The Kingdom of Ning

By B L Walker and Robin Roraback

The Kingdom of Ning is a bedtime read fantasy (4 8), thats fun for children and adults. Plus its a book to color!We meet a rare male calico cat in Story One. An orphan, Calico roams Ning, in a world older than Mother Earth, looking for food and friendship. He adopts a tough guy approach to life until he meets a dove, Coo, from The Kingdom of Snag. She shows him how terrific life can be if only he will lose the attitude. And further, a great horned owl, Hootie, teaches Calico a lesson about humility. In Story Two, we meet the new King of Ning during his glorious inaugural parade. Citizens and creatures from neighboring kingdoms come to strut their stuff. Calico and Coo become friends with the Kings pets, Snowflake and Minnie Dew. While visiting the Mountain people with his pets, he sets a skiing accident in motion, but Calico, Coo, and Hootie save the day and his skin. He is young and inexperienced, so the chubby King learns the hard way what it takes to become a benevolent leader. During the tales, Calico experiences the gamut of feelings from loneliness to pure joy.A mother said: My kids ask to hear these stories over and over, and they love to color the whimsical illustrations. Its a book youll want your kids to enjoy and talk about. Kim Donahue, Veterinarian Technician

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jun 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781452516363

B L Walker

B L Walker lives in Sharon, CT with two female cats, Cleopatra and Ginger, a calico. She is a graduate of The Institute of Children’s Literature, and has written for newspapers and magazines for years. Two books: Veedor the Condor and Quickies from Romeos & Other Lovers were fun to write. She currently writes screen and stage plays, including an award winner about Ernest Hemingway. Interests include promoting the arts, acting, gardening, and puzzles. Robin Roraback, illustrator, is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Her work has appeared in Holiday House, Grosset and Dunlap, Lerner Publishing, and McGraw Hill publications. She lives in Salisbury, CT with two cats and a dog.

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Copyright © 2014 B L Walker.

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-1637-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-1636-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014910260

Balboa Press rev. date: 06/17/2014

Contents

Acknowledgements

The Beginning

STORY ONE Calico and Coo

I

II

III

STORY TWO The King of Ning

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

for Dolly

Acknowledgements

T he Kingdom of Ning would not have seen the light of day if it were not for the contribution of each of you. I am deeply grateful. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Thanks to Diane Duebber, who said this about a 22 year old draft: It’s a good start. Now finish it!

Mike Pepper, you inspired the stories when you told me that male calico cats are rare. Thanks for that, for your endless patient help and tech support, and for always answering my panicky calls.

To Warren Prindle, Gina DiGiacomo, and Natalie Allyn,