Henry and the Chalk Dragon
You have to be brave to be an artist.
In the town of Squashbuckle, just about anything can happen, and when Henry Penwhistle draws a mighty Chalk Dragon on his door, the dragon does what Henry least expects—it runs away. Now Henry’s art is out in the world for everyone to see, and it’s causing trouble for him and his schoolmates Oscar and Jade. If they don’t stop it, the entire town could be doomed!
To vanquish the threat of a rampaging Chalk Dragon, Sir Henry Penwhistle, Knight of La Muncha Elementary School, is going to have to do more than just catch his art—he’s going to have to let his imagination run wild. And that takes bravery.
“Altogether, a delicious faceoff between forces of conformity and creativity run amok, spiced with offbeat names as well as insights expressed with eloquent simplicity.”
“A perfect title to hand to young readers looking for laughs along with a wild and crazy adventure.”
Use Henry in the Classroom:
The curriculum guide is intended to provide a teacher or parent with ideas and tools for using Henry and the Chalk Dragon to enhance writing, vocabulary, and comprehension skills while at the same time encouraging kids to use their imaginations and to be creative. Suitable for a traditional classroom, a homeschool group, or a family reading the book together, the activities and worksheets are aimed at 2nd through 4th grade students but are adaptable to other ages as needed. Where appropriate, relevant Common Core State Standards are noted. Includes discussion questions, group activities, student worksheets, completion certificate, and printable bookmarks.
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2010. Ages 8-11.
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The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic
Life is a mess and a miracle.
Oh, how ten-year-old Persimmony Smudge longs for Glory! Heroism! Adventure! But instead she leads a very dull life on the Island at the Center of Everything, weaving baskets and sweeping floors. Until, that is, the night she overhears a life-changing secret. It seems that Mount Majestic, the rising and falling mountain at the center of the island, is not a mountain at all. It’s the belly of a sleeping giant! Now it’s up to Persimmony and her new friend Worvil the Worrier to convince all the island’s other quarreling inhabitants—the Rumblebumps, the Leafeaters, and most of all, the stubborn young king—that a giant is sleeping in their midst, and must not be woken.
With dazzling illustrations by the legendary Brett Helquist, Jennifer Trafton’s fantastical debut tells the story of one brave girl's efforts to make an entire island believe the impossible.
“Framed as an account written by Professor Barnabas Quill, ‘Historian of the Island at the Center of Everything,’ Trafton’s debut is a lively adventure about magical pots, pepper, manners, poison-tongued jumping tortoises, poetic soldiers, and downtrodden yet resilient heroine Persimmony Smudge. . . . Trafton imbues her tale with a delightful sense of fun and fascinating, well-rounded characters—playful wordsmithing and flowing dialogue make this an excellent choice for bedtime read-aloud.”
“Trafton creates a unique setting with unusual and detailed characters, including the playful Rumblebumps, the polite but dangerous Leafeaters, and the selfish 13-year-old king who has no regard for his subjects. Persimmony’s sense of adventure and determination make her an entertaining heroine.”
The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad
(General editor and author of the fictional introduction and various “scholarly” footnotes)
For centuries, scholars have debated the nature of the adventures of Sir Galahad whilst he was lost in the Wild Forest of legend before he took up his quest for the Grail. It was thought that no record of his deeds therein had survived. But the scholars were wrong. Newly discovered tales of the errant knight and his further adventures have been brought to light at last. And behold but a smattering of their wondrous treasures: dragons, trolls, magic, mystery, heroic deeds, faithful companions, and doubtful choices that nearly lead to all manner of ruin.
Rabbit Room Press is proud to present these historical documents to the world for the first time. With contributions from visiting scholars such as Jonathan Rogers, Malcolm Guite, Junius Johnson, A. S. Peterson, and many more, these tales have been scrupulously compiled and annotated by leading experts of dubious renown and are presented here with 100% historically accurate depictions by Ned Bustard.
J. R. R. Tolkien and the Arts: A Theology of Subcreation
(Contributor, “Leaf by Niggle and the Artist’s Journey”)
Tolkien once wrote in an essay called On Fairy-Stories that “we make in our measure and in our derivative mode, because we are made: and not only made, but made in the image and likeness of a Maker.” We are little makers, emulating the True Creator, God. This book reflects on the implications of Tolkien’s ideas and his writings to explore the theory of Art and Imagination in Tolkien, the literary and visual art of Tolkien, and the art made about the mytholgies Tolkien created. Contributors include: Ned Bustard, Matthew Clark, Matthew Dickerson, Billie Jarvis-Freeman, John Hendrix, Bryan Mead, Christine Perrin, Bethany Ross, Charlie Starr, Jennifer Trafton, Donald Williams (Foreword by Devin Brown)
Wingfeather Tales
(Contributor, “The Wooing of Sophelia Stupe”)
Return to the world of the Wingfeather Saga with Andrew Peterson and his all-star author friends. Immerse yourself in a land of bomnubbles and quarreling cousins, sea dragons and book publishers, thieves and Fangs and secret maps. Here within these pages lie six stories of the distant past, lost adventures, forgotten songs, and heartbreaking histories. The Shining Isle is restored, but Aerwiar is vast--and these authors have tales yet to tell.
The Slugs & Bugs Show “Adventures from the Workshop” Collection
(Member of the writing team)
The workshop is an imaginative and wonder-filled space where kids and families are invited to join in with Slugs & Bugs characters Doug, Sparky, Morty and Maggie. Life in the workshop finds joy and delight in everyday experiences and everyone’s contributions in God’s big world.
These stories follow our characters through exciting hijinks inside and outside The Workshop, and will surely scratch the itch for all the kids (and parents) who can’t get enough of The Slugs & Bugs Show.
The Light Princess
This leather-bound edition of one of George MacDonald's most beloved stories features a foreword by author Jennifer Trafton, an afterword by Andrew Peterson, and is chock-full of linocut illustrations by Ned Bustard.
A princess, cursed by a spiteful aunt, has lost her gravity. She can’t seem to keep her feet on the ground—or her mind on a serious matter. And when her aunt drains the lake where the weightless princess flourishes, the only solution is for someone to plug the hole—but at what cost?
What will it take for the princess to feel the weight of the world at last?