A Spooky Tale of Spring: Or, How the Grumpy Mom Got her Cheer Back - Hardcover

Viglione, Julia D

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0998443263 ISBN 13: 9780998443263

Publisher: Honey Girl Books and Gifts, 2020

Synopsis

This book retells the Dickens novel, "A Christmas Carol," with a Ghost Cat named Iris instead of a Ghost business partner named Marley: a spooky cat who visits her former owner to teach a lesson of kindness to animals. When the Ghost Cat and other spirits leave her at last, the grumpy woman's bad temper is gone and a new friend named Cheer moves in. Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book updates a classic for our troubled times and shows how happiness can spread in a friendly urban neighborhood, thanks to the magic of creativity. Children will enjoy the many pets in this book, and thrill at the stunning visit of the Ghost Cat. Both children and adults will enjoy the warm-hearted humor. Illustrated by Kiera Highsmith with 32 original images. Includes two historical or contextual notes, by Dickens scholar, Chris VandenBossche, and animal rights activist, Wendy A. Wolfe. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Homeward Bound Pet Rescue Organization of Mishawaka, IN. Murray Baumgarten (UCSC Dickens Project) says: "Laughter heals, and this lovely book kept me laughing. It's a wonderful tribute to Dickens's 'Christmas Carol', by extending it to animals. Our pets come out ahead here, knowing things it would be best for we adults to learn and take to heart. And as we laugh and chortle, we heal."

About this title

About the Authors

Mother of two and owner of dog named Honey Girl, Julia D. Viglione has loved "A Christmas Carol" since first discovering the book as a child. "A Spooky Tale of Spring" is her way of rendering homage to Dickens while offering hope and comfort to readers plagued by the multiple stresses of our times, with a humorous twist that children and adults will all enjoy. This is the second original title published by Honey Girl Books and Gifts: a business launched by the author in 2018, upon departing from her career as a French professor at Notre Dame.

Kiera Highsmith is an animator and illustrator based in the rainy city of Portland, Oregon. With the aid of her partner and one incredibly pretentious cat, she makes fun, character driven narratives with a focus on interpersonal relationships. "A Spooky Tale of Spring" is her first illustrated children's book, and most probably not her last.

Edition details

• Publisher: Honey Girl Books and Gifts
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0998443263
• ISBN 13: 9780998443263
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Highsmith Kiera
• Number of pages: 44