New Releases by Aaron Shepard

As the daughter of a great mandarin, Mi Nuong leads a sheltered life. But one day, sitting in her tower, a song floats to her from a distant fishing boat on the river. "My love is like a blossom in the breeze. My love is like a moonbeam on the waves." The voice is so beautiful, she knows the singer must be young and handsome -- perhaps even a mandarin''s son in disguise. Could it be that the song is for her? She longs to meet him, but how? And what will she find if she does? In this poignant legend, a young lady discovers that appearances can deceive, but the heart speaks true. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER''S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON''S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON''S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard''s many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Once a professional storyteller, he specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature. Joseph Daniel Fiedler, besides illustrating several picture books, has had work appear in numerous national and international publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. He has received many awards, including a Silver Medal from the Society of Illustrators, and his paintings have been shown in over 75 gallery and museum exhibitions in four countries. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// 1999 Best Children''s Books, Bank Street College of Education 1999-2000 Recommended Reading List, Kansas Reading Circle "Haunting tale of unrequited love.... Shepard paces his polished storytelling to accommodate atmospheric details. Despite the Vietnamese setting, this sophisticated story has much in common with Hans Christian Andersen''s sorrowful romances, and its words and images will likely linger with readers." -- Publishers Weekly, July 6, 1998 "A keen tale of false expectations and confused priorities.... For his first picture book, Fiedler produces exquisite artwork; the landscapes are magically transporting, while the lustrous colors radiate an antique, spiritual quality." -- Kirkus Reviews "Shepard''s retelling captures all the romantic feeling in an economical use of text without forfeiting any of the haunting mood. This could provide a lovely segue into thoughtful discussion on expectations, disappointment, and reparation." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books, July-Aug. 1998 "Shepard''s simple yet elegant prose meshes well with Fiedler''s dramatic artwork. A good choice for storytellers, this romantic tale will be popular with a wide range of audiences." -- Kay Weisman, American Library Association Booklist, Oct. 1, 1998 "Beautifully retold and illustrated." -- Children''s Book Committee, Bank Street College of Education, Best Children''s Books for the Year, 1999

Embarking on the journey to become a commercial pilot is both exhilarating and daunting. I remember the first time I stepped into a small Cessna; the smell of the leather seats and the hum of the engine ignited a passion I didn''t know I had. It''s a path filled with challenges, but each step is a rewarding experience that shapes you into a skilled aviator. First things first, you need to obtain your private pilot license (PPL). This is where the adventure begins. Ground school is essential; I spent countless hours poring over textbooks, learning about aerodynamics, navigation, and meteorology. I found online resources and apps incredibly helpful for studying. The moment I took to the skies for my first solo flight was surreal. The nodom of flying is unmatched, but it also comes with a hefty dose of responsibility. Once you''ve got your PPL, the next step is to accumulate flight hours. This is where the real learning happens. I remember flying with different instructors, each bringing their unique style and insights. Some were strict, while others were more laid-back, but all contributed to my growth. I also joined a local flying club, which not only provided access to aircraft but also a community of fellow aviation enthusiasts. After logging the required hours, it''s time to tackle the instrument rating. This part of training is crucial, as it teaches you to fly in various weather conditions using instruments alone. I found this phase particularly challenging but rewarding. The first time I successfully landed in low visibility was a moment of triumph. Next up is the commercial pilot license (CPL). This is where you refine your skills and learn advanced maneuvers. I remember the pressure of the checkride, but the sense of accomplishment afterward was worth every nerve-wracking moment. Finally, you''ll want to consider additional ratings, like multi-engine or flight instructor. Each step opens new doors and opportunities. Networking with other pilots and attending aviation events can also be invaluable. In conclusion, the journey to becoming a commercial pilot is a blend of rigorous training, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. Embrace the challenges, seek out mentors, and never stop learning. The sky is truly the limit!

"One can never have too many friends." Quackling was proud when the King came to him to borrow money. But years passed, and the King never paid him back! So, he took his sack and started for the castle. But a very small duck will need very good friends when he gets there! Will Quackling get what he wants, or something even better? Find out in this lively, rhythmic retelling of a favorite European folk tale. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King's Daughter," and many more children's books. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Wendy Edelson is the award-winning illustrator of "The Baker's Dozen," "Christmas Truce," and many more children's books. She has applied her talent to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "[A] lively folktale retelling . . . Edelson enhances the allegorical tale, about goodness and honoring commitments, with striking renderings of anthropomorphic animals." -- Publishers Weekly, July 30, 2018 "An enchanting fairytale that is easy to read and follow along, keeping youngsters excited and involved in the action." -- Kimberly Poe, Goodreads reviewer, November 18, 2018 "Not just for kids, grown-up youngsters will love it, as well. Beautiful art, beautifully done re-telling -- LOVED IT!" -- RaChelle Holmberg, Goodreads reviewer, January 24, 2022 "It's the cute-enough-to-go-into-a-coma artwork by Wendy Edelson coupled with Brothers Grimm that hooked me. Very short read with easy sentences and rhymes. Adorable." -- Korrin Kearney, Goodreads reviewer, March 1, 2022 "The illustrations are gorgeous and filled with detail. Those alone make this book worth a read. I also enjoyed the lesser known (where I live) fairy tale . . . A good choice to read to children of all ages." -- Morris Morgan, Goodreads reviewer, March 7, 2022 "A great book to teach children the elements of fairytale. It is interesting, repetitive, funny, and based on a European folktale. As a grade 3 teacher, I would definitely purchase this book for my classroom library." -- Angie Kuhnle, teacher, March 13, 2022 "A darling retelling of a classic fairytale with so many great qualities. The rhythm, sets of threes, illustrations, and page design all come together to create a wonderful read-aloud." -- Callie Anna Oxner, Goodreads reviewer, March 21, 2022 "Filled with surprises and delights . . . Bright and colorful in every way." -- Linda Gill, The Reader and the Book (blog), March 24, 2022 "A simple but absolutely delightful story, this one is one of my favorites of this year." -- Michelle Kalm, Goodreads reviewer, March 30, 2022 "Children will be delighted to take part in the storytelling and thrilled with the satisfying conclusion . . . Illustrator Wendy Edelson has created masterful renderings of the action. The highly detailed art bursts with color and action and will draw youngsters into its pages."-- Jill Stanish, Live to Read to Live (blog), April 20, 2022

