ELPanda Paws available in print copy.

The Legend of ELPanda Paws

as e-book or in print form. 

Published 2012 by Agate Beach Press 

Cover and Illustrations by Mariah Matthews

     For hundreds of years the Claus Corporation has contracted with the ELVanites to make Love Bears which are delivered to seriously ill children around the world. Only Elves with love and happiness in their hearts can make the bears properly -- insuring that each bear carries love and comfort for these children. Negative feelings are discouraged in ELVanland. Frowning, fussing, criticizing and crying are rarely seen or heard. The ELVanites know that these feelings bring on unhappiness and disease. From early childhood they are taught to push any sad feelings out of their thoughts by thinking happy thoughts instead.

     ELVina, Head of Production, finds her elf workers suddenly afflicted with the negative disease, an illness that makes them slow and careless. They whine and break into tears at the least little happening.

     "What is going on, ELVina?" Inspector ELMonte asks. "I have never seen so many unacceptable bears come from this factory. The work is sloppy and certainly will not meet Mr. Claus's standards."

     ELVina blows her nose and hangs her head, unable to speak for a moment. She starts to cry. "I have been feeling depressed also.” 

     "There, there, now." Inspector ELMonte places a comforting arm on her shoulder, "It will be all right. We'll work it out.”

     But ELVina cannot be comforted. She knows that if the Love Bears are not made in time the Claus Corporation will not renew their contract for next year. No contract -- no work; no work -- no pay; the ELVanites will starve.

     Worse yet, their reputation as bear makers will be ruined. Something is wrong in ELVanland. Something is terribly wrong!

Can ELVina and ELMetric find the cause of the Negative Disease in time?

What

do these rascals have to do with it?

Or these tiny creatures of the mountains?

XXXXXXXXXXX

REVIEWS

5.0 out of 5 stars

A roller coaster ride -You will love it!,

By  Paul Worthington, JR. Author

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

Imagine you are alone in a foreign land. Your kidnappers are dead. You make your way from the wreckage to the shore-bodies litter the shoreline. Wounded, you make your way to a nearby cave. Suddenly, snatched out of sleep, you are chained and taken captive. In the night you cry for your mother, because that's what babies do. Will EL Panda Paws ever see her mother again? The Legend of El Panda Paws is truly an inspiring read. It will entertain ages ten to a hundred. A must read!

~~~~~~~~

5.0 out of 5 stars

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Paperback)

By Dukie

It is well written. Keeps your interest. Has a lesson involved. Encorages good and kind loving thoughts in helping young children to think out problems.

~~~~~~~~

 
 5.0 out of 5 stars

ElExcellent Story!,

By alan nayes

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

When a baby panda is cruelly snatched from its mother, the crime is felt far away in ElVanland where elves create the Love Bears that Santa delivers to sick children around the world. Only now this wonderful holiday enterprise is threatened by an epidemic of sadness called Negative Disease. The Love Bear production comes to a standstill. The author creates an entertaining original tale that--without giving away any spoilers--teaches us that doing the right thing, even if it means making sacrifices, can overcome the most pessimistic thoughts. This is a fun read for both children and those of us who are children at heart--like me! Read it to your young ones this holiday season. They're sure to get a thrill!

~~~~~~~

5.0 out of 5 stars

A wonderful adventure, Miss Mac

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

The Legend of ELPanda Paws is an enjoyable story for children of all ages. The author weaves a compelling tale of good overcoming evil that holds the reader's interest throughout the adventure. The reader is quickly immersed into the plight of a little panda cub that is captured by hunters to sell to a zoo. Following a shipwreck, crates of animals are washed ashore, but only the panda cub survives. Unfortunately the panda cub is captured by the Ughlies who torture the frightened animal, knowing its pain and suffering will wreak havoc in ELVanland with the return of the dreaded Negative Disease. Will the ELVanites rescue the panda cub or will the Ughlies destroy their archenemy? No spoilers here - you will have to read the book to find out. I liked this story and look forward to reading more of Ms. Arvanitis' work.

