A consummate storyteller, Carolyn Watson-Dubisch has written and illustrated a score of wonderful books, achieving no small measure of accolades in the process.  One of her most popular tales, The Dragon in the Closet, has received a Literary Titan Silver award, and she continues to create captivating, entertaining content for this series regularly.  The Dragon in the Closet, Book One, is a compilation of the first three issues of the series, collected in all their kooky glory.  Watson-Dubisch manages to capture the same sort of irreverent humor as you might see in something like the original Addams Family comics, with all the wit and charm therein, though with perhaps some extra splashes of color here and there.

A compilation of the first three issues of the series with 3 new chapters from issue four!

Orin Bean has terrible luck and a problem with monsters. His Nana seems to be a powerful witch, but he’s really a perfectly normal boy who just happens to have a dragon in the closet. What kid wouldn’t want that? A graphic novel for ages 8 and older.

“The Dragon in The Closet” takes readers on a lively adventure through a magical realm where anything can happen. Readers will be enthralled with this fantasy comic book that captures the imagination with charming artwork and an interesting use of magic. If you’re looking for a fun young adult comic book then I highly recommend this entertaining series.”- Literary Titan Book Awards

The series puts some twists on familiar fairytales, but the author’s style and her passion for the material shines through and gives it a breath of fresh air that will keep kids engaged, and will even have adults cracking smiles.  Watson-Dubisch might just be your new favorite children’s book author, and with her incredible work ethic, you’ll never run out of new material to dive into.  This book has certainly earned its fans, and now you can join in on the fun at bedtime or anytime.  Check out The Dragon in the Closet, Book One on Amazon today!  And if you’re looking for the paperback version, you can find that here on Amazon as well.

The post Children’s Fantasy Promo – The Dragon in the Closet, Book One appeared first on Tellest.

Author R.R. Guardo has put together a delightful little story that mixes magical fantasy with the addictive mystique of prehistoric beasts.  In Lucas and the Little Dinosaur: A Magical Adventure, Guardo invites children and those who are still young of heart into a world where magic lies just at the edge of our perspective, and where we can find it if we look hard enough.  Guardo takes the concept of dinosaurs and dips it fully into the fantasy realm allowing for travel between realms, which leads to an opportunity for learning as well.

Of course, one of the big selling points of a children’s book is its art, and Guardo has secured some absolutely beautiful pieces that accompany Lucas on his adventure, ensuring that everything looks great along the way.  Interspersed with the more whimsical fare is some art that looks as though it could have come right from one of the author’s other more recent books, Dinosaurs Through Time.  Indeed, Guardo’s interest in the giant, prehistoric creatures shines through every page, ensuring that children—and even adults—who love that will learn a little something here as well.  Check out Lucas and the Little Dinosaur: A Magical Adventure on Amazon today—it’s free on Amazon Kindle through the end of the day this upcoming Sunday!  And, if you prefer paperback, you can check out that edition here.

The post Children’s Fantasy – Lucas and the Little Dinosaur: A Magical Adventure appeared first on Tellest.

Authors L. Hawk and J. Hawk bring forth a robust yet nuanced take on videogames-to-life with The Legend of the Copper Cyborg: Loading.  With a feel of a LitRPG but without the tremendous focus on numbers or leveling, this story taps into the sort of experiences that younger readers thoroughly enjoy.  And though it is ideal for older children and young adults, it can be enjoyed by anyone with a sense of whimsy and a penchant for adventure.  The Hawks imagine a world where the assets inside a videogame are as real as the world we live in, allowing it to develop a sort of magical feel that carries through to the very last page.

It’s the year 2092. Kelsi, 12, and her teammates Red Nose and Black Nose, two wolf dogs, find themselves as players in a strange new world. Here, they must compete to stay in good standing, not only for their reputation but also for their survival. Realizing that it would be much harder to get back home, they made it a point to take the game more seriously in order to survive and get to the top. However, when Kelsi is overcome with the need to win, she begins to throw herself and her friends into more and more dangerous predicaments. After Kelsi learns more about the legend of the copper cyborg, she comes up with a plan. But will the cyborg be what Kelsi and the village need to make it to the top or is the game world doomed from the start?

The Legend of the Copper Cyborg blends the classic with the modern. It combines the enchantment of Oz, the suspense of Frankenstein, the mechanics of Minecraft, and the exploration of the Jungle Book into one twisting, fascinating saga that is sure to entertain even the most reluctant of readers.

