The Four Lights and The Sharded Lullaby by Lotte Bluejay – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lotte Bluejay will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

An epic K-Pop fantasy adventure series for readers ages 8-12.

Music becomes magic. Friendship becomes power. And every concert could save the world.

When four freshly debuted K-pop idols discover that their songs awaken ancient magic, their rise to fame turns into something far greater than a world tour.

At their first sold-out concert, Hana, Daon, Mira, and Noah expect a night of lights and applause. Instead, they uncover a broken lullaby and fragments of an ancient prophecy. Soon strange things begin to follow them from city to city – whispers in the lights, shadows beneath the rhythm, and a dark force determined to silence their music forever.

Because somewhere in the shadows, a forgotten enemy has been waiting for the music to begin.

To protect their dreams, their fans, and each other, the four must learn to unlock the hidden power within their songs. Because harmony is strongest when no one stands alone. And some melodies were never meant to fade.

Perfect for readers who love:
• magical adventures and epic quests
• powerful friendships and teamwork
• modern fantasy with a pop-culture twist
• stories where music becomes magic

Begin the adventure with Book 1 of The Four Lights. The stage is set. The prophecy has begun. And the world is about to hear their song.

The Four Lights Series
A magical middle-grade adventure about friendship, courage, and the power of music.

Book 1 – The Sharded Lullaby
Book 2 – The Shadow Band
Book 3 – The Crimson Solace
Book 4 – The Syncopated Harmony
Book 5 – The Hollow Beat
Book 6 – The Blinding Crescendo
Book 7 – the epic finale

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Mira, Daon, Noah,” the manager said, pointing in turn. Then, with a small flourish, “That’s Hana. And together … YOU are the band.”

The words dropped like fireworks.

Hana blinked at them. Mira’s mouth formed a tiny oh. Daon stopped tapping, though his foot kept bouncing. Noah didn’t move at all, but his eyes narrowed, studying them.

For a long breath, they just stared at one another. Happy? Absolutely. Excited? Without a doubt. But startled, too. Like their dream had just fast-forwarded from “someday soon” to “right this second.”

It wasn’t fear that filled Hana’s chest. Not exactly. It was … something warm – familiar, even. A weird sense that these three strangers were not strangers at all.

The manager clapped his hands once. “Alright, rehearsals tonight. You hit Seoul tomorrow. Then Tokyo. Then Bangkok. Posters are already printed. Contracts signed. From now on, you are The Four Lights. Hooray!”

Hana’s head spun. She had imagined this moment a thousand times, singing into a hairbrush, standing on her balcony pretending the city lights were her crowd. But she had never ever pictured three unfamiliar faces beside her.

Mira leaned in first, breaking the silence. “So … we’re really doing this?” Her voice carried a ripple of laughter and nerves.

“Guess so,” Daon grinned, twirling his headphones like he was already halfway into a new beat. “Hope you like traveling. And dancing. And late-night ramen.”

Noah gave a small nod, the corner of his mouth almost – almost – turning into a smile. “If we’re a band, we’d better sound like one.”

About the Author: Lotte Bluejay creates magical middle-grade adventures where music becomes power and friendship saves the day. Her Four Lights series blends the sparkle of K-Pop with the wonder of fantasy, giving young readers stories filled with rhythm, courage, and hope. Every book is written to light up imaginations, celebrate teamwork, and remind kids that even in the darkest moments, their own voices can shine the brightest.

TikTok | Website | Soundtrack | Instagram | YouTube | BookBub

The Art of Book Covers by Raven Howell – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Raven Howell will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Art of Book Covers

During childhood, I fell in love with Shel Silverstein’s books. Even at a young age, I was conscious of how appealing his book covers were. Most of them taunted the reader’s curiosity with stark, playful black and white artwork involving kooky, wiggly drawn children and other magical meanderings. Even the font styles had a consistency throughout his book catalog.

As an adult and full-time writer, I understand how these imageries on the Silverstein book covers set expectations for what was inside. His covers displayed consistent author branding designed in intriguing, creative ways. And if font styles communicate tone, his suggested a mix of zany and comedic.

