Books with author Ken MacGregor

Matt wrote this story in 1977 as a sophomore in high school. He picked the topic to get points for creativity and improve his chances for a better grade. He got a B. For him, that was a good grade. He kept the story in a folder until the mid-1990‛s when he started to type it up as a short story to put in a magazine. He never finished. In the back of his mind he wanted it to be a children‛s book.In 2010 Matt asked his old friend Don Huff to help give him pointers. Don gave Matt some good ideas and encouraged him to continue. He was going to have his sons Collin, Dillon and Trevlan illustrate the story. They gave him some great ideas. This further inspired him to continue. His three boys enjoyed the story when it was read to them. Maybe they will read it to their children someday.As the fi nal writing was being fi nished Matt‛s brother Mike, sisterin-law Kathleen, nephew Luke, brother-in-law Paul and good friend Kelly made key contributions to the fi nal effort. May, Matt‛s spouse, patiently let him fi nish the project in a supportive manner. A goal of Matt‛s is to deliver a copy of this book to his two High School English teachers who graded his English paper.Matt learned a lot during the process of turning the original homework assignment into a children‛s book. With the help of Don and others, he learned about the power of friendship, with patience and persistence to make progress. This story is more than just a sidewalk journal, it is a refl ection on life, and speaks to that through the eyes of a sidewalk. This story is for all of us, not just our children, read it and see what it tells you.

On a summer day nearly twelve hundred years ago, three ships with bright red sails drew near to one of the little ports of the Dorset coast in the south of England.The townsfolk saw the ships, and paying no heed to the bright sails, said carelessly one to another, 'The merchantmen will be in port to-day.' And the harbour-master gathered together a few of his men and hastened to the quay. For he, too, had seen the ships, and, as in duty bound, he went to meet them, to demand from the captains the port taxes which were lawfully due to the king.But townsfolk and harbour-master alike had made a grievous mistake that summer day. For, as they soon discovered to their cost, and as the red sails might have forewarned them, the three ships were no peaceful merchantmen.No sooner had the vessels drawn up along the quay than a wild, strange-looking crew sprang to the shore, drew their swords, and speedily slew the harbour-master and his few unarmed followers. They then entered the town, plundering and burning the houses of all, both rich and poor. Leaving the little town in ruins, the strange crew, dragging their booty with them, marched down again to the quay. There they embarked, and without delay sailed away out to sea. Perhaps you have already guessed that the strange crew was a Viking band, that the three ships were Viking ships. So, indeed, they were, and this summer day in the year seven hundred and eighty-nine was the first time that the wild Northmen had been seen in England, or in any part of Europe where the 'White Christ' was worshipped.But it was not long ere the bright-coloured Viking sails grew to be dreaded in England and also on the Continent. Their very appearance struck terror into the hearts of all men. Monks and armed men alike learned to flee dismayed before the fierceness of the wrath, the violence of the blows, of these foes who had come upon them from the distant North.As the months and years passed, Viking bands, not with three ships alone, but with large fleets, came to invade and harry the land. Leaving their vessels to be guarded by a third of their number, the others marched into the open country to plunder the inhabitants. Should these venture to defend their goods, the Vikings did not hesitate to slay them or to carry them off as slaves...

This version of Bunyan's Classic Christian allegory is adapted for young children and is very effective as a short but entertaining morality tale. It tells the story of a Christian pilgrim on his journey along the 'straight and narrow' road. Along the route he encounters such characters as 'Obstinate', 'Pliable', 'Hopeful', and 'Goodwill', and passes the 'Slough of Despond' and 'Vanity Fair'. His is briefly imprisoned at 'Doubting Castle', the domicile of 'Giant Despair' before escaping and continuing on his journey to the 'celestial city.'

Matt wrote this story in 1977 as a sophomore in high school. He picked the topic to get points for creativity and improve his chances for a better grade. He got a B. For him, that was a good grade. He kept the story in a folder until the mid-1990‛s when he started to type it up as a short story to put in a magazine. He never finished. In the back of his mind he wanted it to be a children‛s book.In 2010 Matt asked his old friend Don Huff to help give him pointers. Don gave Matt some good ideas and encouraged him to continue. He was going to have his sons Collin, Dillon and Trevlan illustrate the story. They gave him some great ideas. This further inspired him to continue. His three boys enjoyed the story when it was read to them. Maybe they will read it to their children someday.As the fi nal writing was being fi nished Matt‛s brother Mike, sisterin-law Kathleen, nephew Luke, brother-in-law Paul and good friend Kelly made key contributions to the fi nal effort. May, Matt‛s spouse, patiently let him fi nish the project in a supportive manner. A goal of Matt‛s is to deliver a copy of this book to his two High School English teachers who graded his English paper.Matt learned a lot during the process of turning the original homework assignment into a children‛s book. With the help of Don and others, he learned about the power of friendship, with patience and persistence to make progress. This story is more than just a sidewalk journal, it is a refl ection on life, and speaks to that through the eyes of a sidewalk. This story is for all of us, not just our children, read it and see what it tells you.

Long, long ago the land which we now call France was called Gaul. Gaul was much larger than France is to-day, although north, south, and west France has the same boundaries now as Gaul had in the far-off days of which I am going to tell you. What these boundaries are, many a geography lesson will have shown. But, lest you have forgotten, take a map of Europe, and you will see that on the north France has to protect her the English Channel, on the south she is guarded by the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, while on her west roll the waters of the Atlantic. These mountains and waters were also the bulwarks of ancient Gaul.

One School Year describes the final year at a Scottish high school. Each chapter is narrated in turn by Olivia (aged 17) and her brother Hamish (aged 18). The story follows both their lives as they cope with exam pressures, chase boyfriends/girlfriends and party. This is a realistic, uplifting book with likeable characters and plenty of humorous dialogue.***** (5 star) review by Megan on Amazon UK "This book has a great story line and I like the way it projects both lives. It is an amazing book." ***** (5 star) review by Kristie on Amazon US "This story is extremely cute and funny. I loved it."Contains no bad language or upsetting scenes.

More than four hundred years ago there lived a man called Sir Thomas Malory, who wrote in English words many of the beautiful Welsh tales about King Arthur's Knights, that the people of Wales loved so well.All the stories in this little book were found in Malory's big book, except "Geraint and Enid." But it, too, is one of the old Welsh tales that tell of the brave knights and fair ladies of King Arthur's Court.Many times, since Sir Thomas Malory wrote his book, have these stories been told again to old and young, but perhaps never before have they been told to the children so simply as in this little book.MARY MACGREGOR.