The Cave of the Opal Eyed Snake is the first book in the Series, The Aussie Time Travellers.

Three Australian boys follow the sound of a didgeridoo and are enticed into a hidden cave containing ancient rock carvings. They are intrigued by the carving of a snake with an eye made of fiery opal. This carving was actually a time portal placed there thousands of years ago by a now extinct race of people. Using their special knowledge, these people had learnt the art of traveling between selected time periods.

Inadvertently activating the time portal, Matt, Josh and Zack are transported to the 1800's. After traveling with Australian Aborigines for some time, they realise they are now in another level of existence. They can only get back by activating the time portal in the cave of the opal eyed snake. Each adventure takes them further away from home. They are captured by Australia's famous outlaws, Ned Kelly and his gang; who are on the run from the police.

The boys eventually manage to link up with some drovers who are heading north. While mustering cattle, they are attacked by a tribe of ferocious Aborigines, experience a stampede and hunt dingoes. After the muster, the boys are kidnapped and taken inland by a drover who is suffering from gold fever. He cruelly forces them to dig for gold, but they manage to escape. They find their way to the sea where they pay the captain of a ship to take them back to Brisbane, not knowing the captain is a notorious slave trader.

They manage to get off the ship at the mouth of the Brisbane River and travel inland. After being attacked by a poisonous brown snake, they find another portal and realise they have found the way home again.

Just when Nathan thinks he can't endure any more of his mother's homemade chicken soup while sick in bed, Nathan gets a visit from his grandfather who decides to come by and share his most beloved possession and treasured story of his capture during World War II.

Nathan not only hears the story of his interred grandfather, but learns a lesson in love, friendship, and loyalty worthy of passing along to the next generation.

The Flying 8-Balls tells the true story of a man and his best friend shot down over Europe during World War II, promises made, promises kept and the desire of a grandfather to pass on the memory.

ALL ABOUT ME (and my shunt), written and illustrated by Terri Rice Bellush, is a long-overdue educational and heartwarming book about Hydrocephalus written for very young children.

This fun, yet serious story is told through the eyes of a young girl named Janet. She tells us some of the typical things she likes to do, such as read books and visit her grandparents. She then explains about her Hydrocephalus on a level that young children can understand.

We are then led through Janet's experience of having a shunt. She describes some of the symptoms she has when her shunt isn't working properly. We also follow her through the process of getting her shunt fixed at the hospital. Janet concludes her tale by telling us that having a shunt isn't so bad because it helps keep her alive so she can do all the things that she enjoys.

Included at the end of the book are brief descriptions and simple drawings of three common types of shunts: Ventriculo-Peritoneal, Ventriculo-Pleural and Ventriculo-Atrial.

This book is an excellent way to comfort and teach young children about Hydrocephalus and shunts.

Reviews

Unlike any other book of it's type - it talks from Janet's point of view. She covers everything from hospitalization, to knowing that 'shunts break like toys', her teachers knowing her condition, and states that 'having a shunt isn't so bad.'

We recommend this book, especially to parents with young children. However, adults would enjoy it too.

The illustration is unique and very child-friendly. The entire booklet was colorful, demonstrated in a way that is understandable from the very young to adults.

We believe that you will find this book very worthwhile.

- Debbi Fields, Executive Director - National Hydrocephalus Foundation

The Scorpion of Avaris is a historical novel about Egypt in the 17th Century B.C. At that time, the whole Valley of the Nile was in disarray. No one power was able to take control and the landowners and princes fought amongst themselves up and down the river. Small villages rimmed the desert and their inhabitants lived in constant fear of the marauding bands of "Bedwins" that would rob and destroy their homes and kidnap their young for bartering with slave traders. Nemset is one such young person who, with his sister Tersa is captured and led on a forced trek to the north. Their village destroyed, their parents dead, they have little to live for except a life of slavery. Meanwhile, an historical event of major porportions is about to affect their lives and the people of Egypt. Rakor, King of the tribal groups known as the Hyksos, dreams of a campaign to gain control of the entire Nile valley. His Hyksos are militarily superior in every way to the Egyptians. They have the chariot, the compound bow and iron-shafted arrows. Rakor is so confident of his success he even brings with him his young daughter, Bareena. Guarded by her giant Nubian protector, Bantar, she is bored with the entire expedition. That quickly changes when her father is tricked by one of his own men and is seriously wounded in a surprise attack. The "slavers" leave him and his men for dead but they capture Bareena and she is forced to join the others on the way to the sea and slavery.

