My love for poetry, short stories and nursery rhymes gave me the idea for PORIES^TM . They are inspiring, poetic stories, much like "Mary Had A Little Lamb", but with a twist of faith in God, our Creator. Many of the PORIE^TM characters are insects and animals (God's critters) from His creation such as butterflies, bumble bees, turtles, spiders and poodles, as you will see in this book. Some of the PORIES^TM tell each critter's faith in Christ; others tell of a critter finding its way in life, the way God intended it to live, giving it His divine purpose. Combined with the adorable, fun-loving artwork, this book is an excellent way to talk to young children about God's creation and all His little critters. It is my hope and prayer that you will be blessed by both the poetry and the illustrations.

This book is an illustrated poem about a jungle elephant who just couldn't get enough peppermint to satisfy himself. He continually ate and daydreamed about it. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he could not get his mind off of peppermint.

The pictures are very vibrant and beautifully illustrated. The poem is funny and will appeal to young children and they will love the unusual ending.

These poems show how kids think.

Remember what it was like to have a child's imagination?

There were no boundaries to where the imagination could run to. A purple bear that sees his reflection in a puddle, two children adoring the snowman they made, a little girl expressing her love for her mother and a lion on a journey to find the sun are just some examples of the rhymes in this book.

Rain Today Sun Tomorrow is a childrens' poetry book. Each poem tells a short story. The poems and illustrations are meant to trigger the imagination. There are deeper meanings and values implied through out the writing for children and adults. Enjoying every minute of life, excepting yourself no matter the circumstances, listening to your heart and cherish family and friends are foundation themes for the poems. This book is meant for all children to enjoy. I also find that adults are moved by my work. This is my first book of many, please take pleasure in it, just as I did in writing and illustrating it. Thank You.

Kids and Their Quirks: Poems We Can All Relate To is a compilation of endearing and humorous poetry written with the sarcastic wryness of an author who has experienced the ups and downs of growing up with growing pains. These poems reminisce on such difficult adolescent subjects such as braces, school dances, crushes, holidays, video games, teachers, parents, pimples, classes, body odor and other awkward moments, always ending with a bit of a comic twist. Readers of all ages will be sure to relate these poems to their own experiences of adolescence, as well as be amused by the trials of these unfortunate youths!

Wild Time Rhymes takes you on a whimsical rhyming journey to the zoo. Young children will love the beautiful pictures of wild animals like a white tiger or a baby rhino.

The text's rhythm makes it easy to read or even sing to a child before bed or naptime. One thing is for sure--youngsters will want to hear this book read over and over again!

Moods and Moments is a re-print of a classic best seller of 1955 which was judged by critics as the equal to the poems by the famous English poet A. A. Milne. It is being re-published and distributed by Trafford On-Demand Publishing because of popular demand by purchasers of the first edition who want it for their grandchildren. Included in this version are a few of the author's selected poems from Ideas and Images, published by Dembar Educational Services in Madison Wisconsin. It too was a best seller in its time.

Moods and Moments, although written about one family, the author's, deals with the experiences of living together - and growing up - that are typically facecd by children and parents in homes around the world.

Some poems are for children, some are for youths, and others, for adults. The charming verses in this collection - and their delightful illustrations - are meant for all ages. They are about children and young people; and the things important to them and their parents. They are for all who are now, or who have ever been young - and remember. Most especially, they are for families. And yes, they are for teachers too. For they as well live and grow up with young people.

The rhymes and rhythms in this book touch upon - with sensitive insight and delicate whimsy - events and thoughts of children, and family experiences, that are so universal that they belong to all. They briing to the reader, be he or she young or otherwise, vivid poetic reflections of childhood games, and the sheer wonder and mystery of being young, and the refreshing eagerness of every child to run to meet life.

Most importantly, Moods and Moments is wholesome reading. It is a pleasant and effective antidote for the confusion and frusratrions of the times. Its readable and enjoyable poems, characterized by simplicity, variety and lively rhythms, help all ages to appreciate - and perhaps to recapture - the vital experiences that make up the fabric of Happy family life.

The content and charm of Dr. Stiles' verses, the delightfulness of Sally Turner's, Clarice George Logan and Lori Musil's illustrations and the artistry of the design of the book by Charles Smith and recreated by Simmie Plummer, all combine to make Moods and Moments a "quality book", a classic for all times and ages. It belongs in every home and is a "must" for collections of children's books in both school and public libraries.

It is popular poetry for all ages. Its sparkling rhymes and rythms and delightful illustrations reveal with delicate sensitivities events that most children experience as they are growing up. Written about the life of one family, readers have attested that it belongs to all. From the early childhood expeirence of "Johnny One Hop", through the wonderful reflections about whether "Can God See Me" to the galloping saddle-back rhythms of "Round-up time", no reader - young or old - will be untouched.

In store for all who read these verses will be wit and wisdom, wonder and relaxation, as well as tears and laughter found in wholesome family living. It is a book that, once started, is difficult to put down - in the initial and subsequent readings.

These rhymes were born on frequent journeys along the highways of Australia, touring with various theatrical productions. Their author, Patricia Vivian-Lall, amused herself by oberserving strange and different place-names, and composing rhymes about them for her children. There are no Australian nursery, or nonsense rhymes to capture a child's innate love of playing with words, sounds and rhymes, so, she thought if fun with rhymes could also be related to the environment, with visual humor, meanings of names and a map, they would be more relevant and could lay an educational foundation that could be acquired painlessly and make learning fun. Many of these fascinating names reflect the language and culture of the first Australians, the Koori people, and the rich and descriptive meanings of the names are included, thus expanding the child's horizons, also a knowledge and understanding of "differences" can be gained and appreciated. This "building of bridges" could be valuable in later life.

