Children's Books!

Time for children's books! Here are the continued super ranking for Chester the Chesapeake (Book One) in the US Kindle store today:

#9,308 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Children's Nonfiction > People & Places > Social Situations
#8 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Children's Nonfiction > Animals
#14 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Animals > Dogs

This is a lovely children's book series (there is a book Two and book Three) - Chester inspires good behavior in children and the books are illustrated with real pictures of the dog(s) and the stories are told from Chester's point of view. (Of course, the paperbacks are in color!).

"Young children will find it easy to relate to Chester the Chesapeake as he learns to share, listen, follow the rules, and ultimately, be of service to his larger community." Chester is a winner!"

Galastra (The Space Adventures of J.B.R.)

When thirteen year-old Beth Ryder and her widowed mother move to a new home by the sea, their lives are changed forever when they meet a friendly family of aliens from another galaxy. The family consists of twelve year-old bossy boots, Tilzi; her eleven year-old wimpy brother, Azbon; their huge alien dog, Raz; and their father, Vinrik. Beth eventually learns the amazing truth about her new friends, and her ordinary life becomes extraordinary when she and her mother are invited to live with the aliens on their magnificent starship called Galastra.

Temporarily parked in the outer reaches of the solar system, Galastra is so big that it's a world of its own, a magical world of starcars, house-ships, robots, holograms, and spaceships. Join Beth as she takes a journey to the stars, braves dangers, meets interesting aliens and robots, spacewalks, and discovers the wonders of Galastra.

May I mention The Time Hunters (Book 1 of the acclaimed series for children of all ages). It's 72 pence and has now attained 49 out of 54 Five stars in the UK, for which I am truly grateful. :)

Can I mention - Parody Lightfoot and the Bane of Time

New author, new on kindle. For ages 13-100!!

Thanks for the thread, if I might mention my latest children's title:

Geb's Revenge
Sayed and Omar are the keepers of an ancient and sinister secret. Now the secret wants out, and a peaceful little museum is about to get an unwanted donation...

and this one is YA:

The Night the Aliens went on Strike
When noise abatement officers Colin and Tony investigate a complaint one wintry night, they little suspect the culprits are not of this Earth...
Now, drawn into an intergalactic employment dispute, they must fight to save the world - and sort out a barking dog or two

Best wishes
Mark

The Science Thieves

His parents despise him.
His doctor is out for his blood. Literally.
Life is not going so well for Daniel Smith.
Until he discovers a robot in the woods.
Then things take a serious turn for the strange.

NATTY the UK version of George Cook' s children's book Nappy. A book letting little black girls know how beautiful they and their hair are.NATTY

Chester the Chesapeake is one heck of a dog. He hasn't written only one book, but three!

Chester the Chesapeake (Book One)
Chester the Chesapeake: Summertime (Book Two)
Chester the Chesapeake: Wintertime (Book Three)

Available on KDP select until June: Hesty Bunny's New Home
a picture book with rhyming story.

Hello, readers and authors!
I am Helen Laycock, author of eight children's books and two collections of short stories for adults. You can find me here on Amazon and on Goodreads.

If you are looking for good quality children's fiction in ebook format at the fraction of the cost of paper books, you may be interested in the following (Visit Shelfari for 'Book Extras' if you would like more detail than is written below):

For readers aged 7 - 12:

Glass Dreams
Runaway, Jake, has no idea what adventures are in store when he meets circus performer, Khala, hiding in a ramshackle caravan.
Should he tell her about the mysterious box he has been warned never to open? Khala also has a secret to share, but can she trust Jake?
Fantazi's circus is a place of danger, but with the help of Cedric the dwarf and his beloved Chihuahua, Audrey, the children unravel the truth and are utterly astounded at the biggest secret of all.

5* Review:
Excellent opening to the story. This author does not patronize her young readers by using language that it too simple thereby stretching their imagination. The story moves along well and keeps up the excitement. I was particularly taken by the descriptions of some of the events. For example the laying of the "Dirty" trail, in the caravan by the dog was very well done. Another good feature is the use of just a few important characters in the story thus allowing it to move along without too many red herrings. In all an exciting read.

5* Review:
A really good read - even for big kids!
I read this book to find out if it was suitable for my 10 year old daughter and to be honest I couldn't put it down! It's a brilliant story and so well written - my daughter will also love it I'm sure.

Salt
For Toby, a holiday at Pirate's Cove is nothing like he expected it to be...
With the help of Hattie, a strange local girl, her dog Scamp and Rufus, the intelligent rat, the secrets of Salt Guesthouse are unravelled. Why are there mysterious beach fires and eerie singing at night? What is Hattie hiding? Why has a dead man been spotted in the town and why are the children in such grave danger?

