Home Sanctuary

In which I formally introduce Carson

We are counting down to Release Day of Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends by meeting the quirky characters in the book.

 

Some people make you sit up straight and think about proper grammar, and how lovely it would be to have a cup of tea right about now.

Allow me to introduce Carson. He is just such a person, er, pig.

 

(I may or may not have photoshopped this cup of tea into his portrait, for effect.) 

 

 

You know, it's very important to have that friend who always knows how things should be done.

 

Should you put your feet on the coffee table?

    Oh, goodness, no.

Should you wait until the hostess picks up her fork before you begin to eat?

    Why, everyone knows the answer to that! Of course you should.

Should tea be poured into the cup before the milk, or after?

    Should this even be a question??

 

Carson is a stickler for rules, a bastion of gentility, a wealth of knowledge, and a defender of the semi-colon; properly used. (Unlike in this instance).

He is predictably punctual and perfectly pressed.

But for all his stuffiness, Carson has a heart of gold. Yes, he might have the highest score in Jeopardy ("Porcines, for $500, Alex"), but he would gladly share his last crumpet and generously give the vest off his portly shoulders to anyone who needed it.

You can count on Carson's calm voice of reason to help you see your way through difficulties, and you can be assured that there will always be a steaming cup of tea waiting for you on the other side, mostly likely on a lovely tray.

 

 

 

 

In honor of Carson today, let's talk TEA!

 

Leave a comment telling us about your tea habits: a beloved flavor, a special memory, or your favorite place to drink a cup! Maybe even your opinion of whether milk or tea should go into the cup first!

Are you a tea drinker? This is your chance to win a book....and a box of tea!

 

Yesterday's winner is:

Mary Sue Owens

Mary Sue...drop me an email with your address so I can send your book to you!

Watch out world, here's Jed!

 

Well, what can I say about Jed? This guy...

 

 

Jed....well you could say he wears his heart on his sleeve.

You never have to guess what he is feeling because it's written all over his face.

 

And then there's his body language:

When Jed is excited, he leaps on top of tables.

When he is mad, he harrumphs up a pile of hay bales.

When he's annoyed, he crosses his arms and looks away.

 

 

When he's happy, he grabs a ukelele and belts out a tune.

 

Jed is the goat who shoots from the hip, speaks his mind, jumps to conclusions, and commands the room. 

He's just like that "annoying little brother" that reeeally drives you crazy sometimes.

 

 

 

But you can't live without him because, after all, he's the one that brings the party with him wherever he goes.

 

 

 

 

 

Today, we celebrate the "Jeds" we know and love. Who is it that makes you laugh, drives you nuts sometimes, and lives life to the hilt?

Please share your own special "Jed" story today for another chance at a signed book!

 

I loved hearing about all the special "Rubys" in your lives yesterday! I got emails, blog comments, Facebook comments and tweets, telling me about the wonderful mother-hens who take care of everyone around them. The winner of the signed Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends book is:

Jane Carver! 

Jane, honey...send me your address and I'll get your book to you!

 

 

Meet Ruby

You know how awesome it is when you get to introduce people to each other that you just know will be instant friends?

That's how I feel about my friend, Ruby–and you.

See, when I wrote Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends, I knew that Ruby had to be a central character. A mis-matched collection of companions MUST have someone who's in charge!

 

 

Everyone should have a chicken for a friend, right? A mother-hen type who seems to know just what to do in any situation.

 

Feeling faint?

Ruby will direct you to a chair so you can sit down.

Have an injury?

She will produce a bandage and ice, almost out of thin air.

Hungry?

Ruby happens to have a pot of soup on the stove.

Sad? 

There, there. Ruby knows just how to cheer you up.

Has someone done you wrong?

Well, that ruffles her feathers just thinking about it.

 

 

Ruby fusses. She clucks. She talks to herself as she bustles about. 

And always stylish, she is never without her earrings and necklace.

You can be assured that Ruby is a fine feathered friend, who will forever believe in you, worry over you, and make sure you've eaten a good breakfast. She's always got your back.

See, I knew you'd love her!

 

Since I'm counting down the days until you meet Ruby in real life, (when my book releases on Oct. 1,) I'd like to do a little PRE-CELEBRATING!

One lucky commenter will receive a signed copy of Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends today.

Simply let us know: who is a "Ruby" in your life? Do you have someone who fusses, clucks and bustles about your life, making sure she knows all the details?

Let's cheer for all the Ruby's of this world! Where would we be without them?? (Mine is my daughter, Lauren - a first-rate mother hen of the finest sort!)

It's Almost Here....

My friends, I'm so excited I'm about to bust.

 

My brand new book, written especially for children and starring my dear friend Flash, will be out on October 1!

 

 

(Pause for nervous giggles!)

Here is the official synopsis:

"A Stray donkey with a penchant for inventions is taken in by a mismatched collection of barnyard friends. Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends is the heartwarming story of a not-so ordinary donkey who needs a special place to belong. Flash is the inquisitive type who loves to invent things and solve problems, but his curiosity sometimes gets him into trouble! With the help of his new-found friends–Jed the goat, Carson the pig, and Ruby the chicken–Flash manages to turn problems into adventures and learns valuable lessons along the way.

Inspired by Rachel Anne Ridge's memoir, Flash, names one of Publishers Weekly's Best Summer Books of 2015, kids will fall in love with this endearing donkey as they learn to appreciate the value of true friendship."

 

 

This book was both harder (and more fun) than I could have imagined. As a mural artist, I went into it thinking, "Pfff, how hard can it be to create 9x10 inch pages?"

Turns out, pretty hard.

I drew and re-drew. I painted and repainted. I Photoshopped and re-Photoshopped.

I obsessed. Fretted. Gave myself hip bursitis from sitting in my chair for weeks on end.

And of course, I fell in love with my characters.

Above all, I wanted to create a story that kids would genuinely LIKE. One that pulled them in and made them laugh. I wanted a book that parents would enjoy reading out loud, possibly over and over again. You know how that goes, right? LOL

 

Between now and October 1, I'll introduce you to the characters and tell you why I chose them!

Until then, here is one of my favorite pictures of Flash:

You can pre-order Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends on Amazon – and I'll be honest, I'll love it if you do! Buy it for your kids, grandkids, students, and friends. You can even buy it for yourself, just because you know Flash personally and should probably have one of your own!

Here's a link to a bit more about the book. Flash the Donkey Makes New Friends.