May, 2026 Author Update
Nearly Launch Time for Whispers Across the Prairie
Written, edited, cover and interior designed, proofread, and audiobook in progress. All that’s left is to finish the audiobook and upload the print files to the printer. I’m hoping to have stock by June 1st.
Just in time for summer reading.
I have something very special to share with you: the first chapter of this new book, narrated by Ellen Quay. (Only one tiny mistake to fix: Kansas City instead of Kansas.)
Let me know what you think of it.
Plus, Ellen has agreed to be interviewed for my May 19th blog, so you’ll get to meet her.
Chickadee Cheer May Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Lisa N.! Your email was randomly chosen to win this month’s giveaway. Please respond to the email I’ll send you to receive a free softcover book of your choice.
Thank you for subscribing and reading my blogs. Hope you find them enjoyable!
For Curious Young Readers
If your child loves stories rooted in history, nature, and imagination, I've created something special for you. These free resources are designed to invite creativity, encourage observation, and extend the world of the stories beyond the page.
(no email required!)
I’ve worked very hard on these pages and hope you find them fun and useful. Click the image to ownload either (or both) of these new pdfs. Then print all or just some of the pages! Easy peasy.
The Emeline Companion
A companion to the Emeline series, with thoughtful extras to deepen the reading experience and bring the story to life.
Write, Draw, Explore!
A creative journal designed to spark storytelling, drawing, and exploration— perfect for young imaginations ready to grow.
FREE Books!
This month, I’m sharing a simple (and rather delightful) way to discover new books for children, tweens, and teens.
As you browse the collection, you’ll see a variety of book covers. If one catches your eye, just click through to receive a free download from that author. (Mine is on page 4.)
It’s an easy way to gather fresh stories for your home—and perhaps find a new favorite along the way.
You can begin here. Just click on the image.
Creature Feature: The Hippopotamus
This creature may look heavy—and it is—but there’s more to a hippopotamus than you might expect.
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Hippos are very territorial and fight to protect their area and status. In Africa, these “river horses” kill about 2,900 humans annually—that’s more people than lions kill each year!
Though they are heavy, they are not slow. They can run up to 30 miles per hour.
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Hippos are standing on the bottom of a riverbed or lake 80% of the time. The rest of the time, they’re eating grass on land. How can they stay under water for so long?
They have massive lungs to hold lots of air. They can be under water for five minutes before needing another breath.
Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are on top of their head making it easy to come up for air. Their nostrils close when they go under water.
They don’t float to the top because they were designed with heavy, solid bone legs. Most animals have bones that are hollow but filled with marrow. Not hippos!
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They spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in water, which protects their skin from the hot African sun.
Their skin can be up to 2” thick. That’s not fat, it’s all skin. It protects their muscles from damage from bites and scratches. (even from lions)
They were designed with a clear fluid liquid in their skin called “bloodsweat” which turns red when they’re out of the water. It acts as an antiseptic that cleanses wounds, kills bacteria, and helps their skin heal. It also acts as a sunblock when out of the water.
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They have 36 teeth including 1 canine, 2 incisors, 3 premolars, and 3 molars on each side of their jaw.
Their mouth can measure about 2 feet wide.
Their canine teeth (tusks) are made of ivory and are used for defense. They continue to grow and can reach a length of 20 inches.
If its molars wear down too much, they can starve to death.
With a force of 1,800 PSI, a hippo’s bite is almost 3 times stronger than a lion’s.
They can open their jaws 180 degrees (a straight line).
Fun fact: First president, George Washington, has false teeth which included hippopotamus ivory.
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Hippos are vegetarians which travel up to 6 miles and eat up to 80-100 pounds of grass each night.
Their stomachs can store up to 300 pounds of grass at one time.
Hippos are the 3rd heaviest land animals after the elephant and rhinoceros.
Creature Feature is a new addition to my Author Update each month and is inspired by the books by Reasons for Hope. The Hippopotamus is from the book called A Pocket Guide to the Zoo: Fascinating Facts, Volume 1: Africa. If you’re interested in learning more about God’s design in animals, please check them out. (Next month: the lion!)