You may know that book covers are key to snagging a potential book buyer’s attention. Up to 75% of consumers decide on purchasing a book based on its cover design. And we’re talking the artwork has a mere 4-5 seconds to garner attention, so you can imagine how important it is if you’re a book creator.

Professional illustrations on the outside usually indicate high-quality on the inside, but the opposite is true also. Amateur artwork can deter a book buyer. The psychological impact of several elements makes a profound difference. Things like the typography, colors used, the imagery, and even the hierarchy (like the areas your eye is directed to first) all determine whether the book will sell or not.

As a children’s author, I enjoy watching and following along the trends in current book cover art for the kids’ communities. My recent picture book, WORD UP! was illustrated by Joe Rocco. Joe’s a professional American illustrator and designer with 25 years of experience in editorial publishing, animation, and work centered on children’s publications. His experience and sophisticated sense of using high-impact vibrancy birthed an eye-catching and fun electric blue/neon yellow, quirky book cover for us.

Children’s book covers in general used to have a much more cluttered feel and look. Today the trends in books with children in the story line are toward authenticity – depicting diverse ethnicities and abilities, and a wider variety of emotions.

Books with environmental themes lean toward expansive landscape (or seascape) imagery. Many have a hand-drawn effect, artwork with a tone of warmth.

For humorous books and early readers, the trend is toward standout characters paired with character expression, and abstract images. And I love the kids’ books with interactive fonts – they’re integrated into the artwork itself.

Designers are using more white space to aid in visual clarity. Neon-pastel shades are taking over the traditional primary colors, and many book covers are created for phone scanning, allowing characters or story sequences to animate.

We’ve come a long way from when Shel Silverstein was writing and illustrating books, but regardless of technical advances, and creative evolution, if a book touches your heart, whether that’s because the cover invited you into the story or not – I hope you revel in the inspiration!

Words are the windows through which children view the world. Familiar, uncommon, short and sweet, long and quirky; words make all the difference.

In Word Up, discover how a word packs a punch and possesses the power to heal, hurt, help, and humble. Watch children learn how to choose words wisely, and to recognize that sometimes, the simplicity of kindness itself is expressed in gentle silence.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Words are mighty!
Words are strong!
We write them,
Speak them,
Sing our song.

I hope you learn new words today,
And think about the ones you say.

About the Author: Raven Howell is the author of over 25 picture books for children. She’s a writer for several children’s magazines. Raven contributes The Book Bug column for Story Monsters Ink magazine, is the Arts & Crafts Director of Kids Corner, and Publishing & Creative Director with Red Clover Reader. She is a contributing author for Reading is Fundamental SoCal and I Am a Promise Books, and a story book writer for world-wide educational programs.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Author and Poet Facebook Page | Pinterest | LinkedIn | TikTok | Bluesky | Amazon

My Friends and I Spot Series by T.X. Troan – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. T.X. Troan will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Perfect for curious minds and sharp eyes, these interactive puzzle picture books encourage creativity and exploration while fostering a love of reading. Can you and your friends find everything that lurks in these places? Get ready for unforgettable adventures filled with magic, mystery, and a whole lot of fun!

Fantasyland (Book 1) Blurb

Join Evan and Page on an enchanting adventure in My Friends and I Spot Fantasyland: A Puzzle Picture Book! From creepy spiders lurking in shadowy corners to shimmering butterflies fluttering through sunlit glades, this captivating search-and-find journey invites readers of all ages to step into a vibrant world brimming with delightful surprises and mysterious wonders.

Perfect for curious minds and sharp eyes, this interactive puzzle picture book encourages creativity and exploration while fostering a love of reading. Can you and your friends find everything that lurks in this place? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a whole lot of fun!

Time Travel (Book 2) Blurb

Embark on an exhilarating journey with Jason and Mary as they navigate through unexpected challenges and captivating experiences.

This children’s book combines fun dialogues with engaging search-and-find illustrations to offer young readers an exciting exploration of imagination and adventure throughout various periods and places in time. Each page will not only encourage reading but also develop observation skills and spark curiosity about history, science fiction, and the ocean’s mysteries.

