Tara and Bella - The Story Continues

Remember Tara and Bella, the wild kingdom's odd couple? Elephant and dog? A story was broadcast last January on CBS Sunday morning and it soon became a video sensation.

If you don't remember it, here's a brief recap. At the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee, Tara the elephant wanted no part of her peers, but chose instead to hang out with Bella, a stray dog.

They played together, walked together, ate together and stayed together. When Bella got hurt and had to recuperate in the sanctuary office, Tara stood vigil outside...for three weeks until Bella was well enough to come back out and let her pal know she was okay.

After seeing the first story on CBS Sunday morning, Disney contacted the sanctuary and wanted to do a wild life action movie starring the two friends. But, the owners of the sanctuary refused. Watch the video for the explanation.



What would you do if Disney came calling?

Mary Cunningham Books

Save a tree! Download "Ghost Light!"

Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully

Cynthia's Attic has the huge honor of hosting actress, Julianne Moore and her latest picture book. As a long-time admirer of her as an actress, it's been interesting reading about her as a person, an advocate for children's literacy, and especially her human qualities. How many of us survived our school days without running, headlong, into the schoolyard bully? She address this problem with humor and sensitivity.

THE FOUR-TIME ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE AND HER SPUNKY, PICTURE BOOK STAR DODGE A BULLY, Acclaimed actress, and now beloved picture book author JULIANNE MOORE and bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join talents again for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY.

This time, their perky, loveable seven-year-old encounters a bully on the playground—Windy Pants Patrick—during a game of dodgeball. As the brute prepares to hurl his might at Freckleface and her friends, she must figure out how to summon the courage to stand up to him. Ms. Moore tackles this all-to- prevalent problem with both humor and grace.

It is Ms. Moore’s infusion of hilarity and heart that has won her praise from booksellers, educators, reviewers—and most importantly young readers!—for her debut picture book Freckleface Strawberry, a charming tale inspired by a childhood experience.

Nicknamed Freckleface Strawberry when she a young girl, Ms. Moore disliked the title as much as she disliked her red hair and freckles. “As a child, my hatred of my freckles was only matched by my love of reading,” said the author, who eventually grew to tolerate her red hair and freckles and find amusement in telling her own kids about her childhood nickname. Dodgeball isn’t based on personal experience, but creating a feisty character who makes the best of a bad situation—and does so with style and wit—is essential to Ms. Moore.

Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully by Julianne Moore
Now Available on Amazon.com - Order Your Copy Today

For complete tour information and the complete schedule, visit her Virtual Blog Tour home page .

Mary Cunningham, author of the award-winning series, Cynthia's Attic
Buy on Amazon

Linking to "Cynthia's Attic" today:

Author, Sandra Novack (Precious)

Book Bites for Kids & Suzanne Lieurance, author and writing coach

Children & Fairies & Books, Oh My! & Bobbie Hinman, children's author (The Knot Fairy, The Sock Fairy & The Belly Button Fairy)

Wendel Wordsworth - author, Diana Black

Margot's Books for Kids - author, Margot Finke

An Interview - With Me!

Literary fiction author, Sandra Novack (Precious - Random House) has interviewed yours truly on her Blog and is showcasing Cynthia's Attic: Curse of the Bayou.

Check it out and leave a comment, if you wish. I'd love to hear from you! And, remember to check back this Friday, June 19. Cynthia's Attic will host a special author, Julianne Moore!

Sandra Novack's amazing book, Precious on Amazon.

Buy the Cynthia's Attic series on Amazon

Or...through the publisher, Echelon

School Visits - Expect the Unexpected.

Suzanne Lieurance (Working Writers Coach - Book Bites For Kids is a children’s writer with (at last count) 20 published books for children. She has also been an instructor with the Institute of Children’s Literature (located in West Redding, Connecticut) for 8 years.

As The Working Writer’s Coach, Lieurance helps people who love to write become “working” freelance writers and make a living doing what they love to do best.

She also enjoys school visits (most of the time - see below!) and promoting her children's books. This from a recent newsletter.

I love visiting schools and talking with children about the writer's life. Quite often, writers are treated like rock stars at schools. We're asked to autograph everything from backpacks to sweatshirts.

A couple of days ago I made an author's visit to a local school. And, yeah, I was treated like a rock star. At least for a while.

Students listened quietly as I read from one of my books. Then I told them more about the writer's life and ended my presentation by asking the children if they had any questions.

One little girl on the front row had been listening very intently. She didn't take her eyes off me during the entire presentation. When she raised her hand I looked foward to her question.

"Yes," I said, pointing to her. "What's your question?"

She smiled and asked, "Are you almost done?"

I gulped.

That was certainly not the question I was expecting.

"Uh, yes," I said. "I'm almost finished."

"We get a snack when you're done," she said.

Her teacher rolled her eyes in embarrassment. But I just laughed.

Kids really keep things real. It's all well and good to listen to some nice author. But the best part is moving on to the snack!

Suzanne Lieurance

(Some days are like that, Suzanne! Hope you got a snack, too.)

The Locket: Surviving the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire - Amazon

by Suzanne Lieurance

Mary Cunningham Books

Curse of the Bayou on Amazon!

Coming Soon! Freckleface Strawberry!!

10 days and counting!

Actress Julianne Moore and her latest book, "Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully will be a guest in Cynthia's Attic!

Tidbit: Julianne Moore is U. S. Ambassador for Save the Children working with children and families in rural areas, focusing on literacy and early childhood education. She successfully launched the Save the Children Valentine program in 2008 whereby children’s book illustrators donated art work for cards, with the proceeds benefiting poverty in the United States. She is also a member of Reach Out and Read, a children’s literacy organization dedicated to educating parents on the importance of reading to their children.

Stop back on June 19 to read more about this acclaimed actress and how she got her nickname.

Buy on Amazon, Today!

A Special Place For Rescue Angels

(Left to Right) Sisters, Madison, Taylor,

and their friend, Madison (and pups)

Tuesday was the day I met an amazingly kind woman and some pretty special kids.

First, let me get this negative statement out of the way. Some cruel, heartless sub-human dumped several newborn puppies in a yard. I have no words for anyone who would do this. There are better options, people!

Now, for the good news. Thanks to Four Paws Resort/God's Creatures Rescue, "angel," Christine and the special girls at the top, two of these puppies might make it, and possibly get adopted. Christine and her family have already rescued and adopted another dog, but still felt compelled to give these, less-than-week-old puppies a fighting chance.

The two older girls, Taylor and Madison could've been playing or swimming on this 90 degree day, but instead they chose to help feed these two innocent pups, with Taylor's younger brother and sister offering comfort and support, and mom, Christine supervising the process.

Their eyes aren't even open, but I learned yesterday from Christine that they were both doing well. (Very Big Grin!)

I've heard nothing but good about Darlene at God's Creatures Rescue, and I plan to give a donation in memory of Chance, a Golden rescue (click on link to read his rescue story) who blessed friend, Cynthia's home for almost ten years.

So, if you see an animal in trouble, please help. Christine has lots to do, but has chosen to give back in such a special way, just like Darlene at God's Creatures Rescue. To volunteer, call 678-463-9131.

I firmly believe that there is a special place in Heaven for people who rescue animals.

Four Paws Resort/God's Creatures Rescue

Adopt A Golden
Golden Retriever Rescue