Book of the Week - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, Catherynne M. Valente

Bibliophilic wyverns, enchanted woods, an evil Marquess, a magical talisman, dwarven customs agents, djinns, velocipedes--and that doesn't even take into account what's in the title of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. A fantastical tale that's somewhere between Lewis Carroll and Terry Pratchett, Cathrynne Valente's book follows twelve-year-old September, a girl from Omaha, Nebraska, who finds herself whisked away by a fast-talking gentleman called the Green Wind to the world of Fairyland where she has to retrieve a witch's spoon from the fickle Marquess. Still, Cathrynne Valente's imaginative cast of characters and spirited prose turn what could be a standard heroine-on-a-quest story into something on par with the best (and weirdest) classics. (Ages 10-12 ) (Amazon)

Review:

Once upon a time, there was a blogger who got an email about a book. This book had a very long, somewhat pretentious title, and the blogger thought to herself, "It can't be any good" and proceeded to delete that email.....

Please read the rest of the review on Book Nut.

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Book of the Week - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, Catherynne M. Valente

Musings

I am spending this Thanksgiving in The Netherlands with a friend.  Of course, they don't celebrate the holiday here but we will have guests and a turkey dinner on Saturday evening.

This year I am thankful for the opportunity to not drive a car.  I only bike here.  Biking plus walking has resulted in the loss of 25 pounds and much improved physical stamina.

I am thankful for a period of time in which could write the children's book I have always wanted to write.  Related to the book, I am thankful for Amazon Kindle and the other eReaders that make my book feasible. I am thankful for Karen Ohlinger - the best illustrator in the world.

I am thankful for the opportunity to improve my cooking skills.  Dare I call myself an "amateur chef" now, lol?

I am thankful for all the friends and contacts I have made on Twitter recently.

I am thankful for our country which certainly has its problems but remains the greatest country in the world.

I am thankful to God for all of the above and more.

I am thankful for the opportunity to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Musings

Book of the Week - Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, Jonathan Auxier

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes is the utterly beguiling tale of a ten-year-old blind orphan who has been schooled in a life of thievery. One fateful afternoon, he steals a box from a mysterious traveling haberdasher—a box that contains three pairs of magical eyes. When he tries the first pair, he is instantly transported to a hidden island where he is presented with a special quest: to travel to the dangerous Vanished Kingdom and rescue a people in need. Along with his loyal sidekick—a knight who has been turned into an unfortunate combination of horse and cat—and the magic eyes, he embarks on an unforgettable, swashbuckling adventure to discover his true destiny. (Ages 10 and up) (Amazon)

Review:

Last week, we had an amazing, fantastic, captivating visit at Emerson School from Jonathan Auxier, the author of Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. He brought such energy and enthusiasm to our students as he shared about his book - the whole room was captivated, each and every student. That energy is still buzzing through the school and community. Our local bookstore has already had parents requesting Peter Nimble, saying their child couldn't stop talking about it. Here's a silly picture of me with Jonathan - you can get a sense of the excitement his visit generated!.....

Please read the rest of the review on Great Kid Books.

Jonathan Auxier, raised in Canada, now lives with his wife in Los Angeles, where he works as a screenwriter. This is his first novel. You can visit him online at TheScop.com. (Amazon)

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Book of the Week - Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, Jonathan Auxier

Story - "Winter Is Family Time"

This mini-story is based upon the characters in the new book: Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

Last Tuesday Grenby Groundhog began his long winter nap.  Except for a brief appearance at the Winter Solstice Eve celebration, he will sleep until February 15th.  Of course, this means he will issue no more weather forecasts until then.  Before he retired to the lower level of his hut, he raised a single blue flag on his forecast pole.  That is his tradition and indicates he is hibernating.  The Ballymore animals say it doesn't matter too much because they stay indoors for the winter months. The weather is always warm and dry there.

Also in winter, the number of bluebird messenger trips is reduced considerably as are the duck and swan delivery and procurement trips. Everyone has prepared for the season, and they don't need much. This is the time to stay in and be with your family.  This year, there will be a new family activity - Reading Aloud.

The voluntary Ballymore school began in February.   Jonathan Owl and his son Oliver taught reading, writing, and basic math. As was hoped, almost every family had at least one member attending.  So far, the school has been very successful.  Prior to the school opening, most thought it would be nearly impossible to learn to lead.  But now, attitudes are slowly changing. Books and reading are becoming almost magical in some of the animals' minds. 

