What Mary Beth is Working On…..

NARRATIVE FICTION

Messy Magic

Nettie wants more than anything to earn her Potion Promotion Badge and win this year’s competition at the Cauldron Club, but every witchy brew she makes turns into a mis-measured mess. With the help of her cake-baking sister, Poppy, whose careful measuring and mixing create desserts that sparkle with their own kind of magic, Nettie discovers that her messy mistakes might be the recipe for her sweetest success.

MESSY MAGIC is a whimsical sister story bubbling with laughter and sticky surprises.  This tale will help young readers discover that “messy” attempts are often the very magic that leads to something wonderfully new.

Candy Crane

Candy wants more than anything to be “a crane that’s perfectly plain” in order to look like the rest of the flock, but she can’t because no matter how she paints herself with gooey mud, covers herself in fluffy feathers, or camouflages herself in the tall marsh reeds, her bright berry-colored stripes won’t stay hidden. But when a big, hungry bear comes lumbering toward the nest, Candy whoops and swoops into action as only a boldly striped crane could and learns that standing out can be just as perfect as fitting in.

CANDY CRANE is a lyrical celebration of self-acceptance that shines with color, courage, and the joy of being one-of-a-kind.

Stick vs. Box

Rock wants more than anything to keep the peace between his best friends, Stick and Box, but he can’t because they won’t stop arguing over who’s the better, more imaginative toy. When Rock becomes “boulder” and finally speaks up, he helps his friends combine their wild ideas, and all learn that imaginary adventures are way more fun when shared.

STICK VS. BOX is a high-energy celebration of imagination and collaboration, inviting young readers to see that the best ideas are the ones we dream up together.

Vamoose, Moose!

Moose wants more than anything to be part of a real magic show, but every magician he auditions for tells him to “vamoose” because he’s either too big, too heavy, or too loud.  With help from his best friend Rabbit, he hatches a moose-sized plan and discovers the most magical way to follow his dream.

VAMOOSE MOOSE is a humorous, heartwarming tale with playful language, slapstick surprises, and a moose-sized dose of perseverance. This story will remind readers that the best dreams are the ones that make room for who you truly are.

Pea, Bea and Jaye

Jaye wants more than anything to join her older sisters’ “Dynamic Duo,” but she can’t because Pea and Bea insist she’s too little and too small. So she attempts bigger, bolder, attention-seeking stunts—until the day of the Blossom Brigade Sandwich Competition, when she’s the only one who can save the day, proving that even the smallest sibling deserves a chance to shine.

PEA, BEA AND JAYE is a picture book full of humor and heart that celebrates sibling dynamics, as well as being underestimated—and discovering your own courage anyway.