Murphy and Scootie

About the Book

The Murphy and Scootie series were derived from a pet turtle that the author had in her third grade class for approximately two consecutive school years. Although Murphy was a real reptile, through the mind of the author, Murphy would come alive. Murphy is a walking talking turtle whose family relocates from Washington, DC to Bayberry, Alabama because of his father’s job. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Turphy are also walking talking turtles.

On the first day of school at Bayberry Elementary, Murphy is introduced to his new best friend Willie Clarence aka Scootie. This third grade class is full of love and action as their teacher Ms. Read exposes them to a wealth of experiences. On this journey, Murphy also befriends two of his classmates, Angelica and Candy.

About the Author

Alayne Swimpson is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia and now resides in the Washington, DC Metropolis. Her parents are the late Willie C. Swimpson, Sr. and Rosa Swimpson Wilkerson. She is the youngest of four children, one brother Willie, and two sisters Kimberly and Jocelyn.

She is a graduate of Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. It was at Western Branch where she received her first teaching experience, she took a course her senior year in high school entitled Tutoring which required her to go to Western Branch Primary and shadow a second grade teacher for an entire school year. This was a very rewarding experience for her.

She went on to complete a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of the District of Columbia and followed up with a certification in Special Education K-12, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, and a certification in Administration and Supervision K-12. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Staff Development/Adult Education and Distance Education at Regent University.

Alayne adores children and currently teaches third grade in the District of Columbia Public School System where she has been employed for the past ten years. Ms. Swimpson loves traveling, horse back riding, reading, writing, and bowling.