Mandrake's Plot
Evie and Mia meet on a train on their way to St. Agatha's Boarding School for Girls. When they are dropped off at a disused railway station in the middle of nowhere with no one to meet them, they trek through the pelting rain and darkness for miles until they find a sign to St.Agatha's which points to an unlikely overgrown track leading up a mountain path.

The school is a foreboding place, set high up on a mountain, surrounded by a sea of mist, and overlooking a loch. Coming face to face with the grotesque caretaker, Mandrake, does nothing to allay their fears. What is the significance of the strange rings worn by Miss Blackthorn, the head teacher? Why does Evie not receive any post from her parents?

Evie and Mia stumble across a forgotten burial chamber where the skeleton of Sister Beatrice lies, clutching a note. The note details a curse which she has laid on the land. Locked in the chamber as a punishment, the girls uncover an old book within which is the antidote to the curse, but it is hidden in code.

The girls then make a terrible discovery. Are they daring and innovative enough to plan a scheme that will foil evil and get them out of a dangerous situation?

Song of the Moon
Isadora Wellington, known as Izzy, befriends Titania Moonsong, a wheelchair bound old lady who lives at 13 Arnison Road. Rumour has it that Mrs Moonsong is a witch, which is hardly surprising: she has a black cat, Macbeth, and an array of herbs in her garden from which she makes peculiar concoctions. She also has an uncanny aptitude for pre-empting whatever Izzy is about to say, or, indeed, is thinking and her favourite piece of music is `The Sorcerer's Apprentice'.

As Izzy is helping Mrs Moonsong one day, she discovers a hidden door blocked by a cupboard.

Mrs Moonsong mysteriously disappears. In her place is a strange hippie, Dylan, her nephew. He is unwilling to engage in conversation with Izzy and Joe, her cousin, so they are forced to spy on the house from the track at the back of the garden. They discover Mrs Moonsong's wheelchair in the garden shed. Without it she is stranded.

Believing he has something to do with his aunt's disappearance, the children continue to spy on Dylan who seems to be engrossed in collecting strange ingredients for a `recipe' which turns out to be a spell. It seems that Mrs Moonsong's house was built where ley lines meet, and that, if a witch should happen to live in such a place, then evil is magnified. The spell requires that the house should be burned down at full moon.

A potion needs to be secretly administered to Dylan. The plan succeeds, but only partly. Dylan has locked himself in the secret room with Mrs Moonsong when he falls into a drugged sleep and blocks the door. He has already set the house alight at this point. It is a race against time to get the key...

4* Review:
I enjoyed reading The Song of the Moon. Helen has a clear voice, it is as if I can hear her reading to me.
I loved the names of the characters, and thought that Titania Moonsong sounded a lovely woman. Izzy made me think of a more sensible Pippi Longstocking. I liked the way Helen gradually built up Dylan the nephew into an every more wacky character (especially the bit at the end with the white coat - read it and see).
Helen scatters a few unusual words into her prose, and it was fun looking them up using my kindle. This book has a satisfying plot and is very tidily linked together. I enjoyed the colourful description of the hippy festival, and the exciting climax to the story.
I hope Helen gets lots of readers. I've just downloaded another of hers.

Martha and Mitch
Martha is humble and unspoilt, despite living a life of utter luxury at Lottery Lodge with her (mostly absent) father and step-mother, Penelope.

She has a circular bedroom with ever-changing scenery upon the curved wall and, in the centre, her bed rotates under a silver canopy above which the ceiling is lit like the Milky Way. In Martha's library, a conveyor-belt shelving system automatically files returned books into alphabetically correct spaces and her bathroom is like an undersea kingdom. The most extraordinary toys fill her glass-walled playroom, invented by her father's brilliant employee, the ancient Willoughby Withers, and, from there she looks out onto the playground of dreams. But Martha is lonely.

Mitch lives at the boys' orphanage, a dilapidated mansion which is owned and run by the kind Ariadne Scattypants who keeps no record of names or numbers. Ariadne, however, has a heart of gold. She feeds and clothes the orphans and never ever turns any boy away.

Neither child has any idea about the life the other is leading.

Between Lottery Lodge and the orphanage is a dense wood and it is here that a band of wild boys live, boys who, as a rite of passage, have had to leave the orphanage due to a lack of beds as new, younger boys continue to arrive. Mitch finds himself at their mercy, but somehow manages to scrabble his way out of the woods, emerging at Martha's wonderful home.

However, here, too, things are taking a sinister turn. With the aid of Withers' newest invention, Penelope has hatched a devious, failsafe plan to eliminate Martha. She has been concealing a deep secret which must not be revealed at any cost.