The delightfully humorous, elegant illustrations, painted on silk by Brenda Nelson, depict the environment of each rhyme, and character of animal, bird and human personalities. In each one, they leap off the page and out to the reader with a lively and instantaneous impact, loveable and endearing. The map is included as an early orientation exercise, giving the child an overview of the shape of Australia and an idea of where each place is in relation to themselves and others. There is fun for children living in other countries, who may be coming to Australia, or receive this book as a souvenir of a recent visit to the Antipodes. Whatever the reason, a need was seen which, hopefully, this book will fulfil.

This is a book of poems, verses and rhymes for children of all ages. There are over 175, and it covers a wide variety of subjects at various times of the year with many amusing characters. It includes the alphabet and 'Santa' for the smaller children, animals, nature, family and much more. There is also a collection of amusing 'short stories', which works well for all members of the family. It is ideal for children to read themselves or for bedtime stories. It is a unique collection of poems, verses and rhymes with a combination of learning and educational reading, yet at at the same time, fun and entertaining. It is suitable for children from the age of three upwards.

There is something for everyone - hope you enjoy!

In this humorous children's poem about growing up, by Patricia Rebollar, we meet Lil Albert the Dinosaur, creatively sketched by Jodi Peterson. Albert seems to dawdle everywhere; even on walks with Daddy. When Mom urges Big Sis and her friend Amanda to bring Albert out to play with them, they whine:

"Do we hafta? Albert is awfully slow. When he tries to tag along, there's no place we can go."

His friends are prodding him to hurry up too, but Mom knows that Albert will eventually outgrow his dawdling.

Then one day it happened!

"Something came as quite a surprise! Little Albert sprouted up right before their eyes!"

It certainly seems like growth and maturity happens overnight, although we know it doesn't. Follow Lilly, the Ladybug, across the pages of the book as she leads the reader to the moral of the story, contained in the last two pages:

"Dawdling won't last forever, And have patience in the end!"

Albert Lag Behind also applies to older children as they develop patience in learning a new skill such as playing a game or reading. Aren't we all a little like Albert?

The poems are about our circle of life, animals, dreams, a school day and seasonal. There are two kennings.

In the Alien Freak, the alien comes down to Earth from planet Scralite to find its baby.

In Ghost Boy, the friendly ghost is scared of light and needs protection. Max, his friend helps him survive the light.

In the Island, 3 people are stranded there. They are scared for their lives as they are not alone in the Island. Will they be the victims of murder? Will they escape the Island?

The portal of the dark magician is about a teacher, very different in appearance to the other teachers. The three children, Jessica, Jack and Scott were very curious about this teacher, Ken Woods. Scott finds a secret portal and tells his friends. The children follow Ken into the portal and there the adventure begins. The magician has captured the 3 children so that they cannot leave the dimension of the portal to return home. They become the people of the portal.

In the creatures under the carpet, there are no creatures but an illusion.

In the 3 magical keys, 2 brothers go into a forbidden meadow and find themselves stuck in a derelict mansion but with the help of a child ghost they return home.

The Greedy, Selfish Marquis is about morals.

In the Wishing Star, Jordan travels in the Victorian times to meet Queen Victoria. He returns home in a time machine.

If you read with children, you'll observe that their faces visually express what they feel - delight, joy, surprise, and laughter. That's what "KATOUFS®" does through its whimsical illustrations. The Greek translation of KATOUFS® is "making a face." And paired with these classic nursery rhymes, KATOUFS® makes these children's poems come alive.

KATOUFS® presented in this book were illustrated by Marie Gueorguievna, Princess of Greece (1876-1940). She has a lineage closely tied to today's European royal houses and the Russian House of Romanov. If she were alive today, Marie would be the aunt of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and great aunt to HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales.

Born on March 3, 1876 she was one of eight children. Her parents were King George I (Danish) and Queen Olga (Russian) of Greece. In 1900 she married Grand Duke Michaelovich and became H.I. & R.H. Grand Duchess George of Russia. Marie's two daughters, Nina and Xenia were frequent playmates of their cousin, the infamous Anastasia Romanov. Princess Marie moved to England in 1914 with her daughters where, as World War I erupted, she created most of her work based on caricatures of people she met throughout her travels in Europe. As a matter of fact, history has recorded that at various charity bazaars the Princess painted nursery rhyme illustrations on rough silk to be made into pillows and sold to help the war effort.

Eventually, both of her daughters moved to America and the Princess gave her art to her younger daughter, Xenia. While living on Long Island N.Y., Xenia became dear friends with her neighbor, Carmela Abbondandolo - a friendship and admiration for the art that lasted many years - and gifted her mother's entire collection to her.

After years of quietly resting among the Abbondandolo family treasures, KATOUFS® are now introduced to the world through this unique collection.

These unusual characters were the creation of a very gifted individual who was obsessed with facial expression and had the unusual talent for combining human faces with an assortment of animals ranging from birds and fish, to those found only in her brilliant imagination. Combining Princess Marie's KATOUFS® with traditional nursery rhymes seemed a natural for this collection of misfits, which represents only a fraction of her entire 600-image portfolio.

In this book we have combined traditional rhyme with Princess Marie's untraditional art. This simple equation will entertain, engage and excite your imagination for years to come.

Introductions to nursery rhyme books aren't read by the children for whom they are intended, but they are read by parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians and collectors who are seeking quality books for their loved ones that represent the best of literature.

Now the tale is complete. KATOUFS® have emerged from the notebooks of royal times past to be introduced to the world through the timelessness of nursery rhymes.

For more information, please visit www.katoufs.com