About the Author Thuan Doan is an award-winning author of the Sophia Freeman series. He conceived his first middle-grade fantasy novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, during a trip to Gabriola Island, British Columbia in the summer of 2013. Then he took his work and settled in a small town of Enderby, where it’s peaceful and quiet.

Thuan is writing under a pen name of T.X. Troan. “X” stands for Xu, his grandmother’s name who passed away. And “Troan” is a combination of his parents’ names.

“No matter how this turns out, I want my family to be a part of this wonderful journey.”

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, or Bookshop.

The Process of Producing a Children’s Book by Eva Legre Zigre – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Eva Legre Zigre will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING A CHILDREN’S BOOK

As a new author, I am amazed by all that goes into producing a children’s book.

Upon my first visit to the city of Temecula, California, I was struck by the beauty and lushness of the parks and wineries, for which Temecula is known. The longer I stayed, the more I became aware of the community. The people were very friendly, and a simple conversation while waiting in line or sitting on a bench at a park gave me insight into the pride and love people had for this small inland community.

I was easily accepted as a transplant and encouraged to explore more of the city, and so I did. There were so many places, hidden and out in the open, that took my breath away or had me vowing to visit, my list of places to go to in Temecula became extensive.

I share all of this because it is the inspiration behind my new children’s board book, ‘RJ’s Adventures in Temecula’. Well, that and my son, whom the main character is inspired by.

Of the many places I visited in Temecula, only thirteen attractions are included in RJ’s Adventures in Temecula, because I didn’t want the book to intimidate young readers, and since it is a board book, the pages can get expensive. If I had unlimited funds, though, my book would have featured at least 30 different places in Temecula.
Since I wanted to keep the book about the community, I hired two great artists from Temecula; first being my photographer, who took hundreds of pictures as we searched for the perfect shot of the sites I had in mind. Second was my illustrator, who drew from the photographs I chose, adding RJ’s character as she went.

The entire time I was in contact with the various attractions to ensure that permission was granted, images were approved, and contracts were signed, allowing me to sell and promote my books using their likeness.

I was blessed to receive some advice from city officials, business owners and a few children’s book readers and writers, which opened doors with a printer, libraries, and bookstores. This kept me encouraged because, though I was able to share this in a short article, the process took close to a year.

Still, I kept reminding myself why I started this journey and what I wanted to see come out of it, and that gave me the encouragement to keep moving forward. Now I have a beautiful book that my children and others in my community can read for years to come.

If you’ve had a chance to visit Temecula, California, you’d be one of many who have had the privilege of watching hot air balloons take flight during sunrise and descend at sunset, walking the grounds of one of the most beautiful rose gardens in California, and visiting a rare and noble tree that looks to have stood the test of time. You will find some of the most popular and heavily visited sights in Temecula, beautifully illustrated and captured in child-like conversation.

RJ’s Adventures in Temecula is a vibrantly colored board book featuring thirteen of Temecula’s most visited attractions. The illustrations jump off the page, offering children fun images to look at while learning more about Temecula, California’s historic sights.

Beware. Your child may ask to visit some of the attractions presented in this 20-page book, such as Professor Pennypickles’ Workshop or the Sugarplum Zoo and Chocolates. Come visit for a week, but first, do your research and take this adventure around Temecula, California with RJ.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Hello Friend!

My name is RJ.

Welcome to the beautiful and sunny city of Temecula. Today is a great day to show you around!

Are you ready for an exciting tour?

About the Author: Eva Legre-Zigre is a children’s book author passionate about writing stories that reflect the beauty of communities. Inspired by years of experience as a nanny and a volunteer teacher, she crafts engaging stories that encourage creativity and wonderment in children. Her passion for community, culture, and finding beautiful differences in various states throughout the country gives her the desire to share those unique and exciting places with children.

A resident of Temecula, California, known for its wineries, Mrs. Legre-Zigre was inspired by her own child to find and highlight family- and child-friendly attractions in her city. Some of these attractions are featured in her debut book.

