled. She had made a new friend with just a red rose.

More Ballymore Stories

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Story - "A Red Rose"

A New Short-Story

Tuatha De Danaan
A KNOCKREEDY SHORT-STORY

From Connaught's storm-battered, rocky coast to the mist shrouding the obelisk at Glendalough;

From St. Patrick's mountain to the Hill of Tara;

Ireland remains a land of beauty and mystery.

Old men in remote pubs still spin their tales of ancient warrior races that swept over the sceptered isle eons ago. They tell of the spirits that still roam the land today.

It's a cold, windy Saturday night in Knockreedy. You are most welcome to sit in at Sweeny's and enjoy the lamb stew. The "Old Man" is about to begin a personal tale of the Tuatha de Danaan.

This short-story takes you back to 19th century Western Ireland when people and the Otherworld coexisted.

Now Available At Amazon

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

A New Short-Story

Fantasy Book of the Week:The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands. 

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead. 

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart. (From Amazon)

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Fantasy Book of the Week:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

A Snippet from: Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

It was 8 bongs now, dark, cloudy, and windy.  There were whitecaps on the pond.  The wind direction had shifted slightly, and spray from the pond was occasionally hitting the windows.  They continued to rattle.  Unlike most cottages, this one had no storm shutters.  Morris meant to add them, but he was always too busy.  Burton couldn’t help but notice the missing shutters and offered to build and install them after the storm ended.

“That is very gracious of you.  Thank you,” Morris responded.

Belva was watching the storm from a front window.

Suddenly she yelled, “Come quick.  I think I see something!”

They rushed to the windows.

Her father asked, “What do you see, dear?”

“There, to the left of the dock, there is a big shape in the water.  I think it’s moving.  Can you see it?”

Everyone squinted, trying to see through the storm.  Indeed, to the left of the dock was a large dark oval shape, apparently partially submerged.  It was not smooth but had a number of parallel ridges on it.  It wasn’t floating on the water because leaves and other debris were moving by it.

“It’s probably a log,” her father said.

Then, the “log” turned and looked at them with, what seemed to be, two large red eyes.  Belva screamed.

Birk yelled, ”What is it Papa?  Let’s go out and see!”

“You will do no such thing!” said their mother.

“Your mother is right.  We’re not going out in this storm,” agreed their father.

They continued to watch from the windows as best they could.  Soon the shape with eyes, sank below the water and disappeared.  The children were scared and fascinated at the same time.

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

A Snippet from: Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

Fairy Tale Book of the Week: Princess Callie and the Totally Amazing Talking Tiara by Daisy Piper

Despite her highly abnormal name, Calandria Arabella Philomena Louisa Anastasia Richards tries very hard to fly under the radar. So she knows her life has gone crazy when she passes a note to her best friend: 

“Lewis—something strange happened to me this morning.I got a message in my Alpha Bits that said I was a princess and I had to help this place called Albion in their fight against an evil queen.

C.


P.S. Dad says you can come for pizza tonight."

On her quest to stop a bloodthirsty queen, Callie will have to steer a near-sighted dragon, decipher an ancient riddle, and learn to command a tiara that talks back! And to save this magical world she only just discovered, Callie must risk more than she ever thought possible...

"Princess Callie and the Totally Amazing Talking Tiara is rip-roaring, side splitting good fun! It’s a modern day fairy tale filled with magic, laughter, and a delightful cast of characters that will sweep you off your feet.

Debut author Daisy Piper has created a charming and loveable young heroine who will steal your heart and keep you smiling from the first page to the last, in this classic tale of an everyday girl who discovers she can be and do so much more than she ever imagined possible. Readers will cheer from the rooftops for Callie, and will eagerly await the next instalment in this fresh and exciting new series."

-USA Today betselling author Julianne MacLean (From Amazon listing)

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Fairy Tale Book of the Week:
Princess Callie and the Totally Amazing Talking Tiara by Daisy Piper

Interview with Susan Ross

Today I am pleased to interview children's book author Susan Ross.  Susan is the author of four hilarious picture books: The Great Bellybutton Cover-up, Say Please to the Honeybees, The Kit Kat Caper, and The Rose and the Lily and is currently working on Emma the Mouse Brings Joy to the House. She has a B.A. in psychology and a B.Ed. with a specialty in primary education. She was born in Toronto and now lives in London, Ontario with her husband, Nathan, and a menagerie of animals.

Good morning, Susan.  Welcome to "Be A Child Again".  Please tell us why someone should read your book, The Rose and the Lily.

SR:  Thank you, Bob.  The Rose and the Lily is a beautifully illustrated fairy tale about Rose, a stunning but vain and spoiled princess, and a homely but kind-hearted peasant girl named Lily. The story illustrates the proverbs “beauty is only skin deep” and “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Every child should read this book because it emphasizes that character is more important than beauty.

What inspired the general plot of the book?

SR: The story was created for an event at a strawberry festival at London’s Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Initially the princess sent the prince on a quest for the perfect fruit (strawberries, of course). I changed the quest for our city’s children’s festival. It became a search for the perfect hairpin. 

What points were you trying to make in the book?

