Books with author Helen L. Edwards

Brain Candy Publishing's sole purpose is to produce 21st Century children's books that are multi-cultural and interactive books that address relevant issues that today's child is faces. Yaro the Super Sleuth in the Cas of the Mystery Letter focuses on children recognizing and identifying what their own natural gifts, talents, and abilities are. And through the illustration of the Yaro character, they begin to recognize that they can parlay their natural attributes into a career. Dr. Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory is used to emphasize this premise.Yaro's dream is to be a detective when he grows up. Part of being a good detective is paying attention to details, documenting his obeservations, being a good listner and communicator, enlisting help when needed,being a good judge of character, having integrity, these are all characteristics that go into being a good detective. Through everything Yaro goes through in the course of the story he is faced with self-doubt, in the face of his nemmesis Missy Ann, reminding him he's no Sherlock Holmes. This is a story of courage and insecurities that we all face and yet we must overcome them if we are ever to succeed at anything. This book seamlessly merges the world of work with education, character building, goal setting, self-concept, self-discipline, problem-solving, decoding skills and the importance of family and friendship. This interact book directly connects the story content with the life of the reader. Inspirational quotes are used to emphasize the themes running through the story. A teaching tool is included in the back of the book for children, parents, teachers, and counselors.

“Look,” Kevin said. He pointed up the great dark face of the back of the lodge… “There’s our room.” Just then, though, the boys flinched. Several small, barely seen shapes seemed to flutter past their faces. “What was—” “—that?” Kevin finished. A faint chittery sound squeaked above them, rapid and whispery. Then the shapes fluttered past a second time. “Are those… birds?” Jimmy asked. “No,” Kevin finally realized. “They’re bats!” “Run!” Jimmy shouted. And they ran, alright. They ran as fast as they could… But before they could make it completely out of the darkness, and with the circles of bats still squeaking above their heads— A tall, dark figure quickly stepped out in front of them, blocking their way… --- When Kevin and his family visit his Aunt Carolyn, unusual things begin to happen, some of them downright creepy. And come to think of it, Aunt Carolyn is a bit creepy herself. She’s pale, thin, always wears black, and... Why has Kevin never seen her in daylight? She lives in an old hunting lodge way back in the woods, and the lodge is full of locked doors, dark hallways, and secret passages: a perfect place...for a vampire. And when the darkness falls and the shadows thicken, Kevin learns more about his aunt and her gloomy mansion in the woods. And he hears the strangest sounds at night. Why are so many bats seen around the lodge? Why is the grumpy groundskeeper digging around the back yard late in the wee hours? And was that really a coffin he saw in the basement through the crack in the door? When Kevin finally learns the answers to these questions, he’s left with no choice but to admit the truth: Vampires do exist, and his Aunt Carolyn isn’t the only bloodsucker in the house! Join Kevin, his family, and creepy Aunt Carolyn as the secret in the basement is finally revealed!

One April in Boston is the story of a real American family and a gift that was passed down from generation to generation. It teaches American history, the power of imagination, and the value of goal setting. In this unique book you will learn the real story of Paul Revere’s midnight ride; witness the first shots of the American Revolution; attend the reading of the Declaration of Independence in Boston on July 18, 1776; visit the Paul Revere House in 1909; and much more. After researching his Boston ancestors for six years, author Ben Edwards has crafted a tale that not only tells their story by tying in real connections to Paul Revere and Abraham Lincoln, but honors his relative Private Philip Edwards by revealing the gift he gave to the neighborhood children before leaving for France to fight in World War I and passing into legend. When the story begins in April 1775, 10-year-old Ben Edwards carries a spyglass that once belonged to his grandfather, an early Boston sea captain. Ben believes he can glimpse the future through its lens. His goal is to work on a sailing ship and see the world. Can the spyglass and a member of the Sons of Liberty help Ben on his journey? Will his predictions about the future come true? By reading the book you’ll discover that Ben’s gift is something we all possess, a power that can help you on your own life’s journey—if you believe in it.

One April in Boston begins with the story of an American family who live in Colonial Boston in 1775. The family includes a 10-year-old boy named Ben Edwards. Ben dreams of becoming a mariner, just like his grandfather, an early Boston sea captain. He sets this goal for himself and never gives up on it. Throughout the story, Ben carries a spyglass that once belonged to his seafaring ancestor. He believes he can see the future through the lens. Some family members make fun of his claim, but not his cousin Betsey. She believes that Ben can truly see images of things to come through his spy glass. In One April in Boston, you'll experience the dangerous and exciting events that occurred in and around Boston just prior to the start of the American Revolution. You'll meet Ben's Uncle Alex, a cabinetmaker and member of the Sons of Liberty. You'll also meet his sister Sally and learn of her interest in a young man who is Paul Revere's oldest son. You'll discover what Ben sees through his spyglass and find whether he gets a chance to go to sea. One April in Boston teaches children a valuable lesson in life and patriotism.

