February 3, 2009

Monkey Publishing Announces New Titles

Caribou, Maine - Monkey Publishing, the Caribou, Maine, publisher and printer announces four new titles to its catalog of books by local authors and illustrators: Jody's Promise, Bodee's Big Day, Flylow and Cryo Cygnet.

Jody's Promise is for readers from the age of eight to age fourteen. The story concerns a poor Irish immigrant who promised his daughter, Jody, a horse for her tenth birthday. The poor farmer has a hard enough time keeping his family warm and fed never mind buying a horse for his daughter. Down on his luck, the father, William Oates, meets Michael Griffin O'Reilly, a leprechaun with a problem. Can William help Michael and if he does, will Michael help him with a horse for Jody?

Written by Neal Parent, a well known photographer from Belfast, Maine, Parent has created realistic settings and characters with a fanciful twist. Parent is highly acclaimed for his black and white photography and his photographs are featured in many books and magazines. He owns a studio in Belfast where he displays his work. This is Parent's first book.

Says, William Tasker, of the publishing company, “We have several titles for the younger kids, but this is our first for those a little older who want to read a good hearty story. Parent's characters ring true as does his dialog and we are pleased to add the book to our catalog.”

Monkey Publishing has also published Parent's book for children, Flylow, for children ages four to eight. Parent created the book with his daughter, Elisha, and it tells the story of a robin whose first experience out of the nest was a bumpy one. Because of that experience, Flylow is afraid to fly high. But life is dangerous for a robin close to the ground, but it also allows Flylow to meet friends he wouldn't have ordinarily met.

Says Tasker, “Not only is this a nice little story, but the artwork is lush and beautiful. It's a real eye catcher.”

Bodee's Big Day is written and illustrated by Teena Buckingham from right here in the County. The story delicately handles Bob Barker's message to pet owners in a way that will educate children and their parents. A cute story with clever illustrations does a great service while entertaining its readers.

Cryo Cygnet is Monkey Publishing's first foray into the highly competitive teen fantasy market. The first of a series by Teddy Berube, who grew up in Woodland and currently resides in Ellsworth. The story concerns a magic student who finds out he carries a magical curse passed down from his dead parents. The magician sets out with his two best friends on a quest to find the answers to his curse and how to end it. Along the way, the characters learn about their magic, meet magical friends and deadly enemies. The climax of the story pits the White Swan against the Black Swan in a culmination of magic with the fate of the race dependent on the White Swan's victory.

“This is a cool story,” says Tasker, “and since it is the first of a series, we are really looking forward to where Teddy is going to take it.”

Tasker is also enthusiastic about upcoming titles in the works. “We have two more books in the Pioneer Homes Series in the works, a new book from Wendy Koenig called One to Lose, a book on local sports and lots more surprises coming. It's exciting to continue to grow our catalog with such local talent.”

The company sells its books at a booth at the Aroostook Centre Mall as well as at local venues and on-line at their monkeypublishing.com website and on Amazon.com.