It all started in the 90’s with A Warm Summer’s Day. That manuscript laid on the shelf for over 10 years before being published in 2009. In over a decade the books, the student illustrators, and the characters have come alive on the pages of many books.
You’re invited to engage with our friends, from Mousey Carter McCloud to Dorsey the Horsey to Mindy the Mouse and bring back story time, rhyme by rhyme and line by line.
Click on each book cover to learn more about each one.
A Warm Summer’s Day (2009)
It all started with, "A Warm Summer's Day," published in 2009. Originally written in 1999, Dorsey the Horsey, Petey the Pirate and others languished on a shelf until encouragement from leadership at Liberty Christian School brought the work to light.
Through the efforts of art instructor, Beth Ann Webb, the Liberty High School students in Anderson, Indiana began illustrating the book as part of their normal class work.
The very first poem, Jakey the Snakey, depicts a snake who is in love with grape jelly. From that point, the characters were asked to learn lessons about manners and friendship while passing those same lessons on to each reader or listener.
Your child will enjoy the rhythm of each tale as well as the vivid illustrations on each and every page. "A Warm Summer's Day" reminds us to take advantage of each moment that comes our way as a special gift from God.
The Next Summer’s Day (2011)
The second book in the series, The Next Summer's Day picks up where it's predecessor, "A Warm Summer's Day" left off.
The setting is a farm somewhere in the imagination of the reader and brings us colorful characters both in story and art.
Sniglet the Piglet learns to use humor to make friends. Burl the Squirrel learns that he has a new baby brother. Harry Canary sings his heart out whether anyone listens or not.
Published in 2010, your child will find "The Next Summer's Day" to be the perfect collection of poems for that rainy afternoon or a bedtime story.
The Adventures of Mousey Carter McCloud (2011)
In "A Warm Summer's Day," Dorsey the Horsey finds himself literally in a mess from his untidy habits. A little mouse named Mousey Carter McCloud makes a brief appearance to help Dorsey out of his trouble.
Carter becomes a significant character as the main focus in "The Adventures of Mousey Carter McCloud."
These adventures take Carter to Roo Mountain to bounce with his Kangaroo friends, he hosts a birthday party and organizes a game of musical chairs...all with interesting outcomes.
Carter, illustrated by gifted artist, Elyse Blankenship, will make your child grin a bit and perhaps giggle even more. The vividly illustrated cover by Rachel Elliott, is one they can't take their eyes off of...including a surprise back cover.
The Prettiest Psalm (2011)
From the time she could hold a pencil, she was drawing. As a child, my first memories of her were watching her sketch on a pad, usually female faces that looked more life like than any I'd ever seen.
Later, she opened a studio of her own, taught art at a local hobby store, and produced breath taking winter scenes. Each year, clients would come to her studio ready to purchase her custom decorated Christmas ornaments that depicted their homes in a winter setting.
In 2011, for her 70th birthday, we produced a beautiful devotional that featured her art and passages from the Book of Psalms. I'll never forget her face as we began to unveil this project through a series of computer projected slides.
Unfortunately, unknown to us, she was already leaving us. Within weeks she had passed away from cancer and spent very little time enjoying her birthday gift. My father, my sister and I continue to present her art in the form of books, note cards and soon, Christmas greeting cards.
We highly recommend her books, The Prettiest Psalm, and the Art of Hope as very personal gifts for friends, coworkers and family. Included above are just a few of the several hundred paintings that continue to bless us all.
The Amazing City of Arbella Lamore (2011)
Mousey Carter McCloud is back at it in "The Amazing City of Arbella Lamore."
This whimsical town of wonderful characters was mentioned briefly in "A Warm Summer's Day" when Blossom the Possum took a road trip through the town.
In this collection, Carter and Blossum meet the colorful Mayor O'Dowd, the competent librarian Maggie Q. Delff, and experience a petting zoo where the residents pet the visitors.
Be sure and catch the in depth illustration of Maggie Q. Delff and the library by the gifted Lauren Santichen. Take a second to notice that every book on every shelf is individually colored. Wow!
Mousey Carter McCloud, Private Eye (2013)
With the next adventure for Carter, he becomes a Private Eye solving the mysteries that have plagued childhood since the beginning of time.