You'd better believe Slappy Hooper was the world's biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter. He was bestest because no one else ever made pictures so true to life. But some folks said they were too good when the pictures started coming alive! Will Slappy have to give up sign painting for good? Or will a couple of timely jobs from the Heavenly Sign Company let him climb to even greater heights? Find out in this delightful tall tale from mid-20th-century Chicago. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON'S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON'S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Adventures of Mouse Deer," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Toni Goffe is a British illustrator of numerous well-loved children's books and is a winner of the 1993 Gold Medallion Book Award. He is also illustrator of Aaron's "The Legend of Lightning Larry." ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Goffe's freewheeling cartoons perfectly complement this well-told, amiably satirical tale." -- Kirkus Reviews, Sept. 1, 1993 "Good-humored . . . Lots of possibilities for story hour." -- Booklist, Nov. 1, 1993 "A cheerful, upbeat, all-American legend. Have fun with it." -- Katy Rydell, Stories, Fall 1993 "Not only fun, but a start for many classroom learning experiences. Readers of all ages will enjoy Slappy Hooper." -- Sandra Boback, St. Boniface School, Kingston, PA "Delightful . . . [A] welcome addition to the list of American tall tales." -- The Story Bag, Special Review Issue ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE You've heard about Paul Bunyan, the greatest lumberjack of all time. And you've heard about Pecos Bill, the greatest cowboy. Now let me tell you about Slappy Hooper, the world's biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter. You'd better believe Slappy was biggest! Why, he was seven feet tall with shoulders to match, and he weighed three hundred pounds, even without his cap and coverall and brush and bucket. And fastest? Just give him an eight-inch brush. Slip! slop! slap! The job was done -- and so smooth, you'd never see a brush stroke. And you bet Slappy was bestest! That was on account of his pictures. No one else ever made them so true to life. In fact, some folks said they were too true to life. Slappy's trouble started with the huge red rose he painted on the sign for Rose's Florist Shop. "Slappy, it's so real!" said Miss Rose Red, the owner. "Why, I can just about smell the fragrance!" But a week later, Rose Red fluttered into Slappy's sign shop. "Slappy, that sign of yours was too good. The bees got wind of it and swarmed all over that rose, trying to get in. They scared away all my customers! That was bad enough, but wait till you see what's happened now!" When they reached the florist shop, Slappy saw that the bees were gone. But the rose had withered and died. "No one buys from a florist with a withered flower on her sign," said Rose Red. "That's the last thing you'll paint for me, Slappy Hooper!"

¿Por qué no dar más? Van Amsterdam, el panadero, era bien conocido por su honestidad, al igual que por sus extraordinarias galletas de San Nicolás. Él siempre les daba a sus clientes exactamente lo que ellos pagaban: ni más ni menos. Entonces, ¡no estaba dispuesto a ceder cuando una misteriosa señora mayor viene a su tienda el Día de San Nicolás e insiste que una docena son trece! El hechizo de la señora termina con el negocio del panadero, y él cree que haría falta que San Nicolás lo ayude. Pero si recibe esa ayuda, ¿será exactamente la que él imaginó? Averígualo en esta inspiradora leyenda de la Nueva York colonial holandesa sobre el nacimiento de una costumbre tradicional estadounidense. TÍTULO ORIGINAL: The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale MAESTROS Y BIBLIOTECARIOS: Un guion de teatro de lectores de este libro está disponible tanto en inglés como en español de forma gratuita en el sitio web de Aaron. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard y su gran cantidad de libros para jóvenes han recibido honores de la American Library Association, la New York Public Library, el Bank Street College of Education, la American Folklore Society y el National Council for the Social Studies. Habiendo ejercido antaño como cuentacuentos profesional, él se especializa en animadas renarraciones de cuentos populares y de otras creaciones de literatura tradicional. Wendy Edelson ha recibido honores del Pacific Northwest Book Award, del Moonbeam Children’s Book Award y del Mom’s Choice Award. Además de ilustrar numerosos libros de cuentos para niños, ha proporcionado el arte para el Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, el Seattle Aquarium, el Pacific Northwest Ballet, el U.S. Postal Service, la Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education y la American Library Association. Annette Granat les ha traducido más de cien libros para niños a diversas editoriales. Sus traducciones se han presentado en el Blanton Museum of Art y han sido publicadas digitalmente por la galardonada compañía EarthSky Communications como parte de su programa EarthSky en Español. También ha traducido para el Estado de Texas, la University of Texas at Austin y el International Center for the Enhancement of Learning Potential (ICELP). ///////////////////////////////////////////////// “La buena voluntad del legendario San Nicolás reverbera en este cuento sobre el origen de la expresión: ‘la docena del panadero’. […] La fácil de seguir renarración de Shepard tiene un sabor apropiado de Viejo Mundo”. Publishers Weekly “Una historia navideña particularmente bonita, realzada por ilustraciones llenas de detalles. […] De ritmo constante y con un buen largo para grupos o individuos, acierta perfectamente en el blanco con el público de lectores. La obra de arte de Edelson está repleta de personajes maravillosamente vivos, que casi se salen de las páginas”. Ilene Cooper, Booklist “Una nueva versión sensorial de un cuento tradicional. […] Con palabras bien elegidas y un texto de ritmo agradablemente constante que exige ser contado en voz alta. Un regalo para la época navideña”. School Library Journal “Un cuento con un mensaje que debe ser escuchado durante las Navidades y todo el año”. Children's Book Review

Many parts make a whole, in this short concept book for the very young. For ages 0 to 5. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard -- besides being Anne's loving husband -- is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King's Daughter," and many more children's books. This is his first concept book. Anne L. Watson is the author and/or illustrator of a number of children's books, including the Katie Mouse and Coco Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// COMPLETE TEXT Many fingers, one hand. Many beads, one necklace. Many pieces, one puzzle. Many trees, one forest. Many colors, one rainbow. Many people, one world.