SR: The media, especially television, is constantly bombarding children with the message that their self-worth is dependent on their physical attributes. The Rose and the Lily challenges this assumption through humour. The story emphasizes that beauty itself is subjective and a matter of perception. As the story progresses Princess Rose becomes less and less attractive to the prince because she’s rude and selfish; Lily, on the other hand, becomes prettier and prettier because she’s kind and smart and funny.

How would you like the reader to feel after they finish reading the book? 

I want people who read the story to have a big, satisfied smile on their face and to realize that they are worthy of love and respect exactly as they are.

The book sounds very interesting.  Do you intend for it to be valuable for both boys and girls? 

Absolutely. The concept of character being more important than beauty is important for all children to grasp. I read the manuscript to hundreds of children and ensured that the humour would be enjoyed by both boys and girls. The princess is hilariously horrid. I made the horse's part in the story more prominent as well to make it more boy-friendly and added a dragon and orgre.

What age group is it best read by?

I'd say 5 to any age for girls. Ages 5-9 (grade 4) for boys.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a book called Emma the Mouse Brings Joy to the House.  It is about childhood cancer. It deals with the issue of hair loss due to chemotherapy in a whimsical and sensitive manner. A family of mice live in Sydney’s dollhouse. Emma the mouse is Sydney’s best friend and helps her through her battle with cancer. Kids and parents will laugh at the mice’s antics. (Parents may tear up in some parts.) The book is about friendship, courage, hope and, naturally, happy endings.

Almost every family has been affected by cancer in some way. Your new book will be a welcome addition to children's books. What inspired this book? 

The story was originally about a mouse that yearned for long hair just like the little girl with whom it “shared” a farmhouse. Thoughts of my childhood friend, who had a type of cancer called leukemia, somehow merged with this storyline and the two concepts began to fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. Thus Emma the Mouse Brings Joy to the House was created.

What are your thoughts regarding the value of children's books to adults?

No matter how old we get, we still want to laugh. A good children’s book will entertain an adult as much as a child. I loved many of the books I read to my daughter as much as she did. My Mother is Weird by Rachna Gilmore, for example, is hysterical. 

Are there any other subjects you would like to discuss or points you would like to make?

In a society obsessed with appearance it is important to assure children that, in the real world, character is what truly counts. 

Who or what inspired you to want to become a writer?

Many (many) years ago I was a storyteller. At one venue a woman came up to me and told me I should write my stories down for my future grandchildren (which I STILL don’t have). I dabbled in writing a bit but didn’t get serious until I saw the movie The Bucket List. Since I didn’t want to “kick the bucket” before getting my stories published, I began writing in earnest. 

Why do you prefer to write children’s books?

It’s fun! I love being a children’s author. I get to use my imagination and quirky sense of humour. I love doing crafts and am able to encourage children to love them as well by including a craft in each of my books. I get to collaborate on the illustrations with my talented illustrators. And best of all, I get to go into primary classrooms and encourage children to read and write for the fun of it by reading my stories and telling children all about the publishing process.


What were your favorite books when you were a child/teenager?

My favourite books were A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I read them to my daughter and yes, I’ve read them again as an adult just for pleasure. (P.S. Although I am an atrocious speller, “favourite” is not spelled incorrectly. I am Canadian.)

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?

Yes, because (shhhh, don’t tell the kids) I AM the impolite little witch walking around on my knees demanding Kit Kats in The Kit Kat Caper. (Some people will do anything for a Kit Kat.)

Which authors have influenced you the most? 

I would say Pheobe Gilman. She had craft instructions on how to make a pig in her wonderful book The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs. I loved that idea and have made having a craft in every book my “signature.”

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 

Here it is and I can’t emphasize this enough: BEFORE publishing your story read the manuscript to children, lots and lots of children (at schools, libraries, camps, etc.). Then take your story home, rewrite it according to their comments, and do it again and again until 90% of the kids love it. (You’ll never please everyone so don’t even try.) Praise from your family and friends is NOT enough of a reason to publish your book. 

When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

I always wanted to be a teacher. As a child I would put my many stuffed animals in a circle around my blackboard and “teach” them.

What do you do in your free time?

What free time? Oh, you mean when I’m not writing, editing, collaborating with my illustrator, researching, marketing, selling… that free time. Well, I garden; I take my teeny tiny dog, Abby for a walk; I watch (too much) T.V.; and I read historical romance and thrillers, usually with Lucy the rabbit. (We’re always joined by Abby and sometimes joined by Theo and/or Moses, my cats. If I’m on the porch, odds are you will find Lucy, Abby and Theo snuggled together on my lap. Either they’re very small or I have a very big lap.) Oh, and I eat chocolate. Anybody have any…Kit Kats?

What's your favorite season/weather? 

I like spring and fall. It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold. (Hmmm, I sound like baby bear which is appropriate since I generally hibernate during winter.) In spring I look forward to gardening. In fall I love the leaves changing colour.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you? 

You have nothing to lose by trying. (Just be fiscally responsible.)

Susan, thank you very much for your time.  I wish you the best of luck with your great books.  Dear readers, Susan's books are available on Amazon.  Please take a look.

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Interview with Susan Ross