Books with author Anne L. Watson

SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! In this companion to "Baking with Cookie Molds," Anne L. Watson presents cookies and molds for many holidays and all seasons, as well as for special interests and occasions -- weddings, kids, storytelling around the fireplace, and much more. With nearly 150 photos of molds, cookies, and processes, "Cookie Molds Around the Year" features new techniques and new recipes, along with a month-by-month diary of the seasons on San Juan Island, Anne's home. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author of "Baking with Cookie Molds" and a number of other popular books on home crafts and lifestyle, as well as children's books and many novels. In a previous career, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne and her husband, Aaron Shepard, now live in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS It's cold now, here on San Juan Island. Snow is a possibility every morning, and frost is a certainty. The trees are bare, but we bundle up in layer upon layer of coats and sweaters. And the days are so short. The sun comes up, far in the south, long after breakfast, and it sets long before dinner. This is the time of year when many cultures have celebrations to drive away the dark -- Christmas, with all its lights and its star; Hanukkah, the festival of lights; Kwanzaa; Santa Lucia; midwinter festivals in several cultures; and many others throughout history. Many homeowners on the island put up Christmas lights, of course, doubly welcome outside the town limits, where there are no streetlights. There are decorations, too. I have a tiny model village I put on the mantel for Christmas, and it usually stays for most of the winter. The merchants of Friday Harbor help drive away the dark with a competition to decorate their shop fronts. On December 5, we celebrate St. Nicholas Eve with molded cookies in the shape of the saint with his horse or donkey -- some cookie molds show one, some the other. The story of St. Nicholas is not well-known, but he was a real person who performed great acts of generosity and kindness. It was St. Nicholas cookies that originally sparked my own interest in molded cookies. My husband, Aaron Shepard, is a children's author, and his children's storybook "The Baker's Dozen" is about a baker who learns a lesson of generosity from St. Nicholas himself. Near the end of December is the winter solstice, that turning point that tells us that the sun is coming back, even as we see only cold and darkness. The month ends, of course, with its cornucopia of Christmas cookies! These include almost every secular and religious motif you could think of, from jolly snowmen to medieval manger scenes. Baking cookies for family and friends is a special holiday joy, and in the spirit of St. Nicholas, let's bake some to give away as well. For this month, I feature both traditional and new recipes to bake and share.

SPECIAL NOTE! -- ANNE WILL PERSONALLY ANSWER ANY QUESTION OF YOURS AFTER READING THIS BOOK. ASK ON HER WEB SITE, AND YOU'LL NORMALLY HEAR BACK WITHIN HOURS! In this companion to "Baking with Cookie Molds," Anne L. Watson presents cookies and molds for many holidays and all seasons, as well as for special interests and occasions -- weddings, kids, storytelling around the fireplace, and much more. With nearly 150 photos of molds, cookies, and processes, "Cookie Molds Around the Year" features new techniques and new recipes, along with a month-by-month diary of the seasons on San Juan Island, Watson's home. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author of "Baking with Cookie Molds," as well as a number of other popular books on home crafts and lifestyle, plus many novels. In a previous career, she was a historic preservation architecture consultant. Anne now lives in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS It's cold now, here on San Juan Island. Snow is a possibility every morning, and frost is a certainty. The trees are bare, but we bundle up in layer upon layer of coats and sweaters. And the days are so short. The sun comes up, far in the south, long after breakfast, and it sets long before dinner. This is the time of year when many cultures have celebrations to drive away the dark -- Christmas, with all its lights and its star; Hanukkah, the festival of lights; Kwanzaa; Santa Lucia; midwinter festivals in several cultures; and many others throughout history. Many homeowners on the island put up Christmas lights, of course, doubly welcome outside the town limits, where there are no streetlights. There are decorations, too. I have a tiny model village I put on the mantel for Christmas, and it usually stays for most of the winter. The merchants of Friday Harbor help drive away the dark with a competition to decorate their shop fronts. On December 5, we celebrate St. Nicholas Eve with molded cookies in the shape of the saint with his horse or donkey -- some cookie molds show one, some the other. The story of St. Nicholas is not well-known, but he was a real person who performed great acts of generosity and kindness. It was St. Nicholas cookies that originally sparked my own interest in molded cookies. My husband, Aaron Shepard, is a children's author, and his children's storybook "The Baker's Dozen" is about a baker who learns a lesson of generosity from St. Nicholas himself. Near the end of December is the winter solstice, that turning point that tells us that the sun is coming back, even as we see only cold and darkness. The month ends, of course, with its cornucopia of Christmas cookies! These include almost every secular and religious motif you could think of, from jolly snowmen to medieval manger scenes. Baking cookies for family and friends is a special holiday joy, and in the spirit of St. Nicholas, let's bake some to give away as well. For this month, I feature both traditional and new recipes to bake and share.