"There sure are a lot of weasels." Everywhere Skeeter looks, he sees weasels -- on the street, in his office, in the park. They sneak, and they slink, and they all wear gray trench coats and purple sunglasses. The problem is, no one else sees them! All that changes when Skeeter meets Special Agent Ratilda from Rodential, the rodent mutual aid society. Together, they set off to track down the weasels and put an end to their nefarious doings. Will Skeeter and Ratilda foil the weasels'' Big Plan? Will Most Weasel J.R. Slitherwell finally meet his match? Will Skeeter get his job back and date the cat of his dreams? And what does that big red button really do, anyway? Find out in "Skeeter and the Weasels"! ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King''s Daughter," and many more children''s books. His stories have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of "Katie Mouse and the Perfect Wedding," "Katie Mouse and the Christmas Door," and "The Secret of Gingerbread Village," as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages made from photos of felted animals, miniatures, and real-life objects, along with graphic arts creations and textures from Etsy and elsewhere, all assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. Aaron and Anne are married and now live in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Skeeter walked to the park and sat sadly on a bench. There were weasels behind the trees. There were weasels by the picnic tables. There were weasels around the playground. "There sure are a lot of weasels," said Skeeter. "Hold everything!" said a voice above him. "Did you say ''a lot of weasels''?" He looked up, and there on a tree branch was a lady rat in a pink trench coat and purple sunglasses. "Yes," said Skeeter. "A lot of weasels. There sure are." "At last!" said the lady rat. "Someone else sees them, too!" She dropped onto the bench and took off her sunglasses. "Let me introduce myself. I''m Special Agent Ratilda from Rodential, the rodent mutual aid society. You''ve heard of us, no doubt." "Well, no, I can''t say -- " began Skeeter. "Sure, you have. Our motto? ''Get a piece of the cheese.'' Right now, I''m on a secret mission. Top secret. Can you keep a secret?" "Um, unless I forget and -- " "Sure, you can. I''m looking into an alarming rise in the number of weasels. They''re everywhere. But I don''t have to tell you, because you see them, too. So, what''s your name, cat?" "I''m Skeeter," said Skeeter. "Skeeter," said Ratilda. "Pretty dumb name, but you''re a cat, so it fits. So, Skeeter, how would you like to join me on this perilous and possibly fatal mission." "Oh, I don''t think -- " "Sure, you would. Follow me, Deputy Special Agent Skeeter." Ratilda put on her sunglasses, jumped off the bench, and started off. "But I''m a cat!" called Skeeter. "Nobody''s perfect!" called Ratilda. "Come on!"

If you think Superman or Spiderman has been around a long time, think about Monkey. He has been China''s favorite superhero for at least five centuries. He''s amazingly strong, he can fly, and he has a few tricks those other superheroes never heard of. And he''s always ready to do battle with demons, dragons -- sometimes even the gods. Monkey stars in The Journey to the West, an epic comic fantasy from the sixteenth century. The part retold here is about Monkey''s origin and early career -- and the one time he didn''t come out on top. For ages 10 and up. Not illustrated! ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Sea King''s Daughter," "Lady White Snake," and many more children''s books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader''s theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Cover artist Xiaojun Li, a native of Inner Mongolia, was an award-winning children''s book illustrator and art director in China before moving to the United States. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE "Here I am, only four hundred years old," said the Monkey King, "and I''ve already reached the heights of greatness. What is left to hope and strive for? What can be higher than a king?" "Your Majesty," said the gibbon carefully, "we have ever been grateful for that time four centuries ago when you hatched from the stone, wandered into our midst, and found for us this hidden cave behind the waterfall. We made you our king as the greatest honor we could bestow. Still, I must tell you that kings are not the highest of beings." "They''re not?" said the Monkey King. "No, Your Majesty. Above them are gods, who dwell in Heaven and govern Earth. Then there are Immortals, who have gained great powers and live forever. And finally there are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who have conquered illusion and escaped rebirth." "Wonderful!" cried the Monkey King. "Maybe I can become all three!" He considered a moment, then said, "I think I''ll start with the Immortals. I''ll search the earth till I''ve found one, then learn to become one myself!"

Many parts make a whole, in this short concept book for the very young. For ages 0 to 5. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard -- besides being Anne''s loving husband -- is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King''s Daughter," and many more children''s books. This is his first concept book. Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Katie Mouse and Coco Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// COMPLETE TEXT Many fingers, one hand. Many beads, one necklace. Many pieces, one puzzle. Many trees, one forest. Many colors, one rainbow. Many people, one world.