Will Martha and Mitch uncover the truth or will the devious Penelope succeed in getting her evil way?

Mr Charlie Chumpkins
Imagine Sam's shock when he discovers that a tiny man, Charlie Chumpkins, has been living under his bed for some time and imagine, too, the pressure of keeping his little friend a secret. Sam manages to come to the rescue each time Charlie gets himself mixed up in a mishap...and there are plenty of them, from being catapulted into a tree, to being dyed blue to falling into a supermarket freezer.

But what will happen when a campsite bully discovers Charlie on holiday and sends him up in a model aeroplane? Can miniature Charlie ever survive the immense power of the sea?
And what surprise does the magician have in store at Sam's birthday party?

5* Review:
An enjoyable and exciting read. This unbelievable event (the appearance of a tiny man under Sam's bed) is very cleverly introduced in a way which makes it seem quite ordinary; most young boys have rubbish under their beds, ask their mothers, and it would not seem surprising to most of them that Charlie has existed on the leavings from Sam's breakfast. The little man moves into Charlie's life and his adventures in the larger world are portrayed in an exciting but realistic way. The reader is carried along through a series of problems which would exist if one was as small as Charlie and when the end of the story approaches it becomes obvious that we must wait for the next book to resolve his latest escapade!

The Further Mishaps of Charlie Chumpkins
Charlie Chumpkins, Sam's miniature friend, has now settled very well into the big world, yet wherever he find himself he seems to meet with adventures. From being delivered with a pizza, to surfing on a ray, to getting into a tizz at the hospital, he manages to emerge unscathed every time. But what happens when he is carried off by a magpie or lost in deep snow? And, when Sam himself is in trouble, of what use can such a tiny friend such as Charlie actually be?

This is a sequel to Mr Charlie Chumpkins, also available on Amazon Kindle.

A Mouthful of Chuckles
Health Warning!
Kids, don't read this with your mouth full... You may choke on a chipolata!

This is a rib-tickling book of rhyming children's poetry with illustrations, to be enjoyed over and over again by school children, teachers, parents and grandparents. And your pets if they're interested!

4* Review:
I love this book! Helen has a lovely way of writing, and the rhythms in the poems are infectious. I love the glass eye, the mouse curled asleep in the trainer, and much more. Please write some funny poems for grown-ups too :).

And for adults:
Peace and Disquiet
A collection of twelve slightly disturbing tales which encompass mortality, mentality, brutality...and reality.
Sleep tight...

5* Review:
Beware! Not for the faint hearted! Read and weep!
Well, I didn't expect such dark tales but that's what you get. Very sinister and sometimes quite gruesome in places but this author writes in such a way that you can't help but turn the page - even if you get a shock in doing so!!
I would recommend giving this book of tales your time - you will be moved in more ways than one!!
Enjoy at your peril!

Light Bites
A collection of twelve light-hearted, satisfying tales to savour in those precious moments of peace during the day.

Ahhhh...

5* Review:
A thoroughly enjoyable book of short stories.
The author writes so well, in such a 'real' way that I found myself immersed in each tale. Her characters are easy to relate to and there is lots of humour that keeps you entertained. I thoroughly enjoyed every story and would definitely recommend it.
Great!

I hope you enjoy selecting and reading a book or two from the above links. All reviews will be gratefully received. Thank you.

N.B.
I inadvertently posted this onto the wrong forum yesterday. It was a genuine mistake and I apologise.

WARNING

A spokesperson for the Coffinsgrave Police confirmed late last night that Henry and Doris Pankhurst were mysteriously abducted from their three storey Victorian home at approximately 2.00am. Their Grandson, Brian Pankhurst, was rescued just in time by the two monsters known as Sam & Hadley.

It is presently unclear as to how the kidnappers broke into the Pankhurst's home but the Coffinsgrave Police are not ruling out the use of the Soobius System or the possible use of magic. As of 7.00am this morning there has been no contact from the kidnappers and no demands for a ransom. A member of the Coffinsgrave Committee, who did not wish to be named, stated that this incident has no connection, what-so-ever, with the recent claims of a Diefromen having being sighted in the vicinity.

Should you have any information in connection with the abduction of Brian's Grandparents then please check, Brian, His Granddad & The Cup of Ages

Thanks for starting this thread for children's books, Dr Barbara!

May I add: Alice Parker's Metamorphosis (Book 1 of the new adventure series for children)

Here's the blurb:
Thirteen-year-old Alice Parker knows something isn't right; mysterious aches and pains, a craving for sugar that's out of control. Suddenly she is top of the class in every subject.