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Vinny’s World Tour by Jacqueline Marie – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jacqueline Marie will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What if your child grew up believing there were no limits on who they could become or what they could achieve? Join Vinny, a curious little boy from a small town, as he turns creativity into adventure by creating a Secret Map of his dreams.

Vinny’s journey shows kids that imagination is a powerful tool for building confidence and belief. The story ends with a Secret Map activity, a fun school activity or birthday tradition.

Enjoy an Excerpt

About the Author: Jackie Wallace is a serial entrepreneur, podcaster, and author whose passion for learning through trial and error has consistently driven her to transform obstacles into opportunities. As a business owner and self-starter, she’s passionate about sharing insights with ambitious professionals and spotlighting their unique success stories. To date, she has interviewed over 300 people who took the leap of faith to pursue their passions.

With over 35 years of leadership experience, she is also a certified life coach who helps others gain clarity, build confidence, and move forward with purpose.

Her professional background includes a B.S. in General Management from Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, and a Certification for Professional Life Coach from World Coach Institute Inc.

Above all, Jackie is most proud of being a wife, a mother of three, and the owner of two rescue dogs.

For upcoming releases or more information, you can visit her website, check out her podcast, or follow her on Facebook.

Website | Podcast | Facebook

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Voices Beyond the Creek by Curt Richards – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Curt Richards will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Set in the foothills of the Appalachians, fourteen-year-old Caleb Austin and his friend Marlee (Mary Lee) Patterson face poverty and prejudice in their small rural town. Confronted with the “creek people” who live in the hollow and the wild child Annabelle Pruitt, their lives take an exciting turn.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Smoky’s coal-black eyes stared out of their sunken sockets, making Caleb slide to a halt on the gravel parking lot at Fletcher First Baptist Church. He stood frozen with fear as the old battered truck ground into gear and rattled down Cane Creek Road toward the hollow. Just the sight of Smoky Pruitt’s stony stare shot waves of terror through Caleb.

As with most small Southern towns in the early 1960s, everyone seemed to know everybody’s business. But some folks—like Smoky Pruitt—managed to slip past even the most prying eyes. For Caleb and his friends, Smoky’s life in the North Carolina mountains remained a mystery that spawned myths told deep in the night around campfires.

For most of Caleb Austin’s fourteen years, he had heard gruesome stories about how Smoky Pruitt hung live animals by their feet in his smokehouses. Tales told about Christmas hams actually being dogs, cured slowly in the rickety old shacks down in the hollow, sent chill bumps dancing across Caleb’s skin.

About the Author: Curt Richards is a retired public school teacher from Upstate South Carolina. He has taught various science courses for forty years, from middle school to college. He believes there is no higher calling than guiding young people and adults through their education. In his free time, Richards enjoys studying nature, gardening, hiking, reading, socializing with family and friends, and writing in multiple genres.

Books by Curt Richards:

Voices Beyond the Creek (2025, Young Adult Fiction)
Circle the Stones (scheduled for release in 2026, YA fiction)
Misguided Passions and the Lord’s Prayer (2024 Non-fiction)
30 Insights for New Teachers to Thrive (2023 Non-fiction)

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

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Winter Blogfest: Diane Billas

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of my queer YA superhero book Superficial. No shipping restrictions. 

Tis the Season to…Read?

I never used to be a seasonal reader. I didn’t even consider matching my reading to what season it was. I’d request books at the library and would just read whatever came in for me, but this year I can’t get enough of reading seasonal books. It first started at Halloween; I was devouring all of the spooky and horror books, but I didn’t think this seasonal reading habit would translate into holiday reads because I’ve never been a big Christmas book person. I would maybe read one for the entire season and call it a day. And if I was lucky, I’d watch one holiday movie.

But this year, I don’t know what it is, I want all of the holiday books with all the feels. I’m on my third holiday book of the season and loving it. It also might be because now there are so many more queer holiday books, the kind of books that I like to read, and write. The last one I read is a YA sapphic romance book called I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Mariama J. Lockington and it was absolutely adorable, but it wasn’t as cheesy as I remember holiday books being. The characters had backstories that were a bit tragic but believable and I enjoyed that it was in a dual perspective, one written in prose and one written in verse.

