Spotlight: The Frog at the Window: A Completely Wild Christmas Tale by Scott Langteau and Michaela Brannon (Illustrator)

Children's Picture Book, Holiday Picture Book
Published: November 2020

Publisher: Shake the Moon Books

While Katy and her family spend a snowy Christmas away at Grandma's house, a cold and clever little frog jumps at the chance to move into their warm, empty home. Unfortunately, so does every other four-legged forest dweller in the area. With the perfect holiday vacation house overrun with guests, chaos quickly erupts until the group finds a peaceful solution in this holiday tale of tails. What begins as a break from the wintry woolly land transforms into an annual holiday tradition of kindness and generosity. The Frog at the Window is a Christmas tale with a message for every season!

Excerpt

Tonight was the very first storm of the year, and surprising how much it had snowed.

The Randalls were packed and all ready for bed, with plans to wake early and then hit the road.

“Now Christmas was only a few days away”, thought Katy, relaxed by the tree.

“How will we ever reach Grandmother’s house, when it’s snowing so hard I can’t see?”

And then as she sat staring into the night, through the blustery, snowy white fog- there stood, in the cold window’s lower right edge, a tiny, green, shivering frog.

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About the Author

Hailing from the tiny town of Seymour, Wisconsin, Scott Langteau grew up to become the single Producer involved in the creation of two of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful franchises in videogame history: Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. He has over 20 years of production experience, having worked with companies like DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, Activision, Disney/Pixar, and the Jim Henson Company. Scott is the award-winning author of Sofa Boy, a grim yet fanciful cautionary tale for children about the perils of videogame addiction, The Question, a home-alone snowstorm adventure taken from the imaginative experiences of his youth in wintry Wisconsin, and his 2019 anti-bullying tale: BULLIED, a contemporary look at modern-day bullying and the impact it has on the futures of all involved. BULLIED was recently awarded the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award in the category of Best Mind/Body Self-Esteem book.

Connect:

Website: https://www.shakethemoonbooks.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/slangteau

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shakethemoonbooks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-langteau-56722b4a/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe5XzOQW_Kc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakethemoonbooks/

Spotlight: A Peculiar Royal by Alonna Williams

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy 

The time has come for King Dorian Lockridge to find an heir for the country of Odsia; after the murder of his son, daughter-in-law and grandson fifteen years ago, he knew that sooner or later he’d need to find someone worthy to take the throne…

Spending fifteen years on the streets, doing whatever it took to make sure he and his friends survived from day to day, hasn’t been easy for Tristan.

Having never found remains of his grandson, doubt of his demise lingers in Dorian’s heart; until one day, he finally makes a proclamation, searching for the orphaned Prince of Odsia.  

When Tristan discovers the truth about himself, his whole world changes. How will he adjust to royal living after such a difficult upbringing?  And who was behind the murder of his parents so long ago?”

Excerpt

King Dorian Lockridge sat tall on his throne. He was getting up in age; the short gray hairs that blended with the few remaining black hairs on his head, as well as his short-boxed beard, made that clear. Despite his age, he still had the form of a king, standing at six-foot-two, with broad shoulders and almost perfect posture. The royal garb he wore added to his authority. A long, dark-blue coat with golden buttons on both sides of the chest and a golden design on the sleeves also bore the simple yet intricate branding of the royal family. His forest green eyes were keenly analyzing a tiny crown clutched in his hands. He looked around the throne room, seeing a quiet and empty space, nothing abnormal during this season in Odsia. After all, Februarys in his country were awfully cold and rainy. Most people wisely decided to stay indoors.

But Februarys for the Lockridges were quite notable, albeit gloomy. Their grandson would have been a year older this February, had it not been for the accident.

Marah Elderon, a woman from the royal guard, watched him from the entryway of the throne room. Her athletic build was covered from shoulders to feet in black and brown armor. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her hazel eyes growing sympathetic as she saw the little crown in his hands. “Your advisor is here,” she announced, bowing before the king and then stepping out of the room.

“Your Majesty, you asked to see me?” a man asked, entering the room. August Elderon stood at about the same height as the king, with a medium build, large dark-blue eyes, light-brown hair—worn in a short cut—and a docile expression.  He was only thirty, which was young for an advisor, but his maturity greatly surpassed his age. The white military jacket he was wearing wasn’t one he wore too often, as it was a reminder of his past days at war, but he preferred the most modest attire from his wardrobe as opposed to the overly fancy clothes the stylist would make him. He gave a friendly smile as he bowed to Dorian.

“Time is running out, August,” Dorian told him. “I’m not getting any younger. And people want to feel secure. With the Delorians rampaging through Karia and putting the country on the brink of war, they’ll want to know Odsia is in good hands, should anything like that happen here.”

“I understand, Your Majesty,” August Elderon replied with a nod. “We are doing the best we can to find an heir, but—”

“I don’t want just any heir,” Dorian softly said, returning his attention to the little crown.

