Tasty Writing Samples

As a ghostwriter of children’s books, stories, poems, and lyrics, I don’t own the rights to most of the writing I produce. However, I can share a few snippets of different stories so that you can get a sense of my various writing styles, including a dash of Dr. Seuss and a sprinkle of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

Target Audience: 3-5 year-olds

On a sunny spring day, Brewster played fetch with other dogs at the park. He wondered if there were other animals in the world besides dogs — and pesky cats.

Brewster's parents knew exactly where they should go to meet different animals: the zoo!

As they bought their tickets, the cashier told them about a special exhibit.

The amazing Pei came all the way from China — with a big appetite. Animals like her can eat up to 22 pounds of bamboo in one day! 

What type of animal is Pei? 

A panda. 

Brewster asked Pei the Panda how she manages to eat so much bamboo.

"Too busy to talk," Pei said. "I've got a lot on my plate at the moment."

The exhibit next door was in a cold building with lots of pools. There they met Lucy, a big bird that can't fly but can drink saltwater.

What type of animal is Penelope? 

A penguin.

Penelope the Penguin was swimming in endless circles. Penguins can hold their breath for up to twenty minutes!

Around and around she went. Brewster went around and around, too, as he chased his tail next to the pool.

Outside there was a shallow pond where Brewster met Fran. She’s a tall bird who likes to stand on one foot. Her feathers are pink because of what she eats: red bugs! 

What type of animal is Fran? 

A flamingo.

Brewster tried to stand on one paw. He lost his balance and fell flat on his nose. 

“How do you stand on one foot,” asked Brewster as he licked his sore snout.

“Practice makes perfect,” said Fran.

When it was time for lunch, Brewster and his parents arranged a picnic under a tall tree. As Brewster ate crunchies from his bowl, he heard rustling leaves.

Above him in the tree was Stan, a very slow animal who can climb faster than he can walk.

What type of animal is Stan? 

A sloth.

Out of Stan’s thick fur crept cockroaches, beetles, and moths. Bugs live in a sloth’s warm, comfortable fur.

“Can you share some of your food,” Stan the Sloth asked Brewster. “I have a lot of mouths to feed.”

“Help yourself to as many crunchies as you like,” Brewster said.

Stan’s long tongue slid into Brewster’s food bowl. The sloth grabbed enough food for him and all his friends.

“That looks good,” said another animal in the tree, named Jim. Jim was an adorable Australian animal with sharp claws and beady black eyes.

What type of animal is Jim? 

A koala.

“Oh dear,” said Brewster. “Are you a friendly bear or a mean bear?”

“Koalas aren’t bears at all,” Jim the Koala said, “and I’m not mean. If you're worried about mean animals, keep your eye on Paddy." Jim looked in the direction of Brewster’s picnic blanket.

Slithering in the grass was one of the world’s largest snakes. These snakes like to give their meals a big warm hug before they eat.

What type of animal is Paddy? 

A python!

Brewster and his parents were so scared that they tried to climb up the tree.

“Don’t worry about me,” Paddy the Python said. “I’ve already eaten today. I was hoping that one of you knew where to find the panda exhibit. I don’t want to miss Pei before she heads back to China."

Brewster, his parents, the sloth and the koala all pointed towards the special exhibit.

“Thanksssss,” Paddy hissed as he slithered away.

Brewster's parents decided that they’d had enough excitement for one day. Before leaving the zoo, Brewster went to the gift shop and bought six balloons. 

Each balloon was in the shape of one of his new animal friends. They had unique sizes, shapes and colors. All the different animals made the world a beautiful place to live.

Project: Children’s Book Similar To “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”

Target Audience: 8-12 year-olds

This one normal Saturday morning pretty much turned into the most exciting day of my life! My older brother, Jake, was playing DragonHunter as usual — casting magical spells on a flock of willies (or something like that). My hyper little brother CJ was chasing our dog, Toby, from room to room while I practiced my saxophone for the 4th-grade band concert. I really wanted to play the tuba, but it wouldn’t fit in my parents’ car.

As I rocked out an epic saxophone solo, Mom came into the bedroom with her hands over her ears and yelled Mason, making my name sound like a bad word. She told me to go outside with my brothers before her ears started to bleed, whatever that meant. Pull Jake away from DragonHunter while he’s casting spells? Good luck.

That’s when she got her most ingenious idea ever. Pointing out the window towards the woods, she said that instead of hunting digital dragons, we should search for real reptiles. That got everyone’s attention. And so the great snake hunt began!

River Valley is a pretty awesome place to live. There are mountains, rivers, ponds, and these woods right behind our house. We’d seen rabbits, squirrels, and deer around there. One time we even thought we saw Bigfoot. But were there snakes, for real?

Jake searched the tall grass along the river’s edge. CJ bounced from one pile of dead leaves to the next. Toby sniffed under every rock and peed on top of half of them. I climbed up a big tree and surveyed the woods, but I lost my grip and landed on my butt.

As I rubbed my butt to make sure it wasn’t broken, Jake thought he saw something slither under a bush. He said I’m going in! My brother played so much DragonHunter that I guess snakes didn’t scare him. He disappeared under the bush.

Everything went quiet. Jake, I whispered, are you okay? CJ got impatient and tried crawling into the bush. I don’t think so, I said, grabbing his ankle. I couldn’t have both of my brothers turned into snake food.

All of a sudden, the bush shook like wild, with leaves flying through the air, but before I had time to panic, the bush stopped moving. Something was making its way out, either a brave brother or a well-fed creature. It was Jake, holding a little green and black snake in both hands!

Format: Children's YouTube Video

Target Audience: 2-3 year-olds

The rain clouds disappear now that spring is done.

It's summertime — let's go out and have fun!

Climb up the playground and glide down the slide.

Hop on your bike and take your dog for a ride.

Fun, fun, fun, fun — let's have fun!

The season goes by quickly so you better run.

It's summertime — let's go out and have fun!

Hike through the forest among the tall trees.

Prepare a picnic with fruit, crackers, and cheese.

Fun, fun, fun, fun — let's have fun!

Looking For More?

Listen to my two albums of children’s music, Room for Dessert and Seconds. They’re available on Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your tunes.

Get In Touch

Get in touch to ask your pressing questions, find out about my availability, or request writing samples. I often reply to emails within twelve hours. If a whole day passes, please contact your local SPCA, and they will track me down through my chip implant.