New Books from Raven Tree Press

A SWEATER FOR DUNCAN
UN SUÉTER PARA DUNCAN

Full–Color • 9 x 11 • 32 pages
Jacketed Hardcover or Paperback
Reading Level 2.2
Publication Date: September 2010

Written by Margaret Gay Malone
Illustrated by Lorraine Dey

Little Duncan penguin is proud of his fuzzy coat. He sticks out his chest as he waddles among the other penguins. He knows he is the handsomest one in the frozen south. Trouble jumps in when his fuzz flies off in clumps and floats on the wind like butterflies. His mother agrees to knit him a sweater, but will that solve the problem? The sweater is just too small. What’s he to do? Finally, his mother leads him to a mirror–like piece of ice, where a happy surprise awaits. He’s all grown up, and again the handsomest penguin in the frozen south.

Author 
Margaret Gay Malone loves both reading and writing. This will be her ninth children’s book. Among her other loves are art, music, American history and, of course, animals. Over the years, the Malone family has had a collection of animals, among them, two teddy bear hamsters, three rabbits, three cats, and two dogs. She and her husband, Tom, live with their cat, Woobie.

Illustrator 
Lorraine Dey has been a full–time illustrator and graphic designer for over 30 years. Lorraine began drawing as soon as she could pick up a crayon and she would spend hours drawing and coloring as a little girl. “Lorrie,” as she is known to her friends and family, lives at the Jersey Shore with her two cats, Jodie and Mischief. A Sweater for Duncan is her first children’s picture book.

BEDTIME MONSTER
¡A DORMIR, PEQUEÑO MONSTRUO!

Full–Color • 9 x 11 • 32 pages
Jacketed Hardcover or Paperback
Reading Level 1.8
Publication Date: Fall 2010

Written by Heather Ayris Burnell
Illustrated by Bonnie Adamson

A little boy doesn’t want to go to bed. He whines. He cries. He throws a tantrum. He begins to grow long claws and a tail. What? A tail? It’s true! This little boy is not only acting like a monster, he turns into one! He growls a scary growl. He grows a tail. But, his parents know what to do. They calmly cuddle, rock, and sing to him. Here is a monster you might actually want to snuggle with as bedtime draws near.

Author
 Heather Ayris Burnell grew up in Salinas, California. She now lives in the mountains of Washington state with her husband, three children, two big dogs and one feisty cat. Heather liked writing stories as a kid, but likes writing them even more now that she’s a grown–up. She believes there is a little bit of monster in all of us. Bedtime Monster is Heather’s first picture book. Burnell has degrees from Santa Rosa Junior College as well as Harnell College.

Illustrator 
Bonnie Adamson majored in English and then got a second degree in art from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Before she turned to illustrating for the children’s market, Bonnie was a free–lance graphic designer, with clients ranging from textile manufacturers to nonprofit arts organizations. Now she works from her home in South Carolina—in a studio cubbyhole wedged in next to what used to be the children’s playroom.

LOBO AND THE RABBIT STEW
EL LOBO Y EL CALDO DE CONEJO

Full–Color • 9 x 11 • 32 pages
Jacketed Hardcover or Paperback
Reading Level 2.7
Publication Date: September 2010

Written by Marcia Schwartz
Illustrated by Brent Campbell

Lobo is a wolf who must eat a succulent rabbit stew while the moon is full or he will go cuckoo. He tries a variety of temptations to entice a bunny out of his burrow. The little rabbit uses his wits to escape becoming an entree.

Each initial sketch is transferred to illustration board. Then the finished painting is completed by brushing a ground wash on the entire board and layering a mixed media technique using gouache, oils and colored pencil for details.

Author 
Marcia Schwartz is a retired high school English teacher. She has two sons and one granddaughter. She is married to Hank and together they enjoy rolling over the hills of Southeast Nebraska in their little red Jeep. Marcia has a BS in education from the University of Kansas. As a child, Marcia enjoyed making up stories to tell to her eight brothers and sisters, so writing “Lobo” just came naturally. Marcia Schwartz lives in Falls City, Nebraska.

Illustrator 
Brent Campbell graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design and currently resides in North Canton, Ohio with his wife, Paula, and their children.

THE LITTLE WEED FLOWER
LA FLORECITA DE LA MALEZA

Full–Color • 9 x 11 • 32 pages
Jacketed Hardcover or Paperback
Reading Level 2.2
Publication Date: September 2010

Have you ever felt like you are unsure where you belong? Little Weed Flower is growing in a weed patch, but secretly longs to be in the beautiful garden tended by the loving gardener. With the help of a new friend her wish comes true and she is able to share positive lessons with other garden flowers. We also learn that no matter where we come from, everything has its own beauty and a special purpose in the garden of life. A timeless story of hope for those who dare to dream.

Author
 Vicky Whipple grew up as an energetic “navy brat” who loved the outdoors. By the time she graduated from high school she’d gone to 11 schools, all of this despite a learning disability. Later in life, she worked for the school district’s special education department as a teacher’s assistant to help students struggling as she did. She wrote her first published story in second grade and continued her love of writing throughout her life. Vicky has two children, three grandchildren, one older brother and one younger sister—all of whom are her heart’s treasures. Vicky Whipple lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Illustrator 
Illustrator Pamela Barcita chose to work with pastel pencils for this story. She felt the brilliant colors suited the garden flowers and the soft technique suited the gentle nature of the characters. She used a combination of real life models, photographs and imagination to create the compositions. Pamela Barcita lives in Chesapeake, Virginia.