When Coco the mouse slips under a young spruce tree on his morning walk through the forest, he discovers a village of gingerbread houses and "Gingers" -- gingerbread men and women brought to life by magic. But all is not well in Gingerbread Village. The Magic that built the village and protects it from outsiders seems to be fading, and the Gingers don't know how to revive it. Can Coco find a way to help the Gingers? And even if he does, can they trust him enough to let him? Anne L. Watson creates a magical tale of friendship offered, rebuffed, but finally rewarded. For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Katie Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages made from photos of felted animals, miniatures, and real-life objects, along with graphic arts creations and textures from Etsy and elsewhere, all assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "But how did you come alive?" asked Coco in wonder. "We don't really know," said Leo. "When Cassia and I woke up, we were in a batch of cookies cooling on a kitchen counter. But none of the others came alive." "Somehow, we knew we were going to be eaten," said Cassia, "so we climbed down and ran away." "We didn't know where to go," Leo went on, "but the Magic led us to this forest. Then just like you, we came in under the Tree -- the door to Gingerbread Village."

Homestyle Slow Cooker cookbook is all about good eating. No fancy ingredients required. These are my family favorites recipes that I have fixed numerous times over the years. Bring your appetite and feed your family wholesome meals from a southern kitchen. Included are recipes for ground beef, chicken, pork, ham, sausage, meatless meals, side dishes, vegetables and more. The family friendly recipes will satisfy hearty and picky eater's appetites. Sloppy Joe's, tacos, meatloaves, casseroles, soups, stews, chowders, chili and more are included in the recipes.Everyone uses a slow cooker these days. With a slow cooker, you can fix an entire meal in one pot. Who doesn't love that? If you use slow cooker liners, clean up is even easier. It is comforting after a hard day's work to come home and dinner is ready. The kid's are screaming and everyone is ready to eat. Using the slow cooker will ease the frustration and aggravation of What's for Dinner.Use the slow cooker for flavorful and easy side dishes. Beans are the traditional side dishes cooked in the slow cooker but you will be pleasantly surprised with these family favorites. Sometimes, I use two slow cookers to cook the main dish and the side dish.

Christmas is coming for Katie Mouse and the rest of the Mouse family! Papa strings lights on the house and takes Katie and her little brother, Dylan, to get a tree, while Mama puts up decorations and bakes cookies for Santa Mouse. Now, if only Katie could decide what she really wants for Christmas, so she can let Santa Mouse know! On Christmas Eve, Santa Mouse and his mouse elves arrive to leave gifts for Katie and Dylan. But Alvar, the newest elf on the sleigh, wanders off to explore, and winds up meeting the Mouse children face to face. From the elf, they hear all about the North Pole and the magical Christmas Door, which shows you what you want and need the most. Can Alvar help Katie discover her deepest Christmas wish? And can Katie help Alvar, when Santa Mouse accidentally leaves him behind? For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. Visit her at annelwatson.com. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "What's the Christmas Door?" Katie asked with new interest. Alvar's eyes shone even brighter. "When the Christmas Door opens, it shows you what you want and need the most." "That sounds wonderful!" said Katie. "I can never decide that for myself." She sighed. "But I guess I could never go there." Alvar thought a moment. "You don't really need to. I could show it to both of you, right here." "Really?" said Katie, all excited. "Just close your eyes and look for a red and green door at the end of a path. I'll help you." Katie and Dylan closed their eyes. Snow swirled all around them, thick and soft. As it settled, they found themselves on a misty forest path with Alvar. The mist grew thinner, and out of it, a door slowly appeared before them -- red and green with gold trimmings, brighter than their Christmas tree. A gold key hung from the doorknob. "What do we do now?" said Katie. "Just touch the key, and the door will open," said Alvar. "Who's first?"

