Author, Robyn Hood Black & WOLVES

Robyn Hood Black with Juno and Luna critiquing her book, WOLVES

I had the honor of facilitating a meeting for the Carrollton Creative Writers Club with guest speaker, Robyn Hood Black.

Robyn is the author of WOLVES (Amazon), a non-fiction, interactive book from Intervisual Books and rhyming rookie reader, Sir Mike (Amazon) from Scholastic Children's Press.

She's also a hugely entertaining, energetic speaker. I first met Robyn through SCBWI - Society of Children's Cook Writers and Illustrators. You just know you're going to like someone when you don't have to keep re-introducing yourself! She's always generous with her time, her advice and her smile.

If you're not familiar with Robyn's books, please visit her website: Robyn Hood Black and don't leave without looking at the tons of great wolf pictures of Luna and Juno, two gray wolves from the Chestachee Wildlife Preserve that Robyn has been fortunate enough to see grow up before her eyes.

photo by Alison Womack Chestatee Wildlife Preserve

Click on the link to see more great pictures of Luna and Juno

Mary Cunningham Books
Amazon
Kindle
Fictionwise
Quake/Echelon Press

Johnny Depp - Mad Hatter - In Cynthia's Attic!

Ever since I can remember, time travel and "other worlds" have fascinated me. I used to sit in front of my dresser mirror and try to wish my way through it just as Alice in her looking glass. Not sure what I expected to see on the other side, but Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, probably wasn't in my thought process back then.

Sir John Tenniel was the original illustrator in Lewis Carroll's book, The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland. So, how do you think J. D. stands up to Carroll's image of The Mad Hatter who was supposedly drawn to resemble an eccentric British inventor and furniture dealer, Theophilus Carter? Many would agree that Depp is also a bit eccentric, so in my mind, he's a perfect fit.

But, I much as I love seeing JD in almost any movies, the jury is still out (IMO) as to whether Tim Burton's version is simply too dark. I love the story, so much, I'll have to wait and see whether my trepidations can be overcome. Chances are good, they will!

But, back to the book. My fascination with all things fantastical led to writing "Cynthia's Attic." A recurring dream I'd had for over 20 years about a mysterious attic, began the process. Once I realized that the dream took place in the home of my childhood friend, Cynthia, the writing began. I kept hoping I'd have the dream again and that magical things would happen to add to my stories, but as with most recurring dreams, once you figure them out, they're gone forever.

That didn't stop my vision, though, of creating other worlds and other times for twelve-year-old best friends, Cynthia and Gus (Her real name is Augusta Lee, but don't call her that unless you want a kick in the shins).

So the next time you're sitting at a mirror, wondering what's on the other side, do what I do. Visualize Johnny Depp!

Watch the Trailer!

Meanwhile, check out Cynthia's Attic Series!

…”a good old fashioned family story, with all the sci-fi perks and jigs to light the imagination of today’s young reader.” Real Reader Reviews

"This wonderfully imaginative tale will delight readers. I wish I had a magic attic!" - Laura Schaefer, author of The Teashop Girls.

Mary Cunningham Books
Amazon
Kindle
Fictionwise
Quake/Echelon Press

Great Summer Read! Iggy the Iguana: Summer League

What do iguanas named Iggy and Liz, Buddy the bullfrog, a turtle named Snap Shell, Marc the Mouse and Cooper the chameleon have in common? They all love baseball! The follow-up to Iggy the Iguana is a perfect read for 7-10 year-olds. Summer League focuses on normal kid problems in the form of a very different All-Star baseball team.

Iggy faces challenges throughout the summer that all young readers (and older readers!) can relate to, and has to make a very important decision about a whether to keep a secret that could compromise the whole team.

With summer just around the corner, although snow accumulations in he Northeast would contradict that statement, Iggy the Iguana: Summer League, is the perfect read, and comes highly recommended by this reader!

To see a video interview with author, Melissa M. Williams, click here.

Melissa M. Williams has been writing stories since the age of eight years old. Many of her stories were inspired by real-life experiences with childhood pets she owned while growing up in Houston, Texas. After receiving her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, she moved to Dallas, TX to pursue a Master's degree in Professional Counseling. While in graduate school, she finished her first children's book, "Iggy the Iguana", and proceeded to have the book published before the age of twenty-six. Many of the ideas in this book were inspired by Miss Williams' experiences as a substitute teacher for third and fourth grade classes in the city of Dallas.

In addition to writing for children, she is a published songwriter and has co-written for her younger sister’s, Misha, International Albums. Melissa currently lives in Houston, Texas and visits schools through out the entire Texas region, promotion literacy, creativity, and learning for kids. Her Literacy Foundation Read3Zero now offers children the opportunity to be published by her own publishing company, LongTale Publishing.

Iggy the Iguane Website

Read3Zero

Melissa M. Williams website

More on YouTube with Iggy and Melissa Williams

Discover the Magic in Cynthia's Attic - Mary Cunningham Books