~~~~~~~~

5.0 out of 5 stars

An Excellent Start for Young E-Readers,

By Mariah Matthews -

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

I recommend this for young e-readers. It's a delightful tale of adversity and how love triumphs over all. Easy reading for the little ones, about misguided Uglies, cute little Itzuses...and a Panda bear who is ship-wrecked on a North shore and rescued by a community of Elves.

~~~~~~~

5.0 out of 5 stars

Life and death adventures of lovable character.,

By Patsy B. -

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

A great kids story as these characters scramble to survive a mysterious malady that has befallen their workplace, endangering their homes, and their lives. I found them engaging. The story had enough mystery and spice to keep me reading. I wanted to know what happened, and was happy with the resolution. I liked this book.

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Delightful !,

By Karleene L. Morrow "Karleene"   

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

This fun, imaginative book was joyful even for an adult to read. Made me wish my kids - or grandkids - were still little so I could read it to them. The author has a big child inside her. Loved it.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Wonderful book for all ages.,

By Connie's Reads

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

This book is delightful for the adult reader as well as for children. This creative writer gives a good life lesson as well as a good story. Looking forward to more of her writings.

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4.0 out of 5 stars

Cute Children's Story

By Jenn Booksessed - 

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

This was a really cute children's story that I can see a lot of kids enjoying in the winter. The Elves that make Love Bears for sick kids come down with the Negative disease and are in danger of not making enough bears and losing their contract with Santa unless someone can find out what's causing the negative disease.

I thought that it was such a genius idea and really liked that there were elements of danger and adventure. Since the story is rather short, I don't want to give away any spoilers, because it really is cute and worth the read. I did love the inclusion of a real panda cub; they were my favorite animal as I child and I still have a great fondness for them.

I think children will greatly enjoy this story and their parents won't mind reading it either. I think that there are also some good lessons about being positive and doing the right thing. I also love when a story has a happy ending.

I would read more from this author, especially more children's stories.

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4.0 out of 5 stars

Joy to Read,

By dskosu –

The Legend of ELPanda Paws (Kindle Edition)

A joy to read. The Legend of ELPanda Paws is a great read for not only younger readers but adults as well.

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                                                     XXXXXXXXXXX

You can now get this imaginative and delightful book for the child in your family. Written for Mid Grade readers, and for read-to-me books for younger ones, and even for the older reader, those of you who still have a kid inside you.  

                                                      XXXXXXXXXXX

On Amazon, USA

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JEWTR2/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

On   Amazon, UK 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007JEWTR2/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

On Smashwords

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120937

OCTOBER's free story (from my Back Yard Friends) to download and read to your preschool children. Good for Teachers, Parents, and Grandparents. 

FEEL TO FREE TO COPY

(Give credit to me, the Author, Please.)

 MERLE  SQUIRREL

AND  THE  SCARECROW

by

M.  C.  Arvanitis

Merle Squirrel clapped his hands together as he looked at his pile of acorns. “Those acorns will taste really good when I wake up from my winter’s nap,” he said.

Bitty BlueJay swooped down from the oak tree. “Don’t you know you can’t leave them lay on the ground? The crows will eat them all before you wake.”

“Oh dear. Where can I hide them from the crows?” he asked.

The crabby jay flipped her wings, “That’s not my problem,” and she flew to her nest on the top of the tree.

