Similes are as easy as pie for native English speakers to pick up, and some of them seem to be as old as the hills. But as young children learn the language—whether as their cradle tongue or a second language—they often wonder why we use certain phrases to mean completely unrelated things. Our hope is that young readers who are lovers of language, verbal tricks, and word games will be bowled over by this book … and will share their newfound verbal gymnastics with their friends!

But we don’t want to let the cat out of the bag here: suffice it to say that in this case, you probably can judge a book by its cover. After all, playing with the magnificent, fun, silly, and sometimes ridiculous English language is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Order a personalized, signed copy at www.skylightbooks.com/literallythecoolestbook

Literally the Coolest Book is a very fun exploration of idioms, metaphors, and the ways that language—clear examples to elucidate meanings and lively illustrations that enhance the humor. An important addition to any classroom (or home!) library.

~ Constance Lombardo, author and illustrator of the Mr. Puffball series and Everybody Says Meow

“[A] fun way to introduce and discuss idioms with elementary-age children.”

~ Stephanie Roselli, editor, educational publishing

About the author >>

Lanky’s adventures always seem to happen when he tries to help someone in trouble, or when he gets a well-intentioned idea to make a bad situation better. And then … wham! Things go horribly wrong. But by using his clever, quirky, and often humorous way of looking at things, Lanky saves the day and, in the end, all ends well.

The first collection of Lanky Tales, Vol. I: The Bird Man & other stories was published in December, 2014. It was followed by Volume II (Billy Red Wing & other stories), released in August, 2015, and Vol. III (A Good and Faithful Friend & other stories) in November, 2016. The Mystery of Claggett Cove, released in November 2018, is a full-length novella, and the final volume, in the series.

Throughout the “Lanky Tales,” the citizens of Claggett Cove appear in story after story: Scottish immigrant Angus McTavish, owner of the General Store; Preacher McPheters, whom Lanky rescues more than once from some impending disaster; Dibb Dozier, the hermit whose life Lanky saves during a blizzard; Miss Eunice Quackenbush, the choir leader who can’t sing well; Li Chiang, the Chinese railroad worker who is robbed and left for dead; Billy Red Wing, the Cherokee Indian who saves the village from a terrible epidemic; and, of course, Lanky’s “Maw,” who helps guide him to do the right thing. Lanky himself is always curious, full of fun, and eager for adventure.

Set in a more wholesome, innocent time, C. Robert Jones’s “Lanky Tales” help youngsters learn not just what is right and wrong, but how to discover a moral compass for themselves. Designed for boys and girls in the “tween” years (8-12), these funny, thoughtful, and timeless tales are also delightful, rewarding reading for all the family.

The full collection includes:

• The Mystery of Claggett Cove
• Lanky Tales, Vol. 3: A Good and Faithful Friend & other stories
• Lanky Tales, Vol. 2: Billy Red Wing & other stories
• Lanky Tales, Vol. 1: The Bird Man & other stories

About the author >>

It’s 1913, and Lanky is a 6-foot, 4-inch tall rascal, full of energy, charm, and a determination to follow the timeless advice to “go and find out!” His curiosity has landed him in trouble before, but his motives are never in question. It’s just that being 13 years old means that doing the right thing sometimes entails going about it in the wrong way.

Woodrow is there to spend the summer in Claggett Cove, and at first the two boys get off on the wrong foot. But soon they feel compelled to investigate some strange goings-on, beginning with a “WANTED” poster appearing in the window of the village store. Lanky’s imagination is stimulated — and when the poster disappears soon after a mysterious stranger arrives in town, he is determined to find out why. Soon enough, suspicion falls on one man and then another, as the story of a $10,000 dollar bracelet stolen from a museum in faraway Boston, Massachusetts gets around town.

Lanky and Woodrow are determined to find out the whole story. Little do they know that the desperate thief will do anything to keep from being found out, and their lives are put in danger more than once as they pursue clue after clue to solve the mystery.

Also available from Amazon.com as an eBook. Order the set of four eBooks at Amazon.com for just $5.99!

About the author >>

Illustrated by Jane Snyder.

Catching a rabbit thief, performing in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, seeing the local preacher chased through a field by an angry bull … once again Lanky Lonagan finds himself in trouble, causing trouble, and helping others get out of trouble.

In this third volume of Lanky Tales, the foolish and the profound work side by side to help thirteen-year-old Lanky discover and develop strong personal ethics and find ways to live his values in everyday situations — just as people do in real life.

In the title story, true friendship is explored and rewarded: the friendship between Lanky and an old hermit, the loyalty of a dog for its master, and the honor of a man who took the blame for something he did not do, in order to save his friend from shame. And when a massive logjam causes a flood that threatens to swamp the village of Claggett Cove, Lanky finds himself in the familiar role of unwilling hero.

Lanky Tales are timeless, and the moral truths that infuse them help readers understand how important it is to learn the difference between right and wrong, and how simple it can be to make the right decisions … if we choose to do the right thing.

The books are aimed at young readers from eight to twelve, though the entire family will enjoy them. To have your copy personally autographed by C. Robert Jones, email pisgahpress@gmail.com. Learn more about the illustrator, artist Jane Snyder.

About the author >>

Illustrated by Jennie Jones Branham

It’s 1913, long before radios, television, and computers. Even telephones and automobiles are rare in the small mountain town of Claggett Cove, where Lanky lives with his widowed mother. Lanky’s adventures always seem to happen when he tries to help somebody in trouble or when he gets a well-intentioned idea to make some situation better. And then … wham! Things go horribly wrong.

But with his clever, quirky, and often humorous way of looking at things, Lanky saves the day–often with the support or assistance of some of the most fascinating characters in children’s literature–the neighbors and friends who populate Claggett Cove or stop by for a visit.

Lanky Tales are funny, thoughtful, and timeless and are designed for boys and girls who are in the “tween years” (9-12), but are fun for all the family.

To have your copy personally autographed by C. Robert Jones, email pisgahpress@gmail.com. To learn more about illustrator Jennie Jones Branham, visit her page at the Trenholm Artist Guild.

About the author >>

Illustrated by Jane Snyder

Imagine a young boy who’s already six feet, four inches tall at age thirteen, and you’ll know how Laurence Lonagan got the name “Lanky.” And these Lanky Tales are all about him!

In the title story of Volume 2, Billy Red Wing, a Native American whose ancestors refused to follow the infamous Trail of Tears to Oklahoma, is living in the forested mountains that surround Claggett Cove. There he provides for his wife and young daughters and occasionally risks a visit to the village to trade his skins, furs, and home-made goods in exchange for needed supplies. When an epidemic suddenly devastates the children of Claggett Cove, the townspeople have no one to turn to but Billy for a cure. And Lanky alone knows how to find the Indian man–despite the dangers to them both!

In other stories in this volume, Lanky discovers why two elderly neighbors are unable to bridge their differences, finds his Maw trapped in the attic, and learns about the shady past of a traveling salesman.

Lanky Tales are funny, thoughtful, and timeless–as well as morally uplifting and fun to read. They’re designed for boys and girls from eight to twelve, though the entire family will enjoy them. To have your copy personally autographed by C. Robert Jones, email pisgahpress@gmail.com.

Learn more about the illustrator, artist Jane Snyder.

About the author >>