8 Under 8 For 8's

Children's Books

synopsis

Synopsis

This heartwarming children’s book has 8 fun short story read-alouds for 3rd graders (and younger children). There are elephants, dragons, unicorns, prince and princesses —and that’s only two of the stories! You’ll also find pirates, sea monsters, pet dogs and motor scooters. Perfect for classroom read-alouds and bedtime short stories for second and third grade kids (7 to 8 year-olds). Plus, the paperback version comes with 24 bonus coloring pages—great for after reading activities. These coloring pages are suitable for a wide range of ages and skill levels—they include young children coloring pages up to adult coloring pages.

bio

Author Biography

Karen has been writing stories ever since her elementary teacher told her she had a great imagination when she explained that her math homework had been eaten by her pet cow. Stories were everywhere Karen looked, especially as she grew up in between the pages of books. She left academic life, headed away from her pet cow and towards the city and after many exciting “life experiences” (something she was told she needed to have to be a writer) she settled in a seaside town with great weather and even better fish and chips. Having helped prepare her two children to leave home by teaching them their alphabet and the effects of vinegar on baking soda, she now spends her days working with her husband in their family business, writing stories and playing with her cats. Her books have received ReadersFavorite.com Five Star awards, but the moment that truly made Karen proud was when her teacher friend announced at her School Assembly that she had bought two of Karen’s books (that she had read in class), for the school library and her class all started clapping and cheering. Awards are nice, but kids are better…that’s why Karen writes—for the kids.

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Author Insight

Unexpected Visitors

Have you ever opened your door to a surprise visitor? Eloise and Edmund are about to receive more than an unexpected visit, they're going to hear some news that will change their lives forever. And with it will come a scary adventure.

Book Excerpt

8 Under 8 For 8's

The Hoppity Highness

Once upon a time, when baby unicorns and dragons still played together, there lived a brother and sister in a village where nobody went. Their home was with the local teacher, party planner and dragon tamer. Aunty was the only name Eloise and Edmund had ever used for her since a unicorn delivered them to her doorstep as little babies in a basket strapped to his back. Aunty named the unicorn Freddie, made a cosy nook for him in her woodshed, and took Eloise and Edmund into her home and her heart.

Aunty’s house was an old crumbling building that may have once been a castle. Eloise and Edmund loved their tumbled-down home and spent many happy hours playing games in and around the corridors and towers. Often they had a baby dragon to play with, as well as Freddie their pet unicorn, because Aunty was always looking after orphaned dragons. Monks from all over the kingdom brought the orphans to her. You may believe that dragons are dangerous but, in those days, they had given up eating sheep and people, and taken to fish instead.

A monk named Landyn roamed the countryside with a small dragon called Chef, who often cooked fish for them both by blowing steam into lakes. No one knew Monk Landyn’s age, but he must have been ancient, for he hobbled on a walking stick and knew nothing about modern stuff like keeping in touch with your friends using dragon-smoke morse code.

Eloise and Edmund were fond of Landyn and his dragon, Chef. Landyn always stayed for at least a week. He told scary tales that made their hair bristle and cooked the most wonderful fish and chips, roasted in Chef’s dragon-fire.

It was almost the end of one of Landyn’s visits. He and Chef were cooking dinner while Aunty, Eloise and Edmund listened to him weave a story. Outside, the rain pelted down from tattered clouds.

Suddenly there was a loud rap-rap-rappity-rap at the door. Not a polite, ‘Please may I come in’ rap, but a bossy ‘Let me in NOW!’ rap.

Aunty rushed over and peered out the peephole.

She turned and blinked at them, her face white as frothy milk.

“It’s not...?” Landyn asked.

“It is,” Aunty said, wringing her hands.

“Be careful what you say, Aunty,” Landyn said and pulled his hood over his head.

RAP-RAP-RAPPITY RAP.

Aunty opened the door. In strode a wet but royal-looking man, dressed in dark blue clothes with gold stripes and buttons. He wiped the rain out of his eyes, then started shouting.