As the authors have given themselves a foundation with which they can go into many different directions, the story never feels like it lags.  Readers will always be invited into the next big event or pulled toward the next reveal, which feels earned and rewarding.  And it helps to have a fun cast to spend the time in the videogame alongside.  The dialog feels very conversational and grounded, as if readers would perhaps be eavesdropping on the characters as a fly on the wall.  Readers will be rooting for them all the way through the last page of the tale.  With a second book on the way, there’s never been a better time to dive into this series.  Check out The Legend of the Copper Cyborg: Loading on Amazon today!

The post Urban Fantasy Promo – The Legend of the Copper Cyborg: Loading appeared first on Tellest.

Author Julia Zheng has a wide assortment of lovely children’s books, but perhaps no topic is explored so much as various holidays.  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day and Easter are all represented, as well as Christmas.  It’s her holiday story, The Tallest Christmas Tree, that we’ll be looking at today.  Together with artist Anjali Raj, she brings to life a tale filled with magic and personality.  Even though it’s a brief tale, it is perfect for who it is marketed to.  Zheng’s stories each have a special message that they try to convey, and in this tale, she spreads the message that everyone has value and beauty, even if sometimes they have a hard time seeing it.

On Christmas Eve, the tallest fir tree, Everest, is crying with a broken heart because she is the only tree left on the farm. Upon hearing the cry, farm owner Ms. Green and her animal friends, Cow, Sheep, Pig, and Hen, work together as a team to decorate Everest into a beautiful Christmas tree. Everest has a merry Christmas with her new helpful friends.

The Tallest Christmas Tree is a book to teach children that it’s okay to be different and that a friend in need is a friend indeed, and is intended for children aged 4 to 8.

With a cute cast of characters that are given enough personality across the length of the book to be memorable, the story and the art will certainly appeal to children.  While the chief message is of course about acceptance (both of yourself and of others), Zheng’s story also shows generosity, creativity, and empathy.  It’s a great little story that can be enjoyed at any time, but it certainly helps that Christmas is right around the corner!  Check out The Tallest Christmas Tree: A Heartwarming Bedtime Story About Being Yourself and Accepting Others as They Are on Amazon today!

The post Children’s Book Promo – The Tallest Christmas Tree: A Heartwarming Bedtime Story About Being Yourself and Accepting Others as They Are appeared first on Tellest.

It’s apparent right from the first page that author Beverly Fearon loves her stories with all of her heart.  Developing tales of magic and whimsy, she’s crafted worlds about dragons and ogres and fairies.  Her latest is a tale about a fairy, born from laughter and innocence, who goes on to do some very interesting things.  In Mia Fairy and the Pirates, the titular fairy changes the course of one child’s life, but with Fearon’s book, Mia might just change many more.  It’s a touching story about doing good things, and how they stay with us, even when we might forget.

This story is about Mia Fairy. She lives on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean. She finds some mangos and she plants the mango seeds with the help of some bird friends. Then when the trees are fully grown and the mangoes are ripe, some very dirty pirates land on her island and yank down every mango from her precious trees. Then just for fun they set her island on fire. So Mia has to go aboard the nasty pirate ship. There she rescues a boy who was shut up into an old treasure chest because he made the pirate captain mad. Tommy was left to die there but Mia comes just in the nick of time and helps him out of the chest. The adventure then is to trick the pirates into letting them off the ship onto dry land.

Fun for children and interesting enough for adults to want to know what happens next, this story take some interesting twists and turns.  There’s even a bonus story in the epilogue that wraps things up with a beautiful bow.  This isn’t Fearon’s first fairy story, and it surely won’t be her last.  But for now, enjoy yourself while you dive into her latest.  Check out Mia Fairy and the Pirates on Amazon today!

The post Children’s Fantasy Promo – Mia Fairy and the Pirates appeared first on Tellest.

Brought to life by Paul Steven Stone and Carla Carey, The Wind’s Tale is a beautiful children’s tale with an impactful message.  With a vibrant watercolor motif, readers will see through the eyes of a character who often goes underrepresented in fiction, allowing the story to take wing in ways that might be unexpected.  Best of all, its attractive qualities can be appreciated not just by the young, but by introspective older readers as well, especially those who want to spread the message that The Wind’s Tale imparts.

“The world, my friend, is filled with magic for those with the eyes to see. They are the ones who understand the laughter of seagulls, the joy of the setting sun and, of course, the stories told by the wind.”

A fabulously artful book, illustrated from the vantage of a quadriplegic boy whose eyes embrace a world wonderfully enlivened by his imagination.

