A book for reading to young children ... of all ages!
When a circus train moves to the next town, a storm knocks it off of its tracks and the animals on boards find themselves alone, scared, and without anyone to care for them.
Bev, the teaching turtle becomes their mentor and savior teaching them to survive in the wild. Four years after the catastrophe, Alfred the Timber Wolf, wants to be with the humans again. When Alfred leaves the other animals behind in the hope of finding a family, the animals begin to get sick. What happens next? Will the animals die? Will Alfred find the humans?
"Alfred, A Timber Wolf's Tale" is the first in a series of children's books by author Randall L. Emery. Beautifully illustrated by artist, Cynthia Bird with cover art designed by 12 year old Rhianna J. Bullard .
Excerpt:
THE SEARCH FOR BEV
Once there lived a Timber wolf named Alfred. Now Alfred was no ordinary timber wolf. For you see Alfred was a very, smart, clever, witty, and very good wolf. Now being a very smart, cleaver, witty, and very good wolf, Alfred was something else. He was a very lonely wolf. So Alfred decided to ask for advice from his very good friend and mentor Bev, the teaching turtle. Alfred did not know where to find Bev. Because she had moved her teaching spot, since the last time he saw her. Alfred decided to ask some of the animals of the woods where he might find her. Alfred went to his good friend and neighbor Maxine the mole. Alfred thought to himself if anybody would know how to find Bev, it would be Maxine. Alfred knocked and knocked on Maxine's door. Maxine answered the door with a surprised look on her face “Why Alfred what on earth are you doing here?” Maxine asked him.
“I came to ask you if you knew where Bev the teaching turtle was.” Alfred said, “Why my stars and garters Alfred, I have not seen her since I was very young. What would you want with her?” Maxine asked him. “I need to ask her for some advice,” was Alfred’s answer. “Well the only place that I know of is the fishing stream.” She said, “Then it’s off to the fishing stream I go, thank you Maxine,” Alfred said, “Why your welcome Alfred. I hope that you find her and get the answers you are looking for.”
“I hope so to,” said Alfred. Alfred then left Maxine's place and headed towards the fishing stream to go and look for his friend. Along the way, he met a robin.
“Hello,” said Alfred “You’re not going to eat me are you?” asked the robin. “No,” said Alfred. “I only eat deer, elk, caribou, moose, bison, coyotes, rabbits, mice, otters, beavers, bears, cougars, fish, and we wolves, are also known to eat livestock. I would never even think of eating such a pretty bird.”
“That is good to know,” said the robin “My name is Alfred may I ask what is yours?” “Joann R. Robbin,” she said. “It is very nice to meet you,” said Alfred. Then he said, “I am looking for Bev the teaching turtle, do you know where I can find her?”
“No I just moved here.” said Joann. “Well thank you anyway.” said Alfred.
Alfred went along his way while he was traveling he met up with Nancy the squirrel. “Hello,” said Alfred. “Hello Alfred, what are you doing here?” Nancy asked him. “I am looking for Bev the teaching turtle,” was Alfred's reply.
“Well I just saw her this morning; she was teaching at her teaching spot near the fishing stream. I will go with you if you like Alfred,” she said. Alfred being a very good wolf said, “Alright, I will even let you ride on me while we go look for Bev together.”
“That is mighty kind of you, Alfred.” Nancy said. So off to the fishing stream they went, with Nancy acting as a guide, Alfred found the fishing stream in almost no time.
As they were approaching the stream, they saw a lot of very young animals leaving the stream. Alfred stopped one of the young animals and asked, “Have you seen Bev the teaching turtle?”
“Why yes we just got out of her class she is just through those trees. If you hurry she just might still be there.”
“Well it should not be long now.” Nancy said. Just as Nancy was saying these words, there on the bank of the fishing stream was the one they were looking for, Bev the teaching turtle. Bev was packing up her walking staff when she saw Alfred coming towards her. Alfred carefully, and gently put Nancy back on the ground near the teaching equipment as Bev was reaching for her walking staff and then said to her, “Will you please excuse us; I would like to talk to Bev alone.” Alfred said this in a very kind, gentle, caring, and loving way, so as not to hurt Nancy's feelings.
Nancy understood that Alfred wanted to talk to Bev alone. With this understanding, she simply said that she was going to go find some nuts for the winter. After Nancy had left Alfred and Bev alone, Bev said to Alfred, “Alfred what brings you to my neck of the woods?”
“I'm lonely,” he admitted to her. I miss the humans who took such good care of me when I was younger, and I want to be with them again.” After hearing this, Bev nodded her head in understanding.
