Right On, Winky Blue!

THIRD IN THE WINKY BLUE SERIES

Rosie’s hopes for Winky’s fame soar when she enters her bird in a talk radio contest at the top of the Empire State Building. But when her beloved bird is disqualified and her best friend’s pet gerbil get stranded on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building, it looks as though Rosie’s hopes-and Cinnamon-are in for a big fall!is as determined as ever to turn her lovable parakeet into a star. When Winky Blue wins a Blue ribbon, it looks as though her dream will come true-until he disappears in a magic show, for real! With Winky Blue gone, it will to take more than smoke and mirrors to bring the magic back into Rosie’s life!

About Right On, Winky Blue!

When I visit schools, kid ask where I got the idea for my “Winky Blue” books. The truth is, I always wanted a baby brother or sister. In my mind, a baby would add a cozy link to what in my mind was our less-than-ideal family. When no baby came, I decided a pet was the next best thing.

My new parakeet, Winky Blue, was the first pet that was solely and deliciously my own. Like a typical stage mom; I had huge ambitions for him. I wanted him to be a hero and catch crooks and save people from drowning. He would have his own TV show, like the famous collie, Lassie. I never dreamed that I would one day write a series about Winky and his little girl, Rosie, in which I described just how I felt about my beloved bird:

“Rosie felt proud and happy to be in charge of Winky’s life, and his future. She got up three times during the night just to make sure he was all right. Each time Winky was sleeping soundly under his birdcage cover. Finally, Rosie fell asleep and dreamed of a magical land with a brightly-covered Ferris wheel and a shining lake. And in the middle of all this was a treasure, something warm and real and alive. Winky Blue.”