Frazetta's Death Dealer Lunchbox

I loved the tales of Conan the Barbarian when I was growing up. I still do. One of the things I loved about the books were the cover art by Frank Frazetta. He did a lot of fantasy art, not just for the Conan books.

Now, there's a lunchbox with his art. I sure wish there was a lunchbox like this when I was a kid, but my mom wouldn't have bought it for me anyway. Now you can get one. Frazetta's savage art pops from the high-quality, heavy-gauge, litho-printed tin lunchbox. Embossed Frazetta logo.

What's Happening in April at From My Shelf Books & Gifts

A bookstore is one of the few community businesses that serves every age, every interest. Like a farm it feeds the neighborhood—it produces ideas , information and imagination. Not every book is for every person, but there’s a book for every person. And of course a little fertilizer never hurts…

You might know someone who doesn’t think they like to read, but if you are interested in something, chances are there’s a book on it. Fascinated with the Walking Dead? They were graphic novels first. Appreciate a cold beer? You can learn to brew your own. Like to eat? We have cookbooks new and gently used, and a child who reads, feeds their imagination and their future…

Of course, From My Shelf Books has always been more than just a bookstore and we’ve always sold more than books and we're officially From My Shelf Books & Gifts that includes gifts such as Bible covers, jigsaw puzzles, card games, and stuffed animals.

We had a young man in here just this week. He's not the biggest reader, and he thought we just had books, but he was impressed with all the cool gifts we have. Star Wars, fun, crazy mugs, watches, Doctor Who, Star Trek, zombie section and with our brand new expnasion, we have over 450 square feet more room to showcase our cool, fun books, gifts and games for you to browse.

Easter is coming, and there's no better book than a gift or a plush animal. Easter candy is soon eaten and forgotten, but a book can stay with you your entire life. I still have my first teddy bear. So, a stuffed animal can be around for years and years.

And you can browse seven days a week! That's right we are open every day. Monday to Saturday we are open 9AM to 6PM and Sundays we are open from 11AM to 4PM. Sundays are a slower, gentler pace, and a great time to browse. After Mother's Day, we'll be open to 7PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

I have big news Kevin. My husbands series, The Totally Ninja Raccoons has been Story Monster Approved. To be Story Monster Approved, not only does the book industry have to approve of your work, but children do too. After the books pass the first round of rigorous judging done by industry experts, the books are then judged by a panel of youth judges who must endorse the books before they can receive the official seal of approval.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons is a children's series for 2nd to 4th grade, specifically towards reluctant readers. The series is set right here in Tioga County and Wellsboro and there are already five books in the series with the sixth to be released in early May.


It's the Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake. There's a Scottish Fold, the Loch Ness Monster, and a unicorn! The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake will be released May 1st, and you can pre-order it now for just 5.99. Reserve your copy today!

In the first book, The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot, our heroes discover they are not meant to be ordinary bandits, but rather carry the potential to be something extraordinary, ninjas!

You can stop by the store, see art from the Totally Ninja Raccoons displayed, and get your books signed and personalized.
We recently were guests at a bookfest in Elmira NY to talk about the Totally Ninja Raccoons and the writing process. We love talking about books and if you are in the KC101 listening area and want Kevin to come visit your school or organization, call the bookstore.

Kevin already has done several talks about his first children's book, Hobo Finds a Home, as well as attended several area bookfests and presented at schools,libraries, and area organizations.

He'll also be taking the Totally Ninja Raccoons on the road, both locally and away. April 19th, he'll be presenting to the Deane Little Beans program here in Wellsboro. April 23rd, he'll be at the Williamsport Comic Con, and April 30th he'll be in Carlisle Pennsylvania at Carlisle Science Fiction Convention at the Carlisle High School.

As you know, From My Shelf Books & Gifts has new and used books. Where do we get our used books from? We get them from our members. If you are a member, you can trade in used books for store credit that can be used for anything we sell.

This weekend we are having a sale on membership, just $15 for a full 12 months. Members also get discounts on new books, 20% off paperbacks, puppets, card games, coffee mugs and more, 25% off hardcovers and 30% off boardgames. Why go any where else when you can get such great prices at a locally owned store?

This weekend you also get double points? Double points? Yes, with our reward program. We simply have the best reward program in Tioga County, and it's completely free.

Free? That's right. It's free. Each dollar is worth a point, and you can turn in points for big savings and merchandise. You also get access to secret discounts and special sales, and this weekend is double points!

That's right every dollar you spend this weekend is worth two points. 100 points will get you $10 off, and 200 points will get you $22!. Buy a gift certificate, you get the points, buy a gift for a baby shower, you get the points, buy a birthday gift for a party, you get the points. You get the idea.

We're doing something we've never done before, we are running this special April Fool's sale for four days!...Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. There's never been an opportunity like this before.

We have over 60,000 books at From My Shelf Books & Gifts, but don't forget the gifts. We have hundreds of cool, geeky, weird gifts. Fan of Harry Potter, Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Monty Python, Lord of the Rings, John Wayne, unicorns? We probably have something from your fandom.