A young, blind bard counts himself lucky when invited to live with the monks at a prominent Buddhist temple -- and more lucky still when asked to perform his epic verses at the court of a high-ranking lord. But why is his noble audience so violently moved by his tales of long-dead heroes? For ages 10 and up. Not illustrated! ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Sea King''s Daughter," "Lady White Snake," and many more children''s books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader''s theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Hearing something, Hoichi stopped his playing and listened. Through the night came footsteps, measured by a steady CLANK, CLANK -- the sound of armor. A samurai coming to the temple, thought Hoichi. What could he want at this hour? The footsteps moved through the back gate of the temple and across the garden. CLANK, CLANK. They were coming straight toward him! As the young man''s heart beat faster, the footsteps halted before the veranda. "Hoichi!" "Sir!" replied the young man. Then he added, "Please, sir, I am blind. I cannot see who you are." "You have nothing to fear," said the voice. "My master, a lord of high rank, is lodging nearby. He came to visit Dan-no-ura, the scene of the famous battle. Now he hears of your talent in reciting the tale of the Heike. He wishes you to come at once to perform for himself and his attendants." "I am most honored," said Hoichi. The young man slung his biwa on his back and slipped into his straw sandals. Then his arm was clasped in a grip of iron, and he was led rapidly away.

Sadko the musician loved his city of Novgorod, the richest and most free in all Russia. With its great feasts, its white stone churches, its merchant visitors from many lands, Sadko felt there was no better place to be. Yet he was lonely too, for the rich young ladies who danced to his music would never favor anyone so poor. One night he takes his twelve-string gusli and goes alone to play by the River Volkhov. Suddenly from the water rises the Sea King, who invites the astonished musician to play at his underwater palace. But how will Sadko get there? And how will he get back? And will he want to return at all, when he meets the Sea King''s lovely daughter? One of the most popular legends of Russia, Sadko''s story is found in medieval epic ballads, as well as in a popular opera by Rimsky-Korsakov. It is retold here in elegant prose, complemented by the entrancing illustrations of a modern Russian master. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER''S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON''S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE" OR ON AARON''S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Sea King''s Daughter," "The Monkey King," and many more children''s books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader''s theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Gennady Spirin, with a style he describes as "fairy-tale realism," is one of the world’s most esteemed children’s illustrators. His honors include five gold medals from the Society of Illustrators, the Golden Apple from the Bratislava International Biennial, First Prize at the Bologna and Barcelona international book fairs, and four appearances on the New York Times list of Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Born and trained in Russia before moving to the United States, Gennady already knew well the legend of Sadko and welcomed the chance to contribute his sumptuous art to this retelling. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// HONORS 1997 New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year 1998 American Library Association Notable Children''s Books 1998 NCSS/CBC Notable Trade Books in the Field of Social Studies 1997 Aesop Accolade, American Folklore Society 1998 Honor Title, Storytelling World Awards 1997 Cincinnati Enquirer Best Illustrated Children''s Books American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Starred review, Publishers Weekly Featured on "CBS This Morning" ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Emotionally authentic prose and jewel-like illustrations make this an exquisite volume. . . . [A] mood of eloquent enchantment." -- Publishers Weekly, Aug. 25, 1997, starred review "Exquisite." -- The New York Times Book Review, Oct. 26, 1997 "Knock-your-socks-off beautiful. . . . Will stay in a family''s library forever." -- Valerie Lewis, "CBS This Morning," Dec. 11, 1997 "Retains the flavor of Old Russia. . . . A fascinating spin on mermaid/human interaction." -- Denise Anton Wright, School Library Journal, Dec. 1997 "The telling is descriptive yet very accessible. . . . The pictures are gorgeous and resplendent with extraordinary details." -- Stephanie Zvirin, American Library Association Booklist, Nov. 15, 1997

Why not give more? Van Amsterdam the baker was well known for his honesty as well as for his fine Saint Nicholas cookies. He always gave his customers exactly what they paid for -- not more and not less. So, he was not about to give in when a mysterious old woman comes to him on Saint Nicholas Day and insists that a dozen is thirteen! The woman''s curse puts an end to the baker''s business, and he believes it would take Saint Nicholas to help him. But if he receives that help, will it be exactly what he imagined? Find out in this inspiring legend from Dutch colonial New York about the birth of an honored American custom. TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER''S THEATER SCRIPT OF THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN AARON''S BOOK "FOLKTALES ON STAGE," OR FREE ON AARON''S WEB SITE. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King’s Daughter," and many more children’s books. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Wendy Edelson has applied her award-winning skills to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle''s Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// HONORS American Bookseller Pick of the Lists Trumpet Book Club selection Valerie and Walter''s Best Books for Children "The good will of legendary Saint Nick resonates in this tale about the origin of the term ''baker''s dozen.'' . . . Shepard''s easy-to-follow retelling has an appropriate Old World flavor." -- Publishers Weekly, Sept. 18, 1995 "A particularly nice holiday story accented by paintings full of detail. . . . Well-paced and a good length for groups or individuals, this is right on target for audiences. Edelson''s artwork is filled with marvelously-alive characters who almost step from the pages." -- Ilene Cooper, Booklist, Sept. 15, 1995 "A lush new version of a traditional tale. . . . Well-chosen words and a nicely-paced text that begs to be told aloud. A treat for the holiday season." -- School Library Journal, Oct. 1995 "Aaron Shepard retells a favorite colonial legend with the voice of the storyteller." -- Jan Lieberman, TNT, Fall 1995 "A fine tale of generosity for St. Nicholas Day or any day." -- Marilyn McPhie, Storybag, Special Review Issue 1997 "A story with a message to be heard during the holidays and all year long." -- Children''s Book Review