Rachel Rabbit really enjoyed the school and was a fast learner.  Now that the cold season had arrived, she loved to sit by the hearth and read to her family. She read all kinds of books, and they opened whole new worlds to everyone. Her brother Robbie loved to hear about trains, sister Rain loved fairies, her mother Rhonda liked flower stories, and her father Reginald liked history. Most of the books she read were children's books, but that didn't matter.  Reading aloud became the favored family event after dinner.

Rachel's favorite books were about forests and the animals that lived there. When she grows up, she would like to help Dr. Brigit with treating the residents of Ballymore. She also wants to learn all about the herbs that Dr. Brigit uses. Next spring she plans to have her own small herb garden.

This evening was typical. Rain sat on the rug in front of the hearth and listened intently.  Rhonda sat in a chair and knitted as she listened. Reginald sat in his rocker with his eyes closed. He didn't fall asleep and didn't miss a word. Robbie was closest to the fire so he was in charge of tending it.  Occasionally, one of them asked a question that Rachel usually couldn't answer. 

Tonight she is reading about a freight train in Scotland.  The train is delivering coal through the mountains, and it has been a difficult trip. They have already had one breakdown and now it is snowing.  Up ahead, a boulder has fallen and is blocking the track.  Will the engineer see the boulder in time to stop?

At that point, she put the book down.  Time for a break.

Hot chocolate and oatmeal cookies were served.  They talked about the story and tried to guess what would happen.  The break allowed Rachel to rest her voice a little. When she first began reading aloud, her voice didn't last long.   Now she can read for most of an evening without getting hoarse.

This is good because her reading is in high demand, especially right now. Everyone wanted to know what happened to the train!

Tonight was quite windy and cold but only outside.  Inside, the family shared the warmth of the fire, the book adventures, and each other's company. Thanks to Jonathan and Oliver Owl, many others will do the same.

More Ballymore Stories

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Story - "Winter Is Family Time"

Author Interview Natasha Ferrill, The Lemonman

I am pleased to welcome Natasha Ferrill to Be A Child Again.  She is author of The Lemonman and hails from Canada.  I have selected The Lemonman as a best children's book from those recently published.  Good morning Natasha.  Please tell our readers a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Deep River, a small, close-knit community in Ontario, Canada. After high school, I moved to Ottawa Ontario, where I attended and graduated from Carleton University, with a degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a concentration in Psychology. I was a writer from the very beginning. I asked my mom to teach me how to read just after I turned three years old, and she did using "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss. Since then I've been writing and haven't looked backed.

Why do you believe someone should read your new book?

Not only is the story entertaining and fun, but it also teaches some valuable lessons on friendship, honesty, forgiveness, and the power of kindness toward others. It’s the perfect story to read to young children at bedtime, and for the older kids it’s a great book to help with the transition into chapter books because of the longer text and challenging vocabulary.

What inspired the general plot of the book?

One night when I was three years old, I had a dream about The Lemonman, a character that entered my mind while I was sound asleep in dream-land. He was sitting at a dining room table having Christmas dinner with a worm who was wearing a top hat, and the idea has been stuck in my head ever since! The day after that dream I took a scrap piece of paper from an old agenda book and some markers, and I drew the first illustration of The Lemonman, that was back in 1983! At the time, for whatever reason, he was only a lemon wedge – he has since evolved into a full lemon. I worked on creating the idea and writing The Lemonman stories from the time I was a little girl, but something just never seemed quite right. Through the years, the stories evolved and the characters developed and changed a million times. It wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I finally came up with the entire idea for The Lemonman series – the beginning characters, the town of Applenook and the decision to write entirely in rhyme.

Why did you decide to write The Lemonman in verse?

There are a lot of wonderful children’s books out there in the world but I wanted something that was a bit different from what is currently being sold. I wanted something that flowed in a singsong way. As Dr. Seuss knew, sometimes words have more of an impact when they are said or read in verse.

Writing in verse always interested me. Do you find it difficult to do?

Writing in verse comes very natural to me. When I was a child I used to make my own cards for family and friends and would write them entirely in verse. I was also quite interested in poetry when I was a teenager, so I believe that helped develop the skill.

Do you feel it puts limits on the story or the presentation of the story?

If ever I feel as though my story is limited because of the rhyming then I know I’m heading in the wrong direction. When I get stuck because of my rhyme, that’s when I need to think outside of the box and come up with a different direction completely. So in the end, I do not feel as though writing in verse puts limits on the story because it actually guides me to a better place.

What points, if any, were you trying to make in the book?

