Childrens Archives | Vermont Authors Fest

Childrens

Address: 43 Ryan Drive
05829

Farming & Homesteading, Biography, Childrens, Historical, Nature, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction

Barbara Williams Sheperd holds an undergraduate degree from Keene State College and a Master’s in Counseling from Antioch University. She studied writing at the University of Vermont, taking additional coursework at St. Michael’s College, and Johnson and Lyndon State Colleges. She worked thirty years in public education, five as a classroom teacher, and twenty-five as a middle, or high school counselor. She retired from the Essex High School Counseling Department in 2003.

Barbara honed her skills writing thousands of college reference letters, guidance newsletters and directives. Her short stories and articles have been published in Mainstream Magazine, Keene State Today, The Barton Chronicle and the St. Albans Messenger. During the two years she worked for the University of Vermont Extension Service, she wrote a weekly column for The News and Citizen and a monthly newsletter for 4-H families. She even tried her hand at writing blogs for the Flynn Theatre.

During the summers, Barbara lives a quiet life on a small Northern Vermont lake. She recently took up fishing to pass the time during this Covid-isolation-summer, and as an excuse to get out on the water. When winter approaches she flies away to her Florida property with the rest of the snowbirds. There, she starts her day walking the undeveloped trails in her neighborhood, then moves on to creative pursuits.

In addition to writing, Barbara is passionate about genealogy and restoring vintage photographs. She played guitar in a Ceilidh group and clarinet in the Newport Community Band. She sang with Northsong, a Classical Chorus, for sixteen years until the Covid pandemic shuttered the doors on group activities. She started a knitting group at the Goodrich Library that lasted over ten years, again, furloughed by Covid-19.

Barbara has three grown children, and six delightful grandchildren who are not furloughed by the pandemic. People say of her, she makes a friend everywhere she goes.

Author Phone Number:

(802) 766-8850

Author Physical Address – Street – City / Town – State:

Derby, VT

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Where my books are sold.:

Amazon.com Barnes&Noble.com

Under an Eagle’s Wing – Story of an Orphaned Vermont Boy

ISBN 9781530006625 | UNDER AN EAGLE’S WING is a historical novel for young readers. It is based on the life of Edward Williams, a boy who was left at the orphanage in Montpelier and later taken by a farmer and his wife to Camp Brook in Bethel. Set in Bethel, Vermont during the 1920s, Under An Eagle’s Wing is a humorous and poignant story of a young boy who is left at a Montpelier orphanage, and later taken by a farmer and his wife to their home on Camp Brook and raised with other orphaned boys. Killing Mrs. Rogers’ prize rooster with a sling-shot is the first of many adventures and pranks. But, it is a barn fire that breaks out after Arthur is smoking in the hayloft that shows him the true meaning of family. In Under An Eagle’s Wing we see what happens when Arthur is teased his first day at a one-room schoolhouse, meet his little sister Mabel, and have an adventure riding a traverse. We are with him as Christmas brings both heartbreak and unexpected kindness. We are in the sugar woods when Arthur drives the horses to collect sap and learns how to make maple syrup. We see him through his first crush, experience a small town Fourth of July celebration and an attempt at riding a bull. And, we weep with him as without a word he endures Mrs. Rogers’ cruelty. How close did Mazie come to being baked in the oven with the potatoes? What advice did Dr. Allen give Arthur when he ran away from home? What did Arthur learn from his summer living in the woods with his father when he was sent away? How did Arthur save Mrs. Rogers from the barn fire that broke out after he was smoking in the hayloft? And, who is the Eagle? Under An Eagle’s Wing tugs at the heartstrings as it casts a spotlight on a child who is trying to find his way in a world where he is special to no one. Based the life of Edward Williams, stories he told and his audio-taped memoirs, it gives readers an enjoyable and informative look at what life was like when their great-grandparents were young. It is fully researched and historically accurate, right down to the name of the train and the time it stopped in Bethel.