Now that I have found these amazing queer holiday books, I can see many more in my future. I already have a whole lineup of holiday reads for the rest of December. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll write my own queer holiday novel.

 

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Lea’s friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

 

Diane Billas is an award-winning author of the YA sapphic contemporary romance novel DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN?, featured in Parents Magazine, and the YA superhero novel SUPERFICIAL, both with Creative James Media. Her sapphic short stories are featured in Wild Ink Publishing’s PROM PERFECT anthology and Of the Publishing Persuasion’s JINGLE THESE BELLS spicy holiday anthology.

Diane Billas lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn and piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit. Diane can be found on Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @dianebillas, on Instagram/Threads @dianebillaswrites, and at dianebillas.com.

Website | Blog | Facebook | X | Instagram | Goodreads

Buy the book at Books2Read.

The Christmas Cardinal by Aïda Juodis – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Aïda Juodis will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Christmas Cardinal, written by Aïda Juodis, is a soft and whimsical tale that was gently crafted to help provide children who have lost a loved one with comfort and warmth during the holiday season.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

If you wonder where your loved one goes when they pass away, remember that they’re always with you in your heart to stay.

But they go somewhere else that’s special too and continue watching over you.

Look up above at the sky to the North Star way up high.

Just beyond that big bright star is the North Pole not too far.

About the Author Aïda Darija Juodis is a storyteller who blends comfort, wonder, and gentle magic in her writing. The Christmas Cardinal reflects her belief that love endures, guiding us from near and far.

Goodreads
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Cloud Hands by Nancy J. Nelson – Spotlight

Cloud Hands: The Disclosure Files – Book One begins with the ordinary rhythms of a summer caretaker role before revealing a much larger network of concealed operations. Nancy J. Nelson’s story gradually expands from household routines to global implications involving secrecy, power, and change.

Version 1.0.0

Vicki Heywood intends to find stability after a difficult loss, taking on the task of supervising two teenagers for the season. However, small inconsistencies accumulate into signs of something deeper at play. She becomes aware of hidden medical advancements, unpublicized encounters, and technologies protected by the Partnership—an organization with influence surpassing traditional governance. As the teens bring their own observations forward, the three of them begin uncovering links that place them at risk. What unfolds is a struggle shaped not only by political forces but also by questions about truth, potential, and humanity’s capacity for transformation. Through these events, the narrative highlights how awakening often begins through ordinary circumstances that lead to extraordinary revelations.

Enjoy an Excerpt

There was a little cluster of forget-me-nots arranged in a vase on the table in front of Vicki. They had been Beth’s favorite flowers. Small and vibrant, so cute they made you smile. Just like Beth herself.

The waitress put a cup of coffee and a pastry before her, and the same in front of the man seated across the table. Kurt Martinsson—she had called him Professor Martinsson when he taught her senior business seminar a decade earlier—added some sugar to his cup before he took a sip. Well-built, dark hair with a touch of gray at his temples. He had aged well. His bespoke sports jacket, manicured nails, and expensive haircut suggested he was also doing well.

“It was kind of you to look me up, Professor Martinsson, especially after all this time. To be honest, I haven’t been getting out much.” She hadn’t been getting out at all. What was the point? Their parents had died in a car accident several years back, and now Beth was gone too. Per her request, there had been a closed casket; the chemo had ravaged her body and taken all her hair. There was no amount of makeup, no wig good enough, that could have fixed that.

“I heard about your sister, Vicki; I’m so sorry. I understand you left your position at the Department of State to look after her.”

Beth had argued against that. “I’m young and strong; I’ll be able to beat this—there’s no reason for you to leave the job you worked so hard to get. Mom and Dad were so proud that you became a diplomat—they wouldn’t have wanted you to give that up.” She had been wrong about being able to beat the cancer, but right that their parents had been proud. They would have been just as proud to see their youngest open up her own flower shop in a prime location in downtown Los Angeles.