I really just wanted to raise the issue of learning how to forgive others, and maintaining respect and kindness even when others might not always follow the same rules.

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

I would love for the child reader to feel a sense of comfort, a sense of happiness and a sense of excitement for future stories with The Lemonman and his friends!

Are you working on something new now?

I have the second story in The Lemonman picture book series already written and illustrations are scheduled to begin shortly. The second book, A Party, Some Rain and Wiggleworm Lane, takes The Lemonman on an adventure with Wormington the Third, and the worm residents of Applenook. In this story, the worms become quite a nuisance and cause rainy-day chaos in the town of Applenook!

“And never trust a worm, my friend, even if he is quite nice,
For a worm request will always come with an unexpected price.”

Looking at the broader picture of reading and literacy, what are your thoughts?

The growing concern with literacy skills in North America warrants the need for earlier reading among children, along with early exposure to books and reading activities within the family home. According to the Ontario Ministry of Child and Youth Services, approximately one-fifth of all children four or five years of age are showing delays in vocabulary development, and by age eight more than one in every three children fail to meet the provincial standards for reading and writing.

High quality picture books need to focus not only on bright and colourful illustrations and fun and entertaining stories, but also on the introduction of challenging words for children. Many existing picture books use simplistic vocabulary that children can easily identify, but with the recent push from parents toward chapter books as opposed to picture books, it is apparent that the picture book world needs some improvement.

The Lemonman series is filled with challenging vocabulary and sophisticated concepts that will inevitably stir up questions for the young reader. The following line from A Picnic, a Toad and Swampwater Road includes the words undoubtedly and astray, as an example of stimulating vocabulary and a sophisticated concept:

“It’s been a pleasure,” Cunningham said, as he wobbled on his merry little way,
Completely unaware that the directions he was given would undoubtedly lead him astray."

Additional features in the series include lessons on time, months, seasons and weather. The time of the year (month and season), the time of the day and the type of weather are noted in every story in the series, to help children learn more about these concepts. An example of the month and weather:

“It was a bird chirping, flower blooming, sunny sort of day,
Smack dab in the middle of the lovely month of May.”

And an example of the use of time:

“Professor Celery and Miss Strawberry agreed to join the fun,
‘We’ll meet at Cherry Blossom Park at a quarter after one!’”

Aside from the educational value and lessons learned, my hope is that someday I can have multiple books published in The Lemonman series, and kids around the world can grow up with these characters in their lives, just as I did with so many classic children’s book characters throughout my childhood. Children need books for so many reasons – not just for fun and learning, but also for a sense of stability in their lives, for comfort, and for the ability to escape into an unknown and magical world where a white rabbit runs late, a boy and his bear play in the forest and a lovable lemon learns about life.

Thank you very much Natasha for your time today and I wish you the best of luck with The Lemonman series.  Please visit The Lemonman website for more information on this delightful verse book.

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Author Interview
Natasha Ferrill, The Lemonman

Book of the Week, Blue Chicken, Deborah Freedman

In this deceptively simple picture book, author-illustrator Deborah Freedman has created an irresistible character that springs to life and wreaks havoc in a farmyard with a pot of blue paint. The innocent chicken just wants to help, but things get worse and worse-and bluer and bluer--the more she tries. Playing with colors and perspective, and using minimal text, this richly layered story reveals new things to see and laugh about with each reading. (Ages 3 and up) (Amazon)

Dad:  Today we're taking a look at "Blue Chicken" by Deborah Freedman.
Lily (age 8):  I wonder if she lives on a farm?
Dad:  So, tell us about this book.
Lily:  Blue Chicken is about a chicken who wanted to help paint the barn.
Gracie (age 11):  Never let a chicken help you paint.  Never.
Isaac (age 13): They'll just mess it up.

Please read the rest of the review of Blue Chicken on Bookie Woogie.

Deborah Freedman (deborahfreedman.net) lives Connecticut, and is also the author and illustrator of the picture book Scribble. (Amazon)

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Book of the Week, Blue Chicken, Deborah Freedman

Story - "The Winter Solstice Gift"

This mini-story is based upon the characters in the new book: Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

Branna Bluebird sat on the highest branch of the tallest tree in Ballymore.  It must have been at least one hundred feet high.  Wind blew the branch and her back and forth.

The Winter Solstice gift partners had just been chosen.  Each year at this time, the animals gathered at the pavilion and picked names from a bucket.  The animal you picked was who you would give a gift to on Winter Solstice Eve.  This was in addition to the gifts for your family.  The drawn names were kept a secret so that no one knew who was going to give them their gift.  This secret made it more fun.  The gift itself was not a surprise.  After the names were drawn, each animal told what he or she wanted for the holiday.