The story develops on two levels. The struggle of Nemset and his sister and the other kidnapped children to survive the cruelty of the desert raiders parallels the efforts of Rakor and Bantar to escape death and find Bareena.

Nemset suffers a head wound and subsequently has "episodes" where he sees visions of places and people he has never met, or so he believes. He and Bareena, over time, become good friends and pool their resources to help them cope with their captors.

Rakor's injury leads to an encounter with some Egyptian farm people, Ephrem and Astara, his widowed daughter-in-law. She works tirelessly to help Rakor recover from his wounds, not realizing who he is and what his motives are. Their time spent together during Rakor's convalescence brings them closer until dramatic events suddenly drive them apart. Some surprising revelations occur a the two groups of main characters finally come together.

The story is told to blend fact with fantasy, humor with romance. It was written to "humanize" a little known time in history and to give some relevance to a subject too often treated in an uninspiring way.

Dan Hutchens was a typical Nebraska farm boy of sixteen. At least he looked like a typical farm boy. In reality, he was far from typical. He was dreaming about changing his life completely. He wanted to run away and leave all his worldly possessions and his small town far behind. He wanted to get out of Nebraska. He wanted freedom, adventure and travel to see the world.

This desire led to his planning his escape down to the last detail. Early one June morning in 1946, before sunrise, he left a note to his parents on the kitchen table and rode off on his Schwinn bike south to adventure.

His journey into adulthood brought him many challenges including teen sex and romance, the problem of birth control, murder, incest, flight from the law, undercover work for the government, racism and eventually marriage. In thirty two chapters spanning two and a half months, Dan faces many problems and experiences that cause him to quickly grow to be an adult. In the process, he completely changed his life's goals.

"This is a delightful book for all age groups. It tells of a time when America was just beginning to expand its horizons into the western part of the United States. The book shows the hardships of paddle wheelers and other people on the river. Thanks John Wiskus for a book that has appropriate language. I hope everyone enjoys it, as I did."
-Becky Messer, Wishek, North Dakota

This story starts in the spring of 1849 with the four graves and then when a small woman with "strong features and calming blue eyes" decides to moved what was left of the two families from Iowa out to Montana. It tells of their family adventures on the Mississippi River, life and a winter in Missouri. Adventures up the Ohio River to find a 13 year old blind girl. Lois Agne tried to start a new life in 1849 and recorded their day by day adventures, as others did, of her kids finding wanted poster men and Indians along the rivers, the prairies and the Lewis and Clark Trail: This is the first book of the series tale of the kids "Going Down River." Next the "River Kid Detectives" and they end up kid-napped. To endure life's tragedies and love in an adventure story for teens, adults, and grandchildren from age 8 years of age on up to folks at the young age of 108 years young and also for the little kid in all of us.

After the mystery case of the spooks, the kids get a long interview by Mr Leo Brown of the St. Louis Star Newspaper. The kids get on with their adventure by winning over many of the stern paddle wheel steam boat captains and later the young blind girl. The boy's trail cross again later with the river captain who gave the boys their first five, $5 gold coins. The boys had pulled his ship off the river sandbar with their two-wagon teams. The boys get a visit from the ghostwriter, Mr Long. The kids get a visit from a sheriff and some information on the Ohio bank robber. The kids get to visit a robbed Wells Fargo Bank in Ohio. The kids will soon have 57 new wanted posters and is it he, that feller in the card game, on board the stern steamship 'The Boyer I,' is he a twin?

This is all gleaned from a collection of some spotted, faded, parts un-readable, I think that is peanut-butter and jelly sticking those three pages together through thirty-nine journals now molded into the kid's first of the series of storybooks. About the kids hiding in the trees, finding bank robbers, robbers of Army guns - gunrunners, and the kids with a 13-year-old blind girl, who became blind at age 9, and many folks enjoying Jail Bird food. Later finding a gang of the Army payroll {in GOLD} paddle-wheeler steamboat robbers. Lois, the mother, from her journals and journals written by the kids, who are, Bobby age 13, John age 13, Jerry age 12, and Kathy age 11, almost. From the journals of John's Uncle James West and the stern steam paddle wheeler Captain John Fourbears Tipton Duffy. The stories about this family have been passed on down for over seven generations about the family and kids' real life and adventure along the great Lewis and Clark lower Ohio River, the Mississippi River, and up the Missouri River trail. Their personal lives, the people whom they crossed paths and where their lives path crossed in life with some folks, many times. Many journal entries are now flowing into this story. I am sure you all will be able to personally relate to the story of the people and their forthcoming choices and then stop, and may explain things to children, or just sit back in deep thought (for a while), and then you may decide. So much was recorded that it took three books (about 980 pages) just to cover part of the details of the last nine months of 1849. Some words, spellings, word use, etc. were all gleaned right from the real entries. This book has so many good little few day's short stories; you are bound to enjoy some of them.

