Puffernut Flies South

Puffernut Flies South is a warm hearted fantasy for the young and the young at heart. A careless moment and an unplanned escape plunge Puffernut, a young cockatiel, into the wondrous world beyond his cage. When he discovers that he can't find his way back, the best day of his life quickly turns from exciting to a little scary. Led astray by strangers, Puffernut embarks on a misdirected search for home. As his unplanned flight of passage takes him ever farther from his intended goal, it also leads him to new friends and new insights. Along the way he encounters a cast of memorable characters. There's the knowledgeable Cadwalader P. Escurel a reclusive and slightly grumpy squirrel. A parrot, Capt'n Papagayo, is a wily old pirate guarding his treasure. Leopold the Great is an inch and a half long lizard who's the benevolent king of all he surveys. Puffernut also faces challenges and dangers, confronting the likes of Rusty, a villainous cat, and a dread barbarian, Carnac the Usurper. Little Puffernut's quest never returns him home but it leads him into an adventurous life in the wild and a newfound confidence in himself.

At 11,847 words, the novelette, Puffernut Flies South, is a fun filled page turner that will leave young mid-grade readers well satisfied and wishing for more. Puffernut Flies South also appeals to: parents, grandparents, teachers, and librarians who appreciate its out-loud readability and its positive life lessons.