Branna had drawn Birch Beaver, and he wanted toy soldiers.  Where was she going to get toy soldiers, she thought as she swayed on the branch.  For herself, she had asked for a book, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.  She began reading classes in January and was doing well but this book would be a challenge. She liked challenges, so that was good.  She wondered who would be giving her the book.

But her immediate challenge was to find toy soldiers.  Hmmm.  After thinking a while, she realized toy soldiers were probably made from wood.  She would visit Morris Muskrat the furniture builder.  Within minutes she was knocking on Morris's door.  Birk Beaver answered.  He was Morris's apprentice but also Birch's brother.

Now we have a problem.  Branna didn't want Birk to know she was looking for toy soldiers.  Birk didn't want anyone to know that he and Morris were building toy soldiers as a Winter Solstice gift for the young ones of Ballymore.

Branna asked for Morris.  Birk told her that Morris was out but would return soon.  He invited her in and made some tea for them both.  While they were having tea, Birk said, "I need to check on something.  I'll be right back."

What he needed to check on was the paint drying on some toy soldiers in the next room.  He got up, went to the door, opened it quickly and slipped inside.  It was obvious that he didn't want Branna to see what was in the room.  Branna thought that was curious.  He returned shortly and continued with his tea.  Before long he arose again.  He excused himself, saying he had to go to the storage shed.

Branna was now alone in the cottage.  Ninety-nine percent of the time she was a responsible and trustworthy bluebird.  She stared at the door to the room.  What was in there?  She knew she shouldn't go in, but curiosity got the best of her. She walked to the door and opened it slowly.  She couldn't believe her eyes.  Her beak dropped open.

"Wow!  Wow!  Wow!" she exclaimed.

Lined up in perfect rows were the most beautiful toy soldiers she had ever seen.  There must have been nearly a hundred of them, all towering over her.  Just then, the front door opened and in walked Birk and Morris. She turned around embarrassed at having been caught.

Morris said, "Birk, I think we need to put a lock on that door to keep pesky bluebirds from snooping."

He was smiling.

Branna said, "I'm so sorry, but I just couldn't resist."

"Branna, the toy soldiers are our secret gift to Ballymore on Winter Solstice Eve," said Morris.

"I promise, I won't tell anyone," blurted out Branna.  "They are wonderful."

"Thank you," said Morris. 

Calming down, Branna said, "I have a secret also."  Since I now know your secret, you should know mine."

"I came here to ask if you knew where I could get some toy soldiers." She laughed.

Birk immediately shouted, "You drew my brother's name!"

"Yes, it's me."  Branna looked at the floor; embarrassed again.

Morris and Birk laughed.

"Here's what we'll do," said Morris.  "We'll make four extra soldiers for you to give to Birch.  They will have a different colored coat so that he can tell them apart from the others."

"Oh, thank you so much!" exclaimed Branna.  "And I promise to never, ever look in that room again."  

She went and hugged Morris and Birk.

So Branna got her Winter Solstice gift for Birch.  Everyone's secret would be kept, and the Ballymore soldier population grew by four.

More Ballymore Stories

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Story - "The Winter Solstice Gift"

Musings

I am in The Netherlands this fall and have been watching the trees as they prepared for winter. Toward the beginning of October, hints of color began to mix in with the green. The changes appeared sneakily one night when no one could see.  Soon, more leaves joined the conversion and within two weeks it looked and felt like fall.  The color was accompanied by a north wind that made the signs unmistakeable.

But then, I thought I perceived a battle beween the trees and the wind. The trees knew winter was coming and they knew they had to give up their leaves - yet they resisted.  The leaf colors changed from bright and showy to dull, but few leaves fell.  They refused!  That is, until this weekend.  Fresh winds seemingly brushed the trees clean overnight. The brown remnants of the final battle lay on the ground this morning.  Of course, there was no battle.  Nature was operating according to plan and schedule.  Importantly, everything was paced.

The trees can rest now until spring.  We, however, have the fast approaching holidays.  There will be no rest; but the season does not have to be hectic and frantic.  If we can pace ourselves as nature does, the joy of the holidays will shine through.  Take things one day at a time.  Occasionally, look out your window to take notice of the resting trees.