Please be on notice that some of those hotels, café's, and places are still open for business today. Also today that some descendants of the people, who have written the journals back in 1849 into 1855, still live in Forsyth, MT; St. Louis, MO; St. Charles, MO; Fort Madison, Iowa; Columbus Junction, Iowa; Tipton, Iowa; and in many other river towns and areas in the books. The following story series is based on and tries to follows the journals, as a guide, after the 4 GRAVES, on their new adventure down to and up along the Lewis and Clark trail going up the great Missouri River. Because some descendants are still living today and because of the large inheritances many have received, I have been requested to change some of the actual names of the people, who wrote in the journals, in this story.

This book is classed as fiction, while it still retains the general integrity and historical setting of the 1850's and the author's personally owned journals as a story guide. However any references to any specific time, dates, letter and e-mailed items from the last 12 years of research request received of any towns, events, photos, images, real people, or real places are intended only to give the story a true historical reality. Any names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author's interpretation and were used fictitiously. Any resemblance, if any, to any real life fashions, places, any actual recorded court file or person is purely coincidental, with out any intended malaise.

What would you do if you were launched thousands of years back into Florida's prehistoric era? What would it look like? How would you feel? And how would you return home?

Bling! Bling! JJ, Isabella, and Zeke enter a contest at old Fort DeSoto. Their mission is to answer history clues written on a Letter of Marque. But when JJ finds an old Spanish doubloon, the trio is mysteriously lanuched backward in time. Startled, yet quite curious, the teenagers begin their journey home by following the distant lighthouse on neighboring Egmont Key. Crossing the Egmont Passage, however, won't be that easy. The teens must avoid the Tocobaga Indians and the Spanish Fleet, face a crew of drunken pirates, and weather the storm of a major hurricane. And if they are to return safely to present-day Florida, JJ, Isabella, and Zeke must learn that trust is their most important weapon against the unknown dangers of the passage.

Set on the subtropical islands that lay between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Egmont Passage: Tale of the Seventh Mystery explores Florida's rich past as the teenagers uncover the mysteries on their journey. It is an enchanting and inspiring story that leaves you believing anything is possible on the Egmont Passage. To read a review of this book, please visit http://www.isladelsolnews.com/history.html

The Masters family opens their home to Brian, a refugee from London during the early months of World War II. Janet, closest in age, dislikes changes, and does not welcome this stranger in their home.

Brian, still coming to terms with the death of his mother and his father missing in action, begins to settle in his new home. He and Gwen, younger sister of Janet, enjoy spending time together, but Janet continues to be evasive and elusive. Brian sets out to break the hard shell surrounding her.

When a day light air raid occurs during school, Brian is traumatized and Janet finds comfort in comforting him. Brian feels that Janet is softening towards him, A quiet Sunday evening concert in the City erupts into earth shattering terror when a major bombing takes place. Janet, Brian and Gwen huddle together in fear and later emerge from the building to discover total devastation.

A difficult journey home ensues and the full horror of war impacts them all deeply. Cousins come to visit, bringing light hearted fun, until a telegram arrives with bad news.

During a winter walk, emotions between Brian and Janet explode. After sharing hidden hurts and secrets, they discover a new respect and growing affection for each other.

During the Christmas Season, Brian's joy knows no bounds when his father arrives. Janet receives the news with mixed emotions.

When the time arrives for Brian and his father to leave for a new beginning together, Janet reflects on how Brian's presence in her life has changed her. She anticipates future changes also, but has one question? Will she see Brian again?

Set in Ngoro-Ngoro, Tanzania, Ndito is a story of a little girl's life in Africa.

It is about dreams, courage, determination and a little git of attitude.

On her journey to fulfill her life long dream of meeting her favorite birds. The Marabous, Peacock and Flamingos, Ndito is faced with many obstacles.

First, she must sing in concert with the rain. Then she must go past the hut of Mama Yeyo a very old lone crone feared by all. She says things that really come true. Mama Yeyo sits in her doorway everyday and night, waiting for her death that never comes soon enough. At least that's what all the other villagers think.

Then Ndito must go past the hut of Mzee a very old man with no hair, no bottom, nor teeth and with very compelling eyes. He would always talk to his imaginary friend, dance with the mud crabs and the big toads and make everybody passing join in.

