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The Cold

by Mike Sandven; Illustrated by Ryan Durney

30 pages; Saddle stitched; illustrated children's book - full colour; catalogue #07-1147; ISBN 1-4251-3130-1; US$14.99, C$14.99, EUR10.24, £7.74

A child who comes down with a cold has to deal with it, and with Mom's help gets over it and returns back to everyday activities.

About the Book

The Cold is a Poem that was submitted in a poetry contest. It went on to win an Editor's Choice Award. It was published in 2 Anthologies in 1994. At Day's End ISBN# 1-56167-253X. Outstanding Poets of 1994. In December of 2005, the idea of submitting this in storybook form was submitted to Ilustrator Ryan Durney. After 2 years of careful work and planning the poem is now accompanied by 18 life like illustrations making it a book for all ages.

About the Author

Michael Sandven was born and raised in central Iowa. He attained his writing skills as a high school student working for the school paper. He later moved to Muscatine, Iowa where he met and married his wife Darlene. Together they enjoy four children, and four grandchildren. They now reside in Lee's Summit Mo.

This story entitled The Cold came to life in 1994. It was originally written as a poem, and it went on to earn an Editor's Choice Award and was selected for publication in an anthology entitled "At Day's End." (Library of Congress ISBN 1-56167-253x). It was published again in late 1994 in another anthology entitled Outstanding Poets of 1994.

The Cold is dedicated to the memory of Joan Elizabeth Sandven who died from cancer before this book was published and to Stephen Hillis my Journalism Teacher.

About the Illustrator

Ryan Durney is an award winning illustrator of fantasy, science and children's picture books. He recently won recognition in Society of Illustrators LA 45 by competing with some of the best illustrators in the country. In addition to several published children's books, Ryan has been busy with a few of his own personal art projects.

The first is his own version of Alice in Wonderland. He feels that there are few classics begging to be illustrated more than a story that takes place in the subconscious mind of a child where anything is possible. Ryan's hope is to bring the images into a modern reality while paying homage to the beloved original art.

The second is a book of prehistoric imagery where dinosaurs take a back seat to the oversized creepy crawlers of their time. Ryan feels that there is an untold story here that would thrill or chill anyone who has ever been the least bit uncomfortable sharing space with a bug.

Ryan lives in Worthington, Ohio with his wife Audrey who is also a talented illustrator. Their inspiration, laughs and "protection" come in the form of their pug dog named Roy Allen who doesn't seem to mind living with people who don't sleep.

Being a "germ-phobic" himself, Ryan would like to dedicate this book to his mother, who selflessly saw him through countless colds.