Missing Pots Mystery
by
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"Mr. O'Shaun,"Isabella inquired, "How long have you lived in these woods?" "Since the beginning of me time, twas afore your time," was his veiled answer. "Do you have family here?" asked Grammie Linda, who had shared that she lived far away but loved to come for long visits with Isabella's family. "Deed me do, there be lots of wee folk and all family. Though most bigguns never know we here." "Why is that?" asked Isabella. "Cause they don't see us," was his reply. "But I see you," she said, "and so does Grammie Linda, don't you Grammie Linda?" "Oh yes I sure do see you," Grammie Linda assured Mr. O’Shaun and Princess Isabella. And what a sight he was all dressed in green. "That be only 'cause I let ye see me. 'Cause I see ye heart be kind and mean no harm to me or me family." He continued his story with a somber tone. "Probably 'cause of the family business, that be the problem." "Oh, really, how so?" Isabella asked. She had to listen carefully to his story with the Irish accent, but was able to follow most of what he said. "Be 'bout the gold, I'spect. Everyone knows 'bout how Leprechaun's job is place'n gold at end of rainbows. Some bigguns come to snoop ‘bout for gold." "Oh, I can see how that might be a problem." said Isabella with a sympathetic tone. "I'm glad you can tell that we just want to be friends." "Tis rare indeed for a wee one to trust a biggun," said Mr. O'Shaun. "Thank you for trusting us," said Grammie Linda. "We would never do anything to hurt you or your family." "You really mean that?" "Of course, we do!" came the response of Isabella and Grammie Linda in unison. "Aye, you do really mean that!" said Mr. O'Shaun with confidence. "Well then, if I can trust you to not so much as whisper a word to other bigguns 'bout where us wee folk live, I would like to invite ye to me home." "I thought the forest was your home," said Isabella a bit surprised. "Aye, "tis indeed. But shelter's needed in the cold, and when work is to be done, can't be out for all to see, specially not those nosey bigguns." "Come along then if you like," he said jumping down off the big rock where lunch had recently been cleared away. He walked with a kind of bouncy waddle and was quickly followed by Princess Isabella and Grammie Linda as he scurried off into the forest. They walked for some time before coming to a hill where he ducked behind some bushes about his height and held them to the side revealing a small door. Above the door it said, "Welcome." Not that just anyone was really welcomed, on account of the fact that not many would ever even find it! Not biggun's at least. Chapter 5 Using the Magic of the Moment When he opened the door, there was a burst of light, with tiny sparkles dancing in the beams. Not at all what one would expect when entering a cave into the dark recesses below the earth. Both Grammie Linda and Princess Isabella gasped in surprise. "Where is the light coming from?" ventured Isabella hesitantly. "Come then lass and see for yer self," said Mr. O’Shaun as he urged her toward the door. "W -Why I think I am t-too large to fit through y-your doorway sir," Grammie Linda stammered. "Come forward then, air ye miss the magic of the moment." Mr. O'Shaun said with a twinkle in his eye, much like the twinkle of the tiny sparkles in the beams of light. As they stepped forward, just at the doorsill, it happened. With a poof, more sparkles popped and somehow, they bigguns, walked through the door that really was too small for them. "Wow," said Isabella with her brown eyes opened wide trying to see what could not be, but was. "Now that was instant weight reduction!" exclaimed Grammie Linda. Not only did she come through the too small door, but now on the other side, the room seemed huge and she felt small. How could that be? "Wow!" exclaimed Isabella, as she saw a fairy hovering almost over her shoulder. With a quick flick the tiny creature moved her magic wand and spread an array of colorful sparkling stars welcoming the visitors. Once inside, the intense light was much reduced, even dim. The ceiling wasn't visible although some remaining sparkles seems to float overhead, but it was hard to tell how far overhead they really were. Off in the distance was a warm golden glow of light and the sound of voices drifted from the area. "Is that your family?" asked Princess Isabella. "Aye tis indeed. Would ye like to meet them?" He answered with a bit of uneasiness in his voice. "Oh yes!" Isabella replied. "Now mind ye, they be a bit shy. Don't much see bigguns." He said while walking toward the light. Their eyes adjusted to the dim light of the entrance and as they neared the golden glow the area began to take shape. And what odd shapes there were! Some looked like castles with broad bases at the bottom and then got smaller as they jutted up toward the ceiling. And even though the ceiling still was not visible there were cone-shapes with the points jutting downward. Sometimes the points going up met the ones coming down. "Oh look," exclaimed Princess Isabella as she pointed up. "That one is dripping, and it looks like it is building the one on the bottom." "Aye, tis indeed!" said Mr. O'Shaun. "As it drips some of the minerals are left behind." "The stalactites hang from the ceiling and the stalagmites rise from the ground." Grammie Linda added. "You can remember the difference by thinking about how tight the ones from the ceiling have to hang on to not fall."