“She’s right, it is my problem,” Merle said to himself. Rachel Robin hopped by with a fat worm in her mouth. When she heard Merle she gobbled it up. “What is your problem, Merle?” she asked.

“If I leave my acorns on the ground the crows will eat them. Can you help me find a place where I could hide them? “

Rachael shook her head. “Sorry, but my family and I are leaving for the winter. It is time for us to fly south. See ya.” And she flew away.

Merle looked up at Ollie Owl, who watched him from his hole in the tree. “Ollie, can I hide my acorns in your place? If I leave them on the ground the crows will eat them.”

“OOO, sorry, no room.” Ollie disappeared back into his hole.

Merle looked all over the farm for a place to hide his acorns. Wherever he looked either another squirrel had claimed the space or it would not be dry enough to keep acorns through the winter.

He continued to search. Each day brought him closer to winter. He was getting desperate. Then he spied a strange looking object standing in Farmer Ann’s cornfield. It had a wide brimmed hat, arms that stretched straight out, a large jacket and baggy pants flopping in the wind. He jumped on the arm of this thing to see it closer. The head was a pumpkin with a face carved upon it. Why this must be the new scarecrow, the one that Farmer Ann made each fall to scare away the crows,” he thought.

He greeted it, "Hello, Scarecrow.” The scarecrow didn't answer. "Guess you don't feel like being friendly, huh?” No answer. Merle was about to jump to the ground when he noticed the scarecrow's jacket pockets. They were wide and deep and no one would ever think of looking in them for acorns.

"Say, could I hide my acorns in your pockets for the winter?" he asked.

The scarecrow didn't answer.

"Is that a yes or a no?"

Still no answer.

"Well, than, I'll consider it a yes." Quickly Merle ran to his pile of acorns. It took him all day to carry the acorns to the scarecrow's pockets.

When he finally had the acorns stored he climbed back onto the scarecrows arm and look into its pumpkin face. "Thank you for letting me store my acorns in your coat pockets. I am going to take a short winter nap now but when I wake I will be hungry. The acorns will taste very good when the snow covers the ground and there is nothing else to eat. If you get hungry you may have a few."

Merle climbed up to his nest in the oak tree. Just as he settled down for the winter he saw a big black crow fly near. The scarecrow waved its coat sleeves and the crow flew away. “Good,” he thought. "That Scarecrow will keep my acorns safe."

Early in the spring Merle’s tummy began to growl. He woke up very hungry but he didn't worry. He knew where to find some acorns. Quickly he jumped to the scarecrow's arm. "I've come to get my acorns,” he said.

The scarecrow didn't answer.

"Thanks for looking after them." Merle reached his paw into the pocket. The pocket was empty. "Well, I did say you could eat a few, I guess." He reached into the other pocket. That pocket was also empty. Merle jumped on the scarecrow's arm. "Did you eat all my acorns?”

The scarecrow didn't say anything, but Merle noticed that its face was sort of puffy.

"You did eat my acorns. I said you could eat a few. I didn't say you could eat all of them." He swished his fluffy tail in anger.

At that moment a big black crow zoomed down to reach its beak inside the scarecrow's pocket. It reached to the bottom but came up empty. It tried the other pocket and finally flew away with an empty beak.

"So it was the crows that ate my acorns. Oh dear, I'm so hungry. I'll starve before the new acorns are ready for dropping." Merle started to cry.

The scarecrow's jacket moved back and forth in the breeze. But wait, its pumpkin head was moving too. It shook so hard that the hat fell off. Merle jumped to the highest corn stalk in fright. He looked down at the scarecrow’s head. He saw a big hole in the top of the pumpkin where Farmer Ann had removed the seeds to carve its face. He looked again. The head wasn't empty. It was full of his acorns. 

Merle jumped back to the scarecrows shoulders and planted a big kiss on the pumpkin’s cheek. “Thank you for keeping my acorns safe.”

 The scarecrow said nothing but if you were watching very closely you could see the mouth curve up into a smile.

Merle climbed on the pumpkin head and contentedly ate his fill.

Every year after that Merle Squirrel stored his winter supply of acorns inside the scarecrow's head where the crows could not find them. 

---------------------------------------

Song to sing: “Shoo Scarecrow”

