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Land of Smiggles

by Ron Bennett; Illustrated by Jill Doyle

30 pages; Saddle stitched; catalogue #07-0513; ISBN 1-4251-2109-8; US$14.60, C$16.79, EUR11.38, £7.55

The land of Smiggles was a dark and dreary place until a special baby turned the land into a bright and colorful place while magically beginning to change the values and customs for all the Smiggles in this planned 10 volume series.

About the Book

The Land of Smiggles originated from the author's desire to be able to sit down with his first grandson, Nolan Allen, and tell him stories. Rather than select from the wonderful list of children's books available today, Ron wanted to be able to say, "I wrote this for you and you are the model for the main character, Baby Smiley Smiggles."

Ron's grandson started smiling and giggling at a very early age and had an infectious effect on those about him to smile and feel good. Thinking of all the characters that his two sons, Ryan and Sean, had enjoyed growing up resulted in the Smiggles, and a little magic giggle, all wrapped around human value lessons of life.

Ron's notion was by creating the development of values in a land that didn't have any would help as a foundation to teach the developing mind. After all, what is a Grandpa's role!

Ron had pictures in his mind of what the Smiggles could look like and dabbled with a few illustrations himself. Fortunately, he contacted Jill Doyle, the Artist in Residence for the New Westminster School District. Ron and Jill had worked together on a number of school murals and Ron had always enjoyed her art. Jill presented her vision and the Land of Smiggles and the Smigglites was completed. The wonderful artwork complemented the overall intent of the Land of Smiggles - to be an entertaining vehicle to teach and talk.

About the Series

After completing the first book, Ron felt there was more to share. He went on to develop 10 volumes in total that would enable the conversations with his grandson to continue. Different characters and situations are presented to Baby Smiggles, and his Momma and Poppa, that examine basic and important virtues as the foundation of a good person and society. Happiness, Friendliness, Helpfulness, Honesty, Kindness, Tolerance, Trust Respect, Responsibility and the Golden Role of Smiggles are all introduced to the Land of Smiggles with the help of Baby Smiley Smiggles and his magic giggle.

About the Author

Ron Bennett (BSc., MEd.) is a retired educator from the New Westminster School District in British Columbia, Canada. Ron spent 33 years in the school district as a Science and Biology Teacher, Library and Computer Services Department Head, Vice Principal, Principal, and ended his rewarding career as Superintendent of Schools. Shortly after the birth of his first grandchild, Nolan Allen Bennett, Ron decided to get serious about the writing he had dabbled with for years. The Land of Smiggles is the first of ten volumes which explores Human Values and Virtues through the storybook. The series is dedicated to Nolan Allen, whose smile was the inspiration for the story's special little baby,'Smiley Smiggles.'