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Musings

Book of the Week, Tuesdays at the Castle, Jessica Day George

Tuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions. But when King and Queen Glower are ambushed and their fate is unknown, it's up to Celie, with her secret knowledge of the castle's never-ending twists and turns, to protect their home and save their kingdom. This delightful book from a fan- and bookseller-favorite author kicks off a brand-new series sure to become a modern classic. (ages 9-12) (Amazon)

Please read the review of Tuesdays at the Castle on Jen's Robinson's Book Page.

JESSICA DAY GEORGE is the author of Princess of Glass and Princess of the Midnight Ball as well as three novels in the Dragon Slippers series. Originally from Idaho, she studied at Brigham Young University and was a movie store clerk, a bookseller, and a school office lady before becoming a writer. Jessica lives with her husband, their two young children, and a five-pound Maltese named Pippin, who often makes cameo appearances in her books..  (Amazon)

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Book of the Week, Tuesdays at the Castle, Jessica Day George

Story - "Unknown" (continued)

This mini-story is based upon the characters in the forthcoming eBook, Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

The weasels looked for some other indication of what had happened to Finn, but they saw only trees and fog.

"How could he just disappear?" exclaimed Wilder.

"I don't know," answered Wilde.  "We have to find him!"

"And what was that green glow and flash?"

"I don't know and I don't care," responded Wilde.  "We will find him!"

They began a careful search of the area.  They crisscrossed each other's path but needed to stay fairly close because of the fog.  They could move only slowly.  The fog was becoming more dense as the temperature continued to fall.  They worked eastward back towards the rabbits' cottage.  Occasionally, they called out his name.  The night was deathly quiet.

They found nothing.

They kept searching until they heard the church bell bong midnight. Midnight.  The witching hour.  On Halloween.  The fog was so dense now that they could not see more than ten feet.

"The fog is getting too thick," said Wilde.  "We have no choice but to go home.  We'll start again in the morning."

There was nothing else they could do, so the two sad weasels began the walk back to their cottage.  They both were thinking that they never should have brought Finn with them.  He was their buddy and now he was missing.  What could have happened!

They reached their cottage and walked in the front door.  To their amazement and dismay, Finn was sitting at the dining table, staring at the wall.

They rushed over to him.

"Finn buddy, where have you been?  What happened?" exclaimed Wilder.

Finn looked at them but didn't respond immediately.  Then he began to talk slowly.

"I.  Where am I?"

"You're in our cottage.  You're safe now," answered Wilde.  "Tell us what happened!"

"I'll make some tea," said Wilder.

Finn began.  "I was walking toward the green glow, and there was a bright flash of light.  The next thing I know was that I was lying on something soft, and I felt warm.  I opened my eyes but everything was still foggy.  Even though I couldn't see anything, I knew I wasn't in the woods anymore.  I don't know where I was.  Then it seemed like I heard my grandfather Phineas's voice.

He told me everything was fine, and he was very happy to see me.  I tried to answer but couldn't.  He said that he was very proud of me.  He said it was important that I learn to read and write.  

"It all was very strange. So strange."

He started to sob.  The weasels put their paws on his shoulders.

"Everything is going to be okay.  You are here with us again," said Wilde.

Finn continued, "After a while, I felt cold again.  I opened my eyes and saw I was back in the woods.  I didn't see either of you.  I felt weak and dizzy but made my way back here.  I'm sorry but I think I lost my beret."

Wilder said, "We found it.  I have it here."

He placed the beret on Finn's head.

"Did you ever see the green glow again?" asked Wilde.

"No"

"You think you met your grandfather Phineas.  We never heard you speak of him," said Wilde.

"My grandfather never lived with us.  He lived about ten miles to the south, and we visited occasionally."

Finn looked up at his friends and said, "He passed away four years ago!"

More Ballymore Stories 

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Story - "Unknown" (continued)

Story - "Unknown"

This mini-story is based upon the characters in the new book, Tales From The Glades Of Ballymore

They met at the Weasels' cottage at 7 bongs. Darkness had enveloped Ballymore.  There was no wind and nothing moved.  Even if it did, you wouldn't see it through the heavy fog.  The ground was damp. Halloween Eve was eerily quiet. This was a night not to be out. The residents knew that and huddled by their hearths.  There were no lighted pumpkins on front porches. Window coverings were pulled tight. No one wanted to attract the attention of the "unknown". Many would retire early.

But for Wilde and Wilder Weasel, this was their night and always had been.  Last Halloween, they sailed the HMS Ballymore around the pond and delivered fresh pies to everyone.  After that, they put on a fireworks show in the center of the pond.  The fireworks brought many from their cottages.  It was quite a rare event.

