Today I will do my final read, and finish uploading to CreateSpace.
The book is 72 pages, and has no illustrations. Age group for reading is 9 to 11. It’s a serious topic, told in a fast-moving adventure of 11 chapters.
Review sent me the other day: “I think it is a winner!! I really like how the plot moves along with lots of interest and suspense. I also appreciate how much you include information about animal life, habits and habitat. It would make a good classroom novel that a teacher could share, a chapter a day, with the students. There is so much to discuss and so many great ideas for further research.”
This was written by a teacher of 30 years, so it means everything to me. Both the SHELBY Books would make fine material for the classroom, and it’s wonderful to have that re-confirmed.
Here’s the Prologue:
PROLOGUE
Shelby F. Squirrel appeared in “The Complete Adventures of SHELBY F. SQUIRREL and Friends” at the age of three months, when young flying squirrels are taught to fly. Throughout the book’s twenty-four stories, Shelby learned a lot about life and even began to grow up.
Now Shelby definitely isn’t a little kid any more. He still lives in the same forest, with the farm right beside it.
Shelby, his sister Darby, and their mother are now part of one large family with Petra F. Squirrel, her brother Peter, and their mother. Petra and Shelby are constantly together, as are Peter and Darby. They love to play in the trees as much as ever, but are quickly becoming responsible, alert grown-ups. The mothers are content to keep the two large nests fresh and well-supplied with food, but all six of them continue to hunt together every night.
Ringtail and Lottie Raccoon and their children, Molly and Polly, have moved on with their lives, too. All four of them are the same size now, furry round animals with striped tails and saucy masks. Molly and Polly have found nests of their own close to their parents’ tree.
Shelby’s best friend, Marvin Field Mouse, still loves to spend long hours clinging to Shelby’s back, soaring from tree to tree.
Rosie Robin has produced a new clutch of eggs every spring. These days the forest boasts several families of red-breasted robins who leave for the winter and return before the snow has quite melted, announcing their arrival by filling the air with their lovely trilling songs. Rusty, her mate, remains her faithful companion.
The Wise Old Owl is the respected leader of his growing family. Nobody in the forest questions his authority, and they all love him despite his gruffness.
The well-established friendships with many of the farm animals carry on as part of everyday life. Charlie is becoming elderly, but is sought out for advice, and loves a good laugh as much as ever. He introduces Shelby and his friends to his cousins, who have vital information.
Billy Goat and his lady companions, Nanny and Capra, are kept in the loop and Sultan, the Rooster, with his extended harem of brown hens are frequently visited by the forest animals.
A family of skunks lives in the forest now, but so far everyone has avoided making contact with them, quite unable to face getting any closer to the rather offensive scent they carry.
Now something very frightening is happening in the forest. It will be necessary for everyone to join forces to try and prevent a major disaster.
Here are the Chapter titles, and page numbers:
CONTENTS
1 MYSTERY IN THE FOREST 9
2 CHARLIE 15
3 SIGNS OF INVASION 21
4 PLANNING THE OFFENSIVE 27
5 LINES ARE DRAWN 33
6 THE FIRST SKIRMISH 37
7 DECEPTION 43
8 ENTER TYRANNOSAURUS REX 49
9 AFTERMATH 55
10 WATERLOO 61
11 THE SLEEP OF THE JUST 67
Eleanor Lawrie, Author 