Gone Too Soon, a Biography of Anne Crahan Williams

ISBN 9781984060587 | Born on a Pittsford, Vermont farm in 1909, this daughter of a widowed first-generation Irishwoman with no money, managed to get herself through college at a time when only wealthy women were college educated. As the only college educated person in her community, she used her talents for the betterment of all. She was a champion of endless good causes, particularly if it meant lifting the sails of a child in need. She never traveled farther from home than New York City, but her knowledge was as broad as the world. She loved to read, loved research, and looked up every fact she didn’t know. She was a woman of faith who carried her heavy cross with courage and without complaint. This first book chronicles her life from her birth to the birth of her last child in 1943. Inside are eighty-three pages of scrapbook and hand-written journals which she kept during her years at Keene Normal School.

Gone Too Soon – Book II – The Life of Anne Crahan Williams

ISBN 9781719588607 | A continuation that chronicles her life in Amsden, includes a journal from the year she taught at Amsden School and many pages about her 4-H Club, THE HAPPY COOKERS. Also, the last letters she wrote to her daughter, Barbara, as she lay dying of Diabetes at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and finally at Rutland Vermont Hospital. The author remarked, “The Crahan family were very closed-mouthed about personal matters and offered little information about themselves. When I asked, I often heard, “Now, why would you be wantin’ to know that? That would be the end of the discussion. They strongly believed that children were to be seen and not heard. Indeed, until all the Crahans were dead, and I started doing genealogy, I didn’t even know that my Grandmother had a sister in Ireland. Mother was a little more generous with her information, but her need for privacy and my busy teenage years left us with little time to get acquainted at an adult level. I was a sophomore in college, nineteen, when Mother died. She took her stories with her. This book is the culmination of three years of intense research and writing. Fortunately, she left two journals, and I had the good sense to keep the last letters she wrote. Upon the advice of a friend, I have included everything I have. Here before you, is the life of Anne Crahan Williams. Anne… a brilliant scholar, a visionary, a teacher, an historian, a community leader, a good friend and neighbor, a 4-H leader, a mother, a faithful wife, a poet, a woman of courage and deep faith who was devoted to her family and lived to serve.” BWS

Christy Mihaly

Address: P.O. Box 119
East Calais, VT 05650
05650

Childrens, Young Adult Nonfiction

Christy Mihaly, Vermont author writes for young readers because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising kids who love to read. Her 2020 book, “Free for You and Me: What Our First Amendment Means” (Albert Whitman Co.) celebrates our First Amendment freedoms with poems and stories – including that of Vermont patriot Matthew Lyon.

Christy’s other books include the YA nonfiction “Diet for a Changing Climate: Food for Thought,” co-written with Sue Heavenrich (Lerner/TFCB, 2018); and the picture book Hey, Hey, Hay! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them) (Holiday House, 2018), a Bank Street Best Book of the Year. A former lawyer, Christy has written more than 20 children’s nonfiction titles on topics from free speech to food to fashion. She also writes articles, stories and poetry, and enjoys walking her dog in the woods and playing the cello (though not simultaneously).

Author Physical Address – Street – City / Town – State:

East Calais

Where my books are sold.:

Widely available. Special discount for online orders of “Free for You and Me” from Bear Pond Books, Montpelier: https://www.bearpondbooks.com/book/9780807524411

“Free for You and Me: What Our First Amendment Means” — A kids’ introduction to the freedoms protected by our First Amendment

“HEY, HEY, HAY! (A Tale of Bales and the Machines That Make Them)” — A rhyming exploration of the joys of making hay, following a mother-daughter team through the process (with a switchel recipe in the back)

“Diet for a Changing Climate: Food for Thought” — Nonfiction for YA about the relationship between our diet and our planet; with ideas for exciting new food sources

“National Geographic Kids — Ultimate Food Atlas” — fun facts and recipes for foods around the world

John & Jennifer Churchman

Address: 15 Gray Way – Essex, VT
05452

Author Pseudonym:

Farmer John

Childrens

John & Jennifer Churchman are artists, photographers, authors and farmers, bringing stories of their farm adventure to life for everyone to enjoy.

John and his wife Jennifer bring their talents together to give voice to the stories of all the animals that surround them and add boundless enjoyment to their lives. They have made their home on a small farm in the beautiful countryside of Essex, Vermont, with their daughter Gabrielle. Sweet Pea & Friends is their first series.

