Books by M Schmidt

In this children's picture book, and sixth book in our 'Shadow and Friends Series', Uncle Stubby Gets Married, a fox squirrel named Uncle Stubby has fallen in love with a girl squirrel named Sparkles. Squirrel family and friends, including a small dog named Shadow, and her boyfriend, Max, are invited to attend the wedding in a special Valentine Fairy Forest. Uncle Stubby thinks Sparkles is the most beautiful girl squirrel in the land. Uncle Stubby's twin, Shorty, flies in from New York City with his family, and Shorty is best man for his brother. Foxy is matron of honor for Sparkles. The Valentine Fairy Forest is truly a magical land, the illustrations show how this dream forest looks, and all the animals are safe in this forest both day and night. Along the way, we meet mouse fairies, and Minister Mouse conducts the wedding. Sparkles' wears a crown, and Uncle Stubby is dressed in a cummerbund. Various other animals are present, including one unicorn, and the bride and groom spend their wedding night in Walnut Forest, a special part of the Valentine Fairy Forest. Children will love seeing how magical the forest is, with abundant sparkles thrown in for good measure. This delightful and funny book for children, targeted at ages 4-11, is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. This story illustrates how beautiful the Valentine Fairy Forest looks, produces pure imagination in children, and the illustrations will fascinate children and adults.

In Shadow and Friends European Vacation, a small dog named Shadow wins a free trip to Europe because of all her books that teach children safety at home, and during adventures. Shadow is allowed five friends with her on this fabulous trip, and she chooses to take five squirrel friends. In this delightful and funny book for children, safety is taught through the hilarious antics of her friends. Throughout this story of teaching children about historical areas and places in Europe, squirrel antics keep children entertained, and safety is learned. Targeted at ages 4-11, this book is easy to read and perfect for home or classroom. This story illustrates a few of Europe's fascinating features with illustrations for children and adults.

Suzy Has A SecretThis book teaches a child, ages four to eight years-old, about personal safety and body ownership. Children learn how to identify who safe adults are in a child's life. This book shows in positive and practical ways how parents, and educators, can talk to children about personal safety. Children learn about bad touch and good touch, and how their body belongs to them. Parents and educators can help children learn who the safe people are in their lives, and that they can always tell one of them about anything that may happen, and they aren't comfortable about. Using little bug fairies and fairy houses, ensures that children aren't scared when this story is read to them, or they read it on their own. Minimal illustrations used so that younger children don't become distracted by extraneous elements.Reviews"Suzy Has A Secret" is a must read book for those with small children or for those that have little ones in their life. Children don't always know when or who to tell. We teach them to respect their elders and be quiet when asked; to behave and not to tattle. This needs to change! "Suzy Has A Secret" explains to children that we must always tell our parents or others when something doesn't feel right. I recommend this book highly. Susan Vance, Author "Suzy Has a Secret" is a great resource in instructing children about good touch/bad touch. I think it is smartly written and developed, and easy for children to read. This is a difficult subject to tackle, and the authors have done a brilliant job. I would highly recommend this book. Kristina Ball, Author As children, we've been taught to listen to our parents and to do everything they tell say us. We know how much they love us and they won't do anything to hurt us. One of these things concerns tattling on someone else who did something they shouldn't have done, because doing it wouldn't be a nice thing to do.But what happens when a relative, like Uncle Bob, starts doing something he shouldn't and tell us to keep it a secret even from our parents. This is what Suzy has to deal with in this brief story when he starts touching her in places she somehow feels is wrong; she becomes scared and doesn't want to get in trouble for tattling on her uncle to her parents.This creates a conflict in her young mind since her parents had also taught her that if something is bothering her she should come to them. When she tells her friend Lucy what's happening, Lucy's older brother tells Suzy to tell her parents and that she wouldn't get into trouble. Suzy follows his advice, tells her parents who respond by sitting down and talking to her about what Uncle Bob did to her.Inappropriate touching is a sensitive, everyday occurring issue which parents need to discuss with their young child, and this book serves as marvelous beginning from which this discuss can begin. The book then gives parents ideas as to how to go about doing this. For trying to help parents, especially first-time young parents, in dealing with this important, sensitive issue, there's no way I can't give Ms. Jackson 5 STARS for her endeavor here. Mrs. D., AuthorAwards2016 Reader's Favorite Five Stars2017 Silver Second Place Medal Literary Titan