"I want shoes that are spiffy, not iffy." Katie is tired of her same old shoes, so she goes to the store to buy new ones. But with so many wondrous choices, how can she ever decide? In this fun story told in lively verse, a young girl gets a peek at the many possibilities open to her in life and embraces them with joy. For ages 2 to 8. ///////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King's Daughter," and many more children's books. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Wendy Edelson is the award-winning illustrator of "The Baker's Dozen," "Christmas Truce," "Quackling," and many more children's books. She has applied her talent to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. ///////////////////////////////////////////// FULL TEXT Katie was tired of her same old shoes. "I want shoes I choose!" she said. She went to the store to buy new ones. The sales clerk asked, "Which shoes do you choose?" Katie said, "I want shoes that are braggy, not baggy." "Let me see," said the clerk. "We have small shoes, and tall shoes, and walk-on-the-wall shoes. "We have red shoes, and head shoes, and down-the-hill-sled shoes. "We have blue shoes, and BOO shoes, and paddle-canoe shoes. "Which shoes do you choose?" Katie said, "I want shoes that are slicky, not sticky." "Let me see," said the clerk. "We have jog shoes, and log shoes, and hop-like-a-frog shoes. "We have tied shoes, and wide shoes, and carnival-ride shoes. "We have trail shoes, and snail shoes, and wind-in-your-sail shoes. "Which shoes do you choose?" Katie said, "I want shoes that are spiffy, not iffy." "Let me see," said the clerk. "We have black shoes, and snack shoes, and ride-on-a-track shoes. "We have wet shoes, and pet shoes, and super-speed-jet shoes. "We have moon shoes, and goon shoes, and hot-air-balloon shoes. "Which shoes do you choose?" Katie said, "I choose ALL these shoes." She bought the shoes and took them home. Now Katie chooses ALL her shoes with ALL THOSE SHOES TO CHOOSE.

What is a "coloring storybook"? It''s a coloring book, a storybook, and more! You can color just the pages you want, and enjoy it like any fine coloring book. Or finish them all and create a wonderful storybook, a keepsake all your own, or one to lovingly share with children and grandchildren. Imagine their excitement and delight -- and yours too! -- when you read to them from a book you helped illustrate yourself! It''s a gift your loved ones can treasure forever, a true family heirloom. This coloring storybook from Skyhook Press, based on a lovely Russian legend, tells of a poor musician invited to play in the Sea King''s palace, where he''s offered more than riches. *************Please note: This "grayscale coloring book" (or "greyscale colouring book") has pictures already shaded in gray, calling for a different kind of coloring. But that doesn''t make it harder -- in fact, it makes it easier to get stunning results! For tips, search online for "grayscale coloring." ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT THE CHILDREN''S BOOK This coloring book is adapted from the children''s picture book "The Sea King''s Daughter: A Russian Legend," retold by Aaron Shepard and illustrated by Gennady Spirin. The book was published in 1997 by Atheneum Books for Young Children, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and received numerous honors, including listing in the 1997 New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year. It is still available, in a new edition from Skyhook Press. The legend is one of the most popular of Russia, and was made known internationally by Rimsky-Korsakov''s opera "Sadko." ABOUT THE ARTIST Gennady Spirin, with a style he describes as "fairy-tale realism," is one of the world''s most esteemed children''s illustrators. His honors include five gold medals from the Society of Illustrators, the Golden Apple from the Bratislava International Biennial, First Prize at the Bologna and Barcelona international book fairs, and four appearances on the New York Times list of Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Born and trained in Russia before moving to the United States, Gennady already knew well the legend of Sadko and welcomed the chance to contribute his sumptuous art to Aaron''s retelling. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of many children''s books from publishers large and small. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// REVIEWS "Stunning artwork . . . Perfect for a PanPastel book." -- Dede Willingham, YouTube, July 17, 2019 "Lovely . . . Makes a wonderful gift and keepsake for somebody, whether it is colored or not. It''s a wonderful story with beautiful illustrations that can be shared and read to your children and grandchildren . . . The paper is high-quality, acid-free." -- Debbie Rucinski, YouTube, Dec. 28, 2019 "Beautiful artwork." -- Rebecca Todd, Rebecca''s Coloring Videos, YouTube, Sept. 16, 2019

What is a "coloring storybook"? It''s a coloring book, a storybook, and more! You can color just the pages you want, and enjoy it like any fine coloring book. Or finish them all and create a wonderful storybook, a keepsake all your own, or one to lovingly share with children and grandchildren. Imagine their excitement and delight -- and yours too! -- when you read to them from a book you helped illustrate yourself! It''s a gift your loved ones can treasure forever, a true family heirloom. This coloring storybook from Skyhook Press, based on a traditional fairy tale, tells what happens when a very small duck sets off to demand the money he loaned to the King. *************Please note: This "grayscale coloring book" (or "greyscale colouring book") has pictures already shaded in gray, calling for a different kind of coloring. But that doesn''t make it harder -- in fact, it makes it easier to get stunning results! For tips, search online for "grayscale coloring." ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT THE CHILDREN''S BOOK This coloring book is adapted from the children''s picture book "Quackling: A Feathered Fairy Tale," told by Aaron Shepard and illustrated by Wendy Edelson, published in 2018 by Skyhook Press. The story, a folktale known in various forms around the world, is probably most popular in France and Spain. ABOUT THE ARTIST Wendy Edelson has applied her award-winning skills to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle''s Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. Her more recent projects have included several picture books and coloring books for Skyhook Press. The pictures in this coloring book were converted to grayscale by Skyhook Press from Wendy''s original watercolor illustrations. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of many children''s books from publishers large and small. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// REVIEWS "Isn''t it awesome? . . . PanPastels would be perfect for these." -- Dede Willingham, YouTube, July 17, 2019 "The images are so cute. I love them." -- Ann Siggers, A Colorful Life, YouTube, July 17, 2019 "Just beautiful. The art work''s so good . . . Absolutely lovely." -- Rebecca Todd, Rebecca''s Coloring Videos, YouTube, Sept. 16, 2019

