Review: Joy and Mary Save Christmas by Wayne Harris-Wyrick

Joy and Mary Save Christmas

by Wayne Harris-Wyrick, illustrated by Carrie Salazar

Review by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

 

Joy and her friend, Mary, are taken on a magical adventure to help Santa and the elves when stolen presents and electrical problems hit the North Pole in Joy and Mary Save Christmas by Wayne Harris-Wyrick. 

While playing in Joy’s backyard and lamenting the lack of snow in Oklahoma City at Christmastime, the two girls find themselves transported to the North Pole, where an upset Santa Claus begs for their help. Thanks to Joy’s photographic memory and Mary’s eagerness to help, Christmas might just be saved. 

What a fun, magical adventure. Harris-Wyrick has created a seasonal story filled with Christmas magic that will have everyone believing in Santa Claus. Inspired by a dream, this delightful story will charm tweens and teens with inventions only the North Pole might have.

Artist Carrie Salazar provided the cover art and interior illustrations for Joy and Mary Save Christmas. The snowy scenes and glimpses into Santa’s world are so sweet and relay such emotion the reader will feel like they are right there alongside Joy and Mary as they work to save Christmas.

If you enjoy seasonal stories filled with special magic, you need to pick up a copy of Joy and Mary Save Christmas.

Joy and Mary Save Christmas and other books by Wayne Harris-Wyrick are available at www.4rvpublishing.com and other online retailers. 

Review: Why Does that Star Follow Me?

 

Why Does That Star Follow Me?
by Wayne Harris-Wyrick, illustrated by Andrea Gray
review by Cheryl Malandrinos

 

Follow along with this rhyming story about stars. Whether in the car or in a house and whether playing or resting, the child in this story sees a star that seems to follow him everywhere. Even the dog sees it... unless it's foggy.

            Why Does That Star Follow Me? by Wayne Harris-Wyrick is an adorable rhyming story full of wonder and discovery. The colorful illustrations by Andrea Gray make it cheery as the two characters go along their journey. After the fun is over, the reader is treated to all types of helpful information about stars: what they are, why they shine, and how far away they are. Readers even learn how stars follow you.

            Why Does That Star Follow Me? is entertainment and education bundled into one cute package. I look forward to reading more from Harris-Wyrick.

 

Wayne Harris-Wyrick's books can be found at http://4rvpublishing.com/wayne-harris-wyrick.html, or from bookstores and other online stores.

Review: If You Swallow That Seed ...

 

If You Swallow That Seed

Written by Wayne Harris-Wyrick Illustrated by Matthew Hughes Published by 4RV Publishing, 2015

Review By Kena Sosa

 

Parents say the weirdest things. In the case of the story, If You Swallow That Seed, a mother’s words literally sprout into action. The main character is shocked to find carrots growing out of his ears after swallowing a seed just as his mother warned him. He puts the carrots to good use feeding horses, but before he can overcome his problem, his mother has even more wacky comments to say and they all come true!

 

The boy shows determination time and time again, finding solutions to the weirdness until it gets out of hand. Matthew Hughes’ illustrations are full of texture, adding dimension and additional flavor to the story, especially in the cover illustration where we see the boy and his horses enjoying their role in the adventure.

 

Kids will get a kick out of this story and connect with it as they’ve been confused by their own parent’s idioms and sayings. A story that feels straight out of the childhood of the author, Wayne Harris-Wyrick, this book takes it further than just one metaphor. Swallowing the first seed is only the beginning of the adventure of what happens when words are taken literally. It is packed with excitement, fun and a great segway into the silly and savvy world of idioms and sayings.

 

Copies of If You Swallow That Seed … can be ordered from the 4RV Bookstore  or from other online and physical stores.

Group Book Signing: Wayne Harris-Wyrick and vehoae included

 

     The July 24, 2019 Edmond Sun carried an article about a group book signing to be held at Best of Books July 27. Two 4RV authors are included: vehoae and Wayne Harris-Wyrick. Hopefully, anyone in the area will attend the book signing and support Wayne and vehoae. A scanned copy of the article follows:

 

     Congratulations, vehoae and Wayne for being included in a well-written news article. May the book signing be successful.

4RV Participates in Jingle Jam

                 Every year, the Piedmont, Oklahoma school district holds a Christmas market called Jingle Jam the first Saturday of December to raise money to help teachers with their classroom expenses. Thanks to Wayne Harris-Wyrick, our staff member with a slew of positions, 4RV is notified and has participated the past two years. This year, we were represented again December 1. Dianna Street, managing vp, Wayne, vehoae, and Kathleen Gibbs represented 4RV. Our friendly, helpful mascot, Morgan Street, also attended.

Wayne Harris-Wyrick with his books

Dianna Street behind one table

On left, Morgan Street.  Above,vehoae and Kathleen Gibbs

        



       

        Books by all 4RV authors can be found on the 4RV Bookstore,

and most are available through other online stores and brick and mortar stores. 

       Books make perfect Christmas presents, gifts that continue to keep giving.

4RV Author Events Successful

vehoae and Jodi

     July 29, 2017, four 4RV authors meet the public at Serendipity during Krazy Days and signed books purchased. Taking the 2 PM - 5 PM shift were vehoae and Jodi Heaton Hrust, pictured to the left. 

     The 10 AM - 2 PM shift was manned by Kathleen Gibbs and Wayne Harris-Wyrick, pictured below.

     According to the authors, most customers mentioned reading about 4RV in the Edmond paper. All were interested in our books and the fact that we were located in Edmond, .

      A few books were sold, but considering our shopletts are just now becoming known in the area, we were pleased with the outcome. 

Kathleen and Wayne

     Another author, Kena Sosa, was part of an author event in Carrollton, Texas, the same day. I haven't any photos to share, but the bookstore informed me that the event went well.

     July 15, Jodi, Wayne, and vehoae signed books and visited with customers at The Market at Quail Springs.

        The two shopletts are the two places where 4RV books can be found. We try to rotate some of our titles, giving new releases a chance to be found locally.

NOTE:        The 4RV website is being updated with a new template. Everything can still be found, but we need to do some tweaking to make everything neat and tidy. After Aidana WillowRaven and I finish, we will begin updating the 4RV Online Bookstore site.