With our new expansion we have even more room for books, gifts and games. That's right if it's been a little while since you visited From My Shelf Books has expanded! We now have an additional 450 square feet, that's over 1600 square feet to showcase all the cool books, gifts and games for you to browse, and we're open Sundays, because Sundays are a slower pace, offering you a more laid back time to browse all we have to offer.

Are you in Mansfield? Then check out the new booth From My Shelf Books & Gifts has at the Red Rose Antique Co-op on Main Street in Mansfield. We have many of our collectible and used books here at the Red Rose

From My Shelf Books delivers Free within 5 miles of the store on East Ave. and we ship everyday. Only visit on occassion? Our website is super easy to remember it's wellsborobookstore.com and we can mail you books, we also deliver to Tioga County jail, and can deliver there free as part of our services.

We have some great author events coming up, next Saturday we will have Bruce Taneski and his memoir of the Vietnam War, I came Home, but It Wasn't Me. Bruce made it home, but returned a damaged man. He still struggles with PTSD, and this memoir was part of the healing process. Come in and talk with Bruce and let him know you support him and all our troops, past and present.

Easter weekend From My Shelf Books & Gifts will host local author Wendy J Reber with her first book, “A Long Legged Life” Saturday April 15th from 11AM to 1PM, 2017. This novel takes place in rural New York and Pennsylvania.

April 29th is International Table Top Day, and we are having a huge sale on all board games. Any board game in stock is 50%off! It's only going to be games in stock, and you have to be a member of our rewards program. You can sign up now and start saving today.

There's always something happening at From My Shelf Books & Gifts. We are your hometown bookstore...

No Fooling It's A Membership Sale And Double Points Weekend!!! 4 Days Long!

From My Shelf Books & Gifts will be holding an April Fools membership sale March 31st, April 1st, April 2 and April 3rd! We've NEVER done a fours day membership sale!We must be fools? All memberships are just $15, a ten dollar savings. Membership gives you discount on books, gifts & games, and is good for 12 straight months, every day.

We are also doing our double points sale. We don't do this very often. Every dollar is a point, but this weekend it's double points. You can save points for free stuff, or for dollars off your purchase. 100 points is good for $10 off, and this weekend it's super easy to get there. It's the BEST rewards program in Tioga County.

We are also showcasing our new expansion. We now over over 450 square feet more of books, gifts & games for you to browse. There's even more geeky goodness than before with great Star Wars gift items, our zombie section of gifts, Doctor Who, cool mugs, and even more books and games than ever before!

We are also celebrating Kevin's book, The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot is Story Monster approved. This special reward is given for books that are both approved by the book industry and the readers they were meant for, children. Children love these books. You can choose from five different books in the series.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake will be released May 1st, and you can pre-order it now for just 5.99. Reserve your copy today!

It's all at From My Shelf Books & Gifts, your hometown bookstore

7 East Ave, Wellsboro PA

(570)724-5793

www.wellsborobookstore.com

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot Now Comes With Story Monster Seal!

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot has been Story Monster Approved! The colorful, kid-friendly Story Monsters Approved seal attracts the attention of young readers much more than a sticker intended for adult scrutiny. Kids know when they see the Story Monsters Approved patch it means children their own age enjoyed the book and are recommending they read it, too.

How do they know that? Because after books pass the first round of rigorous judging – which is done by industry experts, the books are then judged by a panel of youth judges who must also endorse the books before they can receive the official seal of approval.

“Who better to judge children’s books than the children who read them?” explains Linda F. Radke, president of Story Monsters LLC., the same company that sponsors the Dragonfly Book Awards program. “Judging these books gives children a wonderful sense of importance and responsibility.”

In "The Totally Ninja Raccoons meet Bigfoot," the protagonists discover they are not meant to be ordinary bandits, but rather carry the potential to be something extraordinary, ninjas.

In this origin story, the raccoons begin their ninja training, and meet their first potential employer--Gypsy the Cat. Gypsy sends the raccoons on their first mission, to capture the elusive Bigfoot.

Things aren't what they seem to be. Bigfoot isn't the monstrous beast, as he's been portrayed. Gypsy isn't the benign employer. Cats want to take over the world.

"The Totally Ninja Raccoons" is a new children's series for 2nd to 4th grade. It is specifically geared toward reluctant readers. The series is set in Tioga County and Wellsboro with five books published and more to come," Youngsters can visit the author at his bookstore, see art from the Ninja Raccoon books on display and have him personalize their copies.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot now comes with the Story Monster Approved Sticker attached! That's right, just like when a book wins a Newbery Award, future editions can have the award right on the cover. If you buy the book somewhere other than From My Shelf Books & Gifts, it will have the seal that lets you know children love this book!

Here Comes the Easter Cat

A cat with flair to spare, an Easter Bunny with a job to do, and a hilarious break from sticky-sweet Easter fare for fans of Patrick McDonnell and the Pigeon books by Mo Willems.

