FANTASY & Historical BOOKS FOR CHILDREN, Mid Grade.,

11/27/12

Fables, mid grade, fantasy, mermaids, elves, selkies, PandaPREVIEW OF BOOKS BY M. C. ARVANITIS



FABLES  by M. C. AVANITIS

WHAT IS A FABLE?


A brief tale embodying a moral using fantasy legends and mythical creatures, such as Mermaids, Elves, Pixies, Selkies, Leprechauns, Fairies, Imps, and other known characters. Some not so well known join in, such as Trows, Snergs, Gwilon, the Goat gwitihn, and the shape shifter, Puk-Wud-Jie.

My Fables include all of these and in addition I introduce other characters who live only in my mind, such as the Itizus, Sadie Squaette, and the evil Ughlies. Each fable holds exciting adventures and has a hint of romance.

These Fables are for young to mid-grade reader, and for non-reader listeners. Written in short chapters they are perfect for teacher reading to her students. I have published the first two both in e-books and print books. Number three, PIXIES OF THE FERNS, Fernella's Magic (where I introduce the shape shifter, Puk-Wud-Jie) will be on the market in early summer. 

The Legend of ELPanda Paws


Cover by Mariah Matthews

Links

E-book can be found at


The story takes place in the North Land, near the Bering Sea coast. For hundreds of years The Claus Corporation has contracted with the ELVanites to make the Love Bears, which are delivered to seriously ill children of the world. In order to insure that each bear carries love and comfort to these children only Elves with love and happiness in their heart can make the bears properly. Negative feelings are discouraged in ELVanland.

ELVina, head of production Manager, 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 before. The work is sloppy and certainly will not pass Mr. Claus's standards."

ELVina 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. Something is wrong in ELVanland. Something is terribly wrong! She must find out what is causing the Negative Disease.



&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

         "FORBIDDEN WINGS, A MERMAID'S STORY" 

Cover art by Mariah Matthews



The story takes place  in the Hildaland, hidden city near the coast of Rowsey. Nadeea, is different from the other mermaids but has been protected by her parents, King Eric and Queen Eldora. When they and the other adult Mers are enslaved in the pearl oyster beds at the bottom of the North Sea by Sea Lions, she must live in hiding with the other Mer children. 

Bullied by the leader of the young Mers, She find life unbearable. When she meets fairies, Cassandra and Alex, and sees their beautiful wings, she longs for wings too. Sir Cecil, the Snerg, takes her  on a long dangerous journey, crossing the battle field of the evil Trows to the home of the Damselflies where she may find wings. But when the Selkies declare war on the Sea Lions she is torn between joining them to save her family or waiting for wings. Are wings more important than saving her family?

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&


PIXIES OF THE FERNS; FERNELLA’S MAGIC
(publication pending) 

It begins with this rough draft sketch of the cover. 
(Designed by Mariah Matthews) 

This fable takes place in the mountains of Oregon, and tells of the adventure of Fernella Fabrizio, a young Pixie who is the seventh child of a seventh child. Each Seventh Pixie has some kind of magic and Fernella must find hers before her father will give his blessings to her marriage with Freddie.

When humans threaten the Fern Pixies’ home, Fernella and Freddie fly off to find a new place to build Fernville. An accident leaves Freddie badly hurt. Fernella braves the wilds of the Mt. Hood foothills to find help. She faces Imps, moles, blizzards, and floods, that take her further away from Freddie. In despair she tries to find her magic. She connects with the shape shifter, Puk-Wud-Jie, who helps her find it, but what good is magic if she doesn’t know how to use it?

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&




&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

If you do read my books, please email me at Margielyn@aol.com and if you will,  leave a review at the link where you bought them.   (May your heart be blessed!) 
   
THANKS -- Margaret Arvanitis. 

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

FORBIDDEN WINGS Now in Ebook.

FORBIDDEN WINGS WINGS, A MERMAID'S STORY 

Now Ready for E-readers. Click on these links. 


(Published by Agate Beach Enterprises. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form without permission.)

Why would a Mermaid wish for wings?  
And where could she find them?

Excerpts 
        Nadeea caught her breath. The fairy did not see the big wave coming in. “Watch out for the wave!” she called. Too late. The wave crashed over the small creature and she disappeared beneath the water. Nadeea dove in after her. She lifted the little body up onto the rock. The other fairy settled on the rock beside the wounded fairy. He placed his hands on his hips. “I'm Alex her brother. Now, what am I to do? She can’t fly with a broken wing.A deep voice startled both Nadeea and Alex. “Perhapsss, I can be of asssisstance!”