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About the Book
These tales began years ago as bedtime stories for a little girl who plays the lead role. The Adventures of Princess Isabella—the Leprechaun, a picture storybook, was published in 2017 when Isabella was seven years old. Missing Pots Mystery, a longer chapter book for more mature readers, continues the story.
Isabella is joined by cousins Ava and Ella and her Grammie Linda to help Patrick Dennis Michael O’Shaun figure out how and why pots used for gold at rainbow’s end are missing. With a history of problems from big guns, greedy for leprechaun gold, it took time to earn the trust of the wee folk.
Readers will trill to the beauty of the caves, be challenged by the mystery, and be encouraged by the teamwork it took to piece together all the bits of information and come up with possible theories of what happened. They learn from the leprechaun how not to miss the magic of the moment, whether it be entering through a too small door or catching the twinkle in a loved one’s eye. Valuable wisdom is gained about how we see and know things.
Children will gain insights into what life was like living long ago in a land far away. History and local culture come alive as they participate in an autumn festival and royal ball. The best part is actually doing some of the things the children in the story did. The appendices at the back of the book include directions and photographs of the real children who inspired the characters of the story, showing how to do a variety of recipes, crafts, and activities. There are also discussion questions and lyrics to a theme song that can be heard online.
Visit author website LindaRomblom.com to hear the "The Magic of the Moment" sung by Isabella, cousins & friends. Also see colored pictures of the children who inspired the characters in the book doing many of the activities from the story. Readers will be inspired to participate using instructions at the back of the book.
About the Author
This is the second book to be published by this grandmother, granddaughter duo. It has been a wonderful experience of learning and growing together. Linda Romblom, is the primary author, with Isabella editing to be sure things are said in a way that her friends will understand. Isabella Walker is the primary illustrator with Grammie Linda helping as they have fun creating together.
These tales began as bedtime stories where Isabella loved being the little Princess in adventures of long ago in a land far away. Their first book, Adventures of Princess Isabella - The Leprechaun, was published in 2017 when Isabella was 7 years old. It is a picture story book with Isabella's colored drawings and includes a template for readers to personalize the story by filling in names: their own, family, and pets. Space is provided to create pictures and discussion questions encourage opportunities for teachable moments.
Linda has a masters degree in education and over 20 years experience in the classroom. Prior to her recent retirement, she taught Consumer Science to high school students including classes in Child Development. Her books use foundational principles that enhance cognitive development and creativity in children. More importantly, according to her, "I want these books to be tools that can be used to enhance relationships between children and adults. Children being entertained by technology is fine sometimes, but human interaction is needed, listening and talking and doing together. Kids need role models."
Their second book, Missing Pots Mystery, is a chapter book, because that is what more mature 9 year-olds read. A continuation of the story, Isabella with her cousins and grandmother help the leprechaun. The doing part of this book is in the appendices: recipes, crafts, activities, discussion questions and even a theme song with the music available on-line.
Visit author website LindaRomblom.com to hear the "The Magic of the Moment" sung by Isabella, cousins & friends. Also see colored pictures of the children who inspired the characters in the book doing many of the activities from the story. Readers will be inspired to participate using instructions at the back of the book.