Announcements, Book Announcements, children's books

ANNOUNCEMENT! It’s Book Release Day for Ellen Kolman’s “Crabby Abby the Decorator Crab’s Big Heart”

We are excited to share this new release of Crabby Abby the Decorator Crab’s Big Heart!

Crabby Abby is a decorator crab who literally looks like a sparkly boutique on ten legs! Abby’s clothing choices are unusual but so is Abby. Decorator crabs use whatever materials are nearby to camouflage themselves from predators. Abby is not worried about her safety; she just wants to pile on all the clothing and accessories she can because she loves them all!

Get yours now!

What Reviewers Say:

Crabby Abby the Decorator Crab’s Big Heart by Ellen Kolman is a colorful story about friendship, forgiveness and God’s love. When Abby the Crab starts a new school she struggles to fit in because she’s different and many of her classmates make fun of her. But there is one kind sea animal who comes alongside her and teaches Abby an important lesson from John 3:16 that helps her to forgive those who have hurt her. In the end, Abby shows kindness to her classmates even when it’s hard and she makes many new friends! This book delivers an important message that will make an eternal impact on young readers! 

Karen Ferguson, author of the Questions for Kids series and Podcast Host of 5-Minute Parenting

This story was lovely. We enjoyed the different characters and how well you described them. We loved the journey Crabby Abby went on and the lovely message the book had – I personally loved the way it pointed to Jesus.

Kayley Bernhardt, Durban, South Africa

Mom of two girls ages 5 &; 7

I really liked this story! I liked how Abby had first day of school jitters, because it reminded me of my first day of school and how I was nervous. I also love how the characters are sea creatures, because those are my favorite animals. Lastly, I liked how Abby forgives Gabby by giving her a tiara. Friendship and forgiveness are a great thing.I rate this book 5 stars!

Logan Kish, Madison, Ohio

Age 11


Check out this interview with Ellen Kolman. We had a lot of fun!

About Ellen Kolman, Author:

Ohio native, Ellen Kolman is an award winning author driven by a passion to teach children the love of Jesus. She has been teaching and entertaining children in the church and Christian school settings for more than 35 years. Her young students inspired her to write stories to help them understand kindness, forgiveness, empathy, and friendship. Seeds of Sunshine, (2024 Firebird Book Award Winner), is her first published book. The vision for Ellen’s books is to provide Christian families with sweet engaging stories about sharing Jesus’ love and forgiveness with those around usEllen and her husband Andy have five adult children and three grandchildren. Learn more at EllenKolman.com

About Kaelen Felix, Illustrator:

Kaelen Felix is a children’s book illustrator, graphic artist, and poet from the Saint Louis, Missouri area, where she also currently resides as a freelancer who has been specializing in this field since 2018. Ms. Felix is a graduate of Memphis College of Art where she obtained her BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Illustration and has been professionally creating children’s books for clients that can be seen on Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books-A-Million, Bookshop, Booktopia, Goodreads, Walmart, plus more. Learn ore at KaelenFelix.com

How would you like a Coloring Book with Crabby Abby? Here you go!

Enjoy the fun of coloring the characters from Crabby Abby, the Decorator Crab. A lovely companion or standalone book, this coloring and activity book offers opportunotes to encourage imagination and creativity. There are several pages with characters from the Crabby Abby story plus challenges to draw and color the characters. Have fun with your child and become their coloring companion. You can even read Crabby Abby the Decorator Crab’s Big Heart while children color. What great family fun!

By now, you surely want to get copies of this sweet book and companion coloring book…

Here’s the link to get yours! And, take a gander at the discount when you buy direct.

Crabby Abby Purchase Links and More

Announcements, Book Announcements, books, poetry, Poets & Events, writing

ANNOUNCEMENT! “101 Stories of Love” by William Waldorf is Now Available!

A resonating and richly crafted collection of poems

Ready?