Why should the Easter Bunny get all the love? That's what Cat would like to know. So he decides to take over: He dons his sparkly suit, jumps on his Harley, and roars off into the night. But it turns out delivering Easter eggs is hard work. And it doesn't leave much time for naps (of which Cat has taken five--no, seven). So when a pooped-out Easter Bunny shows up, and with a treat for Cat, what will Cat do? His surprise solution will be stylish, smart, and even--yes--kind.

An homage to classic comic strips from the author of The Quiet Book and The Loud Book, this Easter treat has a bit of bite, a sweet center, and a satisfying finish sure to inspire second helpings.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Travel the World.

Have you heard about the Totally Ninja Raccoons, but don't live in Wellsboro Pennsylvania? Well, I sell them via the From My Shelf Books & Gifts website, and of course any bookstore can order them if you prefer to patronize your local bookstore.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons do get around, and if you don't reside in the United States, don't worry. They are available internationally. A list of countries where my press has an outlet is at the end of this blog post.

You can order it from your local bookstore, and the books will be printed out and shipped to the store, or from the online website you purchase the book. This will save on costly international shipping.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons are still only available in English, though I do have a French translation in the works, and The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake, due to be published May 1, 2017 does have a Scottish Fold that speaks in dialect. Don't worry. It's Scot approved.


THE COUNTRIES YOU CAN ORDER A TOTALLY NINJA RACCOON

United States
United Kingdom
Canada
European Union
Australia
Brazil
Germany
Russia
South Korea
Poland
China
India
Italy

I Came Home, But It Wasn't Me: Memoirs of Vietnam Combat Veteran

On April 8th, 20117 from 11AM to 2PM, From My Shelf Books will be hosting Bruce Taneski and his memoir of the Vietnam War, I Came Home, but It Wasn't Me. Bruce made it home, but returned a damaged man.

The memoir comes full circle when he sits on his pack and eats a can of C-Ration spaghetti and meatballs while looking down at one of the two NVA soldiers he had shot dead a few minutes earlier. “Don’t mean nothing,” he thought. However, deep down inside, he knew it did.

Taneski explains everything in detail, down to the nuts and bolts of his P-38 can opener. At times, he writes with the innocence of a young man seeing the world for the first time. He shares the teachings of his sergeants, which Taneski took to heart to succeed in Vietnam. Much of this true story describes, “many of the mundane missions we went on,” which involved “just humping through the jungle fighting the red ants, leeches and mosquitoes.”

Taneski’s year peaked with two major operations. The first was the 199th’s final six-day sweep before returning to Fort Benning. The operation captured thirty-three NVA, while destroying an enemy hospital, training camp, and five hamlets. The second was a 5th Infantry Division engagement against a new NVA base camp near the DMZ, where Taneski finished his last month’s in country.His book clearly tells who Bruce Taneski is and why.

Bruce was intially diagnosed with PTSD in 1982, years after the war was over, but not his personal battle. He still struggles with PTSD, and this memoir was part of his path to healing. Come in and talk with Bruce and let him know how glad you are he made it home. Visit and show your support of our veterans, past and present.

Duck & Goose, Here Comes the Easter Bunny!

Duck & Goose are back New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tad Hills brings our favorite feathered friends out to celebrate spring in this sturdy board book. Duck & Goose have lots of ideas about how to find the Easter Bunny, but will they succeed? Preschoolers won't be able to resist this latest board book featuring Duck & Goose, lots of colorful eggs, and the Easter Bunny.

Easter Bugs: A Springtime Pop-Up

All kinds of bugs are hiding behind colorful Easter eggs, just waiting for you to find them
(And there are lots more fun surprises, too )

Book Giveaway For James Cock: His Life and Times - 1630 - 1699

What started for Bob as a small retirement project -- a glance through some computer pages, looking into a little genealogy in one branch of his mom's family -- became a full-fledged book.



JAMES COCK, HIS LIFE AND TIMES, 1630-1699 is a history of early colonial Long Island told through the biography of a settler who helped found or establish three communities in that then-frontier land. James Cock was an English immigrant, who could neither read nor write his signature, but who became instrumental in each of the three towns--Southold, Setauket and Oyster Bay--where he lived. A devout Quaker, and founding father of nearly 400 years of a Quaker family on Long Island, he was a first-hand witness to religious prejudice and persecution at the hands of the Puritans and the Dutch. His life-long friend and neighbor in each of those settlements was Captain John Underhill, ruthless Indian fighter and charismatic civic leader--and later Quaker--who led the devastation of Natives in both the Pequot War and Kieft's War.

James actively joined in and helped lead efforts to oppose taxation without representation, to establish the freedoms of religion, speech and assembly, and democratic government, all of which we so take for granted today--over 100 years before the American Revolution. Filled with vivid accounts of early colonial times on Long Island and a careful critique of egregious laws enacted against the Quakers and enforced in Long Island first by the strict Puritan New Haven Colony then by the more lenient Connecticut Colony (Hartford), "James Cock, His Life and Times, 1630-1699" encourages the imagination and sends a message of significant lifetime accomplishments by an otherwise ordinary farmer and family man.




