2023 IPPY AWARD

Merion is a young mouse who has worked hard to overcome her physical disability and earn her place as a messenger for the Royal Message Service of her country, Lyleechee. When she stumbles upon a plan of high treason, however, her life is upended. In this crisis the intelligence agency LITE is reestablished by Xander Shadow and Merion is recruited to the newly formed LITE Academy as an agent in training. Before she finishes, she will be called upon to use her cunning, courage, and daring to help foil the plot to take over Lyleechee.

READING WEDNESDAYS

My latest book is finally out LITE: THE HIGH TREASON INCIDENT, witten by A. G. Roberts and illustrated by Alicia Schwab. This middle-grade fantasy is available, May 10th, 2022.

I’M GIVING AWAY ONE FREE SIGNED-COPY. To enter, all you have to do is sign up for my monthly newsletter.

PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, & ITASCA BOOKS.

Check out my book trailer!

Merion is a young mouse who has worked hard to overcome her physical disability and earn her place as a messenger for the Royal Message Service of her country, Lyleechee. When she stumbles upon a plan of high treason, however, her life is upended. In this crisis the intelligence agency LITE is reestablished by Xander Shadow and Merion is recruited to the newly formed LITE Academy as an agent in training. Before she finishes, she will be called upon to use her cunning, courage, and daring to help foil the plot to take over Lyleechee.

Commission: "Something Old"

I created this piece for a commission for an upcoming IA/MN SCBWI middle grade and young adult (MG/YA) workshop titled, “Something Old”. I am obsessed with mysteries and murder mysteries. My streaming video feed is almost all mysteries. But I also like history. And you know what’s really old and very cool? Egyptian art and artifacts: hieroglyphs, Egyptian canopic jars, towering statues, and other tomb treasures.

STEM/STEAM: Other triggers for earthquakes

Check out the latest seismic activity in central USA.

STEM/STEAM: Ring Ring! Earth is Calling

Did you know, earthquakes can make sound!

Q: On Valentine’s Day what did the Volcano say to the Tectonic Plate?

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A: “I lava you.”

STEM/STEAM: It's All Our Fault(s)

Q: What do cows make during an earthquake?

A: Milkshake!

STEM/STEAM: Earthquake Book

I feel for the people of Haiti. They were recently hit again by a major earthquake and are suffering. To better understand the situation, I illustrated, designed, and heavily edited an earthquake book from a public domain book to make it an up-to-date STEM / STEAM middle grade book for kids.

IN ONE DAY

On August 25, 2021, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported 140 small earthquakes (1 to 3.3). Fortunately, no-one was hurt. But it may indicate that Mount Kilauea will start erupting soon.

THE CARIBBEAN PLATE PUSHES EASTWARD

But earlier on August 14th, 2021 a major earthquake (7.2) struck Haiti. The small country lies on the western end of the island of Hispaniola. Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010 (7.0) from which it still hasn’t fully recovered.

There are two faults in this region of the Caribbean, one is “dominantly strike-slip and the other is a small component of subduction plate.” This strike-slip fault is extra destructive because as the two plates slip past each other they get stuck. However the Caribbean fault continues to push east while the tension increases until it breaks free, (like when you snap your fingers). The people in Haiti are starving and desperate for aid. There’s lots of ways to help. Google “how to help people in Haiti” for suggestions. Educate yourself. It’s always good to learn something new.