Juvenile

[close] THIS IS A JUVENILE ADVENTURE FOR AGES 7-12

EXCERPT -- FOREWORD

FOREWORD
Hello folks! My name is Felicia Feline, and this is the story of Freepetopia.
You've never . . . what do you mean you've never heard of it? It's the most fantastic place in the world and you've never heard of it? Wow!

Ok, to give you credit, it is a place for animals only, so you may not have heard of it, unless your pet has been there and told you about it.

And stop looking at me like you think I'm making this up. It's definitely a real place. Besides, do you think I could make up such a name? Okay, well actually I did make up the name, but I had to call it something! But that doesn't mean the place isn't real!

It's a wonderful place where cats talk -- like me -- and dogs walk upright; where fish fly and birds swim . . . I'm serious, so stop rolling your eyes. Don't think because I'm a cat that I don't know what that means!

Listen! I'll make this simple. It's the place where us animals go to get away from you humans every once in a while. Haven't you ever wondered where we disappear to for hours at a time when you let us out to play?

That's right! Freepetopia!

It's kind of like your human vacation, only we get to go to Freepetopia whenever we want; when you decide to let us out of the house. I feel kind of sorry for those pets that never get to come because they never get let outside of the house, or have to spend all of their time in a fenced back yard.

I do want to get something straight, though. Whenever you're standing on the front porch at the end of the day, whistling and whistling, trying to get us to come home -- it's not that we don't hear you. We do. We're just not ready to come back yet, but we always do -- come back, that is.

I know what you're thinking now. You want to know why we don't just stay in Freepetopia, if it's so great. Maybe we will -- someday -- but for now, we come back because you humans provide us with a different sort of entertainment. You don't realize how funny you are to us animals, do you? Sometimes when we bark or meow, we're really just laughing at your antics. Goodness, but you humans are strange beings! We animals are lucky to have such funny masters.

Of course, not all animals that visit our fair hideaway have masters. Some come from places I've never even heard of, just to see what Freepetopia is all about. Word does get around. Sometimes the animals that show up are not-so-nice bullies. You know what I mean. You have people bullies, too.
Other times the animals that show up are really, really scary -- like that three-eyed lizard-looking thing that showed up one time. Boy! Was that something!

Anyway, I didn't mean to get off track. Now, where was I? Ah, yes! I was trying to explain how Freepetopia is a great place. It is supposed to be a secret though, so you may want to know why I
decided to share our secret place with you humans. Well, the main reason is because of what happened at the end of one of our escapades; the not-so-grand escapade I am going to share with you today.

The second reason is that . . . well, I figured it was about time, is all. You humans have unknowingly provided us animals with an endless supply of laughs, so I simply thought to return the favor. Who knows, maybe you'll end up wishing that you could be an animal, too. Just so you can join us someday.

In the meantime -- welcome -- and enjoy your adventure, as seen through the eyes of your pets. [close]

[close] This giveaway is for two author and illustrator signed first edition hardcovers with original illustrations on the title pages.

Inspired by the happy times he shared with his big red balloon, Charlie imagines that his lost friend is now a very important part of the starry sky. [close]

[close] Win a signed ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of Up in the Air by Ann Meyers!

Believe the Impossible

Ever since she can remember, ten-year-old Melody has always wanted to fly.

And when she leaps off a swing in the park one day and lands in the mystical realm of Chimeroan, her dream finally comes true. She is given a pair of wings. She can fly! Life cannot be any better.

Yet, dreams do come with a price. Even with wings, Melody realizes she cannot outfly the memories of her past. The car accident that has left her father paralyzed, and her unscarred, still plagues her with guilt—she believes that it was entirely her fault.

In Chimeroan, Melody is forced to come to terms with her part in her father's accident. She must choose between the two things that have become the world to her: keeping her wings or healing her father. [close]