Razzle Dazzler: Featuring Lazy Layabout and Totally Stinky

By Marilyn Mae Randall

Razzle Dazzler is an adventure story in the style of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. The travels of Lazy Layabout and Totally Stinky expand their minds and characters, transforming them into their better selves. The characters they meet on their journey, such as, Lily Pond, Clunky Monkey, and Patricia Petunia, all contribute to their growth. And just wait until you taste a Bonanza Banana! (ages 6-12)

Quotes from readers:

"I think kids would find it funny, intriguing and compelling." John L. White, Ph.D., Author

"You kept our students entranced with your readings, your anecdotes, and your candid responses to their many questions. You have inspired them to pursue their own story telling and their illustrations." JoAnn Barbeosch, Principal, P.S. 94, Little Neck, New York.

"You are the funniest author in the whole wide world. I'm telling the truth. I'm a second grader and am 7 years old." Kimberly Guo, Elementary student, P.S. 94, Little Neck, New York.

"Our school likes your stories. They are funny and cool...." David Williams, Elementary Student, Copper Rim School, Globe, Arizona.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fideli Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781604143706

Marilyn Mae Randall

Marilyn Mae Randall is the author of eight children’s books, including Southern Christmas, Wishes for Christmas, Wellington’s Windows, the Three Wives of Hero the Second, The Meanie, Razzle Dazzler, Sweetwater Village, and Bears Don’t Snore. She uses her books as tools to engage the thousands of students she has visited in schools across the country to promote reading and writing. Ms. Randall uses her skills as a storyteller to capture the imagination of the students she visits and to inspire them to develop their own reading and writing skills. Enthusiastic and entertaining, she has captured audiences of all ages. In addition to speaking to elementary and middle school students, Ms. Randall has been a workshop presenter at the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University. Other speaking engagements have included the 2002 and 2006 Christian Writers’ Conference in Memphis, Tennessee; the 2006 Christmas luncheon of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Chapter; the 2009 November luncheon at the Friends of the Library, Jackson, Tennessee; and Lambuth University Library, November 2009, Jackson, Tennessee. Ms. Randall is the author of “A Marine Salute,” a congratulatory poem, which was sanctioned by the Marine Corps and carries the Marine Corps Seal. It is promoted and sold at Parris Island. Ms. Randall and her husband were VIP guests of the Commanding Officer, Brig. Gen. Tryon, at Parris Island in Spring 2006 at the Emblem and Graduation ceremonies. She has appeared three times on “Live at Five” broadcast by WBIR Channel 10, Knoxville, Tennessee. She was also featured on WBBJ-TV, Channel ABC 7, Jackson, Tennessee, and EplusTV6 at Union University, Jackson Tennessee. Marilyn Mae Randall was a featured author at: Davis-Kidd Bookstore, Jackson, Tennessee; Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Knoxville, Tennessee; Celebration of Books and Authors, East Tennessee State University; Young Authors Convention, Etowah, Tennessee; Clemson University Celebration of Books and Authors, Clemson, SC; Fall for the Book Festival, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia; and Celebration of Authors, Walland, Tennessee.

Book preview

Razzle Dazzler

Featuring Lazy Layabout and Totally Stinky

By Marilyn Mae Randall

Illustrations by Beverley Seeberger

Smashwords ebook published by Fideli Publishing Inc.

© Copyright 2011, Marilyn Mae Randall

No part of this eBook may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Fideli Publishing.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN: 978-1-60414-370-6

Dedication

Dedicated to my dear friend and priest, John M. Flanigen, with special thanks to Fran Thompson for her excellent editing skills.

Chapter One

It was a perfect early summer day. After a quick rain shower, the sun came out magnificently. Two young boys, Lazy Layabout and Totally Stinky, were lying beside a puddle, doodling in the dirt. They both dozed off, rolling accidentally in and out of the mud a few times. When they awoke, they were shockingly slimy.

A few yards away, Razzle Dazzler was watching and waiting. Lazy Layabout and Totally Stinky were too busy trying to rub the mud out of their eyes to see him at first. When they did, their mouths formed big, wide O’s. No sound came from either of them. They were too terrified to move.

Razzle Dazzler was a startling sight. He was about 18 feet tall with a huge red beard shaped like a broom. Above his lips was a monstrous mustache, also red. His hands were the size of two catcher’s mitts, and his shoes could each hold a crate of oranges.

He was HUGE.

After what must have been about three minutes, Razzle Dazzler spoke: You have been chosen, he said.

Chosen for what? was the chorused reply.

To go to Make a Difference. Come with me and see, replied Razzle Dazzler. Bring the puppy with you.

Totally Stinky looked at the muddy ground beneath his feet. Something was beginning to take a shape. It looked like a very tiny puppy with a peculiar coloring. He was chocolate brown except for his creamy nose, ears, feet and tail, which was arched in a voluminous plume across his back. He looked like a Siamese cat with reversed coloring, but he was obviously a dog, although a very tiny one. His name was Muddy Malone.

Totally scooped up Muddy and stuffed him inside his shirt.

Chapter Two

Razzle Dazzler was dressed in a colorful striped cape over his pants and shirt. When he began to move forward, his cape swung about him like a moving rainbow. Totally and Lazy were compelled to follow him.

Every time Dazzler took a step in the wet ground, he created a muddy crater. When he stepped on the dry land, he caused a dust storm. Totally and Lazy didn’t mind skirting the holes and the dust (in fact Totally loved the muddy holes and the powdery dust), but the continuing wind from Dazzler’s whipping cape was difficult to deal with. They couldn’t see in front of him; but wished they had some knowledge as to their final destination.

Lazy and Totally were travelers, although they didn’t travel far because of their natures. It was too much effort. Since they didn’t know where they had come from, they didn’t care where they had been or where they were going. They sort of slid and slipped and slithered along life’s path, not taking note of much of anything.

Because they lived in Havalot, they didn’t have to work for their food. It was just available whenever they wanted it. And since neither cared enough to even wish for much, their meals were very bland and boring.

Chapter Three

Muddy Malone had stuck his little head through the opening between the buttons on Totally Stinky’s shirt. He felt warm and tickly against Totally’s body. Muddy was carefully observing everything in their path. When something startled him, he would make a tiny eeep. (He was too small for even