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| SMART PIGGY'S NEWSLETTER By Audrey Wood Compiled by Heath Uliasz June 2000 Issue #16 Dear Friends, Where did you get the idea for your new book, JUBAL’S WISH? (To be published October, 2000.) JUBAL’S WISH was inspired by my interest in the subject of wishes. When I was young, I believed, that if I wished long and hard enough for something, my wish would magically come true. I was in elementary school and I had a birthday coming up when I visited a department store with my father. In the toy section, I came upon a China doll, displayed in a glass case. The doll’s name was something like "Kitty Hendrix", and she was a wonder to behold. Kitty had a rosebud mouth, apple red cheeks and bountiful curls cascading down to her shoulders. A charming china kitten dozed on her lap and seemed content to remain there forever. In a heartbeat I fell madly in love with Kitty Hendrix. I longed to hold the china doll, cuddle her, tell her my secrets, and make her my doll friend. I informed my father on the spot that I had to have Kitty Hendrix for my birthday. She was my birthday wish. In retrospect, I realize that my request for Kitty was an expensive one, beyond the means of a struggling young artist and his wife with three girls to raise. From my father’s non-committal reaction, I must have sensed that the doll might prove to be an impossible request. I remember deciding to mount a wish campaign. Every night before I fell asleep I’d look out my window, pick a star, and make a heartfelt wish that Kitty Hendrix would soon be mine. At last the big day arrived. My parents and sisters gathered around as I opened all of my presents –- but the china doll was not there! Before I could say a word, my father took me by the hand and asked me to follow him to our neighbor’s house. The man who modeled for the Wizard in our book, JUBAL’S WISH, is my father, Edwin Brewer. As we walked, I was so disappointed I could barely keep back the tears. How could this be? My wish didn’t come true! Then my father took me to our neighbor’s porch, and I was shown a basket filled with a litter of newly born baby kittens. I was told I could choose any one of the kitties I wanted and take it home when it was old enough. That was my birthday present. I never gave Kitty Hendrix another thought. Before the sunset, I choose the largest kitten in the litter and named him George. George became my treasured animal friend throughout my childhood, and I’ll never forget his sweet, loving nature. He was always there to cuddle when I needed him, always ready to listen to my secrets, share my joys, and even provide a furry shoulder to cry on if I needed one. He was the best birthday present I’ve ever received! I made a wish. The wish came true, but not exactly in the way I had anticipated. In our book, JUBAL’S WISH, the Wizard sums up what I learned the day George became a part of my life - - "Wishes and dreams, dreams and wishes, sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. You never know how they’ll turn out in the end." -AW To learn more about our newest book, JUBAL’S WISH, and to view the cover – Enter The Clubhouse at www.audreywood.com and click on the "JUBAL’S WISH" link . ****************************************************************** WHAT IS THE BOOK, HECKEDY PEG, BASED UPON? HECKEDY PEG is inspired by a dramatic acting out game that children once played, dating back to medieval ages. It has many variations. Sometimes there are seven children and a witch, sometimes seven children and a fox, and sometimes the villain is a man. The name of the witch or villain is HECKEDY PEG, and the children (sometimes baby chickens) are named Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It's not a very pleasant game. The children or chicks are kidnapped one by one while their mother is away. As an author I took elements of the children's game and created my own original story from the game. To learn more about the game, you can read the resources I used. The title of the book is CHILDREN'S GAMES IN STREET AND PLAYGROUND, the author’s names are Iona and Peter Opie. To learn more about our book, HECKEDY PEG – Enter The Clubhouse at www.audreywood.com. Then click on the "Don Wood" link. Then click on the "Books by Don" link. Then click on the "Heckedy Peg" link. ****************************************************************** QUOTE FROM AUDREY! "About WEIRD PARENTS, don't feel alone, no one can escape weird parents. You've either got them or you are them!" ****************************************************************** AUTHOR STUDY SUGGESTION! Hi Audrey – I’m a library media specialist in Ponca, OK. Our sixth grade class is doing an author study right now. There is a girl who has chosen to study you and your books. I wondered if you had any materials that you can send to me. We appreciate anything you could send to us. - Debbie Shelton of Ponca, OK. Hi Debbie - Unfortunately, we do not have any "author study" packs available. That's one of the reasons we created our web site at http://www.audreywood.com. My suggestion to you is to go through our site and download as many pages as you like. Then print them out on a computer printer. Many parents, teachers, and librarians then make a book out of the pages or display them on their wall. -AW ****************************************************************** AN INSPIRED CHILD! Dear Don & Audrey, I was climbing in my tree today and I decided to write a poem. I thought you might enjoy it. A CHILD’S THOUGHTS OF TREES By Tara Roy The leaves of my tree make a rainforest in the summer A place to hide A place to slumber A place to weep A place to keep The memories of your past. The branches are like a friend, They will always last. And if you look way up high The leaves seem to say, "Please don’t say goodbye." ****************************************************************** AND THE WINNER IS... Congratulations to Cindy Cox! Congratulations to Barbara Martinez! Congratulations to Hillary Anne and Rion Wilson-Yue! They won a free SILLY SALLY Story Puzzle from Audrey and Don Wood! THE MAY CONTEST QUESTION WAS: In Audrey Wood’s book, SILLY SALLY, how many characters, including Silly Sally, went to town, walking backwards, upside down?" ANSWER: 6 (including Silly Sally)! Thanks for all of your entries! ****************************************************************** JUNE CONTEST!!!!!!!!! DON'T MISS OUT! This month one lucky person will win an autographed copy of Don & Audrey Wood’s book, ELBERT’S BAD WORD. To enter the contest go to the CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Contest" banner. If you answer the question correctly you will be entered into a random drawing. The winner will be drawn at the end of the month. Good Luck! ****************************************************************** NEW SUBSCRIBERS! Check out our past Smart Piggy's Newsletters! Enter THE CLUBHOUSE at http://www.audreywood.com and click on the "Parents and Teachers" link, then click on "Smart Piggy's Newsletter Past Issues" link. ****************************************************************** Keep your questions and suggestions coming! Warmest Regards, Audrey Wood Info@audreywood.com http://www.audreywood.com |
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