About the Author: Nancy J. Nelson is an author known for compelling narratives that explore mind-expanding questions about humanity’s next steps. Her most recent book, Cloud Hands: The Disclosure Files – Book One, has earned acclaim among readers drawn to thoughtful, visionary science fiction. Nelson comes into writing after 25 years as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State and now lives in Los Angeles. Learn more through her website.

Buy the book at Amazon

The Book of Four Journeys by Veronica del Valle – Spotlight

Some stories begin with a small disruption—something subtle enough to shift a character onto a different path. The Book of Four Journeys by Veronica del Valle gathers four narratives rooted in that early moment of departure. Each tale highlights the instant when routine loosens, a boundary is crossed, and the world ahead grows wider than expected.

The Book of Four Journeys introduces four separate tales linked by the idea that every adventure changes the one who undertakes it. The stories center on Alfalfa Spooly, Mumik and Pimnik, Neboo McCloudy, and Lincoln Jax—each encountering a path that leads into uncertainty, risk, and discovery.

Alfalfa Spooly, a dedicated postman, takes on a mission that requires him to step across the threshold into the unknown, forcing him to face challenges far beyond the routines he knows. Siblings Mumik and Pimnik begin in different places but move through unfamiliar territories as they search for one another, uncovering new dangers and surprises along the way. Neboo McCloudy, a grumpy but determined creature, confronts his greatest fears as he seeks a secret treasure connected to a world beyond what he understands. And Lincoln Jax, an orphan girl driven by longing and curiosity, travels toward a hidden kingdom that may hold the answers she has been seeking.
Across these four stories, Veronica del Valle weaves adventures that blend peculiar characters, unpredictability, and the quiet courage required to face the unknown.

Read an Excerpt

Mumik Opipok opened his eyes and knew straight away what he had to do. It would take courage, loads of it. He would have to summon it all because he was not the most confident person. In fact, Mumik Opipok’s life had so far been dotted with doubtful moments: should I fish with my fishing rod or with my net? Should I walk to the lake or go on my sledge? Should I wear my white scarf or my checquered one? Should I make fish fillet, or seafood chowder for lunch? For each choice, Mumik debated with himself for hours, and when he finally made a choice, he would second-guess it one more time. Just in case.

But not that morning. Mumik was more confident than he had ever been about any decision. In fact, he had made up his mind as soon as he’d heard what the White Bright Sprite had told him. He knew what he had to do. There was no other way to look at it.

From that moment, his day was dedicated to getting everything ready for his journey. He borrowed an old sailboat courtesy of a former sailor-turned-igloo-maker who had a spare boat. It was rusty, but it floated and that was what mattered. The former sailor-turned-igloo-maker taught Mumik the essentials of sailing: the menaces one can find at sea, how to read charts, how to trim the mainsail and how to use a sextant to let the stars guide him to his destination.

When the sailing class was over, Mumik walked home. He lived in an igloo of bluish blocks of ice in the Northernmost Part of the World. “The top of the globe,” he liked to say. This was a place shrouded in eternal winter, which meant it was always very very cold, but also very very snowy, silvery white and spotless. His good friend, Koko, a wordy and cunning Arctic fox, was waiting by his front door.

“All ready?” Koko asked.

“Almost,” Mumik answered. “Where are Sesi and Sila?”

“Around the back of the igloo, sleeping like true grey wolves,” Koko said.

Mumik went inside and packed some items of clothing, his fishing rod, some cans of food and many bottles of water. He was aware he was not the best planner, but he figured he would be fine with the things he had selected. Before sunset, everything was ready. He would leave in the morning.

When the full moon lit the sky, Mumik went outside and woke up Sesi and Sila.

“Come on, my friends, time for one last ride.”

About the Author:
Veronica del Valle is the author of The Word-Keeper and The Book of Four Journeys. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Kingston University and has worked as an editor and writer for news organizations and magazines in both London and Argentina. She has also taught creative writing at Universidad de San Andrés. Now based in Buenos Aires, she continues to write stories shaped by her love of language, imagination, and adventure. Learn more at her website and on Instagram.

Goodreads | Website | Instagram
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