On the other side of the valley, Ndito must pass a set of mysterious umbilical twins, who like monkeys, would bunch up together on top of a tree and throw rotten fruits to anyone going past. Lastly Ndito must go past a mysterious character called "Dot" who, for years now, has knocked down to the ground many of the passing villagers great and small.

Ndito, in her unusual manner, negotiates her way through each obstacle. In the end she does not only fulfill her dream but her beautiful tunes make her "The Princess of the Jingle Animal's Paradise".

Ndito the Masai Girl story is educational, entertaining and spell binding.

The story takes Ken and his dog Spot on an adventurous journey back in time to the year 1867, to deliver a doll to a little girl who lost it while on a day out with her dad.

Ken realises he is in the same year and town where his great grandfather was married to Mary Riles. The doll and Ken's dog can both talk, and they all somehow end up taking a big part in his great grandfather's wedding. The reader is kept guessing as to what will happen next.

Zoey Cummings and the Box of Time is the first in a series of books about a young girl with the ability to travel back in time.

Imagine how your life would change if you had the ability to travel back in time. Talk about incredible excitement!

When Zoey Cummings turned four years old a mysterious, yet kindly, old man brought her a gift at her birthday party - a box, a polished cedar box. At the direction of the old man the two of them buried that box in the front yard between two rose bushes. But there was a catch. Zoey could not dig up or open the box for seven years, seven long years...

When she finally turned eleven little did Zoey realize how much that box would change her life. At first the contents of the box were disappointing - an old key, a small pocket-watch, three pieces of folded papers containing some sort of strange instructions and a small scroll with a list. Through trial and error, and with the help of Wellington T. Clemens (the curious old man who is better known as "Wells"), Zoey is astounded to learn that she can travel back through history and time!

The adventures begin...

From an old library, that houses an odd time portal, Zoey makes her first trips. These excursions include a trip back to see her own grandfather teaching in the late 1950's, plus a sojourn to the "Surf Ballroom" in Clear Lake, Iowa on February 2, 1959, to witness the final performance of rock legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Surprise follows surprise as Zoey and her best friend, Courtney, also travel back to Virginia City, Nevada in the early 1860's to meet Mark Twain.

Finally, Zoey, along with her younger sister, Phoebe, and her best friend Courtney, travel back to ancient Egypt (circa 1500 BC), where they are immersed in intrigue, suspense and adventure. One mystery that Zoey continuously encounters is the presence of a thirteen-year-old boy named Casey who just happens to be there wherever Zoey travels. In fact, due to a series of circumstances, Zoey, who is mistaken for an Atlantean princess, and her fellow companions (including Casey) end up exploring the fabled island of Atlantis...

Don't miss the sequel to Zoey Cummings and the Box of Time, Zoey Cummings and the Relics of Bergen-Belsen, also available from Trafford Publishing!

Unexpectedly, the school holidays do not work out as planned because the rains have arrived. Uncle Amos now wants Panashe to work for him. In trying to avoid his duties, Panashe's master plan backfires and Birrie the Kid swallows Uncle Amos' precious glass eye. Unless he coughs it up immediately, his future is definitely in the cooking pot as delicious goat stew! The two friends are devastated.

This illustrated fantasy story is for children possibly as young as 10 years old upwards. If the reader curiously needs to consult a dictionary, when I have achieved my goal, i.e. encouraging young readers to learn new words. In alphabetical order it embraces Africa, the basics of business in the food chain, conservation, first aid, geography, good manners, humour, loyalty in family and friendship, new words, proverbs, tourism but above all it embraces fantasy.

P.S. When reading it to your children, remember to slip a brown glass marble into your mouth just before Grandmother falls off her metal bucket. Then, when Birrie the Kid coughs it up, voila! Watch their faces when that brown eye hurtles across the room! It is the most fun you will ever have reading to your avid listeners, but be prepared to explain many things in between…

A percentage of sales will be donated to the orphans of the Zambezi Valley.

Tiberius Goes to Rome is a book about a boy growing up in Roman times, and the many problems he encounters during his teenage years. Many teenagers reading this will quickly begin to realise just how similar the problems facing a teenage boy in ancient times are to those facing teenagers today. Adults also will be able to relate to the main character, Tiberius A. Caesar, as they remeber just what it was like for them when they experienced the same hormone-charged, rebelious and utterly confusing period that is the teenage years.

It is a story of sadness and happiness that makes Bobby a true hero.

This book is also available in Spanish / Este libro tambien los puede solicitar en español: Bobi: una historia verdadera de crueldad, amor y agradecimiento