Sideways Sun
Sarcasms, stories and poems of a mildly pleasant persuasion
The Burgundy Bookmark
Novel. Juvenile fiction (8-12)
260 pages
When the four Mackaman children visit their eccentric uncle’s dark and mysterious library, they are only hoping to escape Summer Boredom. Instead, they discover a burgundy bookmark inside an ancient blank journal that takes them into the world of books in a way they never imagined. Pirates, with bad teeth and bad grammar. Wish-making creatures in the sand. Angry villagers with torches and story problems. As it turns out, reading a book and surviving one are two very different things...
Hardcover
Softcover
Welcome to Sweet Angus
Short story humor series
Each book approx 240 pages
Welcome to Sweet Angus. A fictional Midwestern town (though lord, haven't we all been there!) where small things like pea salad, inappropriate mourning, cussing Santas, and murderous pigeons (in the bird's defense, it was probably accidental) can turn the town upside down. Each book contains 4 head-shaking and needless stories. I am sorry I wrote them, but these characters persisted and I did not want to endure them on my own any longer. You are welcome. Book 1 is about done; all others are in progress. Which, ya know....
Children's poetry
Excuse Me While I Kick You
Coming soonish
And other unfortunate poems
for the Young and Ruinable
Volume 1. Approx 60 pages
I handwrote these poems into a journal for my daughters when they were young. I read them at bedtime, adding new ones along the way, trying to instill a sense of, well, sarcasm, a moderately kind heart and a different way of viewing life. We all contributed to the artwork. This book culls such essentials as clumsy ants, Snocks under the bed, a crow party, polite bullies, banana slippers and more. Because gentle sarcasm shouldn't fall asleep.
Side note: Many of these I have turned into songs, which you can find in the pitchydog Sounds section of this site.
Sample
Goldilocks has Purple Hair
And other unfortunate poems for the Young and Mildly Salvageable
Volume 2. Approx 60 pages
A continuation of poems I handwrote for my daughters when they were young, and companion to Volume 1. Some are kind of off. Most even more so (like a T-rex inside a book). But this collection also includes things that are almost, can I say it, sweet... It culls such essentials as talkative false teeth, an un-gold Goldilocks, ghosts on a swingset, and a night made of chocolate. Because gentle sarcasm doesn't mind a little bit of good in the mix.
Side note: Many of these I have turned into songs, which you can find in the pitchydog Sounds section of this site.
Sample
I Wish that Everything was Blue
Poetry story book
44 pages
For wee ones as a read-aloud or read it to them, a simple picture-book-style romp through colors and imagination, and what might happen if you have too much of a good thing.
Hardcover
Softcover
The Bones of Mr. Jones
Coming soonish
Poetry story book
Yeah, so I feel really badly for this kind old man. His bones keep droppin' out of his skin. Fortunately he got a dog to retrieve them for him and he puts them back in place. But alas, for some strange reason he's getting smaller anyway... See how Mr. Jones, his wife, and his trusty (?) companion get to the bottom of this bone-appetit debacle. The book is in progress, but you can listen to a musical teaser...