Darkness. Utter blackness. Was this why his mother had refused to let Jack unlock his father's old trunk? It had been two years since his dad had died, and all Jack could think about was examining whatever treasures were stored inside the beloved trunk. But when he finally lifted the lid, he didn't just fall in-he fell through it into a pit of rattlesnakes!
Trying to recall his mother's stories about "the Breath of All Good Things"-anything to shed light on his current situation-Jack wishes he'd paid better attention rather than mock the tales as childish myths...and that he'd waited to enter the trunk with his sister, Lilly, so they could at least face this together.
Like L. Frank Baum's Oz and C. S. Lewis's Narnia, M. M. Allen brings to life the fantastical world of Wishapick-a land of courageous animals ruled by a cruel rattlesnake king who has condemned the villagers to live without light. Chosen as the reluctant hero to save the villagers, Jack must face terrifying creatures and overwhelming odds if he wants to help his new friends-and return home himself.
Recipient of Moonbeam Children's Book Award - Gold Award for Book/Theatrical.Received 5 Stars - Readers Favorite Be sure to check out the companion music CD, Wishapick, for purchase or download from http: //deborahwynne.com/
About the Author: M. M. Allen, author of the acclaimed children's picture book Let's Play Ball, is the mother of two adult children and aunt to twenty-three nieces and nephews, including ten great-nieces and great-nephews. MM is a former teacher and university lecturer. She has also worked extensively in marketing and communications with varied businesses and non-profits. MM lives in a picturesque northern California town where she enjoys writing, tending to her rose garden, and caring for her West Highland terriers, Pip & Peaches.
For her middle grade fantasy Wishapick, Allen collaborated with musician and lyricist Deborah Wynne, who created a companion CD of songs to accompany the novel. Wynne's primary talents lie in choral singing, stage musicals, and composing. Her musical projects include the 2013 album Strands of Gold and 2007 musical Moment of Truth. She is an active singer and composer in Santa Barbara, California, where she lives with her husband and their two shelties, Sparkle and Gracie.
