Books published by publisher Vanita Books

The story is told from the perspective of a young Beetle who, with his mother, meets a crowd of caterpillars in the garden they all frequent. Soon they become friends and he watches in awe as the caterpillars weave themselves into cocoons. A special one catches his attention and Beetle “adopts” it by making all sorts of plans of what they will do together when it hatches. Later, he watches as the cocoons break open one by one and beautiful butterflies emerge and fly away. But the one he counted on to be his playmate does not. He is deeply saddened and understandably confused. Beetle’s mother explains gently that young friends like his who can’t join him in the garden are with others in the sky. The story ends with Beetle waving to his friend above and wishing happiness.

Elefante is VanitaBooks’ first board book for young children. It’s said that elephants never forget. Poor Elefante forgets everything, like tying his shoes and picking up his toys. But he also forgets his shyness and when a playmate is mean. Children learn how forgetting some things can be a good thing. Elefante “forgot to be afraid of Mouse and he made a new friend.” This is also our “greenest” book. It is made entirely from recycled paper and using soy based inks. Even the art is made of recycled materials. It includes a page about how to use recycled material to make your own art at home. Net profits from Elefante will be donated to the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis.

Carrot is a delightful story about a common house cat who finds that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Carrot envies the fancy white cat she sees on a yacht in the bay and fantasizes a life of wealth: “She would be asked to marry / the Earl of Kent’s cat. / Nothing could be / more romantic than that.” Finally Carrot realizes her “common” life has much to offer that idleness aboard a yacht could never fulfill: “Without their sweet Carrot / what would her poor family do? / And what of the mouse? / Who would tend to his flu?”

The story is told from the perspective of a young Beetle who, with his mother, meets a crowd of caterpillars in the garden they all frequent. Soon they become friends and he watches in awe as the caterpillars weave themselves into cocoons. A special one catches his attention and Beetle “adopts” it by making all sorts of plans of what they will do together when it hatches. Later, he watches as the cocoons break open one by one and beautiful butterflies emerge and fly away. But the one he counted on to be his playmate does not. He is deeply saddened and understandably confused. Beetle’s mother explains gently that young friends like his who can’t join him in the garden are with others in the sky. The story ends with Beetle waving to his friend above and wishing happiness.

Nancy Dickenson and the 90s Club at Whisperwood Retirement Village head south to Fort Lauderdale to rescue one friend and find another. Four attempts to murder Nancy’s long-time confidant Peter Stamboul have failed, but in the placid lifestyle of his retirement condo, who would want to kill Peter and why? Adventurous young Jessica Cantwell took a job as crew on a boat, but when the captain is murdered, she disappears and becomes a “person of interest.” Once again, murder and mayhem stalk Nancy and fellow 90s Club members Louise and George as they race to save Peter and Jessica’s lives and, ultimately, their own. "A fun read....nostalgia and...social commentary, wrapped up in an engaging mystery novel." (Foreword Reviews)

Nancy Dickenson and the 90s Club at Whisperwood Retirement Village head south to Fort Lauderdale to rescue one friend and find another. Four attempts to murder Nancy's long-time confidant Peter Stamboul have failed, but in the placid lifestyle of his retirement condo, who would want to kill Peter and why? Adventurous young Jessica Cantwell took a job as crew on a boat, but when the captain is murdered, she disappears and becomes a "person of interest." Once again, murder and mayhem stalk Nancy and fellow 90s Club members Louise and George as they race to save Peter and Jessica's lives and, untimately, their own.