August sighed, lowering his head. He understood Dorian’s pain and wished he could fix everything that had happened, but they needed to carry on. “Your…Your Majesty. It may be time to…”

Dorian stood and walked over to the left side of the room where a white pillar was against the wall; then he carefully placed the crown on a small pillow that lay upon the pillar. He turned to August with a slight smile. “My grandson is alive, August. I can feel it.” His voice held unquestioning conviction.

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About the Author

Alonna Williams is a children's book author and has been writing ever since she was a little girl. It started with a short story and soon progressed to novels. Alonna has worked on, and grew up with a Pirate series entitled, Pirates of the Withering Coast, her favorite series of all, as well as a mystery series, a Sci-Fi/Superhero series and more! When she's not writing you'll most likely find her dancing, whether it be, Tap, Ballet, Jazz or Lyrical, or watching a good classic movie or cozying up to a Disney film! 

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Spotlight: The Principal's Challenge by Arias Williams

Genre: Children's Picture Book 

Knucklehead Fred is a whimsical, rhyming story about a fun-loving, energetic boy named Fred.

After struggling with behavior problems at school, Fred is presented with a challenge by his school principal, Mr. Boronstine. He promises Fred that if he can be a model student for one week, he will be presented with a special surprise.

Will Knucklehead Fred rise to the occasion and be the best he can be? Or will he fail to control himself and miss out on a special treat?

Find out in this second installment of this whimsical children’s book about a mischievous little boy who walks to the beat of his own drum.

The Principal’s Challenge is the second in the Knucklehead Fred series, a collection of stories about the troublemaker you can’t help but love.

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About the Author

Arias Williams is a creative based in Los Angeles, CA.

He is a father of two children, a husband, and currently teaches 7th Grade in South Los Angeles.

When he isn't working on Knucklehead Fred, Arias can be found in his home studio making beats, hanging with his family, or working to educate the future of Los Angeles. 

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Spotlight: Knucklehead Fred by Arias Williams and Bolaji Olaloye (Illustrator)

Knucklehead Fred 

by Arias Williams 

Genre: Children's Picture Book 

Knucklehead Fred is a whimsical, rhyming story about a fun-loving, energetic boy named Fred.

His parents just can’t figure out how to make him sit still and listen!

But when Fred finds himself in need of a favor, Mom and Dad use it as a perfect opportunity to teach him a thing or two about responsibility. 

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Arias Williams is a creative based in Los Angeles, CA. 

He is a father of two children, a husband, and currently teaches 7th Grade in South Los Angeles. 

When he isn't working on Knucklehead Fred, Arias can be found in his home studio making beats, hanging with his family, or working to educate the future of Los Angeles. 

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Spotlight: Sophie & The Bookmobile by Kathleen M Jacobs

Children's Book

Date Published: November 19, 2019

Publisher: Jan-Carol Publishing, Inc.

When Sophie's family moves from New York City to West Virginia, she not only has to leave her friends and the city and library she loves so much, but she has to figure out what will happen when she discovers that there is no library in her new town. But when she discovers something called a bookmobile and other new treasures, all is right with the world.

About the Author

Kathleen M. Jacobs is the author of the critically-acclaimed YA-novel, Honeysuckle Holiday and Betsy Blossom Brown. Her other works include Marble Town, a book for the MG-reader. Her first children’s book, Please Close It! has enjoyed numerous awards, and her chapbooks The Puppeteer of Objects: A Lyrical Poem and Collected Curiosities: Poems, Essays & Opinions offer insights into human behavior and understanding. She is a former teacher of English and Creative Writing, and holds a M. A. in Humanistic Studies. She was the 2017 New River Gorge Writer-in-Residence. You can reach her through her website at www.kathleenmjacobs.com and through Instagram @kathleenm.jacobs.

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Spotlight: Bird by Kim Wilson

Ellen Williams journeys to a place she’s never been, hoping to find answers. Why did a deceased stranger leave her a multi-million dollar estate? She has inherited the Caldwell Estate, a Georgia property so breathtakingly beautiful that a gift of this magnitude is beyond her understanding. This fortuitous event has come at a time when Ellen is struggling with her own direction in life; getting out of Louisville for a while is just what she needs. Mrs. Caldwell was a mystery to many who knew her. With each step closer to untangling the mystery, painful childhood memories begin to emerge of her sister Jenny, a horrifying night in the past, and of Bird. Finding the truth has a price. Buy Bird now to solve the mystery. Do you really want to know the truth?

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About the Author

Kim Wilson originally is from Champaign, Illinois. Kim moved to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1967 and never left. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in elementary education and a Master’s in Exceptional Child Education, specifically Learning Disability from the University of Louisville. She spent a career of twenty-seven years as a middle school teacher and an administrator in Jefferson County Public Schools. Kim has been a business owner and is a huge supporter of the arts. She has served as Chairperson to the Advisory Council for the The Governor’s School for the Arts, a community arts program supported by The Kentucky Center for the Arts. She is married to her husband of over 40 years, has two adult children, and two grandchildren. She loves spending time with her family, walking her retriever, playing the piano, traveling, and, of course, writing.