This book begins with and is inspired by my two daughters, Victoria and Jessica. It is based on the stories I told them at bedtime, when they were very young. Their curiosity and interest encouraged me to develop the story further. Both of them developed a love for science and have completed PhDs, Victoria in paleontology and Jessica in evolutionary biology.
Grimli
In the Guardians of Grimace, this character (above) plays a lead role. He has been beautifully illustrated by my daughter Dr. Jessica Arbour. This work is actually three books in one. Part One deals with Grimli at a young age. Part Two has Grimli advance to the Grand Magda School for Advanced Gretchels and the third part chronicles the conflict with Monstrels and the incredible role that Grimli plays in resolving the strife. The story begins with a future young astronaut from Canada . She finds the planet Grimace by accident and there meets Grimli along with a cast of other characters. Grimli and his sister Grenda are a precocious pair. They are destined to play a huge role in the future of their planet. To begin though, the story delves into their lives as they progress through Normal School and then the Grand Magda School. Their adventures finds them facing danger throughout the two lands of Grimace, the Gretchel Territories and the Monstrel Territories. You can see some sketches below that I have prepared.
When I published The Guardians of Grimace I was quite aware that this was a rather long book for a kids book. I thought quite long and hard about that issue. In the end I chose to keep it in its full length for the following reason. This was always a story for my kids. A story told to them by a parent. As I wrote the book, I continued in that mode, telling a story. I came to see it as a "story for children", as opposed to simply a "kids book". I believe it will be at its best when it is the basis for interaction between adult and child, a chance for a child to be told an interesting and entertaining story, one that will keep them engaged for quite some time.