Devin Scillian BOOKS – $15.00 + $ .90 tax = $15.90 ea.
Memories of a Tortoise – Oliver the tortoise has had his human, Ike, for a very, very long time now.
In fact, they’re the same age–80 years old–and practically twins. They both enjoy the slowness of the
garden, cool water from the hose on a hot day, and a nice slice of honeydew melon. But when Ike
stops visiting the garden, Oliver wonders why his pet has left him so soon. So he makes the long
journey to see his mother ten gardens away–she will certainly have the answer. This tender story
from the author and illustrator that brought us Memoirs of a Goldfish reminds us to cherish all the
days we have with our pets and loved ones. Ages -6-9 Reading level Grade 1-4
Missile Toe – A Very Confused Christmas Puns and misheard Christmas carol lyrics abound in this
goofy collection of a dozen holiday-themed poems from news anchor and children’s book author
Scillian. Writing mostly in rhymed couplets, he contemplates the mysteries of what decking the halls
means and what sugarplums are before moving on to poems with titles like “Beth the Ham” (about a
spotlight-hogging sheep in a school play), “Wild Shepherds Washed Their Flocks by Night,” and
“Round John Verjun,” about a mystery guest at the stable in Bethlehem (Joseph leans in. “How do
you do?/ I hate to be rude, but who are you?”). The rhymes tend to be corny, but there are some
winners in the bunch (“Angels we half-heard on high, mumbling something in the sky”), and Kelley’s
energetic pencil-and-watercolor images tap into the atmosphere of silliness.
Ages 4- 8 Reading Level: Grade 1
Back Roads Country Toads – When country toads, Hank and Buckeroo, hear some folks talking
about going “fly-fishing,” they know they have to tag along. What could be better than fishing for
flies?! So they stow away in a picnic basket and prepare for the feast of their lives. But what will
happen when they realize fly-fishing isn’t exactly what they expected? This knee-slapping story is
from Devin Scillian and Tim Bowers, the same team that brought you Memoirs of a Goldfish and the
rest of the hysterical Memoirs series.
: Ages 5 – Age 7 Reading Level: Grade 1