The Pennydale Zoo Great Talent Contest

Mom's Choice GOLD award-winner. A fun visit to the Pennydale Zoo brings even more excitement when Juniper Mouse discovers the Zoo’s very own Great Talent Contest. Anyone can enter and that means Juniper too.  But what will happen? Is there enough time to practice?  From Gerry the Magician trying to make a rabbit disappear to a quartet of singing camels and a nut-juggling turtle, the story has hilarious consequences under the guidance of head judge, Big Paws Galore, a fearsome lion with a terrifying roar.   Written entirely in verse with delecate, detailed illustrations, for pre-school and early elementary school students it shows that one CAN succeed with determination and practice. Even the underdog (or mouse!) can rise to the top.   In this charming picture book, a timid mouse wins the day by using determination and hard work to overcome his fear of performing in public. The lesson, about the value of working toward a desired goal, has a clear subtext of healthy empowerment. The author nicely realizes the humorous mishaps and ebullient finale with colorful, fine-lined illustrations. A gentle, comic treat with a subtle lesson about building character. Kirkus Reviews

Ian Sadler

After a successful career in the world of professional services in London, Ian Sadler has turned his time and attention to one of his most rewarding hobbies—creating humorous, rhyming stories for children. Now with two Mom's Choice Gold Awards, he continues to bring to life his colorful, fun-loving characters and overlays gentle messages for daily living in the family and at school. With a presence both in the United States and the United Kingdom, his publishing company originally focused on his stories written when his own kids, Alice and George, were growing up. Now it expands for a new audience of young readers as they begin their journey through the education system. His writings continue to adhere to this trademark style, delivering a valuable opportunity for enjoyment and learning for children, and their parents, taking these early steps into academic life.

Adrienne Brown

Artist, Adrienne Brown, always loved to look at books with drawings and paintings early on in her childhood. “It just amazed me that you could create such a visual with just a pencil edge or stroke of a brush”. She carried that with her and studied Graphic Design & Illustration at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS receiving her BFA in 1992. Her favorite medium is watercolor but uses many. She started with a small graphics company” C3” and helped design children’s meal bags and toys for some clients such as “Sonic”,” Bonanza”, and “California Pizza Kitchen”. She has been a graphic designer and freelance artist for 25 years. Through the years of many illustrations and many graphics she still has the inner “tingle” for illustrating children’s books.