What is a "coloring storybook"? It''s a coloring book, a storybook, and more! You can color just the pages you want, and enjoy it like any fine coloring book. Or finish them all and create a wonderful storybook, a keepsake all your own, or one to lovingly share with children and grandchildren. Imagine their excitement and delight -- and yours too! -- when you read to them from a book you helped illustrate yourself! It''s a gift your loved ones can treasure forever, a true family heirloom. This coloring storybook from Skyhook Press tells what happens when mild-mannered Skeeter the cat starts to notice that there are a lot of weasels. *************Please note: This "grayscale coloring book" (or "greyscale colouring book") has pictures already shaded in gray, calling for a different kind of coloring. But that doesn''t make it harder -- in fact, it makes it easier to get stunning results! For tips, search online for "grayscale coloring." ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT THE CHILDREN''S BOOK This coloring book is adapted from the children''s picture book "Skeeter and the Weasels," by Aaron Shepard, illustrated by Anne L. Watson, published in 2019 by Skyhook Press. ABOUT THE ARTIST Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of "Katie Mouse and the Perfect Wedding," "Katie Mouse and the Christmas Door," and "The Secret of Gingerbread Village," as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages made from photos of felted animals, miniatures, and real-life objects, along with graphic arts creations and textures from Etsy and elsewhere, all assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Shepard--besides being Anne''s loving husband--is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King''s Daughter," and many more children''s books. His stories have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society.

"One can never have too many friends." Quackling was proud when the King came to him to borrow money. But years passed, and the King never paid him back! So, he took his sack and started for the castle. But a very small duck will need very good friends when he gets there! Will Quackling get what he wants, or something even better? Find out in this lively, rhythmic retelling of a favorite European folk tale. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King''s Daughter," and many more children''s books. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. Wendy Edelson is the award-winning illustrator of "The Baker''s Dozen," "Christmas Truce," and many more children''s books. She has applied her talent to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle''s Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "[A] lively folktale retelling . . . Edelson enhances the allegorical tale, about goodness and honoring commitments, with striking renderings of anthropomorphic animals." -- Publishers Weekly, July 30, 2018 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Once there was a very small duck with a very loud quack. So they called him Quackling. Now, Quackling was clever and he worked hard, so he saved up a good deal of money. In fact, he saved up so much that the King himself came to borrow some. Quackling was proud to loan his money to the King. But a year went by, then two, then three, and the King never paid him back. "I''ve waited long enough," said Quackling. So he took a sack for the money, and he started for the castle, calling, "Quack! Quack! Quack! I want my money back!" Before long, he came upon a ladder leaning against a wall. "Where are you going, Quackling?" said Ladder. "To the King for my money," said Quackling. "To the King!" said Ladder. "How wonderful! Will you take me with you?" "Why not?" said Quackling. "One can never have too many friends." And he called out, "Quack! Quack! Quack! Ladder into sack!" Quick as you can blink, Ladder was in the sack. Then Quackling walked on, calling, "Quack! Quack! Quack! I want my money back!"

"Definitely the best grayscale coloring book I''ve ever seen." -- Coloring with Alena, YouTube, June 19, 2018 "I think it''s probably the most lovely grayscale coloring book I have ever seen." -- Simple Art for Adults, YouTube, July 6, 2018 "I recommend for everyone." -- Jennifer Shaffer Art, YouTube, June 20, 2018 What is a "coloring storybook"? It''s a coloring book, a storybook, and more! You can color just the pages you want, and enjoy it like any fine coloring book. Or finish them all and create a wonderful storybook, a keepsake all your own, or one to lovingly share with children and grandchildren. Imagine their excitement and delight -- and yours too! -- when you read to them from a book you helped illustrate yourself! It''s a gift your loved ones can treasure forever, a true family heirloom. This coloring storybook from Skyhook Press, based on an authentic legend, reveals the origin of the term "baker''s dozen" and tells how Saint Nicholas taught a baker to be generous. *************Please note: This "grayscale coloring book" (or "greyscale colouring book") has pictures already shaded in gray, calling for a different kind of coloring. But that doesn''t make it harder -- in fact, it makes it easier to get stunning results! For tips, search online for "grayscale coloring." //////////////////////////////////////////////// ABOUT THE CHILDREN''S BOOK This coloring book is adapted from the children''s picture book "The Baker''s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale," retold by Aaron Shepard and illustrated by Wendy Edelson. The book was published in 1995 by Atheneum Books for Young Children, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and was honored as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists and a Trumpet Book Club Selection. It is still available, in a new edition from Skyhook Press with bonus cookie recipe and pattern. ABOUT THE ARTIST Wendy Edelson has applied her award-winning skills to a wide range of illustration projects, including picture books, pet portraits, posters, and puzzles. Among her clients have been Seattle''s Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the U.S. Postal Service, Cricket Magazine, McGraw-Hill Education, and the American Library Association. More recent projects have included producing coloring pages for Etsy and illustrating Quackling, another retelling of Aaron''s. The pictures in this coloring book were converted to grayscale by Skyhook Press from Wendy''s original watercolor illustrations. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of many children''s books from publishers large and small. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. After first hearing the legend of the baker''s dozen from storyteller Sheila Dailey, Aaron retold the story himself with the help of texts dating as far back as 1896.

