In book 12, "Shadow and Friends Family Reunion" concludes the 12 book "Shadow and Friends" series. In Family and Friends, Foxy and Sparkles, Fox squirrels, and Shadow, a small dog look back over their first meeting and becoming friends and at all the adventures they took part in over the course of this series. In this fun picture book kids learn how a dog and two squirrels become friends. They go on a camping adventure, visit the mountains, take a European vacation, spend Christmas in Central Park, Uncle Stubby gets married in a Valentine Fairy Forest, they re-enact Ellsworth, KS, 150th birthday, memories of an ocean adventure in the Florida Keys, followed by visiting an enchanted forest, Meeting Mr. Rabbit, and his family, and finally the big costume party thanks to Digger digging up a treasure chest full of costumes. Children learn how to be friends with others from different cultures, and how to share in adventures. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt teach how they keep their yard mowed and how they care for the wildlife that venture into their backyard. In these pages, memories of adventures are seen via cell phone pictures and wordage, all the animals are friendly and kind to each other. Lessons are learned in behavior, kindness, and taking care of wildlife. All characters are based on backyard wildlife and Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt.
Shadow’s a dog; Foxy and Sparkles are squirrels. It doesn’t matter that they’re different; they’re still best friends. Shadow once saved a lost baby squirrel, Little Whitey, and that’s what cemented the friendship. There are other wild animals (and not so wild, too) who have connected with Shadow - all friends. They shared various adventures around the world, expanding their list of friends internationally. Now, after so many adventures, Shadow, Foxy, and Sparkles have decided to host a reunion of all their friends - a party, a celebration of friendship and good times. It’s more than just a time to re-connect with friends near and far; it’s a time to remember and share special memories of times spent together. Shadow and his friends
are more than a random collection of friends; they’re family.
Mary L. Schmidt’s picture book story, Shadow and Friends Family Reunion, is the twelfth and final book in her Shadow and Friends series. Using simple language and colorful illustrations, the author leads young readers through a time of cherished memories, recapping the special events that brought the friends together. There were camping adventures, mountain hikes, a European vacation where Foxy wore the Queen’s coronation
gown and crown, and then there was Christmas spent in Central Park, New York City. The friends have shared some grand and exciting adventures and learned a lot along the way. Perhaps the most important thing they all learned was that their differences didn’t matter - they were friends no matter what differences might have separated them. This is a fun story about friendship and caring for others.
Mary L. Schmidt writes under the name of S. Jackson along with her husband Michael, pen name A Raymond. She grew up in a small Kansas (USA) town and I lived in more than one state since then. At this time, my husband and I split our time between Kansas and Colorado (we love the mountains and off road 4-wheeling). Traveling is one of our most favorite things to do and I always have a book or even three books that I read, in the same week. Books were really my thing. It seemed like every time I turned around I was obtaining a new library card due to the current one being stamped complete. Diving into a good book made any day perfect and you would be surprised at the number of books I read over and over. I drew paper dolls and clothes for them, and using watercolor as my medium when painting scenes, especially flowers. I continued with art in high school exploring a wide variety of arts and I loved it! The creative side of me loves to be an amateur "shutter-bug" and we actually have an online art gallery. In college I went into the sciences of all things and received a Bachelor's degree in the Science of Nursing. My nursing career was highly successful and I hung up my nursing hat in December 2012.S. Jackson is a retired registered nurse; a member of the Catholic Church, and has taught kindergarten Catechism; she has worked in various capacities for The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, (son, Gene, is an Eagle Scout), and sponsored trips for high school music children. She loves all forms of art but mostly focuses on the visual arts; such as amateur photography, traditional, and graphic art as her health allows.She has written more than 30 books with five more in various stages of production, and she is included in four anthologies.A. Raymond is a member of the Catholic Church, and has helped his wife with The American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Cub and Boy Scouts, and sponsored children alongside his wife on music trips. He devotes his spare time to fishing, reading, playing poker, Jeeping, and travel adventures with his wife. Both love spending time with their grandson, Austin, and granddaughter, Emma.