When Coco the mouse slips under a young spruce tree on his morning walk through the forest, he discovers a village of gingerbread houses and "Gingers" -- gingerbread men and women brought to life by magic. But all is not well in Gingerbread Village. The Magic that built the village and protects it from outsiders seems to be fading, and the Gingers don't know how to revive it. Can Coco find a way to help the Gingers? And even if he does, can they trust him enough to let him? Anne L. Watson creates a magical tale of friendship offered, rebuffed, but finally rewarded. For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Katie Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages made from photos of felted animals, miniatures, and real-life objects, along with graphic arts creations and textures from Etsy and elsewhere, all assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE “But how did you come alive?” asked Coco in wonder. “We don’t really know,” said Leo. “When Cassia and I woke up, we were in a batch of cookies cooling on a kitchen counter. But none of the others came alive.” “Somehow, we knew we were going to be eaten,” said Cassia, “so we climbed down and ran away.” “We didn’t know where to go,” Leo went on, “but the Magic led us to this forest. Then just like you, we came in under the Tree—the door to Gingerbread Village.”

Christmas is coming for Katie Mouse and the rest of the Mouse family! Papa strings lights on the house and takes Katie and her little brother, Dylan, to get a tree, while Mama puts up decorations and bakes cookies for Santa Mouse. Now, if only Katie could decide what she really wants for Christmas, so she can let Santa Mouse know! On Christmas Eve, Santa Mouse and his mouse elves arrive to leave gifts for Katie and Dylan. But Alvar, the newest elf on the sleigh, wanders off to explore, and winds up meeting the Mouse children face to face. From the elf, they hear all about the North Pole and the magical Christmas Door, which shows you what you want and need the most. Can Alvar help Katie discover her deepest Christmas wish? And can Katie help Alvar, when Santa Mouse accidentally leaves him behind? For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "What's the Christmas Door?" Katie asked with new interest. Alvar's eyes shone even brighter. "When the Christmas Door opens, it shows you what you want and need the most." "That sounds wonderful!" said Katie. "I can never decide that for myself." She sighed. "But I guess I could never go there." Alvar thought a moment. "You don't really need to. I could show it to both of you, right here." "Really?" said Katie, all excited. "Just close your eyes and look for a red and green door at the end of a path. I'll help you." Katie and Dylan closed their eyes. Snow swirled all around them, thick and soft. As it settled, they found themselves on a misty forest path with Alvar. The mist grew thinner, and out of it, a door slowly appeared before them -- red and green with gold trimmings, brighter than their Christmas tree. A gold key hung from the doorknob. "What do we do now?" said Katie. "Just touch the key, and the door will open," said Alvar. "Who's first?"