(Children stand with arms out feet flat on the floor. Only body moves. They sway back and forth as they sing to the tune of “Little Brown Jug”.

At the end they throw their arms out and up as if shooing the crows.) 

Fly away crow with coat so black

Fly away crow and don’t come back,

I’m standing here so the corn can grow,

So fly away, fly Away, Fly away crow.

SHOOOOOOOOOOO

---

BOOK SUGGESTION:  To use with this story,

Also read The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

by Linda Williams, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)

M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: TIPTOP, LAST LEAF (preschool and early elementary...

M. C. Arvanitis, writer / WORDS TOGETHER MAKE TALES: TIPTOP, LAST LEAF (preschool and early elementary...: " Tiptop, the highest leaf on the Back Yard Tree dances in the warm summer breezes. She is happy being who she is .. until the seas..."

Excerpts from Pixies of the Ferns,

PIXIES OF THE FERNS.

M. C. Arvanitis

Pixies of the Ferns is the third of my  mid grade fantasy books. Here is an excerpt of this book I am working on at the present time.  

Fernella's friend, Freddie, has volunteered to fly  Sergeant Farley who, hired by the town council, is to find a new home where the Pixies can be safe from Human progress.  Fernella and her friend, Fanny, town clerk, goes with them.  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A white-topped mountain appeared in the distance, the sun shinning down on it’s snow covered top. “The Mortals call that Mount Hood,”  Sergeant Farley  informed them, “I scouted the base of the mountain a few years ago. The land is rugged, covered with massive rocks. Not the kind Mortals can farm. Even the loggers work in lower elevations. And there’s water. The Imps don’t make their homes near water.”

“Do you think we could find a place to relocate there?” Freddie inquired.

“Probably on the upper elevation around the foot hills.”

Freddie turned the flyer toward the mountain. The higher he flew the stronger the wind whipped the machine. It dipped nose down. He pulled it up with all his strength. “Hold on,” he shouted above the roar of the wind. “I’ll restart the engine. Give us more power.”

Fernella held tightly to the front panel. Fanny squealed, and squeezed against Farley. Putting his arms around her, he shouted in her ear, “Hold on, little darlin’.”

Freddie zoomed the flyer downward until it leveled out over the tops of the trees. He breathed a sign of relief. “I have it in control now. Just needed to start the engine.” They flew toward the mountain. In the sky above them large, black spots came toward them. “What are those?“ Fernella asked.

Before Freddie could answer, flocks of crows attacked the plane, their caws deafening. Fanny screamed.

“Crows.” Farley yelled. “They think we are in their territory.”

Hang on. We’ll get lower and lose them.” Freddie put the flyer into a dive. Seeing a tree straight ahead he desperately pulled the nose up. Too late! The last thing Fernella remembered was an ear-splitting noise.

Fernella's Magic

PIXIES OF THE FERNS

The beginning of my Mid Grade Fantasy # three

Fernella’s Magic

M. C. Arvanitis

On her way to collect leaves from the cinnamon fern that grew by the Sandy water, Fernella Fabrizio skipped along the edge of the Mortals’ Road. Almost twelve inches in height, tall for a Pixie girl, Fernella lived in the forest of North West Oregon. The wide paved road ran past the village of Fernville and through the evergreen forest.

Father had told her to use the path that led into the forest and to stay off the Mortals’ Road. She had ignored him. She did not want to take the chance of running into the winged Forest Fairies who lived in the deepest part of the forest. Pixies and Fairies were enemies. Plus, since the Mortal’s vehicle only traveled the road early in the morning and back again in the evening, she thought she would be safe.

Daydreams of Freddie ran through her thoughts. She had never known someone as talented as he. He spent his time inventing useful things like the cell phone, catching electrons that floated in the air to power them. His wind machine brought electricity to the Fern Folks homes and made life easier for them all. He had even put together a watering system bringing running water from Sandy Water to their houses.

A putrid odor interrupted her thoughts. She fought back a gag. She recognized the smell of the Mortal's vehicle. Its toxic breath could make her deathly sick if she got too close to it. And if she stayed on the road it would run her down, squishing her into a blot on the surface. She knew that to be true. Long ago her Uncle Frank, who had been drinking too much beer, had wandered onto the road. The old timers told the terrible story of how there was nothing left of him but a wet spot.