Bob Cox is truly a local: though he has enjoyed travel, he has lived his entire life, except his formal education years, in Wellsboro. After having practiced law here for forty years, he retired in 2011. He and his wife of nearly fifty years, Anne, are the parents of three (one of whom is Kasey, co-owner of your favorite local bookstore ;) and grandparents of four.

You can enter to win a free copy of James Cock: His Life and Times-1630 - 1699 or you can buy it now at From My Shelf Books & Gifts



Click Below to Enter to Win a Free, Signed Copy of James Cock: His Life and Times - 1630 - 1699

Goodreads Book Giveaway

James Cock

by Robert F. Cox Jr.

Giveaway ends April 04, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Carrots Love Tomatoes

Plant parsley and asparagus together and you'll have more of each, but keep broccoli and tomato plants far apart if you want them to thrive. Utilize the natural properties of plants to nourish the soil, repel pests, and secure a greater harvest. With plenty of insightful advice and suggestions for planting schemes, Louise Riotte will inspire you to turn your garden into a naturally nurturing ecosystem

Chick Days: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens from Hatchlings to Laying Hens

Jenna Woginrich chronicles the life journey of three chickens (Amelia, Honey, and Tilda) from fluffy, newly hatched bundles to grown hens laying eggs of their own. As you watch these chickens grow, you'll learn everything you need to know about chicken behavior, feeding, housing, and health care. This playfully informative guide will inspire you to confidently raise your own feathered flock.

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

The Founding Fathers tried to protect us from the threat they knew, the tyranny that overcame ancient democracy. Today, our political order faces new threats, not unlike the totalitarianism of the twentieth century. We are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience.

Have You Voted For Wellsboro?

by Kevin Coolidge


My family goes back several generations in Wellsboro, and I was born at Soldiers and Sailors hospital, right in Wellsboro. We've mostly been blue collar workers, farmers and factory workers and truck drivers. It's not always an easy way to make a living. I remember when the local glass plant went from Corning Inc., to GTE, to Osram-Sylvania to closed.

A lot of my family worked there. I worked there myself for five years. Factory work can be hard on the body, but it was a job that put me through school. I moved away from Wellsboro for that schooling, but moved back, because I love my hometown.

That's why I nominated Wellsboro for the Main Street Pennsylvania contest. If Wellsboro wins, the 25,000 will go to the local Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce. I don't know what the money will be used for. $25,000 doesn't go as far as it used to. I'm hoping it will go to a shop local campaign, or maybe used to attract a company that can put Wellsboro and Tioga County back to work.

I have a vested interest in the area. I have a business that I approach with the same working class ethic I was born to. I work every day, if the bookstore isn't open, I'm working on my writing. My books are set in Wellsboro. The first rule of writing is write what you know. I write where I know and make the rest up.

One of my goals with my books is to put Wellsboro into the national spotlight. Wellsboro already does so much right with the Laurel Festival, and Dickens of a Christmas, and has that feeling that just says home. I want to continue on the hard work of those who came before, that milked the cows, that picked the cullet, that promoted the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

So, vote for Wellsboro. It's easy. Just click on the photo of Wellsboro and you can vote once every 24 hours until April 23rd. Then we get to see if Wellsboro moves to the next round, but most importantly, vote for Wellsboro in other ways.

Buy your shoes in town if you can, or your underwear. If you buy a book, buy it from my store. I put that money right back into the community like my family has been doing for generations. Don't do it for me, or your neighbor, or yourself. Do it for everyone. Do it for Wellsboro and Tioga County.


SHARE THIS NOMINATION WITH FRIENDS TO HELP WELLSBORO MAIN STREET PENNSYLVANIA GET MORE VOTES:

CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO BE TAKEN TO THE WEBSITE TO VOTE!!!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

An international bestseller and the basis for the hugely successful film, Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the defining works of the 1960s.

In this classic novel, Ken Kesey's hero is Randle Patrick McMurphy, a boisterous, brawling, fun-loving rebel who swaggers into the world of a mental hospital and takes over. A lusty, life-affirming fighter, McMurphy rallies the other patients around him by challenging the dictatorship of Nurse Ratched. He promotes gambling in the ward, smuggles in wine and women, and openly defies the rules at every turn. But this defiance, which starts as a sport, soon develops into a grim struggle, an all-out war between two relentless opponents: Nurse Ratched, backed by the full power of authority, and McMurphy, who has only his own indomitable will. What happens when Nurse Ratched uses her ultimate weapon against McMurphy provides the story's shocking climax.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet the Weird & Wacky Werewolf

In The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet the Weird & Wacky Werewolf, the Ninja Raccoons continue their ninja training, learn teamwork, and meet a creature of legend, a werewolf.

The Ninja Raccoons decide to track and catch the werewolf for the prize offered for capturing such a creature. Will the Raccoons succeed in their mission? Are friends more important than money? Do werewolves taste good with hot sauce?

There are more things in heaven and earth than these three brothers ever dreamed. Cats are trying to take over the world; monsters are real; and Chinese food really will make you hungry soon after you eat it. It's up to the Ninja Raccoons to do something about it.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake Is Available for Pre-order

The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk will be officially released May 1st and is available for pre-order now, for just 5.99. This is the 6th adventure of the Totally Ninja Raccoons and has the Loch Ness Monsters, a new member of the Cat Board(a Scottish Fold), and a unicorn!

