After a more than 35-year career as a journalist/foreign correspondent in Europe, the Middle East and the United States, I moved to Costa Rica in mid-2020. While I'm no longer a full-time journalist, I work regularly as an editorial consultant for several private and public clients (mainly United Nations institutions and think tanks). This keeps me busy, but I still have plenty of time to continue working on my "Toby" series for middle-grade children (Toby's Adventures: Journeys of a Lifetime).
Toby's Tale has more than 250 reviews on Amazon and a 4.7-star rating out of 5. It has won numerous awards, including the PenCraft award for being the best middle grade book of 2023. It is a great “read together” book that has important messages for children (and adults) about hardships, struggles and successes, as well as resourcefulness and resilience. It teaches young readers about compassion, care, inner strength and the importance of friendship and tenacity.
I’ve told the story through the eyes of Toby, a Schnauzer puppy who makes the difficult decision to leave his mother and sister and head off on his own to find his forever home. Along the way he befriends a cast of interesting characters, both two-legged and four-legged, from a Confucius-spouting Pekingese and a lovable old beagle to a homeless man who gives him care and shelter…until he can’t. But as there is always a nemesis in any good book, Toby also must deal with a cruel animal control officer who almost breaks his spirit.
Toby’s Travels: A Road Trip to Remember, is the second book in the series and was published in April 2024 (as of December, it has a 4.9-star rating on Amazon). It invites young readers on an inspiring and heartwarming journey that celebrates differences, promotes empathy and breaks down stereotypes. In this exciting sequel to Toby’s Tale, Toby befriends a deaf dog, lends a paw to a sight-impaired friend, stands up to a couple of bullies and discovers that cats aren’t so bad after all! Along the way, he learns that our unique qualities are what make life richer and more meaningful.
With a powerful message about embracing diversity and fostering kindness, this story encourages children and parents alike to value what makes each of us special. Toby’s journey inspires greater empathy, understanding and acceptance, leaving readers with the knowledge that true strength comes from unity and compassion.
The third book in the series is Toby's Triplets: Fun, Mischief and Mayhem, which I hope to publish in 2025.
My rhyming picture book, Ashley’s Rescue: A Miracle Breakdown, was published in May 2024 and has a 4.7-star Amazon rating (almost 70 reviews). Several readers have called it the "perfect bedtime story."
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How far would you go to find a new home?
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What if the friends who make us stronger are the ones we least expect?
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