Books published by publisher Sunstone Pr

In this first novel of the National Park Adventure Series, sixteen-year-old Darrell Freeman narrates the story of his ten-year-old brother Jarod and their strange camping experiences among the weird trees and peculiar critters of Joshua Tree National Park in the California desert. While their Mom, a book illustrator, pursues her art, the boys take off in their vintage orange VW camper bus to see the park. Jarod, an indigo child with psychic abilities, is able to call up the native critters and talk with the Joshua Trees and granite boulders that are scattered everywhere. Thus the brothers learn that the area is not only ancient but sacred, and that the trees and boulders need help--their help. The park lies between two Earth faults and the Earth is beginning to rumble. The brothers start their quest at once to find the special tree and particular boulder that will tell them what to do. Meanwhile, a lady and man in a black SUV start their own quest to find the brothers and steal the strange buzzing rock Jarod found the first day. What causes the rock to buzz? No one knows. Before the tale is done the SUV people steal the rock, but the boys recover it with the help of a mysterious Indian shaman. Then they must find the ''proper resting place'' to bury the rock to stabilize the park. Do they succeed? Includes Glossary, Bibliography, and Readers Guide

Wanting to be a plainsman, Charley Reynolds was only eighteen when he left home for the West. Now, sixteen years later, in 1876, as George Custer's unassuming scout, Charley finds himself on a high butte looking out over the Little Big Horn Valley. An enormous pony herd and a huge smoke cloud marks the distant Indian village. Reynolds knows from the trail their 7th Calvary has followed that he is looking at the largest gathering of Indians ever assembled. He has a gut feeling that he is on the brink of the biggest Indian battle on the continent. He had awakened that morning plagued by a recurring dream of the mythical Thunderbird. His Arapahoe sweetheart, Running Creek Woman, had told him that something great would happen. Reynolds was puzzled at her belief, wondering what it all meant. He was about to find out. This is the story of courage, adventure and romance of two cultures--one determined to remain free, the other determined to tame it. Here too, Charley Reynolds' camaraderie with George Custer and the 7th Cavalry is genuine. Never before has the debacle at the Little Big Horn been told in such a way.

In this charming story of a dog who dreamed of being in the circus, Jean Strong has used her beloved poodle, Gypsy, for inspiration along with her vivid artistry to create a book that has appeal for all ages. Jean is a collector of Black folk art and toy animals and is the owner of Tiqua Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she also has a home and studio. She first had the idea for the book while she was seated at her desk at the gallery and imagined a dream that Gypsy might have had and sketched out fanciful drawings to accompany the story. Later, in her studio, these sketches became large colorful paintings, which are the illustrations for the book. Gypsy was adopted from the Espanola Animal Shelter and is the official greeter at Jean's gallery.

When little Anna Marie Dolores de San Francisco arrives in Heaven, she is welcomed with the special attention given to young Angels. All goes according to the Great Plan, as it should, until there is a mistake in Heaven. Somehow, she is not given her wings on the appointed day. True to her nature, Anna Marie begins her own search for wings, noticed only by God. This is the story of a young girl's spunk and the results of God's Watchful Eye.

This book is the result of the author's lifelong interest in the Pueblo of Acoma in western New Mexico. 'When I was a boy, I used to go with my father, a Santa Fe merchant and Indian trader, to the Indian pueblos. Very early, I learned the legends and myths associated with the various pueblos,' explains Dressman. 'I was particularly intrigued by both the legends and historical facts that related to the Pueblo of Acoma. To me, it was one of the most dramatic and tragic stories of the American Southwest.' In his story, the author takes us to modern Acoma and relives the events surrounding the Spanish assault on the cliff dwelling. His two main characters, Peter and Christina, live in this enchanting place where their relatives have lived since long before Columbus sailed. Their people lived a peaceful life for hundreds of years until 1600 when the Spanish, in their conquest of New Mexico, defeated the Acomas in a terrible slaughter. Peter tells the story of the battle; it is a part of his history. Children can add to their enjoyment of this book by asking their parents for some soft, colored pencils and coloring all the illustrations in the book.

Okie is a happy go lucky puppy until she loses her best friend and pack leader, Kippy. Then suddenly, she has big paws to fill. She needs to learn how to travel and fly and do all the tricks that Kippy used to do to move the sheep and run the ranch. How fast can Okie learn these tricks? Can she really learn to fly and take care of Miss A? Can Okie learn how to run the ranch? What does she do when there is a break-in at the ranch? Can she protect Miss A from danger? Okie learns about antelope and prairie dogs and has a dreadful mis-adventure with a handsome skunk. Can she hold the cows back and save Miss A from their thundering hooves? The stories tell of Okie's adventures far and wide as she travels to Las Vegas and then back home to try and work the ranch. Okie narrates her own humorous real life stories. Includes Readers Guide.

The Camino Real was important in the early development and settlement of the American Southwest. This book offers over 40 pages of comprehensive activities detailing the long and scenic trade route between the Western Territories and old Mexico. Children learn about the Camino Real through an exciting variety of games, puzzles, identification activities, vocabulary recognition, word searches, time lines, art activities, and more. Parents and teachers will find a wealth of ideas on ways of sharing the exciting history of our multi-cultural Southwestern environment. The author has illustrated this one-of-a-kind book with dozens of informative black and white pictures. Field tested and educator approved, the book provides a wonderful introduction into the romance and excitement of Western U.S. history. Excellent for elementary grades.

This comprehensive activity book for children offers action-packed fun highlighting the contributions of the Hispanic Colonial settlers in the multi-cultural environment of the American Southwest. There are eight sections: The Age of Discovery, The New World, Colonial Life, The Camino Real, The Native Americans, Hispanic Art, Hispanic Architecture, and Hispanic Crafts. Projects are presented in a variety of formats such as illustrations to complete, word searches, matching names and ideas, picture construction, puzzles, and more. This entertaining activity book, richly illustrated by the author, provides a wonderful introduction into the romance and excitement of the Hispanic settlement of America.

In this charming story of a dog who dreamed of being in the circus, Jean Strong has used her beloved poodle, Gypsy, for inspiration along with her vivid artistry to create a book that has appeal for all ages. Jean is a collector of Black folk art and toy animals and is the owner of Tiqua Gallery on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she also has a home and studio. She first had the idea for the book while she was seated at her desk at the gallery and imagined a dream that Gypsy might have had and sketched out fanciful drawings to accompany the story. Later, in her studio, these sketches became large colorful paintings, which are the illustrations for the book. Gypsy was adopted from the Espanola Animal Shelter and is the official greeter at Jean's gallery.

This fascinating story brings together two Native American traditions: the age old practice of using a "talking stick" to encourage communication and avoid conflict; and the unique black and white painted pottery images used by the Mimbres Indians of southwest New Mexico. The story centers around four Mimbres children and a wise old Grandfather who helps them learn active listening skills, the value of sharing their individual talents, and the importance of respecting each other. The children are brought to life through the illustrated scenes of everyday activity as depicted on the pottery bowls by Mimbres artists of a thousand years ago. This book, focusing on the theme of respect, is the first in a series to help children learn how to develop good character traits. Teachers, librarians and children of all ages will enjoy its pictorial narrative. Twin sisters Carilyn Alarid and Marilyn Markel are dedicated to helping children learn how to have respect for the individual and cultural differences of all people. With a Master's degree in Special Education and pursuing a Master's degree in History respectively, Carilyn is a behavior consultant who designs and implements behavior interventions for students and Marilyn teaches about the increasing need to preserve our archaeological treasures through outreach programs. Born and raised in New Mexico, these sisters have the utmost respect for native cultures both past and present.