Manuscripts - Works in Progress


WIND, WHERE DO YOU GO?

A child marvels at all the things a wind can do and realizes it is childlike just  as himself.  After a busy day the wind gets tired and needs a place to rest. This is a fun and easy to read story written in perfect rhyme for 4 - 8 year olds.

The book includes backmatter regarding a  curious natural phenomenon. 

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Tarja is currently querying literary agents and editors with this manuscript. 

Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala 

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MY SIS AND I - Honorable Mention PBParty Contest 2024

My SIS AND I is like a song of sibling love, connection, accepting change, and belonging together in nature. Words flow together in a rhyming narrative from a child’s point of view. The child and her sister join in whimsical games around Nana and Pappa's prairie farm where excitement crescendos as imaginations grow — under a harvest moon.

MY SIS AND I is  for 3 - 8 year olds. It is written in perfect rhyme and has "captured the spirit that makes classic giftable books". 

Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala 


SANTA QUIT ON CHRISTMAS

Santa’s toe is swollen huge just like a big goose egg.
And it is painful every time the old man moves his leg. 

“I won’t be jolly, kind or quick! I won’t greet Ho Ho Ho!”
“This Christmastime I’ll take a break and help my ailing toe!”

And so begins the story of how  SANTA  QUIT  CHRISTMAS. Mrs Claus had  a solution but Santa was not ready to take advise until everything got a whole lot worse.

This is a fun and fast pace picture book story for children from 4 - 8 year olds. They will learn about making good choices, kindness, and staying positive.

Tarja is currently querying literary agents and editors with  this manuscript.

Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala 


SOPHIE'S SURPRISE

This is a work in progress.

The setting is in a lush southern Appalachian Forest where the rare “blue ghost” firefly lives.

This lyrical and fun to read aloud picture book relates of an unexpected friendship between a dog and a firefly. 

Sophie is a real  rescued mini pincher who lost her bark.  In the story she meets James, a firefly, and becomes his friend and mentor — or is it the other way around? 

 SOPHIE and JAMES capture the hearts and curious minds of children from 4 to 8 years of age.

SOPHIE'S SURPRISE is a story of an exciting evening of friendship, wisdom, healing, and surprise. 

The book includes  a fun fact page about fireflies.

Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala 

 

THE MONSTER UPSTAIRS

This is a work in progress.

Something went “ba-BUMP”, then “tha-THUMP”, and a small wide-eyed boy tries to sort it out. He lives in an old apartment building with gurgling pipes and a noisy neighbor whom the boy imagines as, THE MONSTER UPSTAIRS. The boy sits by his Mum and from that safe and cozy place, he tells a lyrical tale of two perspectives. Who is that monster anyway?

Adults and children alike can relate to a child's question, "Was--sat?", when there's a bump in the night. The book helps explain what noises may be and who or what THE MONSTER UPSTAIRS really is.


Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala - 2021

 

LULU is HUNGRY

This is a work in progress.

LULU IS HUNGRY is a board book of colors and choices. What does Lulu want?  Nothing seems to be good enough until, an important need is met.

The  book includes social and emotional learning. 

Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala 

 

City Garden

City Garden is a short poem of walking through a city and stopping by a garden.

Writer: Tarja Nevala
© Tarja Nevala