Bitsy's Strange Adventures

About the Book

" Bitsy's Strange Adventures" comprises the second and third stories of the Bitsy series. The first is "Bitsy and Big Leaf" published in November of 2011. The story unfolds as Bitsy is carried by the blustery winter wind and lands near a maple leaf. It is important for Bitsy to know his new acquaintences names. Bitsy eventually becomes a close friend to Miss Maple as they spend the rest of winter and early spring under a fir tree. Something happens to Miss Maple but Bitsy is picked up by Cassie who in the first book watched Bitsy grow. He learns about Cassie's school underneath her desk. Cassie looses Bisty as a strong wind blows him from her hand and the third story follows where Bitsy is blown into the lobby of a hotel. He meets another character, Mr. Oak Leafroy. Eventually the two have an adventure floating down a stream. Bitsy falls through a drain but Mr. Oak leafroy becomes stuck. Bitsy is attacked by a rat and is caught in the web of a spider and some friendly bugs. A strange thing occurs as Bitsy and the Bugs are freed from the web. Bitsy saves the bugs, "Nitty" and "Lady" but when they land on a fallen log Bitsy again has to say good bye and is carried off and lands back at the old Apple grove. Yes, and exciting event takes place at the end.

About the Author

The author is Dolores Conley, OSB and she has a great interest in story telling especially to children. Listening to stories as a child and picturing the events in her mind incited wonder. Now as an aunt to many neices and nephews as well as a primary teacher and art teacher she has had many opportunities to tell fun stories. Her inspiration came from her own Aunt Dee who would tell her and her brothers and sisters "scary stories" before bedtime. Also the librarian from the Carnegie library in Pittsburgh, PA, Miss Lee, would come to the grade school and tell stories to the class except for the final ending which prompted the children to read the books. The author started writing stories down as not to forget them.The idea of having the stories published came much later in life. She has had a full life as a Benedictine Sister of Pittsburgh, PA having blessings and opportuites to pursue various venues in the arts. Her education includes a BS in art education, a MS in art education and graduate courses in modern dance, creative writing, as well as other studio arts. She has taken eighteen years of ballet and has performed in ballets, liturgical services and choreographed dances. However, her main focus has been as an art teacher. She has taught art from kindergarten through adult and is curently teaching art in a local high school. Writing and illustrating children's books is a delight and found to be a creative outlet. Through her books she hopes to excite children's imaginations and teach them appropriate ways to respond in difficult and challenging situations. The endings encourage a sense of wonder and anticipation for something further and beyond. .