NOTE: PLEASE VISIT AARON''S PUBLISHING PAGE FOR ANY UPDATES TO THIS BOOK. Have you ever opened a Kindle book to find that the font started out way too small or way too large? Have you tried to change to a different font while reading and discovered you couldn''t? Have you jumped to a new chapter in a Kindle book and seen that the chapter heading lost its formatting? Has a Kindle completely ignored formatting you knew was in the book? According to Amazon, the simplest way to publish your Kindle book is to upload an HTML file you''ve saved from Microsoft Word or another app. By itself, that method can bring you maybe 80% of the way to a well-formatted, trouble-free ebook. But what about the other 20%? In this follow-up to his bestselling "From Word to Kindle," Aaron Shepard takes your saved HTML as a starting point and tells how to quickly tweak and tune it to avoid common problems. Assuming no knowledge of HTML, he introduces the basics of the language, then reveals how to use find-and-replace and macros to touch up an entire book in seconds! If you''re serious about Kindle publishing and you''re technically inclined -- but not a full-fledged geek -- Aaron provides the tips you need to bring your Kindle book to the next level, making it something truly to be proud of. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is a foremost proponent of the new business of profitable self publishing, which he has practiced and helped develop since 1998. He is the author of "Aiming at Amazon," "POD for Profit," "Perfect Pages," and Amazon''s #1 and #2 bestselling paid books on Kindle formatting, "From Word to Kindle" and "Pictures on Kindle." ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS Getting Started 1 WORKING WITH HTML HTML and Kindle HTML Export HTML Editing HTML Processing HTML Basics HTML Checking HTML Cleanup HTML Testing 2 HTML FIXES Fixes for Fonts Fixes for Paragraphs Fixes for Headings Fixes for Line Breaking Fixes for Pictures Fixes for Navigation ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Here are some of the things you can accomplish through changes in HTML. * Adjust bookmarks so headings retain proper formatting when jumped to. * Remove settings that stop the user from choosing their own. * Keep fonts from appearing much too small or much too large when the book is opened. * Make sure indents and other spacing stays relative to larger and smaller font sizes. * Avoid line breaks that leave short words dangling at the ends of lines or paragraphs. * Make up for features lost in translation from your word processor, like nonbreaking hyphens. * Stop "ghost hyphens" from appearing in the middle of words. * Keep pages of text from disappearing for some users. * Prevent the Kindle from applying its own defaults in place of your settings.

NOTE: PLEASE VISIT AARON''S PUBLISHING PAGE FOR ANY UPDATES TO THIS BOOK. It''s not hard to find instructions for converting from Word to Kindle -- but these instructions are usually less helpful than they could be. Many, for example, proclaim that Word''s HTML output requires extensive alteration and cleanup before submission. This advice is misguided. Some who offer it have drawn their conclusions after simply choosing the wrong export option. Others fuss about a moderate amount of excess code, not realizing that it doesn''t increase file size enough to matter or that the Kindle ignores it anyway. Other instructions will imply the opposite: that conversion is straightforward and just what you would expect. Supposedly, as long as you start with a properly formatted Word document, you''ll wind up with a well-formatted ebook. Well, it doesn''t really work that way -- not without a few techniques for tricking or bullying the Kindle into doing what you want. In this book, Aaron Shepard offers his own tips for moving your document from Word to Kindle, with a focus on desktop Word versions from 2003/2004 to 2010/2011. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is a foremost proponent of the new business of profitable self publishing, which he has practiced and helped develop since 1998. He is the author of "Aiming at Amazon," "POD for Profit," and "Perfect Pages," as well as two other books on Kindle formatting. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS Getting Started 1 FIRST STEPS Working with Word Document Setup Text Cleanup 2 KINDLE FORMATTING Special Characters Font Formatting Paragraph Styles Paragraph Spacing Paragraph Justification Line Breaking Page Layout 3 SPECIAL ELEMENTS Other Paragraphs Lists Tables Text Boxes and Sidebars Footnotes and Endnotes Pictures 4 NAVIGATION Web Links Internal Links Tables of Contents Menu Items 5 FINAL STEPS HTML Export Book Covers Book Data Submitting and Previewing ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE By default, Word will apply the Normal style to your paragraphs. Amazon knows this, so for some Kindles, it hijacks that style, changing its formatting to what Amazon prefers. This can lead, for example, to unwanted space above or below a paragraph. If you want control of your own formatting, then, you''ll have to avoid the Normal style and apply something different. There''s no problem, though, with applying styles based on Normal, or even with applying a duplicate of Normal under a completely different name. In regard to this, watch out for manual page breaks in recent versions of Word. Unless you''re in Compatibility Mode, each break is now placed in a paragraph of its own, and the Normal style is assigned automatically. That in itself isn''t a problem -- but if you then hit Return and start typing, your new paragraph will be in Normal as well. (This is another reason to stick to the paragraph format setting "Page break before" to start a new page.) You can change all paragraphs already in Normal style to a different one by using the Format menu in the Find and Replace dialog. Don''t enter any text, but place your cursor in first the Find box and then the Replace while choosing a style for each.

Paul Rasmussen is a young ethnographer and academic recovering from prostate cancer. Broken, he retreats to the remote forests and towns of the Immitoin Valley. As an outsider, he discovers how difficult it is to know a place, let alone become a part of it. Then a drowned man and a series of encounters with the locals force him to confront the valley''s troubled past and his own uncertain future. As Paul turns his attention to the families displaced forty years earlier by the flooding of the valley to create a hydroelectric dam, his desire to reinvent himself runs up against the bitter emotions and mysterious connections that linger in the community in the aftermath of the flood. An original debut novel that is meditative and erotic, raw and exuberant in tone, Aaron Shepard''s When is a Man offers a fresh perspective on landscape and masculinity.

