Bobbi Blubaugh’s latest children’s book, a fractured fairy tale as told by the Little Red Hen,” offers a positive twist to “The Gingerbread Man.”
That’s because the concept of sharing is evident throughout “Too-Da-Loodle Snickerdoodle,” according to Blubaugh of Waynesboro.
“No! It’s not a gingerbread cookie that escapes from the oven in this twisted story. No! It’s not a greedy gingerbread cookie that runs away from all of the characters he meets,” she added. “And … will the villain get a tasty treat like the fox, who catches the gingerbread man at the end of that book?”
Blubaugh’s first book, “Too-Da-Loo Kangaroo,” was inspired after she and her granddaughter, while bidding her parents too-da-loo, began thinking of all the different ways to say goodbye.
“These two books are totally different genres,” she noted. “My first book is about an Australian kangaroo visiting the continents. This is a fractured fairy tale, which is a retelling of a traditional fairy tale where some of the story elements are changed.
“As the cookie meets several of Little Red’s fairytale friends on its journey, the reader is able to identify and make connections with these classic well-known characters,” Blubaugh said.
The new book includes her husband John’s recipe for Snickerdoodles as well as hidden photos of their dogs, Brodie and Marley. “They both love to beg for Snickerdoodles fresh from the oven.”
Blubaugh, a retired teacher with 33 years service, is composing a third book, her first chapter book. “‘Right Red Left Blue Which Shoe Are You?’ highlights the concept of knowing your left from your right and features a movement on the corresponding page to the rhyme as well as let’s pretend activities.” Her fourth book will be about rhyming numbers.
“Right Red features the message ‘Two ears so I can listen to all that people say, one mouth for me to say kind words. God meant it to be this way,’” that was taken from a sermon by Drahus Oslik, associate pastor at Evangelical Lutheran Church, where Blubaugh is a member. “It’s from Matthew Chapter 15, verses 10 and 11,” she said.
“I believe children need to be exposed to many different genres of books to discover what their favorite is,” added Blubaugh, who hopes to present a free author visit with a reading and activity at area schools, libraries and day care centers. It’s part of my marketing.”
She is scheduled to sign and sell books and lead activities at Waynesboro’s Market Days Oct. 7.
“After my first book came out,” reflected Blubaugh, “it took a lot of organization to get everything ready for my author signing event. That opened my eyes to all the work that’s involved besides the writing. The marketing side is challenging, but I’m still enjoying the whole process for sure.”
“Too-Da-Loodle Snickerdoodle” is available at major retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart and Barnes and Noble, etc.