**#1 KINDLE (US) BESTSELLER IN ADVENTURE LITERARY FICTION (NOV. 2013)** One day she is Linda Farley, a senior in a San Diego high school, with a talent for art, an annoying younger brother, two loving parents, and a prospective boyfriend. Three days later, she is Lainie Foster, hiding with her mother and brother in Olympia, Washington. That's how fast things change after Linda's mother tells her that her father has been caught by the feds in a Mafia money laundering scheme and that the rest of the family has been placed in the Witness Protection Program. By the rules she's given, she must stay out of school, cut off contact with anyone back home, and never tell anyone what has happened. Linda -- now Lainie -- does her best, but in navigating her new life, she faces a number of questions. How could her father do something so contrary to her image of him? Why is her mother so familiar with their new city? How can she pursue a career in art without going to school? What must she do to save her brother from the worst effects of the upheaval? And who is that dark-haired woman she keeps spotting in front of the house? Then there's the biggest question of all: Is she Linda or is she Lainie? Because, in the end, is the choice really anyone's but hers? ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson, a retired historic preservation architecture consultant, is the author of numerous novels, plus books on such diverse subjects as soapmaking and baking with cookie molds. A former resident of Olympia, Washington -- the main setting of "Flight" -- she currently lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "Lainie," Mom said, her voice a little gentler, "we have to follow the rules, whether we like them or not." "The rules are nuts, Mom," I protested. "Like making us keep our old initials. So the Mafia is too stupid to check the passenger lists for trains and planes leaving Southern California? You think they won't look for two A.F.'s and an L.F. with one-way tickets to the same place?" Mom moved to the right to let a tailgating Jeep speed ahead. "That's one reason we're splitting up," she said. "WITSEC has never lost anyone who followed the rules," she said. "WITSEC?" I yelped. "Who the hell is that?" "The Witness Security Program. That's its other name." Sheesh. WITSEC. Like the FBI was such a buddy, we needed to give them a nickname. My face itched, and I rubbed it hard. "Don't do that," Mom said. "You'll rub off your makeup." "It feels like dirt. I don't know how you put up with it." "You get used to it. Especially when you have more important things to worry about." Well, we had that, in spades. I'd just dumped someone I really wanted to go out with. I wouldn't be going to art school next year, because that's what Linda Farley would have done. I had to be someone else, probably forever. Compared to that, grease all over my face really was a detail. I gave up and quit talking about it. Whining wasn't going to do any good. Mom kept quiet too, watching the traffic. In the front seat, Alan sang some dumb song from a TV kids' show, over and over. But, as Mom had said, I had more important things to worry about. We took the Alameda Street exit and pulled into the train station. "What are you going to do with the car when you get to the airport?" I asked. "Leave it in a parking lot with the window down and the keys in the ignition." Even the Mafia wouldn't have a chance if she did that. The locals would have that car in a chop shop faster than the Godfather could blink.

When Coco the mouse slips under a young spruce tree on his morning walk through the forest, he discovers a village of gingerbread houses and "Gingers" -- gingerbread men and women brought to life by magic. But all is not well in Gingerbread Village. The Magic that built the village and protects it from outsiders seems to be fading, and the Gingers don't know how to revive it. Can Coco find a way to help the Gingers? And even if he does, can they trust him enough to let him? Anne L. Watson creates a magical tale of friendship offered, rebuffed, but finally rewarded. For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Katie Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages made from photos of felted animals, miniatures, and real-life objects, along with graphic arts creations and textures from Etsy and elsewhere, all assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE “But how did you come alive?” asked Coco in wonder. “We don’t really know,” said Leo. “When Cassia and I woke up, we were in a batch of cookies cooling on a kitchen counter. But none of the others came alive.” “Somehow, we knew we were going to be eaten,” said Cassia, “so we climbed down and ran away.” “We didn’t know where to go,” Leo went on, “but the Magic led us to this forest. Then just like you, we came in under the Tree—the door to Gingerbread Village.”

Katie Mouse's Cousin Matilda is getting married! A big wedding has been planned in Mouse Town's public park, and everyone in town is invited. Best of all, Katie will be Matilda's flower mouse, and her little brother Dylan will be the ring bearer. There's just one problem: The Games Day at Katie's school has been changed to the same day as the wedding! And Katie's the captain of her class's relay race team! Will she really have to miss it? As Katie struggles with her feelings, a mix-up with the wedding rings threatens to ruin the entire wedding. It's then that Katie discovers that only she knows how to save the day and make the wedding perfect after all. For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "A young mouse's disappointment turns into triumph in this quaint story featuring a cast of miniature felt animals posed in photo-collage scenes . . . Watson keeps the story moving briskly, demonstrating how compromise isn't just necessary at times but can be empowering as well." -- Publishers Weekly, Nov. 27, 2017 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Mama Mouse was so excited, she nearly dropped her phone. "It's Cousin Matilda. She's going to marry Alexander!" "It's about time," said Papa Mouse, looking up from his breakfast. "Of course you can stay here!" Mama was saying into the phone. "A June wedding in the park! That's perfect!" When Mama hung up, Katie asked, "Will Dylan and I get to go?" "Of course," Mama said. "In fact, Matilda would like you to be her flower mouse. Would you like that?" "Oh, yes!" Katie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "When is it?" "The day before your school Games Day. And Dylan will be the ring bearer!" "I no bear!" said Dylan.

