A Most Unusual Farm

By Bill Janocha and Phyllis Skigen

A Most Unusual Farm is an amusing story about a holy cow named Bess. She was worshipped for many years in India and ends up on a small farm in America. There, she meets up with Chester, a horse of a different color; Gretal, a terrified goose; and a handful of monkeys. Bess introduces them to Brother Bull and to the Good News of Jesus.

Phyllis Skigen, herself a loving and inspired lady, brought the action together in a manner that entertains while it teaches. This story is for ages 5 years to young adult.

The story is brought to life through the inspired illustrations created by Bill Janocha, illustrator and cartoonist for Mort Walker, the creator of Beetle Bailey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512714111

Bill Janocha

Phyllis, a devout Christian, always dreamed of helping to spread Jesus’ message of “Good News” to whomever she could reach. At first she wrote short skits for the church children to perform. To make it easy and fun for the children she used familiar barnyard animals. She also used familiar clichés to add humor for the more mature audience. Phyllis displayed a natural creative instinct that made her stand out amongst her peers. Unfortunately, this sometimes caused her to be teased and bullied as a teenager. Instead of fighting back she persisted in seeking Jesus and finding ways to spread His message. Unfortunately, the bullying took its toll and caused her great anxiety in her adult life. Despite this she chose to forgive those who berated her as a teen and to love Jesus and spread His word. On June 26, 1965, she married Mel whose undying love for her helped her to find the means to overcome her anxieties. This gave her the freedom to fully express her love for people and God through her many creative activities. “A Most Unusual Farm” grew out of the skits she wrote for the children of the Church of Christ in Bridgewater, NJ. Phyllis passed away on December 2, 2012. Her creativity and stories memorialize her and her efforts to spread the “Good News.” Illustrator Biography Born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Bill took particular interest in comics and cartooning at the earliest age. Moving to Newark, Delaware at age 7, he took classes at The Delaware Art Museum and later majored in Illustration at Syracuse University. Freelancing in New York, Bill worked with Walt Disney Productions and Marvel Comics. He helped develop the Pee Wee’s Playhouse program while animating on Madonna’s “Who’s That Girl”. Beetle Bailey creator Mort Walker hired him to join his staff in 1987 where Bill remains, producing comic book art and countless special projects. He worked on the Comic Strip Classics stamp set and was the editor of The National Cartoonists Society Album, which was nominated for an Eisner Award. He was the recipient of that organization’s Silver T- Square. He has written for Mad Magazine, biographical articles, a book about Walker’s early work and created editorial cartoons for Connecticut newspapers. This is Bill’s first children’s book. He lives in Stamford, Connecticut with his wife and son.

Book preview

A MOST UNUSUAL FARM

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Phyllis Skigen

Illustrated by Bill Janocha

Copyright © 2015 Phyllis Skigen, Melvin Skigen.

Story Copyright 2015 by Melvin Skigen

Illustration Copyright 2015 by William Janocha

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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