Sundance stars in the popular children's novel JASON AND ELIHU, A FISHERMAN'S STORY published by Wild Onion Press.

Sundance meeting fans.

  Several photos of Sundance appear in JASON AND ELIHU.  Sundance's outgoing personality was captured by author Shelley Fraser Mickle including his love of peppermints and his talent for smiling.

Since Sundance cannot sign his book, he kisses one of his photos in the book as an autograph.

Sundance smiles for a new friend .

Sundance will be making special appearances with Gentle Carousel's Reading Is Magic programs in 2010.

      JASON AND ELIHU raises money for child abuse prevention programs with its emphasis on literacy strengthening families.  "Reading together nurtures relationships." 
 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Fraser Mickle and Gentle Carousel's Sundance

Shelley Fraser Mickle grew up in Arkansas and Tennessee and graduated from the University of Mississippi. She studied writing at the University of Mississippi, the Harvard Extension School, and Wellesley College.

  Her first novel, THE QUEEN OF OCTOBER, was a l989 New York Times Notable Book; her second novel, REPLACING DAD, became a CBS movie and is now frequently shown on the Hallmark Channel, starring Mary McDonnell and teen heartthrob Eric von Detten.

Shelley began reading her humorous essays on National Public Radio in l995, and her collection of some of these was published in 2000, titled The Kids Are Gone; The Dog Is Depressed & Mom's on the Loose.

Her humorous essays have also recently become a part of the public radio program Recess, which is being picked up from satellite in radio stations in twenty listening areas ranging from Jacksonville to Columbus, Albuquerque to Milwaukee, Mobile Alabama, parts Texas and the state of Wyoming.

In August, 2000 she began reading her humorous essays on NPR's "Morning Edition".

What an honor and thrill to have Sundance as a riveting character in JASON AND ELIHU.

Shelley Fraser Mickle

READING IS MAGIC Authors

       Sundance in a photo from the book Jason and Elihu.  In this scene he is stealing from the trash cans at the local country store.

 Sundance helped give away 200 copies of Jason and Elihu to children in downtown Jacksonville as part of Prevent Child Abuse America/The Ounce of Prevention Fund Florida.

  The Board of Directors of Family Support Services of North Florida donated the books.

Sundance autographs his book with a kiss.

Everyone loves a real "Sundance Kissed Book!"

Sundance knows how to entertain a crowd.

Sundance meeting fans with author Shelley Fraser Mickle.

Sundance meeting fans with author Shelley Fraser Mickle.

Magic teams up with Sundance to say hello to young fans.

Sundance autographing books with a kiss at the amphitheatre at Tioga Town Center.

Sundance makes first Gainesville Appearance with author Shelley Mickle Sundance, the miniature horse that is a character in the just-released novel, JASON AND ELIHU, A FISHERMAN\'S STORY, by Shelley Fraser Mickle, will be making his first Gainesville public appearance at the town square in Tioga Town Center Saturday, May 15th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sundance was trained to fulfill his role in the novel by learning to smile on cue and count out how many peppermints he wants. JASON AND ELIHU is a children\'s novel set at our beloved Cross Creek in the literary tradition of THE YEARLING. It features an 11-year-old boy dream-bitten with the desire to catch Elihu, the legendary bass. Two foster children join the hunt and a young girl, named Jazel, who has to revise her dream of becoming an ice skater when a brain tumor robs her balance. Whenever Elihu is caught, the mighty fish whispers a secret. That is, if Elihu is ever caught, since Old Snout, the gator, tends to rise out of the water and snap the line whenever Elihu is hooked. So when you learn the secret, you must keep it! JASON AND ELIHU is a fundraiser for foster care with its focus on prevention. The novel is perfect for families to read together. Lynn McNeill, elementary school principal, says, \"This book needs to be in the hands of children.\" Shelley will also be signing 101 DOG STREET, THE STORY OF AMOS, THE BUMMED-OUT CANINE, a chapter book for second grade that is a fundraiser for the Ferrero Children\'s Hospital Foundation. Come meet Shelley and Sundance. Also Magic, the miniature horse, recently voted \"The Most Heroic Pet in America,\" will be there. Both JASON AND ELIHU, $15 and 101 DOG STREET, $12, are published by Wild Onion Press, Books Starring Kids with Physical Differences with a portion of each books' proceeds going to its nonprofit partner.

Sundance with Jason and Elihu author Shelley Fraser Mickle.

Sundance saying hello to young readers.

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." ~Winston Churchill