In The Totally Ninja Raccoons and The Secret of Nessmuk Lake, the Ninja Raccoons continue their ninja training, learn to respect privacy, and meet a creature of Scottish legend, The Loch Ness Monster!

The Cat Board plots against the Ninja Raccons as the Raccoons explore the depths of Lake Nessmuk. Will the Raccoons learn the secret? Will the Cat Board triumph? Will Rascal finally learn to swim?

There are more things in heaven and earth than these three brothers ever dreamed. Cats are trying to take over the world; monsters are real; and Chinese food really will make you hungry soon after you eat it. It's up to the Ninja Raccoons to do something about it.

Has your child tried a Totally Ninja Raccoon adventure yet? With five currently to chose from, they are sure to find one they enjoy. I've been getting feedback that children are reading each one several times, the true litmus test of an enjoyable book.

You can get the Totally Ninja Raccoons at From My Shelf Books & Gifts, or wherever books are sold. Come to the bookstore to meet the author, and get signed, personalized copies.

Maisy Goes to the Local Bookstore

Kids love Maisy -- and Maisy loves books Follow her as she discovers the wonders of the bookstore for the first time.

Today Maisy is going to the bookstore to buy a new book, but there are so many to choose from There's a big brown book about bears, a long blue book about fish, a noisy book about trucks, and a book about things to draw and paint. Just as Maisy finds a beautiful book of rhymes that her friend Tallulah will love, out pops Charley from behind the shelves. -Ahoy, Maisy - he says, holding a book about pirates. Now what kind of books will Cyril and Eddie choose?

Wendy J. Reber Book Signing

From My Shelf Books & Gifts will host local author Wendy J Reber with her first book, “A Long Legged Life” Saturday April 15th from 11AM to 1PM, 2017. This novel takes place in rural New York and Pennsylvania with side trips to other states, and states of mind.

Eva Kenier’s fairytale childhood in the 60’s and 70’s starts out as a sheltered babbling brook that flows into turbulent rapids and waterfalls. “Scenes in my book range from funny to tragic; mundane to provocative; juvenile to harshly serious.” Eva’s journey, while under anesthesia, covers personal heartbreak and triumph with a transformative message that Reber hopes will connect and resonate with her audience.

Wendy and her husband John have lived in Wellsboro since 2005. The author states, “The inspiration I receive from our natural surroundings and quiet slow pace lends itself to creative writing, and I am thrilled to sign with Ms. Christensen and Fifth Ink Publishing to publish my work. While recuperating from disc fusion surgery in my neck, I took advantage of the down time and it was my way of punching a clock and keeping a routine with purpose.”

Author’s note: This book is intended as a timeline of memories that surfaced for Eva in a dream sequence. This novel is inspired by true events with names and places changed to protect the innocent—and the not-so-innocent.

Operation Ragnarok Mugs

I just got in my first batch of Operation Ragnarok mugs, and they look great. Operation Ragnarok is my fist adult novella. Operation Ragnarok is a fantastical adventure with comedic elements about a group of Dungeon & Dragon players going through a mid-life crisis, instead of the little red corvette, they decide to steal a Viking longship from a museum and release an ancient evil. It's a story of friendship, sacrifice, and unleashing Hel on Earth.

Of course, you don't have to have read the book to enjoy this mug with artwork from the novella. Great for fans of Vikings, Norse Mythology, Viking Longboats,Dungeons & Dragons and more.

These mugs sell for just $11.99 each, and will be 6.50 if I have to ship. Just got 12 in this first batch, but will have more in soon at From My Shelf Books & Gifts. You can put coffee, mead, or your liquid of choice in this mug.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot

In The Totally Ninja Raccoons meet Bigfoot, our protagonists discover they are not meant to be ordinary bandits, but rather carry the potential to be something extraordinary, ninjas.

In this origin story, the Ninja Raccoons begin their ninja training, and meet their first potential employer--Gypsy the Cat. Gypsy sends the Raccoons on their first mission, to capture the elusive Bigfoot.

Things aren't what they seem to be. Bigfoot isn't the monstrous beast, as he's been portrayed. Gypsy isn't the benign employer. Cats want to take over the world.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons learn that sometimes you have to choose your own path if you want to choose your destination.


AVAILABLE AT FROM MY SHELF BOOKS & GIFTS, OR JUST CLICK ON THE BOOK COVER TO BE TAKE TO A LINK TO PURCHASE!!

Platform 9 3/4 Hogwarts Express Sign

RUN RIGHT INTO THE WALL!

Everyone has that one guest at the party who has always has too much to drink. This year, if the conversation over butterbeer turns to who voted for whom or if Star Wars is better than Star Trek or if JJ Abrams ruined our childhoods, show your guests this new sign:

"Look everyone! I had a special portal to Platform 9 3/4 installed last week! If you run straight at it, you can be at Hogwarts by midnight!"