Christmas is coming for Katie Mouse and the rest of the Mouse family! Papa strings lights on the house and takes Katie and her little brother, Dylan, to get a tree, while Mama puts up decorations and bakes cookies for Santa Mouse. Now, if only Katie could decide what she really wants for Christmas, so she can let Santa Mouse know! On Christmas Eve, Santa Mouse and his mouse elves arrive to leave gifts for Katie and Dylan. But Alvar, the newest elf on the sleigh, wanders off to explore, and winds up meeting the Mouse children face to face. From the elf, they hear all about the North Pole and the magical Christmas Door, which shows you what you want and need the most. Can Alvar help Katie discover her deepest Christmas wish? And can Katie help Alvar, when Santa Mouse accidentally leaves him behind? For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. Visit her at www.annelwatson.com. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "What's the Christmas Door?" Katie asked with new interest. Alvar's eyes shone even brighter. "When the Christmas Door opens, it shows you what you want and need the most." "That sounds wonderful!" said Katie. "I can never decide that for myself." She sighed. "But I guess I could never go there." Alvar thought a moment. "You don't really need to. I could show it to both of you, right here." "Really?" said Katie, all excited. "Just close your eyes and look for a red and green door at the end of a path. I'll help you." Katie and Dylan closed their eyes. Snow swirled all around them, thick and soft. As it settled, they found themselves on a misty forest path with Alvar. The mist grew thinner, and out of it, a door slowly appeared before them -- red and green with gold trimmings, brighter than their Christmas tree. A gold key hung from the doorknob. "What do we do now?" said Katie. "Just touch the key, and the door will open," said Alvar. "Who's first?"

Katie Mouse's Cousin Matilda is getting married! A big wedding has been planned in Mouse Town's public park, and everyone in town is invited. Best of all, Katie will be Matilda's flower mouse, and her little brother Dylan will be the ring bearer. There's just one problem: The Games Day at Katie's school has been changed to the same day as the wedding! And Katie's the captain of her class's relay race team! Will she really have to miss it? As Katie struggles with her feelings, a mix-up with the wedding rings threatens to ruin the entire wedding. It's then that Katie discovers that only she knows how to save the day and make the wedding perfect after all. For ages 4 to 9. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT ANNE AND MOUSE TOWN In 2016, Anne L. Watson fell in love with felted mice by Bulgarian artist Diyana Stankova. Anne happened to be working on a housekeeping almanac, so she started photographing the mice, posing them in scenes with miniatures in dollhouses, to illustrate the book. Soon she was writing little stories about the mouse family, while learning to use Photoshop to manipulate their poses and composite their props and settings in a creative blend of toys, other photos, and purchased and free art. As Anne added more mice and other felted animals from Diyana and other artists, Mouse Town began to take shape. As might be expected, these adorable but pushy critters eventually demanded their own books, and Anne obliged with the Katie Mouse series. Besides her children's books, Anne writes literary novels and how-to books for grown-ups, on such subjects as housekeeping, soapmaking, and baking with cookie molds. She lives in Bellingham, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and a growing family of critters. Visit her at annelwatson.com. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "A young mouse's disappointment turns into triumph in this quaint story featuring a cast of miniature felt animals posed in photo-collage scenes . . . Watson keeps the story moving briskly, demonstrating how compromise isn't just necessary at times but can be empowering as well." -- Publishers Weekly, Nov. 27, 2017 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Mama Mouse was so excited, she nearly dropped her phone. "It's Cousin Matilda. She's going to marry Alexander!" "It's about time," said Papa Mouse, looking up from his breakfast. "Of course you can stay here!" Mama was saying into the phone. "A June wedding in the park! That's perfect!" When Mama hung up, Katie asked, "Will Dylan and I get to go?" "Of course," Mama said. "In fact, Matilda would like you to be her flower mouse. Would you like that?" "Oh, yes!" Katie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "When is it?" "The day before your school Games Day. And Dylan will be the ring bearer!" "I no bear!" said Dylan.