Then brace yourself for the symphonic rollercoaster through the landscapes of affection, loss, desire, and redemption with William Waldorf’s 101 Stories of Love. In his collection, Waldorf invites his readers to explore myriad forms of love- from whispered intimacy to the poignant ache of absence, from shared laughter in a café to the serene desolation of widowhood. The poet has juggled with varied poetic forms like sonnets, villanelles, and free verse transforming the ordinary experiences into luminous reflections, crafting verses that resonate deeply with readers of all ages. This collection is a celebration of life, memory, and enduring connections, serving as a testament to the indelible impact of love in our souls.

Thank you to Munmun Samanta for her beautiful write up for this outstanding poetry collection. Congratulations to William Waldorf!

https://www.prolificpulse.com/williamwaldorf

Stay tuned for information about the Virtual Book Launch on

Sunday, September 7 at 1 p.m. EST

six sentence story, writing

X Marks the Spot

Photo by Alex Green on Pexels.com

Shandy sat at the dining table in Clarabelle’s home, and took a long, silent pause before opening up to her friend about why she moved from the nice, warm south to the cold Midwest winters in Iowa. “It’s like this, Clair, I came here to start over for a reason, and since Aunt Cherri had a place for me to bunk for a bit, I decided to give it a try, you see, I came here because I was escaping something.”

“Dear, you don’t have to explain yourself to me, I understand we all make changes for our own reasons, and, well, it’s really nobody else’s business.”

Looking Clarabelle straight in her sweet, soft eyes, Shandy’s brows squeezed with intent, and she spoke to these intentions, “I know I don’t have to tell you my story, but it is a story I want to tell, after all, I find the stories you have shared about Herbie really touch my heart, and, well, I want you to know about my true love, and who doesn’t like a good romance?”

Clarabelle nodded her head in agreement and smiled at Shandy, “well, when you put it that way, I am all ears, please do tell me your story.”

“It all began when I was just fresh out of high school, my friend since grade school, Mason, and I discovered we were falling in love, especially when I learned he would have to go to Vietnam, and, well, I realized right then that I could not bear losing him and I could not bear not loving him for all his worth, and, well, we go married shortly after realizing our mutual feelings and knowing he must go away, we wanted to stay together with a commitment of marriage, so we got married at the courthouse, and it was not long before he had to go away; when we got married there was the marriage certificate to sign by the “X” and Mark looked me in the eyes and said, X marks the spot but you have put a big red X on my heart ever since we met as children, and now you have staked your claim, for that I am forever grateful, and, well, I will never forget that, Clair, and I knew he was even more that one for me.”

*****

This is my story to contribute to Denise’s Six Sentence Story Challenge. This weeks word is “Mark” You can go HERE to join us or to see what other stories are waiting for your reading.

Short Fiction, short story, six sentence story

We Got This

“Great and marvelous are thy works, o Lord of hosts, almighty God…,” were the words flowing from Clarabelle as she sat beside Herbie’s hospital bed, he smiled and held her hand, listening to her angelic voice, much like the clink of the crystals hanging from the doorway, gentle, yet powerful.

“He’s going to be just fine, ma’am, he just had a little stress, but his heart checked out fine,” the doctor patted Herbie on the shoulder, “now, you do need to stop that smoking, it’s only fair of me to mention, as it is slowing you down,” Herbie nodded and looked over at Clarabelle and winked.

The doctor left the room, Clarabelle looked in her husband’s eyes and held his hand, “you know, honey, it’s important to listen to what the doctor said, I, uh,” tears rolled down her cheeks and Herbie’s eyes watered.

Squeezing his wife’s hand, Herbie spoke, through choked back tears, “Clair, we are going to do this together, I know what I need to do and as hard as it is gonna be, it’s gotta be done,” to which Clarabelle nodded and arose from her seat.

“Many are called for great things, love, and you were called to be with me and while I am not a great thing, I need to tell you, I need you in my life, Herbie, and there’s no two ways about it, I marvel at God’s gift to us, and sure don’t want to take it for granted.”

Often, Herbie thought his wife should start preaching, because her words would stick with him better than any person at the pulpit, reaching for her hand, he gave it a squeeze, “honey, we have this covered, no matter what, and that is that, you are the greatest thing to ever happen to me.”

Sing of His Mighty Love

Come join us at the blog hop for Six Sentence Story