Almost everything you''ve read about formatting pictures for Kindle is wrong. The advice offered by Kindle experts and even Amazon itself can give images that are tiny, blocky, noisy, or wildly inconsistent on different Kindles. Aaron Shepard, author of acclaimed books on Kindle and POD publishing, brings his years of experience in book design, webmastering, and photography to bear on a single question: How do you make pictures look great on the Kindle? He answers that question, while also providing beginners a basic course in picture editing. Along the way, he discusses how to keep Microsoft Word from sneakily degrading your pictures; how to adjust HTML code to show images at their best; how to make part of a picture transparent for Night and Sepia modes; how to boost the power of your cover image as a marketing tool; and how to create anything from children''s books to photography books to poetry books within minutes with the Kindle Comic Creator. Best of all, you don''t have to take his word for any of it. The proof is right in the book, with samples of many kinds of pictures you might use -- photos, paintings, drawings, diagrams, tables, screenshots, cover images, and more. Nowhere else will you find such in-depth info on working with Kindle graphics. Whatever you use to create Kindle books -- Word, InDesign, a dedicated ebook app, or straight HTML -- you''ll find Pictures on Kindle a perfect companion to other formatting guides. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is a foremost proponent of the new business of profitable self publishing, which he has practiced and helped develop since 1998. He is the author of Aiming at Amazon, POD for Profit, Perfect Pages, and From Word to Kindle, Amazon''s #1 bestselling paid book on Kindle formatting. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// REVIEWS Far and away the best resource I know for self publishers who plan to include photos or other graphics in their Kindle books. From tips on taking photos, through sizing, optimizing, and placing, this book wastes no space in giving you exactly the information you need. Highly recommended. -- Joel Friedlander, TheBookDesigner.com A detailed, comprehensive guide to getting the best out of your images on Kindle. From taking photos, to scanning, to optimizing, Aaron covers every possible step in making sure your images display well in Kindle format. In addition, he provides very useful explanations of the Kindle''s image handling, for those of us who like to understand the reasons behind the steps. I for one will be adding this to my list of reference materials. -- Jim Brown, JimandZetta.com (ebook services) ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS Beginnings 1 PICTURE BASICS File Formats - Resolution - Color Mode - Color Space 2 PICTURE SOURCES Photography - Scanning 3 PICTURE EDITING Clean-up and Repair - Cropping - Contrast, Brightness, Tint - Sizing - Sharpening - Transparency - Lines and Letters 4 PICTURE HANDLING Positioning - Pictures in Word - Pictures in HTML - Fixed Format 5 PICTURE PUBLISHING Submitting and Previewing - Cover Images Production FAQ

A baker in colonial New York learns the importance of generosity from an old woman who visits his shop on St. Nicholas Day.

Taking from the rich and giving to the poor, Robin Hood and his loyal followers fight the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

**********BECAUSE OF CHANGES AT AMAZON, READERS OF THIS BOOK SHOULD BE SURE TO VISIT THE AUTHOR'S WEB SITE FOR UPDATES********** PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A COMPANION BOOK TO AARON'S "AIMING AT AMAZON" -- NOT A REPLACEMENT CreateSpace uses it. Lulu.com uses it. So do AuthorHouse, iUniverse, Xlibris, and almost every other self publishing company in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. What is it? Lightning Source, the printer and distributor at the heart of the "print on demand" industry. For the work those companies can't handle themselves, it's Lightning they most often depend on. So, why pay a middleman? In this follow-up to his groundbreaking book "Aiming at Amazon," Aaron Shepard explores how to double your profit by working directly with Lightning. If you're serious about making money with POD publishing, this book can show you the way. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is a foremost proponent of the new business of profitable self publishing through print on demand, which he has practiced and helped develop since 1998. Unlike most authorities on self publishing, he makes the bulk of his living from his self-published books -- not from consulting, speaking, freelance writing, or selling publishing services. In a parallel life, Aaron is an award-winning children's author with numerous books from publishers large and small. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Aaron Shepard is the undisputed expert at earning profit from POD. Here are the step-by-step instructions for setting up your own publishing operation and optimizing the financial benefits. Following his steps, you will earn two or three times as much per book." -- Bruce Batchelor, author, "Book Marketing DeMystified," and founder and former CEO, Trafford Publishing "A graduate course and definitive guide for advanced POD publishing." -- Morris Rosenthal, author, "Print-on-Demand Book Publishing" "A tremendous amount of information that will benefit an author who self publishes not only through Lightning Source but by any other method." -- Kevin Sivils, author, "Self-Publishing with Amazon's CreateSpace" "Remarkably thorough and readable." -- Jonathan LeBlanc Roberts, Breton Bay Publishing "Invaluable advice for any small press or independent publishing firm." -- Max Scratchmann, Poison Pixie Publishing "Could not be more timely or helpful. What a wealth of information . . . and not just what to do, but HOW." -- Malcolm Dell, Elbow Grease Publishing "Aaron Shepard is exceptional in his ability to keep up with the ever-changing minutiae of the world of self publishing via POD. I wouldn't want to publish without this book within reach." -- John Culleton, Wexford Press "Don't go into publishing without it." -- Grace Bridges, Splashdown Books "Another gold mine of information from Aaron Shepard. Absolutely required reading for any self publisher." -- Christy Pinheiro, author, "The Step-By-Step Guide to Self-Publishing for Profit " "Lots of valuable, easy-to-understand information. I will recommend this highly to my self-publishing clients as a reference for their many questions. Even after more than a decade in the business, I learned a few things from this book." -- Jamie Saloff, Saloff Enterprises "Indispensable if you are considering printing your book POD. Covers every aspect of the process in depth." -- Norma Lehmeier Hartie, Lingham Press

This is Two-Eyes. She has two wicked sisters. They make fun of her for having only two eyes and wonder why she can''t look normal like they do. But Two-Eyes will show them. She''s got a fairy godmother, a magic goat, and a handsome knight to help her outsmart her terrible sisters and escape far, far away. With a spirited text that''s fun to read out loud and humorous illustrations, this retelling of a Brothers Grimm tale is sure to become a new folk classic.

With this text as guide, readers will produce pages and book layouts using Microsoft Word that no book reviewer will scoff at. (Computer Books-Desktop Publishing & Design)

Nils n'en fait qu'à sa tête, et il décide même de quitter la maison. Son père le supplie de ne jamais travailler pour l'ogre, mais la tentation est trop forte... Heureusement, Ingrid, la servante de l'ogre, est là pour lui donner de sages conseils. Faut-il encore que Nils veuille bien l'écouter !

Shooting bolts of light instead of bullets, Lightning Larry changes the town of Brimstone into a friendly, happy place.