Dori Chaconas – författare

Cork is a muskrat. Fuzz is a possum. Cork eats only veggie stuff. Fuzz eats beetles and worms. Cork likes to play hide-and-seek. Fuzz likes to play find-and-eat. Cork and Fuzz have nothing in common. Or do they?

Even though Cork is a short muskrat and Fuzz is a tall possum, they can still be best friends. Or can they? ?I am older,? Cork said. ?I need to be taller. It is a rule.? Can friendship break such rules?

Cork is a short muskrat who likes to win at games. Fuzz is a tall possum who also likes to win at games. Two best friends. Both like to win. What will happen when they play games against each other?

Coriander is a contrary, stubborn hen, with a mind of her own. When she decides to plant herself in the middle of the road causing a chaotic traffic jam of cars, trucks, and buses, Farmer Bucket and Mrs. Bucket can''t get Coriander to budge. Little Fanny Bucket finally uses a bit of reverse psychology to get her way. But will Coriander have the last laugh?

That Blessed Christmas Night is the story of the first Christmas night told in poetry form. The wonder of the first Christmas is seen through the eyes of children reenacting the story. The simple things of earth - the clear, starry sky; a humble stable filled with animals; shepherds caring for their sheep - suddenly become bolder, clearer, and richer as the children don costumes and sing their praises to the Child.

The narrator recalls how long ago, as a young girl, she used to dance with her beloved baby sister Katya in the house and the surrounding fields of the family's farm. But when Katya is five she is suddenly overcome by a high fever. Although she recovers from the lingering illness, Katya's legs are left weakened and twisted. Still, the older sister dances with her beloved younger sibling, lifting her high and carrying her around in a wheelbarrow. Together they dream of a time when Katya will dance on her own once again. Then Mama and Papa announce that Katya must leave home and go to a hospital in the city where doctors will try to make her legs strong again. The narrator misses her sister and worries: will the treatment work so that Katya will dance again?