Books
Victah!
We all cherish memories of family celebrations, whether they bring a smile or a tear, because they stay with us forever. For this family, lively activities like boating, fishing, and golfing were more than mere hobbies-they were the heart of their lives. As the children arrived, they became an integral part of this tradition. Told from young Victor’s point of view, he shares his personal stories and experiences.
Saci Kids: The Magic of Red
While living in Brazil, I fell in love with the people, culture, language, music, and their incredible folklore. Chief among their myths is the legend of Sací, made famous by Monteiro Lobato in his book O Sací, first published in 1921. I returned to the States with a Sací doll, which I’ve carried with me everywhere I’ve moved. The mythical character of Sací has stayed with me over the years and inspired me to write my own Sací adventure. I added to my story children living in foster care. During WWII, while my father was serving, my mother became very ill and needed to place me in foster care, so I am familiar with some of the challenges involved in that lifestyle.
A Formal Occasion
A Formal Occasion is a children’s chapter book, target age 8-12, that is a coming-of-age story about finding the “perfect” dress for a big event. It is a story about the importance of friendships and how sometimes those friendships require loving sacrifices. “A Formal Occasion is charming, heartfelt, and age-appropriate. It blends humor, friendship, resourcefulness, and family love in a way that resonates across generations. The core message that love is shown through action and that true friends stick together – comes through strongly.”
Blossoms
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Morning Glory Blossoms who always wanted to play. One day, Morning Glory’s mother becomes ill and needs the mysterious healing power of the beautiful blossoms from her village garden. Through this frightening experience, Morning Glory learns that life can’t always be about having fun, and in her concern for her mother, discovers the healing power of love.
The Catch of the Day
The Catch of the Day was inspired by a 1995 newspaper article about a man who lost his dentures overboard while on a fishing trip in the Netherlands. In 1998, I submitted my story to Oceana Magazine’s eighth annual short story contest, The Write Stuff, and received honorable mention. It was later published in Pen In Hand, The Biannual Literary Journal of the Maryland Writers’ Association, January 2021, edited by Dr. Tapendu K. Basu. The story is about a boy who goes striper (or rockfish or striped bass) fishing with his father and grandfather. The grandfather coughs up his dentures overboard, where a striper swallows them. The young boy reels in the very striper that swallowed the dentures, which the father finds when gutting the prize-winning fish.