The most sloshed of your guests will be out like a light in under five minutes, and the rest of your party will go quite smoothly! Especially if you look pointedly at someone who's acting up and then the sign.

Product Specifications
Platform 9 3/4 Hogwarts Express Wooden Sign
Perfect for welcoming guests into a magical experience!
Sawtooth hanger on back
Materials: Wood
Dimensions: 20" wide x 7" tall x 1/2" deep

Available at From My Shelf Books & Gifts in Wellsboro PA, or Just Click the Images Below to be Taken to Buy them Online

The Easter Egg

Jan Brett's beloved Easter tale, now available as a board book
If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Bunny with his deliveries on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin's egg tumbles out of its nest. Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches. When the Easter Bunny arrives and Hoppi presents the empty blue eggshell, the Easter Bunny declares it the very best one to reward Hoppi for his kindness.
Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the Robin's family drama unfolds.
Jan Brett's lovable bunny hero and her remarkable Easter Bunny will enchant young readers.

Treat Your Own Back

Maintain effective long-term back self-management with Robin McKenzie's completely revised and formatted 9th edition landmark patient book. This informative, easy-to-read book contains updated content from Robin McKenzie.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements -- About the Author -- Introduction: A Chance Discovery -- Chapter 1. The Low Back or Lumbar Spine -- Myths about acute back pain -- Chapter 2. Understanding the Spine -- Vertebrae and the spine -- Functions of the lumbar spine -- Natural posture -- Mechanical pain -- Mechanical low back pain -- Pain location -- Self-treatment -- When self-treatment does not work -- Diagnosing your problem -- Chapter 3. Common Causes of Low Back Pain -- Consequences of postural neglect -- Sitting -- Prolonged sitting -- Sitting correctly for prolonged periods -- Correction of sitting posture -- Forming a lordosis using the slouch-overcorrect procedure -- Maintenance of the lordosis -- The lumbar roll -- Regular interruption of prolonged sitting -- Standing -- Prolonged standing -- Correction of standing posture -- Working in stooped positions -- Lifting -- Correct lifting technique -- Coughing and sneezing -- Relaxing after vigorous activity -- Lying and resting -- Correction of sleeping surface -- Chapter 4. Understanding the McKenzie Method -- The aim of the exercises -- Effect on pain intensity and location -- Centralization -- How to know if you are exercising correctly -- Chapter 5. The Exercise Program -- Exercise 1. Lying face down -- Exercise 2. Lying face down in extension -- Exercise 3. Extension in lying -- Exercise 4. Extension in standing -- Exercise 5. Flexion in lying -- Exercise 6. Flexion in sitting -- Exercise 7. Flexion in standing -- When to apply the exercises -- When you have significant pain -- When to start exercising -- When acute pain has subsided -- No response or benefit -- Recurrence -- Chapter 6. When Acute Low Back Pain Strikes -- Chapter 7. Special Situations -- Treatment by REPEX (Repeated End-Range Passive Exercise) -- Low back pain in pregnancy -- Low back pain in athletes -- Low back pain in the over 50s -- Osteoporosis -- Chapter 8. Common Remedies -- Medication for pain relief -- Bed rest -- Acupuncture -- Chapter 9. Emergency Panic Page -- References -- The McKenzie Institute International -- Licensed distributors.

The Collapsing Empire

Our universe is ruled by physics and faster than light travel is not possible -- until the discovery of The Flow, an extra-dimensional field we can access at certain points in space-time that transport us to other worlds, around other stars.

Humanity flows away from Earth, into space, and in time forgets our home world and creates a new empire, the Interdependency, whose ethos requires that no one human outpost can survive without the others. It's a hedge against interstellar war -- and a system of control for the rulers of the empire.

The Flow is eternal -- but it is not static. Just as a river changes course, The Flow changes as well, cutting off worlds from the rest of humanity. When it's discovered that The Flow is moving, possibly cutting off all human worlds from faster than light travel forever, three individuals -- a scientist, a starship captain and the Empress of the Interdependency -- are in a race against time to discover what, if anything, can be salvaged from an interstellar empire on the brink of collapse.

The Night Before Easter

"Twas the night before Easter, just before dawn, Not a creature was stirring out on the lawn"The Easter bunny takes center stage in this delightful spin on Clement C. Moore's beloved poem that will send families hopping to the bookstore for an Easter treat sweeter than any sugar plum.

How to Catch the Easter Bunny

Is this the year you'll be able to catch the Easter bunny in action? Start an Easter tradition with this fun and funny children's book, from the New York Times bestselling creators of How to Catch a Leprechaun

"I've been working long and hard
with all my peeps and crew.
We've made the eggs, and now I'm here
to bring them all to you "

The Very First Easter

Ten-year-old Christopher yearns for stories that are real; truth, not fiction. So Mom and Dad tell Christopher the story of the very first Easter, and the sorrow and joy of Jesus' trial, death, and resurrection. Illustrations.

