New Releases by Aaron Shepard

A talented musician from Novgorod plays so well that the Sea King wants him to marry one of his daughters.

A boastful strong man learns a lesson harder than his muscles when he encounters one of Nigeria''s superheroes in this Hausa tale which explains the origin of thunder.

A well-intentioned fortune-telling peasant unwittingly tricks a band of local thieves into returning the king''s stolen treasure.

Gentlemen might be in short supply today, but this little book of wisdom could be a cure. If you''re a young man who cares about the quality of his mark on the world -- or if you know such a young man -- the aphorisms of "The Gentleman''s Handbook" may prove a helpful guide. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is an author, photographer, publisher, and aspiring gentleman. He lives with his wife and fellow author, Anne L. Watson, in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS A Gentleman in Love A Gentleman in Speech A Gentleman in Society A Gentleman in Life ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLES A gentleman always finds a compliment for a lady he loves. A gentleman never compares one lady to another. A gentleman understands that every lady is a flower, and that love will make her bloom. ---------------------------- A gentleman listens carefully to others and takes pains to remember what he hears. A gentleman never smirks. A gentleman knows that words should be weighed, not counted. ---------------------------- A gentleman understands that the value of any person goes far beyond their usefulness to him. A gentleman does not leave messes for others to clean up. A gentleman knows he cannot help others if he does not stand on firm ground himself. ---------------------------- A gentleman knows that what he does is less important than how he does it. A gentleman does not avoid what should be resolved. A gentleman knows that his worth is measured not by what he collects but by what he contributes.

Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children''s author -- or even if you''re well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books. Topics include common myths about children''s writing, children''s book categories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format, submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process, career building, and children''s writer resources. Also included are specialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts, promoting a first book, and self publishing. Read "The Business of Writing for Children" to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the author of "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Baker''s Dozen," and sixteen more picture books and early readers, along with several chapter books for middle grades, extensive resources for storytelling and reader''s theater, and a graphic novel. His publishers have included Atheneum, Scribners, Clarion, Lothrop, Dial, and HarperCollins, as well as Cricket and Australia''s School Magazine. Aaron''s work has been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the American Folklore Society, The New York Public Library, and the Bank Street College of Education. He has been a judge for the Golden Kite Awards of the Society of Children''s Book Writers and Illustrators. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "BRAVO! I thought it had pretty much all been said, but I was wrong. All the nuts and bolts are here as well as rules that bear repeating, PLUS insights not usually found in how-to books. Clearly and concisely written, this is an invaluable resource for both beginning and more accomplished writers." -- Susan Pearson, Editor-in-Chief, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books "Aaron Shepard has written one of the most comprehensive guides available to anyone wishing to enter the competitive field of children''s books. It''s all here, from initial idea to successful sale, and then beyond to the essentials of contracts, promotion, and the ABCs of building a successful career. If you''re starting out, start out here." -- Stephen Mooser, children''s author "Here''s clearly-written, no-nonsense help for children''s writers by a craftsman. Every fledgling author should own this book." -- Stephen Fraser, Executive Editor, Aladdin Paperbacks "Aaron Shepard''s The Business of Writing for Children is a wonderful resource. His experience-based insights into the art and business of children''s writing will save beginning writers years of wasted effort -- and help published writers achieve long-term success." -- Kathleen Duey, children''s author "The Business of Writing for Children is a one-stop shopping center, a complete how-to-do-it guide for the writer who wants a jump-start on looking professional even though he/she may be turning out a first book. Editors will love you if you do it Shepard''s way." -- Audrey Baird, Editor, Once Upon A Time "A clear, concise, straight-ahead starting place for a new writer or a newly-published writer. Shepard knows his stuff!" -- Jane Yolen, children''s author and editor

Many parts make a whole, in this short concept book for the very young. For ages 0 to 5. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard -- besides being Anne''s loving husband -- is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Legend of Lightning Larry," "The Sea King''s Daughter," and many more children''s books. This is his first concept book. Anne L. Watson is the author/illustrator of the Katie Mouse and Coco Mouse books, as well as the author of numerous craft books and novels for adults. Her illustrations are imaginative collages assembled and manipulated in Photoshop. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// COMPLETE TEXT Many fingers, one hand. Many beads, one necklace. Many pieces, one puzzle. Many trees, one forest. Many colors, one rainbow. Many people, one world.