Fernella had caught a glimpse of the vehicle when it passed her once before. It was  so tall that all she could see was its four black rolling wheels under rusty grey covers. Last year Freddie had first seen it from his perch in his watch-out station at the edge of the village. There had always been talk of Mortals living near by but this was the only sign of them.

She felt the ground shake. Another warning. Then she heard a roar. She rushed off the road and tucked her body under a bright green, arching fern. She held her nose. A red box-like vehicle slowly passed her. Suddenly it stopped. Two Mortals climbed out and looked at the large trees that lined the road.  Fernella gasped. She had never seen a Mortal before, but the rumor was right! They were giants. Terrified, she froze. She knew they couldn’t see her, Pixie’s were invisible to Mortals, but the giants walked toward her!

TO BE CONTINUED

PIXIES OF THE FERN series

FERNELLA'S MAGIC

M.C. Arvanitis

Be careful where you tread my child

When you walk near woods so green.

Keep your feet upon the path.

They say Pixies can’t be seen.

But If you listen you may hear.

Laughter that makes your heart feel free.

While walking in the woods, believe,

And a Pixie you may see.

(M. C. Arvanitis)

This week (June 25, 2012) I began my third mid grade fantasy book, 'Fernella's  Magic. The first, 'The Legend of ELPanda Paws,' of Elves and a panda cub, has been published as an e-book. The second book, 'Forbidden Wings,'  tells the story of a Mermaid who wants wings, soon to be published.  


'Pixies of the Fern' - Fernella's Magic', brings Pixies to life. Keep tuned to read more as it develops.  

GEORGE'S KARMA, a short story.

Writing Short Stories are exercise for the mind .. An outlet for the written word, and and a great way to get your name out there.  Another of my short stories, 'George's Karma' has been published in the latest Literary Underground group of short stories about Time. Free to download at Smashwords. You can read my story on page 79 by clicking on the link below. Jump to the top to read all the other great stories submitted by some of the best Indie writers.


 GEORGE'S KARMA (short story) by M. C. Arvanitis

My interview

--TO MY FANS--

As author of my latest e-book "The Legend of ELPanda Paws”, I had the honor of being in the "Author Spotlight" on The Book Rack.

Crystal Schall, creator of BOOK RACK shares book reviews and author interviews. 

You can read my interview at the link below.  Be sure to comment after reading. (And as always welcome to any blogger, a "like" would be good. That helps her get the word of new writers out and helps me reach out too.)   

Thanks, Margaret Arvanitis.

http://thebookrack.weebly.com/3/post/2012/03/author-spotlight-m-c-avaranitis.html

FORBIDDEN WINGS 

by 

M.C. Arvanitis

Soon to be published on Amazon.com

and other e-platforms 

 Nadeea's parents have been captured by the terrible Sea Lions and she and the other young Mers are left to be raised by the nannies in hiding.  Worse yet she is different than the other Mermaids, and being different isn't cool.

When Nadeea meets her fairy friends, Cassandra and Alex, and sees their beautiful wings, she longs for wings too.  Sir Cecil, the Hobbit Snerg, promises to help her find wings, but they must take a long dangerous journey to the home of the Damselflies who might know where Nadeea can get wings.

I have snergs, fairies, selkies, Squarettes, sea-trows and hill-trows, and other imaginary visions on my mind. How will they discourage or help a mermaid find her way to gaining wings and save her family from the slave caves? 

What's a Squarette? you might ask.  Susie Squarette is new to fantasy fiction. I guess you will have to read my book to find out about her.  ; )   

The Legend ofF ELPanda Paws

IT's HERE!!  KINDLE readers .. My first book,The Legend of ELPanda Paws is now on Amazon.com. This is a fantasy, adventure. A Mid Grade Chapter book but adults who have already read it enjoyed it too. (Be the first to comment on the site. AND DON'T FORGET to tell YOUR friends. Thanks a Million : )
Click on title to find link to Amazon.

Click on the side link to find on Barnes & Noble:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Legend-ELPanda-Paws-ebook/dp/B007JEWTR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337295916&sr=1-1