HILDA McGILDA, "The Witch Who Was Too Pretty"

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HILDA McGILDA
The Witch Who Was Too Pretty

(acclaimed "a new children's classic")
Written by: Michele Verhoosky
Illustrated by: Lois Ebbert
40 Pages (8.5x11) Hardcover Retail Price: $18
ISBN 978-0-9826344-6-2

Welcome to the wonderful, whimsical world of Hilda McGilda, where the ordinary turns extraordinary--every day. Hilda is not your run-of-the mill heroine. Why among Dover Glen it was known she'd been a witch fifty years--multiplied then by ten! "Who cares how long it's been, dear Spook?" she asked her black cat as she thumbed through her book. "I've only reached spell 3,003! There's still so much to learn, I'm sure you'll agree."

Concocted by The Giggling Grammys, this zany picture storybook will delight young and old alike. It revels in the joys of magic, friendship, and the freedom to be your authentic self while telling the tale of what happens when a spell goes horridly awry. Not only does poor Hilda become prettier and prettier, she loses her powers completely! Can Belinda, Zelda, and Bitsy save Hilda from being doomed to live a life with mortals? And what does perfume have to do with all this anyway?

Take a SNEAK PEEK inside!

Illustrator, Lois Ebbert, created these charmingly whimsical watercolors to bring HILDA McGILDA's world to life.

Meet "The Giggling Grammys" author:

Michele Verhoosky (author) affectionately known as "Grammy," is a member of both The Dramatists Guild and The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Her coming-of-age plays have been produced off-off Broadway, earning a rave review in The New York Times. She lives with her husband, "Grumpy," and their loquacious Corgi, Gizmo, in North Carolina when not flying off to share more giggles with her grandchildren.

Michele has just published her 2nd children's book, MOLLY MARIE and THE AMAZING JIMMY, available at www.micheleverhoosky.com

Meet "The Giggling Grammy's" illustrator:

Lois Ebbert (illustrator) is a graduate of Ithaca College. She pursued a career in music education before returning to her first love of drawing and painting. Her colorful watercolors have been shown in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and are in several private collections. She is the Giggling Grammy of eight.

Meet Ariel, the artist's model for Spook:

Lois Ebbert based the illustrations for Hilda's cat, Spook, upon her own cat, Ariel. Spook's comical expressions and antics are whimsical interpretations of Ariel, whose biggest delight was lapping up the cream when sharing morning cups of coffee with Lois.

Meet Gizmo, the inspiration for Spook (and Ariel's friend):

Michele says the character of Hilda's beloved black cat, Spook, was great fun to create. She drew inspiration from the close relationship shared between her husband, "Grumpy," and their Welsh Corgi, Gizmo. "Absolutely inseparable!" Michele says about them. "Always doing everything together. Gizmo's so much more than a dog. She's a confidant, advisor, staunch protector and loyal friend, a little furry super-hero who always has to have the last word--and gummy bear!"

The Story behind Hilda McGilda and The Giggling Grammys:

Art brought us together, and we became instant friends. And through art we realized we were kindred spirits, sharing a deep abiding love for grandchildren, children, family and creative expression. In fact one of Lois' daughters actually coined a phrase for us: PPPCCCJJJ, which stands for, "Paint-Paint-Paint, Color-Color-Color = Joy-Joy-Joy." We couldn't think of a better way to express the joie de vivre each of us experiences when deep in the throes of creating our latest "masterpiece" then teaming together on Hilda McGilda, a beautiful children's picture storybook we could leave behind for our grandchildren, children, and future generations of children everywhere. From the very beginning Hilda McGilda was never work, but a wondrous sense of play.

Lois lives part-time in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, while Michele lives in North Carolina but is often called away to care for family and visit with grandchildren. "We'd just work on Hilda McGilda through emails during our times of separation," Michele explains. "When Lois' terrific watercolors started flying over the wires it was better than Christmas morning! She'd be up at her end, I'd be down at mine--our various kids would be scattered up and down the Eastern seaboard--and all of us would be laughing out loud in sheer delight as we watched Hilda come to life. Our husbands could always tell when we'd be online together by the giggles emanating from our respective offices (oftentimes the kitchen table), and that's how we earned the moniker, 'The Giggling Grammys.'"

Meet Hilda McGilda's Publisher:

Published by Sleepytown Press,
Hilda McGilda made her debut the end of July, 2010
Check out our Hilda listing on www.sleepytownpress.com
(click "Sleepytown Authors" and then select "Michele Verhoosky.")

"Both of you are such joys. You have something so special together. I am so glad to have been able to publish your book.
Thank you for allowing me to do that.
Hugs to you guys."
Randy Young, Sleepytown Press

I am enchanted with Hilda McGilda!!!

I am enchanted with Hilda McGilda! Our local kiddie bookstore, Story Book Cove, ordered one for me and one for the store. The owner said she liked a witch who wasn't mean or scary. Congrats to you both, Michele & Lois, on a wonderful job! Any more planned in the future?--Phyllis Cohen

Hilda McGilda now in Ireland!

Hilda and her friends are flying high and have landed in
the emerald isle thanks to our readers in France and England. They love Hilda so much they are sending copies to their friends with children in Ireland and beyond!
Hi-ho Hilda!!!

Michele's granddaughter, Molly Marie, loves playing Hilda McGilda.

SHARE THE MAGIC!!!HILDA McGILDAThe Witch Who Was Too Pretty