This year was different.  This year they planned to be the "unknown" that residents didn't want to attract.  For them, it would be great fun. Joining them was Finn Frog.  He had begged and pleaded to come with them on Halloween.  Eventually they had agreed. 

The Weasels were dressed in their familiar camouflage outfits with jacket, pants, black boots, and beret.  For the occasion they gave Finn a beret to wear. That really made him feel like part of the team.  Their plans had been rehearsed, and they were ready.

Wilde looked out into the fog and said, "Wilder, do you remember the fog we saw last Halloween?"

"Oh yes!  On the island.  It didn't move even though it was windy. Reginald Rabbit told of the same fog last week in his story at Petunia's."

Finn had shuddered last week when he heard the story.  He shuddered again, now.  But he was a brave frog and wouldn't let the weasels see that he was nervous.

The group of three moved slowly and quietly to the edge of the woods behind the cottage.  Finn stared into the woods but could only see about twenty feet because of the fog.  He saw nothing and heard nothing. Following Wilde, they walked south and then east.  They were headed to the Rabbits' cottage.  After about 1/2 bong (30 minutes), they were crouched down behind it.  

As with the other cottages, the windows were covered, but some light seeped out here and there.  Smoke rose straight up from the chimney. Those were the only indications of life within or without.  Wilde and Wilder climbed a tree whose branches overhung the roof, and they quietly jumped onto it.  Wilde took a small sheet of metal from his pouch and slid it part way over the chimney opening.  He didn't want to block the chimney.  He just wanted to slow the fire down so that the cottage would get chilly.  They sat on the roof and waited.  They could hear Rachel Rabbit reading a story to the family.  Finn picked up a branch from the woods and moved into position under the back window.  He waited also but kept staring at the woods.  He thought he saw things moving in the fog, but it was probably his imagination.

After about 1/2 bong, Rachel stopped reading and said, "Papa, I'm getting cold."  The family agreed, the cottage was cooler.  

Reginald looked at the fire and said, "The fire is very low.  Hmmm."

The weasels then began scratching on the roof with their claws.

"I hear something!" cried Rachel.  They all looked upward and then huddled together.

Reginald said, "I think something is blocking the chimney.  I should go look."

Rhonda, his wife, said, "No, please stay in here.  Let's just go to bed early." 

He didn't argue because he really didn't want to "go look".  The Weasels and Finn heard all this and were smiling with glee.

Now it was Finn's turn.  He took the branch and softly hit the window he was under.  

Rachel screamed, "Papa, what is it?"

Up on the roof, Wilde said, "Okay, enough is enough."

He removed the chimney block and they jumped from the roof. Finn joined them and the three "unknowns" went to the front door. Wilder knocked loudly.

From inside, Rhonda said, "What should we do?'

Reginald answered, "I am going to open the door."

Everyone else pleaded - No!

"I have to," he answered.  Reginald walked to the door and slowly opened it.

In unison, Wilde, Wilder and Finn yelled, "Happy Halloween!  You've been weaseled!"

They quickly ran from the door, back towards the woods, leaving the Rabbit family with their mouths open.  They kept running until they felt sure they were not being chased and then stopped to rest.

Finn said, "That was great.  Did you hear them?"  He was excited.

Wilder said, "Yeah, we really scared them!"

Wilde was a bit more subdued, "Yes, it went quite well.  Tomorrow we'll bring them a fresh pie as an apology."

Then they heard a sharp crack come from the woods.  It sounded like a branch breaking.  That quickly put an end to the conversation as the three stared into the woods.  They waited.

A second crack was heard.

"What is that?" whispered Finn.  No one answered.

Then about twenty feet into the woods, a barely perceptible green glow slowly rose from the wet forest floor.

Wilde said, "Let's get out of here!"  He began to walk quickly away. After thirty feet, he turned and looked back.  Wilder was with him but Finn was not.  They saw Finn creeping into the woods towards the glow.

The Weasels ran back towards Finn and yelled, "Finn, stop!"

Finn ignored their plea and continued.  Before he reached the glow, there was a brilliant flash of green light.  The weasels had to close their eyes. When they opened them, there was nothing.  The green glow was gone. Finn was gone!

Both weasels moved slowly through the fog to where Finn had been.  They looked down at the damp leaves. There was a thin coating of green slime covering them.

Wilde reached down and picked up a beret.

Click To Continue

Illustrations by Karen Ross Ohlinger

Story - "Unknown"