Mike Fink

Mike Fink was king of the keelboatmen -- the strongest, rowdiest bunch of fellows ever to work on the Mississippi. Mike was a whole lot more than a keelboater -- yes, sir He was a crack shot and the best grizzly and gator wrestler on the river. They don't make 'em like Mike these days, now do they?

Spring Is Here

Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. Spring is in the air. Mole can smell it. But Bear is still asleep after his long winter nap. How will Mole wake up Bear so they can celebrate together? When a knock, knock, knock and toot, toot, toot can't get Bear out of bed, Mole cooks up a special treat.
Spring fever is catching in this vibrant story of friendship.

Reading Gives Your Child An Advantage

Helping your child embrace reading, gives them an advantage their entire life. I wrote my children's series with that goal. The Totally Ninja Raccoons are specifically geared towards reluctant readers, though I have been finding that they are enjoyed by most children. Not every child enjoys ninjas, raccoons, cats, or Chinese food, but wait long enough and I'll write a book that they enjoy.

I love this photo because in upcoming book, The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake, I have a Scottish Fold speaking in Scottish burr, the Loch Ness Monster, unicorns, and haggis. I did my research on Scottish dialogue, and I am looking into having it test read by a genuine Scott. I have a lot of Scottish ancestry, but I wanted it to be authentic.

The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Secret of Nessmuk Lake, will sixth in the series. You can check out the first five right now. Drop by From My Shelf Books & Gifts and your child can meet me. Meeting an author humanizes the experience.

Writers are just people who tell stories, and meeting an author can show children that they too can be writers. It can also give them more of a connection with their favorite authors. I remember every writer I have ever met and the books they have signed for me. The experience has become a part of my personal history in a way that most creative work never will.

Death on a Friday Afternoon Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross

Numerous writers and composers have been captivated by the suggestiveness of Jesus' Seven Last Words. But Richard John Neuhaus's sustained exploration of these utterances is something altogether different. Through them he plumbs the depths of human experience and sets forth the central narrative of Western civilization-the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ-in a way that engages the attention of believers, unbelievers, and those who are not sure what they believe. Death on a Friday Afternoon is an invitation to the reader into a spiritual and intellectual exploration of the dark side of human experience with the promise of light and life on the far side of darkness.

Early Irish Myths and Sagas

First written down in the eighth century AD, these early Irish stories depict a far older world part myth, part legend and part history. Rich with magic and achingly beautiful, they speak of a land of heroic battles, intense love and warrior ideals, in which the otherworld is explored and men mingle freely with the gods. From the vivid adventures of the great Celtic hero Cu Chulaind, to the stunning "Exile of the Sons of Uisliu" a tale of treachery, honour and romance these are masterpieces of passion and vitality, and form the foundation for the Irish literary tradition: a mythic legacy that was a powerful influence on the work of Yeats, Synge and Joyce.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators.

Angry Octopus: A Relaxation Story

THIS NEWER VERSION IN PAPERBACK IS REPLACING THE HARDCOVER.

Children love to unwind and relax with this fun exercise known as "progressive muscular relaxation." Children relate to the angry octopus in this story as the sea child shows him how to take a deep breath, calm down, and manage his anger. These effective stress and anger management techniques for children focus awareness on various muscle groups to create a complete resting of the mind and body. Muscular relaxation can lower stress and anxiety levels. It can be used to decrease pain and anger. This engaging story quiets the mind and relaxes the body so your child can let go of anger and fall asleep peacefully.

From My Shelf Books & Gifts Reward Program

Cabin Fever End Of Winter Sale Event

We survived Winter Storm Stella and we have cabin fever. Save 30% off any one item when you join the FREE rewards program at From My Shelf Books & Gifts.

This weekend, March 17th, 18th, and 19th you can save 30% when you join the rewards program. You don't have to be a member to enjoy the new rewards program, and if you sign up, you can get a $10 gift certificate a week before your birthday.

From My Shelf Books & Gifts racks up the reward points for you, and now our rewards program is even better. Every dollar spent counts. $1= 1 point. Points = discounts, special offers, and FREE books & games.

Buy a tin of mints, a package of Magic cards, or even a greeting card and earn points! Only shop with us on occasion? These points don't expire. Don't live in Wellsboro? The points apply to phone or Internet orders as well. From My Shelf Books can be your long distance, local bookstore.

Come in a find out about our great, new rewards program. You can save and earn discounts off even if you aren't a member. Members still receive big discounts off books, games, and gifts, and can trade in books for store credit, but the new reward program is FREE to all.

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book

Smart, bookish Belle, a captive in the Beast's castle, has become accustomed to her new home and has befriended its inhabitants. When she comes upon Nevermore, an enchanted book unlike anything else she has seen in the castle, Belle finds herself pulled into its pages and transported to a world of glamour and intrigue. The adventures Belle has always imagined, the dreams she was forced to give up when she became a prisoner, seem within reach again.
The charming and mysterious characters Belle meets within the pages of Nevermore offer her glamorous conversation, a life of dazzling Parisian luxury, and even a reunion she never thought possible. Here Belle can have everything she ever wished for. But what about her friends in the Beast's castle? Can Belle trust her new companions inside the pages of Nevermore? Is Nevermore's world even real? Belle must uncover the truth about the book, before she loses herself in it forever.

