THE STORY OF NEEPS AND TATTIE by Amy Johnson and Diane Madden; Maine Authors Publishing, 2023; 30 pages, $25.95; ISBN 978-1-63381-347-2.

THE STORY OF NEEPS AND TATTIE

The authors and illustrator (two from Maine) combine their talents to tell the story of two tortoises who have lived in Annie McKay’s garden in Scotland for more than 50 years, for ages 4-8.  This is a tender story of a woman who rescued Neeps (turnip) and Tattie (potato) when she was just 10 years old.

The tortoises dig in the dirt, eat cucumbers, and play with Annie’s two dogs. This is a fun, educational story of tortoise lives, habits and year-round care, as well as a short introduction into life and language in Scotland.

SLEIGH MAGIC by Susan Vaughn; Maine Authors Publishing, 2022; 37 pages, $25.95; ISBN 978-1-63381-358-8.

SLEIGH MAGIC

Midcoast author Susan Vaughn has written 16 novels, but this is her first children’s book and it’s a beauty. This is a fanciful Christmas story for ages 4-8, and it’s premise is original, funny and inspiring. Before Santa had elves help make toys, he did it all himself, and he was overwhelmed.

One Christmas while delivering gifts to all the animals in Maine’s North Woods, the animals offer to help — the raccoon, squirrel, fox, skunk, beaver and otter volunteer to go to the North Pole to help Santa. They become Santa’s elves, helping save the children’s belief in the Christmas spirit.

MOUNT BATTIE’S CHRISTMAS STAR by Laurie Brooks Evans; Maine Authors Publishing, 2023; 30 pages, $18.95; ISBN 978-1-63381-374-8.

MOUNT BATTIE’S CHRISTMAS STAR

Camden author Laurie Evans tells the fascinating history of the Christmas star atop Mount Battie, a charming tale of tradition, Christmas cheer and community spirit, for ages 3-6 years. This is a rhyming story, with beautiful full-color illustrations of the Camden hills, the harbor and boats, the stone tower on Mount Battie, and the star which burns brightly from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

Evans describes the origin of the star and its meaning for the community, along with facts about the first star, its construction, and the volunteers who lovingly keep it lit through Christmas.

Bill Bushnell lives and writes in Harpswell.