Children's Books

Meet Connecticut Children's Book Authors

Cynthia Bercowetz
"Grandpa Herman's Petting Zoo"

Bloomfield, CT

A true story about animals at a former petting zoo at COPACO in Bloomfield, I will have a local farm bring over some of the animals that were similar to the ones in the book. They will be outside on our lawn.



Frances Gilbert "To Know The Sea"

Trumbull, CT


Far away in a mountain kingdom lives Isola, a little princess who longs for the sea. "No one from here has ever BEEN to the sea!" laughed her sisters, the royal advisors, and the ladies of the court. "It's ridiculous, impossible...forget about it!"







Elizabeth Faragher
"Off To The Fair"

Avon, CT

Join Megan Elizabeth on her visit to a country fair with her parents. In her discovery of the sights and sounds of the fair, she finds that she is reluctant to ride a pony. She unexpectedly makes a new friend and learns a valuable lesson.

Doreen Tango Hampton "I Like Gum"

Litchfield, CT

A rhyming picturebook recounting a young girl's likes and dislikes. The enthusiastic bordering on outrageous art emphasizes the sense of whimsy and pure fun that comes from the gleeful lyrics. "I like ice cream. But not in the sun. And not on my shirt. And not when it's done." A truly fun read-aloud book for parents and children, with simple text ideal for young people just learning how to sound out words on their own.


Buck Kalinowski "Cupid's Secret"

Wolcott, CT

Here is a beautiful, meaningful story you’ll want to read to your kids or grandkids, over and over again. Buck Kalinowski has given us a children’s book that not only amuses, it tells a story of love and compassion, and teaches a lesson of hope and enlightenment.

Cupid’s Secret is about an abused horse that nobody wanted. Farmer Buck saw her at a horse auction, small and sickly. He pushed aside her straggly mane and discovered a perfectly-shaped white heart right in the middle of her forehead. Farmer Buck’s heart went out to this frightened creature and even though he didn’t need another horse, he bought her and took her home.

The children at the farm named her Cupid because of the white heart and it was close to Valentine’s Day. The children started to train this lovable mare and with courage and determination, Cupid went on to win the blue ribbon at a horse show. Cupid then decided it was time to share her secret. She told Thunder (the horse in the next stall), “I’m in foal and will soon be delivering my baby.”

In a transformation of this horse’s self worth, she gives birth to a colt that carries another unique mark that paves the way for his future. You see, the colt had a perfectly shaped arrow on his rump, as perfect as his Mom’s heart. Cupid’s Secret is a delightful story of love, trust and prayer.

Janet Lawler
"A Father's Song"

Farmington, CT

How do fathers show their love? Usually, with a lot of activity! It is those special, fun-filled moments that I wanted to capture with this story. The warm and lively illustrations of Lucy Corvino are a wonderful complement to the text of A FATHER'S SONG.

Join in as a father and child romp in the park – going on the slide, playing tag together, roaring like bears, and splashing in the water. And what dad hasn't flown their child around “like an airplane that swoops…making wide loop-de-loops?”

This book celebrates the universal love that fathers share in very special ways with their children. It makes a great everyday gift for a special youngster, and a wonderful gift for Dad from a child.

Linda Machado
"How Harwinton Got His Middle Name"

Meriden, CT

Harwinton Bear and his friend, Bumper Rabbit, live peacefully in The Dark Forest until a terrible fire destroys their homes and separates them from their families. Believing their families escaped the fire, the two friends set out to find them. Their long, sometimes difficult journey leads the two through many adventures and to a surprise, faith-building conclusion.

Glenn Shapiro - Author
Ben Quesnel - Illustrator
"Sarah Walked To School"

Windsor, CT

Sarah awakes for the first day of school and declares her intention to walk to school alone..

Lorraine Strenkowski
"How Tall Is a Giant?"

Lebanon, CT

"How tall is a giant? Have you ever asked yourself? Find out how author Lorraine Strenkowski answers this simple childhood question.

So many times children create fearful images in their minds, and in their rooms; all the while forgetting the difference between pretend and reality.

"How Tall Is A Giant?" encourages the young reader to change scary into silly, negative into positive, and enforces the concepts of imagination and pretend.

With vivid illustrations, this engaging story reminds us all of the simple phrase 'mind over matter.' "