Baffled by what is happening to her and feeling at odds with the world, Alice can't take much more. Only when she collapses and experiences a life-changing transformation does she discover why she is different.

But this new, incredible identity brings its own challenges and Alice isn't convinced she can rise to them. She just wants to be normal!

The fact is she's anything but...

Alice Parker and the Mind Magician (Book 2 of the new adventure series for children) is also out now.

Just launched this week!

The Chester the Chesapeake Trilogy (The Chester the Chesapeake Series)

Chester the Chesapeake is one heck of a dog. He hasn't written one book but three!

This single volume edition features all three of Chester's books in the Chester the Chesapeake series. Beginning as a puppy, Chester grows and learns to share, follow rules, and give back to his community as a therapy dog. Other dogs and a cat join the household and the unique personalities of all the dogs shine.

Children love entering Chester's world with real pictures and first person narration. However, this trilogy is so much fun, it's a family affair!

This is a bargain priced book at 4.41! Like the cover?

The Trilogy includes the following books:
Chester the Chesapeake Book One
Chester the Chesapeake Book Two: Summertime
Chester the Chesapeake Book Three: Wintertime

Good morning everyone. Glad to see more folks posting children's books.

Nicola, you're welcome. I tagged your first book. Looks like your series is for ~ 9-12 year olds.
Hi Helen. Looks like you're prolific.
Going to go check out the others!

Yes, I'm sorry if I've taken over the page, Doctor Barbara!
Good luck with Chester!!

Didn't mean to be away from the thread - heck, I was staying at a hotel with horrible internet access!

We'll bump the thread up and let the search for more children's book writers continue!

Oh, while I was away I had a super 'paw' signing with Chester. He sold 20 books and the kids loved him. I posted pics on his website on 'Chester's page." Not that any of us have any 'extra time' but whatever....

http://dogbooksforchildren.weebly.com

Later...

Thanks for the thread, Doc!

New this week: Chronicles of Time: Book 1 by J C Allen. Check out the YouTube video for a blurb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyBxe1CUwB4&feature=channel&list=UL

Enjoy!

Tales from the Edge - A Child's Play Story Collection

A collection of short stories for children of all ages, plus all proceeds are to be donated to the Child's Play Charity.

Full details on product page.

Thank you

I know EXACTLY what you kids enjoy...I used to be one myself!!

You want mystery and adventure...real page-turners with characters you get to know and stories with a twist.

Well, I've got a selection for you to choose from. Just click on any of the links below or visit my author page at the bottom.

Glass Dreams

Salt

Mandrake's Plot

Song of the Moon

Martha and Mitch

Mr Charlie Chumpkins

The Further Mishaps of Charlie Chumpkins

Or for some rib-tickling rhymes, you might like to look at:

]]A Mouthful of Chuckles

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helen-Laycock/e/B006PGFVL6

And, P.S.
Please reassure your parents that these are well-edited books, grammar, punctuation and spelling accuracy guaranteed and, of course, each one comes with a heck of a good plot!!!

Cobra, what a soft, colorful book cover! Very nice.

MM, thanks for popping in. It's the only time we can be on both sides of the Atlantic! It's wonderful.

Helen, thanks for sharing your bookshelf. You have done the next best thing - slipping from the classroom to the writer's desk. Are all your books for elementary school age?

THE SHADOW OF DARK OAKS
Marguerite Osborne

A traditional children's tale

Thanks for inviting me, Doc! It's wonderful being here.

Hi Doctor Barbara!
All the books listed here are, indeed, for what I think you call elementary age in the U.S. Here in the U.K. we call it 'primary age', i.e. 7 - 12 (ish). I've just learned the phrase 'Middle Grade' too, which, I believe, is the same.

In fact, I have two books for adults as well which are mentioned on the 'Short Stories' thread with a thriller in the pipeline too!

I have been writing a ninth children's book, 'The Secret of Pooks Wood' which is nearing completion. I hope to have it ready by this summer.

May I just say thank you, again, to all those committed to running these threads which stop our books from being totally lost in the system. Thanks, Doctor Barbara!!

You're welcome Helen. You sound like me in that I have adult novels, a self-help book (with my M.D. hat on), and a secret memoir (hush). The children's books weren't even my idea to begin with, but requested by so many because my dog (therapy dog) had become so popular. As it turns it, I love doing them and sharing with the kids and by doing my own photography and illustrating it, it wets my creative side which has always been there (I previously painted a lot).

Anyway, will you illustrate the Secret of Pooks Wood yourself or do you use someone?

Thanks MadCow for popping in. Good luck with your book. Morning MM!