Illustrated by Adam Taylor
When eight-year-old Ryder asks Santa to help his uncle Ted overcome writer’s block and create another amazing story, he cannot know that they’ll both be getting the best present ever. But is it real, or just a wonderful Christmas dream?
“A fun read! Murphy sure knows how to weave a story. He had me from page one. Whether you’re a young reader or an adult, you’ll want to join the journey. And don’t forget to admire the view: Adam Taylor’s illustrations are as vivid and evocative as the writing.” —Lisa Mullins, PRI’s The World
“A captivating, fresh addition to a long list of Christmas titles. Murphy is one of those rare adults who is strongly in tune with his eight-year-old self, able to capture the excitement, adventure, and feelings of childhood, and the magic of Christmas. His tale of twists and turns, actions and dilemmas is told as if he actually lived it. . . . Perhaps he did!” —Martha Zschock, author of Journey Around Cape Cod
“A sweet, imaginative story about something that writers, budding writers and educators can relate to: writer’s block.” —Emily Chetkowski, author of Pumpkin Smile
T.M. Murphy, featured in the new book 101 Highly Successful Novelists, is the author of the acclaimed Belltown Mystery Series, listed as a Favorite New Series by BookSense Children’s 76. Murphy spends his days touring hundreds of schools, bookstores, and conference and motivating kids to write. He spends his summers teaching young writers at The Writers’ Shack in his hometown. Adam Taylor’s diversified illustration and animation talent has appeared in television, film, publishing and the Internet, with projects for MGM Studios, Disney, Virgin Records, CBS, National Geographic Kids, VH-1 and MTV. Productions include Pink Panther, Baby Pink Panther & Pals, Stargate Infinity, Bulletproof Monk, and the “Pink Panther’s Penthouse Party” music video featuring Henry Mancini’s Grammy-Award-winning “Pink Panther” theme.
Adam Taylor’s diversified illustration and animation talent has appeared in television, film, publishing and the Internet, with projects for MGM Studios, Disney, Virgin Records, CBS, National Geographic Kids, VH-1 and MTV. Productions include Pink Panther, Baby Pink Panther & Pals, Stargate Infinity, Bulletproof Monk, and the “Pink Panther’s Penthouse Party” music video featuring Henry Mancini’s Grammy-Award-winning “Pink Panther” theme. Adam, a Massachusetts native, now lives in Los Angeles.