Author Phone Number:

(892) 899-2000

Author Physical Address – Street – City / Town – State:

Essex Jct

Website

Facebook – Sweet Pea & Friends

Facebook – John Churchman

Sweet. Pea & Friends bookstore

Where my books are sold.:

https://www.sweetpeafriendsbookstore.com/collections/books

The SheepOver – “One cold winter night, Sweet Pea the orphan lamb becomes very sick. Everyone in the farmyard is worried about her! Under the watchful care of Farmer John, Laddie the sheepdog, and Dr. Alison the mobile veterinarian, she slowly recovers. Dr. Alison tells Sweet Pea she can have a sleepover to celebrate as soon as she is well again. When the day finally comes, her closest friends Sunny, Prem, and Violet join her in the greenhouse for a fun and imaginative “SheepOver” celebration.”

Brave Little Finn – “Newborn lamb Finn, raised inside the farmhouse, isn’t as big and strong as the other animals on the farm. He can’t help but be frightened as he ventures outside and encounters unfamiliar sights, sounds, and creatures. With the help of Farmer John and his animal friends, Little Finn learns to be brave and mighty.”

A Farm For Maisie – “When Maisie Grace the puppy arrives at Moonrise Farm, she’s excited about her new home but overwhelmed by all the bustling activity around her. She learns about each animal’s job: the chickens lay eggs, the pony pulls a cart for Farmer John, and the sheep make lots of soft wool for blankets and warm clothes. But what will Maisie’s job be? With the help of older dog Laddie and her new friends, Maisie realizes how she can help–she’s going to be a sheepdog!”

Alpaca Lunch – “Poppy the alpaca is excited to discover new plants, fruits, and vegetables growing around Moonrise Farm. She tries dandelions in the spring, strawberries in the summer, pumpkins in the fall, and so much more! But when a frost arrives, Poppy can’t find any more tasty treats. What happened to the mint and flowers? Where did the apples and squash go? What will she eat for lunch? Lucky for Poppy, someone has filled the barn to the brim with a surprise that she and her animal friends can eat all winter long.”

The Easter Surprise – “Fern the bunny wakes up one morning to a surprise: the squirrels have discovered a beautifully decorated egg in their tree! And it’s not just the squirrels–Mo the kitten, the goslings, the puppies, and even the lambs have all found special eggs hidden around the farm. As the baby animals follow clues from one egg to the next, Fern thinks she sees two soft, pointy ears peeking out above the grass. Then she notices a fluffy tail disappearing behind the barn. Then she spots long whiskers twitching among the flowers! Someone is watching, and the animal friends will have to solve their Easter mystery together to find out who.”

Finding Light – “We’ve created our first Fine Art Seasonal Journal featuring favorite images from John’s Fine Art Collection paired with inspirational quotes. This hardcover 6.5”x 9” journal has 128 pages with lay-flat binding. It will have over 52 stunning images with uplifting quotes on the theme of “Finding Light in Everyday Life”. It will have lined and blank pages arranged seasonally for your thoughts and drawings. “Finding Light” is the first theme in this unique series of fine art journals featuring the art of John Churchman.”

Louella Bryant

Address: Lincoln VT
05443

Author Pseudonym:

Ellie Bryant

Biography, Childrens, Food & Drink, Historical, Literary Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, Memoir, Short Story, Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction

Louella Bryant’s novel Cowboy Code is based on the true story of a Virginia mountain town. Other books include While In Darkness There Is Light, nonfiction about the Vietnam era, a story collection, and two Civil War novels for young adult readers. Her award-winning writing has appeared in magazines and anthologies. A graduate of George Washington University and Vermont College of Fine Arts, Louella works as an independent editor. Visit her website at https://louellabryant.com.