Quite by chance, San Francisco has become one of the carousel capitols of the world. It today hosts carousels from all three of the most important historic American carousel makers -- the only city anywhere with that distinction! What''s more, each carousel has been restored close to its original condition. "Circles of Delight" celebrates the beauty and diversity of these traditional, hand-carved wood carousels of the Golden Gate City. With its vibrant photos and informative profiles, it is bound to delight carousel lovers of all ages. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is an independent writer and photographer. He has been entranced by carousels since childhood -- but his love and interest were rekindled when his wife, Anne L. Watson, wrote a novel about a young carousel restorer. When a business trip brought them to San Francisco in April 2004, Aaron spent three days photographing the city''s carousels, giving him the photos for this book. He currently lives in Bellingham, Washington. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Filled with beautiful photography. . . . You will treasure this book." -- Bette Largent, President, National Carousel Association ///////////////////////////////////////////////// CONTENTS San Francisco Zoo Carousel Yerba Buena Gardens Carousel Golden Gate Park Carousel

Timothy Tolliver and his friend Arnie Rosenberg have a problem -- a gang of older bullies called the Stinks. But besides being a fourth-grader, Timothy is also a world-class inventor. He and Arnie get the bright idea of defending themselves with Timothy''s science-project robot. When their first try fails, Timothy finds a way to update the mystical formulas that gave life to the Jewish clay monster, the Golem. The robot comes alive, and it looks like their worries are over -- till the robot stops following orders and takes matters into its own hands. Can Timothy bring his creation back under control? Find out, as the Golem legend replays in a modern American elementary school. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker''s Dozen," "The Sea King''s Daughter," "The Monkey King," and many more children''s books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader''s theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// "Many children will be intrigued by a mechanical figure that comes to life." -- School Library Journal, June 2005 "Rated S for Snapped Up." -- S. C. Poe, Route 19 Writers (blog), Apr. 4, 2012 ///////////////////////////////////////////////// SAMPLE Arnie walked all around the robot, admiring it. "You know what this reminds me of? The Golem." "The Golem?" said Timothy. "What''s that?" "It''s from an old legend we heard in Hebrew school. A few hundred years ago, a lot of Jews in Europe were getting killed by mobs, all because of some stupid rumors started by their enemies. This one rabbi wanted to protect the Jews of his city, so he made a man of clay and brought it to life. It was so strong, nothing could stand against it. They called it the Golem." "Kind of like Frankenstein?" said Timothy. "Yeah, but the Golem came first, and that was probably where the idea for Frankenstein came from." Arnie grinned. "Wouldn''t it be cool if this robot could protect us from the Stinks, like the Golem protected the Jews?" Timothy grinned too. Then they both stopped grinning and looked at each other. "You don''t think . . . ." started Arnie. "I don''t know," said Timothy. "I don''t see why not."

Traditional tales are retold by a master storyteller in this collection of folktales, myths, and legends from India and Pakistan. The stories are: THE GIFTS OF THE GRASSCUTTER Wali Dad, a humble grasscutter, never asked for wealth -- so why can''t he give it away? THE PRINCESS AND THE GOD The princess Savitri must use all her wit and will to save her husband from the god of death. THE MILLIONAIRE MISER Sushil is so stingy, even a god takes notice. HOW VIOLENCE IS ENDED A prince must choose whether to heed his father''s last words or take revenge on the king who has killed both parents. KINGS FOR BREAKFAST! King Vikram must rescue a magic goose from King Karan and discover the secret of his wealth. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Aaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader''s theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron''s lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children''s book publishers, large and small, and with the world''s top children''s literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader''s theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron''s, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.