Mousey Carter McCloud, Private Eye finds books, crayons and even puppies that children lose, taking a perfectly child like view of the problem and quickly developing an answer.
In the second half of the book, Carter faces more serious losses: the loss of eyesight, the death of a pet, and most importantly, the loss of his beloved Grampy McCloud.
Be sure to find the poem, "Carter McCloud meets Mindy the Mouse." Mindy is based an interview with Melinda "Mindy" Kennedy, a deaf Science and ASL instructor at Liberty Christian School.
This piece was important enough to me that it was later broken out into its own book, "Hearing Eyes, Talking Hands: A Child's Questions about Deafness."
Hearing Eyes, Talking Hands (2013)
This special edition book, "Hearing Eyes, Talking Hands," was a breakout from the original poem, "Mousey Carter McCloud meets Mindy the Mouse" featured in "Mousey Carter McCloud, Private Eye."
The story is based on an interview with Liberty Christian School Science and ASL instructor Melinda "Mindy" Kennedy who is deaf.
In this short piece, Mindy explains the special arrangements that allow her to perform her daily tasks. It also explains how sign language is used to communicate.
The real life Mindy is an inspiration, not so much because she is deaf, not even because she works through her handicap, but because she doesn't regard being deaf as a handicap, but a special gift.
Consider this book to open dialogue with your young one about what it means to be deaf.
What Color am I Today? (2013)
"What Color am I Today" is the story of a little girl who has questions and concerns about color of her clothing each morning.
Each discussion of color describes the elements that help depict brown, orange, pink and more.
Our little friend also dismays over the darkness of black and having to wear plain, old, white. It is explained to her that on some special day in the future she'll wear a dress of white and love it.
This book is perfect for the little one who is just beginning to learn colors.
Since it discusses the "feel" of each color, perhaps you and your young one can devise your own explanations of each color.
The Art of Hope (2014)
From the time she could hold a pencil, she was drawing. As a child, my first memories of her were watching her sketch on a pad, usually female faces that looked more life like than any I'd ever seen.
Later, she opened a studio of her own, taught art at a local hobby store, and produced breath taking winter scenes. Each year, clients would come to her studio ready to purchase her custom decorated Christmas ornaments that depicted their homes in a winter setting.
In 2011, for her 70th birthday, we produced a beautiful devotional that featured her art and passages from the Book of Psalms. I'll never forget her face as we began to unveil this project through a series of computer projected slides.
Unfortunately, unknown to us, she was already leaving us. Within weeks she had passed away from cancer and spent very little time enjoying her birthday gift. My father, my sister and I continue to present her art in the form of books, note cards and soon, Christmas greeting cards.
We highly recommend her books, The Prettiest Psalm, and the Art of Hope as very personal gifts for friends, coworkers and family. Included above are just a few of the several hundred paintings that continue to bless us all.
Kings & Things: Stories of the Old Testament (2015)
"Kings and Things: Stories of the Old Testament" is a delightful retelling of some of our favorite Bible stories.
Every poem tells about the heroes of Biblical times in a new way.
Jacob and Esau argue about being first, Moses and Aaron work together as brothers and Adam names the animals so we don't have to call them, "Hey you over there!"
This book is a great way to reinforce the Sunday School lessons we knew as kids.
Each poem is accompanied by at least one brilliantly colored drawing from the young artists at Liberty Christian School
Scoopy and Brian (2016)
Scoopy and Brian are tales involving two young, imaginary scamps that were created in the imagination of Dirk's son, Drew.
Together, the three of them plus little sister, Danielle, find themselves in all sorts of capers.
Each story is true, from "Volcano Warnings" to "Singing in the Back Seat."
Here's hoping you take a moment to remember and record those funny stories from your own childhood.
What’s a Grampa? (2018)
A Grampa is a touch of God’s own sense of humor . Grampa has a lot of little boy left in him. He still likes to play games, eat ice cream and watch cartoons. Grandchildren give him the perfect excuse to act like a kid again. No matter your age, you’ll get a chuckle from the fun definitions of a grampa as well as the vivid, humorous illustrations from an exciting new artist, Jay Peeples.