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Facebook

Instagram

Cowboy Code Video Trailer

Where my books are sold.:

Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Black Rose Writing, Black Lawrence Press, Brown Fedora Books

A coming-of-age story set in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

ISBN-13: 9781684333004. COWBOY CODE ~ Crazy about cowboy movies, fourteen-year-old Bobbie Grey uses Gene Autry’s code of honor as her moral guide. When her father is killed in an explosion at the paper mill, her mother takes a job at the mill and becomes enamored with co-worker Phoenix. Bobbie yearns for her mother’s attention while secretly in love with Covey, a young boxer from the African settlement. Burr, a Navy man on leave, woos Maggie and when he ships out, Phoenix declares her love for Maggie and becomes Bobbie’s ally. When Bobbie takes forbidden walks to the African settlement, Covey’s family takes her in. During the night, Klansmen come for Covey and beat him, accusing him of prowling. Phoenix begs Maggie to leave Burr but she refuses until she discovers him with another woman. From Phoenix, Bobbie learns that love transcends race and gender and that it sometimes requires the ultimate sacrifice—letting go.

A Vietnam era story of adventure and tragedy in Australia

ISBN-13: 9781937854607. WHILE IN DARKNESS THERE IS LIGHT ~ A look at the lives of five young men who, during the Vietnam era, start a commune in Australia—and a look at how young men often look to the wild to find themselves and the consequences this sometimes yields. The Rosebud Farm project was born of idealism, commitment, and virtue, all deeply rooted in friendships that have transcended distance and time. The men in this story, insulated by wealth and innocent of heart, were trying to make sense of a tumultuous world and trying to find some peace in it. One of these five young men was Charlie Dean, the brother of Howard Dean (who has written the introduction).

A story of the Underground Railroad set in Burlington, Vermont

ISBN-13: 9781881535225. THE BLACK BONNET ~ Gr 8 Up-Charity and her older sister, Bea, are near the end of their journey along the Underground Railroad from Virginia to Montreal. They settle in at a “station” in Burlington, Vermont, to recover their health and to prepare for the last leg of their trip. As readers are drawn into the story, it is revealed that Charity’s father is a plantation owner and that Bea is expecting the child of another white farmer. The young women make friends among the conductors’ families and their fellow runaways. Burlington is crawling with slave hunters, and danger is imminent. Charity, because she is so light-skinned, goes into town wearing a black bonnet that ostensibly provides enough protection to allow her to “pass” as white. Bryant cleverly weaves real-life railroad conductors, such as Lucius Bigelow and Edward Peck, into the narrative, as well as famous escaped slaves, such as Harriet Tubman. Although the novel is suspenseful, some youngsters may have difficulty with the graphic descriptions of violence, some of which seems forced; the unrealistic plot elements; and the tension that arises from Charity’s unnecessary adventures into “white” society. It is disturbing and preposterous that a fair-skinned former slave would parade through the streets directly in front of mercenary slave catchers.-Lucinda Lockwood, Thomas Haney Secondary School, Maple Ridge, BC

The story of John Brown’s famous raid on Harper’s Ferry

ISBN-13: 9781881535331. FATHER BY BLOOD ~ Gr 6-9-A straightforward portrayal of Annie, the young woman who followed her abolitionist father, John Brown, to Harper’s Ferry to care for the men as they prepared to raid the United States Armory. Written from her perspective as an old woman, it is a daughter’s attempt to come to peace with the memory of the stern, taciturn man who saw no disparity between his deep religious faith and his willingness to use violence. As far as he was concerned, God was on his side, and he went forth with his radical plan even if it divided his family or cost innocent lives. Many of the characters, especially Annie and her father, are less colorful or complex than those crafted by Ann Rinaldi in Mine Eyes Have Seen (Scholastic, 1997). Rinaldi’s Annie accompanies her father, partly to gain approval from the distant family patriarch, whereas Bryant’s goes because she cannot bear to be left behind by the young man she loves and her brother and his wife. Bryant’s character is puzzled by her father, but Rinaldi’s is in pain as she alternately loves, fears, obeys, and rebels against him. While this novel is competently written and the author shows promise, Rinaldi’s is a far more gripping tale.-Peggy Morgan, The Library Network, Southgate, MI Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Lynda Graham-Barber

Childrens

Lynda lives in the Northeast Kingdom with her husband, David. She worked in children’s publishing in New York City and is the author of 16 books, the most recent of which, A Unicorn on a Unicycle, will be released next year.

http://lyndagrahambarber.com

Where my books are sold.:

Bookstores, online