Books published by publisher Strand Press

A highlight of every summer for Emory and his little sister Faye was their special annual visit to their grandmother. At Baba’s house, the kids played by the streams, ate blackberries, watched deer, and ran through the woods to their heart’s desire. This summer, Emory was particularly intrigued by the rumor of a magical Oaf living near Baba after discovering his dad’s Ophir newspaper clippings.Emory was alert as he explored the streams and wandered through the woods. A flash of light up the hillside began the magical summer he hoped for. A voice floated through the air, the sound of wood twisting in the trees, and a glimpse of a ragged piece of cloth were the first hints of the Oaf. Baba was delighted by Emory’s adventures and urged him to offer a sandwich along with a note to the mysterious being who was revealing itself for Emory.The Oaf revealed his magic with nature after Emory was mysteriously protected from a mountain lion attack. Baba finally shared her encounters with the irresistible Oaf and his ways in the woods. Tantalizing encounters ensued when Faye arrived and the Oaf slowly befriended the children. The Oaf helped them discover their own personal relationship with nature and their own innate gifts of magic with the plants, trees, and wildlife.

Linda holds a Masters Degree from the Ohio State University, and has attended the Foursquare Gospel Bible College in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. She served in the ministry with her husband for six years, planting a Church in Prairie du Chien, WI. She taught in the public schools for 28 years in Ohio and in Florida before retiring.She is also the author of “What Kids Did Before TV” a collection of short stories based on true events from her childhood and “Street Boy”, a fictional story about an eight-year old who lives on the Street with his mother. Linda enjoys teaching the adult class at her Church in Belleview. She is retired and lives with her granddaughter.

“It all started to unravel the night she lost her dress in Connecticut. In fact, that was the first time I felt needed. Truly needed. Mental illness is a tricky thing. It manifests itself differently depending on decades. And if the mentally ill make it through their twenties medicated improperly, alive and unscathed, it just becomes more complicated. Many end their contracts there, but those who continue life beyond that decade have a mission, just one that can’t quite be grasped at such an early stage.” —GabrielAna Guida, plagued by confusion due to bipolar/schizoaffective disorder, has decided that the only way to allow her loved ones to live life to their fullest is to take herself out of the equation. With her untold story recorded in letters kept in her coveted backpack, Ana makes her escape from a Rhode Island State Hospital to the crystal blue waters of the Florida Keys to meet her romantic demise, unaware that there are other forces at work, helping or hindering her as she goes. It all depends on what is needed to unravel the knot in the tapestry.Sprinkled with illustrations by artists and photographers Angel Soto and Professor Audrey Sedlak-Barbati, and special artistic contributions by Michelle Giles, Jean Melancon, and Sean Tiernan, Paging Dr. Freedman braids hope, love, and purpose to show the resilience of the human spirit. The scientific meets the metaphysical, and the spiritual dance with the bodily in this untamed symphony defying time and space.

Miguel is seven years old and lives in the Village of the Rainbow Tree. Miguel is a friendly boy, full of energy and full of mischief with a great sense of humor. Miguel has always wanted a pet dog. Miguel’s mother told Miguel that he was too young to take care of a dog. Miguel went to his friend, the old woman who lives in the Village and asked her advice. The old woman told Miguel that it is a great responsibility to take care of a pet. Miguel thought he was old enough and could take care of a dog. After speaking to Miguel’s mother, the old woman took Miguel to the back of her cottage where special animals lived. Miguel chose a small colorful pet that he named Fido. In this children’s story, Miguel learns that he must be responsible for taking care of a pet.

Miguel is seven years old and lives in the Village of the Rainbow Tree. Miguel is a friendly boy, full of energy and full of mischief with a great sense of humor. Miguel has always wanted a pet dog. Miguel’s mother told Miguel that he was too young to take care of a dog. Miguel went to his friend, the old woman who lives in the Village and asked her advice. The old woman told Miguel that it is a great responsibility to take care of a pet. Miguel thought he was old enough and could take care of a dog. After speaking to Miguel’s mother, the old woman took Miguel to the back of her cottage where special animals lived. Miguel chose a small colorful pet that he named Fido. In this children’s story, Miguel learns that he must be responsible for taking care of a pet.

A warm glow basks Inuit children gathered around their grandmother in an igloo as they listen to her tell one of her magnificent stories.The adventure begins when an Inuit family with two children, Tiak and Unu, leave their people to find better hunting grounds. They travel for many days across Ice Cap Mountain, often suffering from hunger and exhaustion.Tiak and Unu’s mother dies during the trip, and when they reach their new home, they often fend for themselves as their father hunts for food. One day, he doesn’t comeback, and Unu tells her brother of a dream in which their father told them to go back to their people beyond Ice Cap Mountain.Knowing that such a dream would not lead them astray, they pack their knives and fishing gear and set out to find their people. On the way, they meet a seal – the guardian of the sea – who tells them to visit Brother Walrus, who knows the way to Ice Cap Mountain.To survive, they’ll need to traverse difficult terrain, battle a grizzly bear, and get help from an unlikely friend – Snowbear.

This is a story about a Dad with three sons, Yogi, Olson, and Urel, also known as, YOU. Dad did his part in raising YOU but YOU had to make many choices and decisions without Dad. YOU soon discovered and realized that the choices and decisions that are made in life may either bring positive or negative consequences. In this story, YOU will examine self and find out that rules and guidance help to make everyone’s life a little bit better. What will YOU do?

The Adventures of Lucy Lou (Book 1) is a compilation of six short stories. The stories were written over a period of several years. All of the stories have moral value. In the first book, Lucy Lou shows compassion for her mother and bargains with the ghost. The second book depicts how a handicap does not keep one from doing great things. This book originated from my forty-eight years of work with children who have disabilities. I worked with all disabilities as a special educator. The third book shows friendship between relatives. In the fourth book, you will find out how Lucy Lou, with help from the ghost, brought happiness to a little boy who had been bullied at school. It is the story about the gift of giving, which is the greatest gift of all. The fifth book shows cooperation between classmates and Lucy Lou’s love for the ghost by granting his wish. The sixth book in the series is a story of compassion, forgiveness, repentance, and acceptance. It is truly a story for all ages.