What was THAT? Terri heard a loud cracking sound coming from the open window. It’s coming from… the lake, she realized with a chill. The room was completely silent now. The steady, throbbing nightsounds had stopped the instant she’d heard the cracking, almost as if all those crickets and peepers had gotten scared from the noise and fell silent. And then— Ka-CRACK! She heard it again. And… SPLASH! Something had fallen into the lake, something that was very, very… big. It’s nothing, Terri, she kept telling herself. Nothing to be afraid of. It was probably just a tree branch breaking off and falling in the water. Yeah, she thought sleepily, her eyes growing heavy. Just a tree branch… falling… in the water… And a moment later, Terri fell fast asleep… She never heard the next sound that sailed out of the woods… A scream. --- Terri is looking forward to spending the summer with her new friend, Patricia. Hot lazy days ahead... That is until one night Terri looks out her window and sees something moving across her lawn. Something big. Something...scary. Soon Terri finds herself on an adventure to discover what exactly she saw disappear into the woods behind her house. But she quickly realizes that the adventure will take her beyond the woods, to somewhere Terri has been forbidden to go. Down to the water... Down to...the lake. Terri is in a race against time as everyone around her starts to change: her mother, her uncle, her new best friend. She has to save them. But to do so she must head back to the old boathouse and unlock the secrets to the lake and it's horrible creatures. Creatures she thought could never exist... Monsters!

One April in Boston Read by: Phil Rosenthal with special appearance by Jim Getty Audio Book, 3 CDs 16-page full color booklet enclosed Ages 10-13. One April in Boston begins with the story of an American family who live in Colonial Boston in 1775. The family includes a 10-year-old boy named Ben Edwards. Ben dreams of becoming a mariner, just like his grandfather, an early Boston sea captain. He sets this goal for himself and never gives up on it. Throughout the story, Ben carries a spyglass that once belonged to his seafaring ancestor. He believes he can see the future through the lens. Some family members make fun of his claim, but not his cousin Betsey. She believes that Ben can truly see images of things to come through his spy glass. In One April in Boston, you'll experience the dangerous and exciting events that occurred in and around Boston just prior to the start of the American Revolution. You'll meet Ben's Uncle Alex, a cabinetmaker and member of the Sons of Liberty. You'll also meet his sister Sally and learn of her interest in a young man who is Paul Revere's oldest son. You'll discover what Ben sees through his spyglass and find whether he gets a chance to go to sea. One April in Boston teaches children a valuable lesson in life and patriotism.

“Look,” Kevin said. He pointed up the great dark face of the back of the lodge… “There’s our room.” Just then, though, the boys flinched. Several small, barely seen shapes seemed to flutter past their faces. “What was—” “—that?” Kevin finished. A faint chittery sound squeaked above them, rapid and whispery. Then the shapes fluttered past a second time. “Are those… birds?” Jimmy asked. “No,” Kevin finally realized. “They’re bats!” “Run!” Jimmy shouted. And they ran, alright. They ran as fast as they could… But before they could make it completely out of the darkness, and with the circles of bats still squeaking above their heads— A tall, dark figure quickly stepped out in front of them, blocking their way… --- When Kevin and his family visit his Aunt Carolyn, unusual things begin to happen, some of them downright creepy. And come to think of it, Aunt Carolyn is a bit creepy herself. She’s pale, thin, always wears black, and... Why has Kevin never seen her in daylight? She lives in an old hunting lodge way back in the woods, and the lodge is full of locked doors, dark hallways, and secret passages: a perfect place...for a vampire. And when the darkness falls and the shadows thicken, Kevin learns more about his aunt and her gloomy mansion in the woods. And he hears the strangest sounds at night. Why are so many bats seen around the lodge? Why is the grumpy groundskeeper digging around the back yard late in the wee hours? And was that really a coffin he saw in the basement through the crack in the door? When Kevin finally learns the answers to these questions, he’s left with no choice but to admit the truth: Vampires do exist, and his Aunt Carolyn isn’t the only bloodsucker in the house! Join Kevin, his family, and creepy Aunt Carolyn as the secret in the basement is finally revealed!

What was THAT? Terri heard a loud cracking sound coming from the open window. It’s coming from… the lake, she realized with a chill. The room was completely silent now. The steady, throbbing nightsounds had stopped the instant she’d heard the cracking, almost as if all those crickets and peepers had gotten scared from the noise and fell silent. And then— Ka-CRACK! She heard it again. And… SPLASH! Something had fallen into the lake, something that was very, very… big. It’s nothing, Terri, she kept telling herself. Nothing to be afraid of. It was probably just a tree branch breaking off and falling in the water. Yeah, she thought sleepily, her eyes growing heavy. Just a tree branch… falling… in the water… And a moment later, Terri fell fast asleep… She never heard the next sound that sailed out of the woods… A scream. --- Terri is looking forward to spending the summer with her new friend, Patricia. Hot lazy days ahead... That is until one night Terri looks out her window and sees something moving across her lawn. Something big. Something...scary. Soon Terri finds herself on an adventure to discover what exactly she saw disappear into the woods behind her house. But she quickly realizes that the adventure will take her beyond the woods, to somewhere Terri has been forbidden to go. Down to the water... Down to...the lake. Terri is in a race against time as everyone around her starts to change: her mother, her uncle, her new best friend. She has to save them. But to do so she must head back to the old boathouse and unlock the secrets to the lake and it's horrible creatures. Creatures she thought could never exist... Monsters!