Blast-Off for Reading: Oak Ridge Eight-Year-Old Publishes Astronaut-Themed Second Book
Denver, CO and Oak Ridge, TN (PRWEB) March 25, 2009-- Dalton James, Woodland Elementary School's best-selling author, has just published his second children's book. And the eight-year-old isn't even out of the second grade yet.
"The Heroes of Googley Woogley" is the kooky title of Dalton's hilarious follow-up to last year's adventurous "The Sneakiest Pirates." Dalton wrote and illustrated the full-color children's book, published through Outskirts Press (www.outskirtspress.com). And it continues an effort to share his love of reading and writing with other children his age while giving back to his school.
Dalton's road to publication began when his teacher read the popular children's book "Yuck Soup," by Joy Cowley. "Dalton came home that day and said that he wanted to write a book," says Dr. Cliff James, Dalton's dad. After making a list of subjects that he liked, Dalton got to work. The family contacted Outskirts Press and published "The Sneakiest Pirates" just a few months later.
But Dalton wasn't about to stop there. Like the first book, "The Heroes of Googley Woogley" features a father-son duo at its center. This time, they're astronauts who find themselves headed to the planet of Googley Woogley, where a race of benevolent aliens needs help against a fearsome enemy. It's just the kind of job for Spaceboy Pete and Spaceman James, rendered in whimsical illustrations by Dalton himself. Can they fend off the insidious invaders and make it back to Earth?
Aside from providing an entertaining storyline, Dalton hopes to encourage other children to write their own stories. To that end, following publication of his first book he has been speaking to his peers at area schools about writing. And his family has held a contest that allowed local school children to contribute their stories with the winner receiving their book published through Outskirts Press. More than 200 books were submitted, and are currently being evaluated.
"We have been amazed by the children that were inspired by Dalton to write and the great talent that is in our children out there," Dr. James said.
Don't expect "Heroes" to be Dalton's last entry. A third in the series, "Super Pete Saves the Day," is currently being illustrated. And "Mudhogs" is planned as an unrelated children's book about one of Dalton's favorite subjects pigs.
"The Heroes of Googley Woogley" is now available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and the online bookstore of Outskirts Press, at outskirtspress.com/store.php.
Book Statistics
ISBN: 978-1-4327-2782-6
Suggested Retail Price:
US$10.95, CAN$13.95
Size and Format: 8.5 x 8.5 Color Paperback
Page Count: 24
Genre: Children's Literature - General
About the Author: Dalton James is an eight-year-old second-grader at Woodland Elementary School in Oak Ridge. He is a first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, enjoys basketball and baseball and has run five 5K runs. In 2008, he published "The Sneakiest Pirates" (Outskirts Press), and sold it as part of a fundraiser for his school library that has so far raised about $2,700. Dalton is keeping his career options open, and hopes to be a pediatrician, policeman, fireman or karate instructor when he grows up.
Author Contact: Visit him on the Web at www.outskirtspress.com/DaltonJames
About Outskirts Press, Inc.: Outskirts Press, Inc. offers full-service, custom self-publishing services for authors seeking a cost-effective, fast, and flexible way to publish and distribute their books worldwide while retaining all their rights and full creative control. Available for authors globally at www.outskirtspress.com and located on the outskirts of Denver, Colorado, Outskirts Press represents the future of book publishing, today.
Outskirts Press, Inc., 10940 S. Parker Rd - 515, Parker, Colorado 80134
http://outskirtspress.com -- 1-888-OP-BOOKS
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