Below them beside the rock a small, round boat bobbed up and down in the water. A short, stout man wearing a yellow robe sat in the boat. A red pointed hat rested on white hair that led down into a full beard. He wore no shoes; curly white hair covered his large feet.
“Who are you?” exclaimed Nadeea.
“I be Ssir Cecil of the Snerg clan. If you can sslide the lasssie into my boat I will row her to sshore.”
          “Don’t do it!” Alex exclaimed. “He’s evil  They eat fairies.
--------


Gnats swarmed around her eyes and ears. She pushed away newts and salamanders that crawled on the rock. A spotted red bug moved toward her. Just as she reached her hand to knock it off the rock she heard a voice.
“Hey, you there sitting down,
don’t knock me around.
I mean no harm to do.
I can be of help to you.”
Astonished at hearing a talking bug, Nadeea jerked her hand away. “What are you?” she asked.
--------



Dragonfly-like insects nearly two feet long swarmed around them. A soft glow surrounded their transparent wings giving off muted colors of the rainbow. “I’ve never seen such large dragonflies,” Nadeea remarked.
“'Tiss no dragonfliess. Ye can tell a dragonfly from a damsselfly by its wingss. A dragonfly when at resst ssettless with itss wingss outsstretched whereass a damsselfly ssettless with wingss folded over itss body. This be the home of the largesst damsselfliess that grow in the world,” Sir Cecil answered.
“They are so beautiful,” she said, “Do you think I could have wings like theirs?”
“We sshall ssee, Lasss, we sshall ssee.”
An enormous Damselfly buzzed over them,   “What do you want here?” he roared.
--------

"There’s got to be a way to get you out. I will find help,” Nadeea called to her family as she floated upward. Not knowing what else to do she swam back to her rock.  From there she could see and hear the Sea Lions and Seals fighting.  It didn’t look good, the Sea Lions were winning. She felt a nudge on her tailfin. Looking down she saw her friend Manny Sawfish and several of his friends swimming around her rock. “Nadeea, Nadeea,” he called, “We have come to help! Follow me.
--------

If you read Nadeea's fable Please take a moment to give a review on Amazon and/or Smashwords. Reviews are so important to an Indie author.  And I LOVE to read them. : )  
M. C. Arvanitis



REVIEWS

5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Fantasy Story about an Adventurous Mermaid,
This captivating story with fantastical characters will delight the imaginations of young readers. There is great detail throughout the book, making the scenes seem very real. As I was reading this out loud to my daughter, I could see her imagining the scenes as her eyes sparkled.

Nadeea, a young mermaid, is shorter than the other mermaids and is teased quite a bit by her peers. She is teased so much that she just wants to fly away to another world. She meets some friends at the water's surface and begins a grand adventure to rescue her parents and other Mers from their imprisonment by the evil sea lions. This is a well told story that grabs and keeps your attention as you follow Nadeea through her amazing adventures. Nadeea shows us that dreams really can come true if you stay persistent with your efforts and maintain a sense of adventure. We thoroughly enjoyed this story and would love to see a sequel detailing more of Nadeea's adventures.
~~~~~~~~
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Fantasy,
Sometimes life gets too serious and because of this, I am delighted to come across this delightful mermaid book of innocent and creative imagination. This is an excellent way to spend a whimsical afternoon daydreaming into the treasures of the little girl heart. Daring to be creative makes this book a 5* read. Nadeea, take me away!!!
~~~~~~~~
5.0 out of 5 stars
A belivable fantasy,
I enjoyed every page, didnt want it to end. I wanted to know more about the little Mermaid and her adventures. A book two is a great idea. Likeable and fun reading for any age person. A fun book with a message.
~~~~~~~~
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really cute children's story.,
Having read one of M.C. Arvanitis' children's' books in the past I kind of had a feeling what to expect: a cute story with some great lessons. I was not disappointed.

Having grown up on Disney movies, I think that every little girl at one point or another has wished that she was a mermaid; but never really wondered what mermaids wish for when there's no prince around. I would never have guessed wings.

Nadeea the mermaid is just one of many unique characters in Forbidden Wings but she is by far my favorite. She was born different from other mermaids and as a result was bullied. She desperately wants wings so that she can fly like faeries. I loved that Nadeea didn't wish to be like the mermaids that bullied her, but wished to stand out even more.

She goes on a quest to find someone who can make her wish come true and ends up not only making a lot of new friends but learning some important lessons about who she is and life in general. I really thought that this was a great book for kids and would greatly recommend it.
~~~~~~~~
3.0 out of 5 stars
Stitch Says Book Review
By Ashley
Do your children like mermaid, fairies and other mythical creatures? Do they enjoy adventure? Do they have amazing dreams they'd wish come true? Well then they would enjoy reading Forbidden Wings a Mermaid's Story.
It is the story of Princess Nadeea, a mermaid who dreams of flying. Her wish takes her and some fairy friends on an amazing journey. The meet some fantastic friends and have some incredible adventures along the way.
M.C. Avanitis has produced a children's novel that can be enjoyed by many. Some may find the speech a bit challenging at times, but overall it is an entertaining read.
~~~~~~~----------

10/20/12

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
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!,

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,
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.
~~~~~~~~
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful !,
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.,
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.
~~~~~~~~
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cute Children's Story
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.
~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~


                                                     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




http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JEWTR2/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007JEWTR2/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120937




10/3/12

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)

8/13/12

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.