Tellest has had the wonderful opportunity to promote Stone’s work before.  Although The Wind’s Tale is quite a departure from the karmic crime thriller that we looked at before, the one thing that they have in common is that a tremendous amount of heart and emotion shine through.  This book also shows experiences that readers may not have actively considered before, opening their eyes to something new and expressive, made all the more impressive by the hardship that it endures.  It’s a beautiful story, certainly worth a look.  Check out The Wind’s Tale on Amazon today!

The post Children’s Fantasy Promo – The Wind’s Tale appeared first on Tellest.

Author Mark M. Even has developed a story that is both family and fantasy friendly and will appeal to a large band of readers.  The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol: A Dragonstone Story gives kids an opportunity to go on a very enjoyable adventure, fueled by their imagination as well as clover prose by the author.  Even has crafted his tale in a way that makes it feel immersive to its readers, and bring them into the story.  Its one that has all the sorts of fantasy fare that delights fans of the genre, and it practically drips with charm and whimsy.

Hidden under a pile of coats, on an old coat rack in the attic, is a mysterious parasol.

Little do three cousins know that the parasol is enchanted and when held over the shoulder and twirled in the sunshine it has powers that are beyond their reason. Soon enough the parasol shows its capability as Gina is transported into Storyworld, where things are quite different indeed and she is escorted by a man known only as The Valet.

As each child takes a turn to enter the magical land, they experience amazing adventures that they could only have dreamed of, attending a party in a castle or flying through space. And for Mandy, it is the discovery that she is a witch.

Even’s book is one that is great for kids of all ages, and is even suitable for parents who are telling the story to children who can’t read yet.  In any case, it is an exciting and imaginative story about a loving family that sticks with readers even after they’ve read it, and is bound to become a favorite over time.  It’s no wonder that it won a Mom’s Choice Award.  While we can hope that there will be more to come, now is a great time to dive into the Even’s first lovely fantasy tale.  Check out The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol: A Dragonstone Story on Amazon today!

The post Children’s Fantasy – The Wonders of the Peculiar Parasol: A Dragonstone Story appeared first on Tellest.

Felicia Sanders finds a lot of love in writing and illustrating picture books for children.  They carry a message of hope and self-worth, and The Sunflower does just that.  While it’s a children’s book, it still speaks to personal growth and believing in oneself.  It also demonstrates that it is alright to be sad, and to always know that there are brighter days ahead.  Sanders doesn’t just write these books as an afterthought, either.  There’s a lot of love and passion that goes into creating them.

Hey you!

Have you ever felt sad? Feeling not yourself?

My name is Sunflower.

I’ll tell you a little secret just between you and me. I have a crush on the sun. I even named myself after her!

There is only one problem.

I am lost when the sun is not shining. I am miserable, sometimes even scared.
For the longest time, I kept wishing to fast forward time to the part of the day when the skies are bright and sunny.

Why does nighttime have to come?

When will the sun rise again?

But then, I found something unexpected.
Something beautiful.
Something magical that I can only see in the darkness.

Curious?

Follow me as I share my story of how I find courage and hope in the midst of darkness.

It is a great story filled with a beautiful whimsical journey of the life of a sunflower to simply remind us all of the importance of self-acceptance and finding the courage to look up no matter how dark the night gets.

May you find the courage to look up and find the light during your darkest hours. You are stronger than you think and remember, it is always the darkest before dawn. The sun will rise again!

This is a great tool to open up conversations with your kids and students of how they’re dealing with their emotions especially during the pandemic as the world around them change so much. The story is written to portray how one Sunflower is using his emotions and intuition as strength and allowing himself to be his authentic self at the end.

For every Sunflower book you purchase, a seed is planted on your behalf to symbolize hope and courage to look up in partnership with a local sunflowers farm.

I love that each sold book carries a promise for new life.  It’s not too often that you see something like that, and it’s a clever and heartwarming concept that kids will no doubt love as well.  There’s a sunflower out there with their name on it!

This is a great book that parents can share with their kids, filled with whimsy and great messaging of optimism, faith and patience.  Sanders is working on a sequel that will be here later this year.  In the meantime, there’s never a better time than now to give your kids a warm reminder of hopefulness and excitement for the future.  And an even better incentive to act fast?  It’s being sold at a reduced price, $2.99, for the next week!  Check out The Sunflower on Amazon today!

The post Children’s Fantasy Promo – The Sunflower appeared first on Tellest.