Ken White – författare

            That Happiness Thing:  A Hometown Fable is a children’s book that poses the age-old question, “What is happiness?” Which is what a 10-year-old boy from a small California town wants to know. It’s 1958. Christmas is just around the corner. His family isn’t happy and he doesn’t know why. So he sets out to explore his home town and find out. With a little help from an elderly gentleman and a magical snow globe, he discovers that true happiness isn’t about having the most of everything, but making the most of everything you have. When his journey is finally complete, he learns that That Happiness Thing is home and family.

            That Happiness Thing is a bit of a hybrid, with elements of a children’s picture book and chapter book. I envision it as an illustrated short story for children and adults, similar to Nate the Great. Its look and feel is not unlike The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert and Per Breiehagen, Knuffle Bunny Free by Mo Willems, and The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.

            Although I conceived and designed it as a children’s picture book aimed at 5 to 10-year-olds, the real audience is Baby Boomer parents and grandparents, who will appreciate the nostalgia and will share it with their children and grandchildren. I also see older children (8 to 10) reading it on their own.

            I have included a map tracing the protagonist’s route. I plan to partner with the local museum to conduct tours during the holidays that would follow the same journey. We would read the story and show pictures of what the locations looked like back in 1958.

            I will also be giving away a miniature snow globe, similar to what Chris Van Allsburg did with the silver bell in The Polar Express.

            Although the story is very specific to one small town, I believe it could be easily tailored to any town in the country.

"Forever is composed of nows."

- Emily Dickinson, American Poet

Jessica Rivers believes that no matter what is happening in her life, she can always count on Christmas to make her happy. As the owner of the Bedford Falls Shop, and with the assistance of her older sister, Melissa, she tries every day to bring Christmas to life through her songs, her art, and her stories in her hometown of Modesto, California.

Her belief in the healing power of Christmas is severely tested when a precious holiday keepsake disappears. And her oldest brother, Michael, severely criticizes her for living in the past and among the illusions of Christmas. Then her fiancé, Brandon, breaks off their engagement because she is spending too much time sharing the cheer and merriment of Christmas.

Disheartened, she begins to think they''re right. That everything she does is a waste of time. That she has no worth and nothing to give her community. That it''s time to grow up. She''s about to give up when she''s visited by the spirits of her parents, her youngest older brother, and two close friends of Michael''s. Each of the spirits reminds her of her value and all that she has to offer. Her renewed optimism and belief in herself and what she''s doing is immediately dashed when Michael is involved in a near-fatal auto accident. Convinced it was all her fault because of their recent clashes, she contemplates doing something rash. Until another familiar spirit intervenes. Having been given a new lease on life and a reinforced perspective, she tentatively reaches out to her old boyfriend, Josh, only to discover that that they are both still in love.

On Christmas day, the family gathers at Jessica''s house. They receive an unexpected gift when Michael surprises them by having recovered enough to join them.

In the end, Jessica discovers that Christmas wasn''t the only thing she could count on. It was family. The one thing we take for granted when it''s the one thing we should treasure most.

Tagline: The true gift of Christmas is the comfort and joy of family.

Have you ever wondered about the star of Bethlehem?

A little girl named Krissy did, and her granddad shares an amazing story about the star.

The star''s name is Stella, and she impresses you as she shines above the stable. She inspires you by giving her all to show the way to the baby Jesus. However, you will be surprised by what happens next.

So where is the star of Bethlehem now? That is Stella''s secret. Read to find out!