The Night Before St. Patrick's Day

It's the night before St. Patrick's Day, and Tim and Maureen are wide awake setting traps to catch a leprechaun When they wake the next morning to the sound of their dad playing the bagpipes and the smell of their mom cooking green eggs, they're shocked to find that they've actually caught a leprechaun. But will they be able to find his pot of gold? Natasha Wing's sweet story is once again told in verse to the same meter of Clement Moore's classic.

Ninja Raccoons Get Mentioned in Susabella Passengers And Friends Magazine

The Totally Ninja Raccoons, The Series

You might be aware that I write the children's series, The Totally Ninja Raccoons. Many people do know, but there's always someone who doesn't, or someone who decides to check them out, and so the blog post.

The Totally Ninja Raccoon series is great for the reluctant reader from second to fourth grade, though there are younger and older readers. My nieces are just entering kindergarten and love the books as bedtime stories. Grandmothers love buying them for their grandchildren that live outside of Tioga County.

Although, these books are geared towards younger readers, I do have several adults who read and collect the series. If you love ninjas, raccoons, Chinese food, or cryptids, you may want to check them out.

The Totally Ninja Raccoon series is set right here in Wellsboro Pennsylvania, and is specifically geared towards reluctant readers. It's your classic trio with a twist. Think the "Three Investigators meet the "Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles" with a little "Ghost Busters" in the mix.What started as an idea to score free food soon ends up giving the raccoons a glimpse into another world, a world of shadows, mysteries, and plots.

The Ninja Raccoons are of course available at From My Shelf Books & Gifts in Wellsboro. You can stop by and get a signed and personalized copy. From My Shelf Books also ships every day, and if you can't make it in, you can visit the website, or even did it the old fashioned way and call us at 570-724-5793.

I've also set it up so that other bookstores and libraries can order these just like any other big, name book. If you'd like to support your local bookstore, they can order it for you. I'll put a summery at the end of the blog post just for bookstores and libraries. You can also buy the book online from other sources than From My Shelf Books & Gifts. You may have a gift card that needs used and I will get the royalties eventually.

So, give the series a try. Children are loving them, and I am having great feedback. I'm still writing in the series, and I just finished the second draft of the sixth book. Hope to have that out in late May of 2017. I'm loving this series, totally...


Summery of the Totally Ninja Raccoon Series


*Series: The Totally Ninja Raccoons
*Author: Kevin J. Coolidge
*published by From My Shelf Books & Gifts via IngramSpark
*available through Ingram, regular discount, returnable
*target audience is first through third graders, especially good chapter books for reluctant readers
*5 books in series so far;
*all have $5.99 as SRP, except most recent, "The Catmas Caper", which is longer and is a "holiday special edition" at $6.99
*first book is "The Totally Ninja Raccoons Meet Bigfoot", although they can actually be read in any order
*origin story sets up the Totally Ninja Raccoons with their ongoing antagonist, Gypsy, the cat who is in charge of the Cat Board, because cats, of course, want to take over the world but are too lazy to do it
*each book has the Totally Ninja Raccoons encountered a cryptid, but in a fun, non-threatening (not too scary!) way
*all books take place in Tioga and Potter Counties in PA, making it a nice local/regional selection and something that people won't find at every store and Scholastic book fair
*recently awarded "Story Monster Approval!" award
*There will be an article in the March issue of Susabella Passengers and Friends
*There is a running ad in Story Monsters Ink magazine
*Kevin will be at the Williamsport Comic Con April 23rd
*Kevin has several radio/podcasts interviews scheduled
*Science Fiction Convention at the Carlisle High School April 29th

Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton

Let the words of Trappist monk Thomas Merton lead you through the holy season of Lent and into Easter. The author was known for his journaling skills. With that in mind, the daily format includes an explanation of one facet of the season, followed by Mertons' writings, appropriate Scripture passages and a daily journal topic to encourage your own thoughts related to Lent and Easter.
Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton makes an ideal gift--for yourself, your parish library, your pastor--or anyone who is interested in developing a deeper understanding of this holy season.

The Way of the Iceman

Science has now proved that the legendary Wim Hof Method of breath control and cold-training can dramatically enhance energy levels, improve circulation, reduce stress, boost the immune system, strengthen the body and successfully combat many diseases. While Wim Hof himself has run marathons in -30 C in shorts, swum hundreds of meters under the ice, sat in a tank of ice for 90 minutes without his core temperature changing and boosted his metabolism by over 300%, The Way of The Iceman documents how anyone can use Wim's methods to transform their health and strength, quickly and safely.

"After teaching specialized breathing techniques to SEALs for years, helping them focus, stay warm in the cold ocean and get centered in combat, I can attest to the authenticity and power of Wim Hof's methods. Wim Hof is providing a great service with his new book The Way of The Iceman by bringing breath training and simple, powerful health practices into mainstream consciousness."

The Snowy Day

Winner of the 1963 Caldecott Medal

No book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child's wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.
The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.