Prince Preemie: A Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrives Early

by Jewel Kats, Claudia Marie Lenart (Illustrator)

Overview

The King and Queen of Puppy Kingdom are joyfully awaiting the arrival of their Prince. But the couple and their kingdom are thrown into upheaval when it is learned that Prince Puppy will arrive early, before his important crown is completed. How can they call him Prince without a crown? Discover how the King solves this problem in Prince Preemie: A Tale of a Tiny Puppy Who Arrives Early. Children will be swept away into this dreamy, fairy tale land of adorable dogs created from wool.

"As the mother of two children born pre-term, I can relate to the sorrow and joy that Prince Preemie's parents faced at his early arrival. Through magical writing and illustrations Jewel Kats and Claudia Marie Lenart once again help children of all abilities and their families understand the special gifts that are inside each one of us."
--Kelli Kelley, Founder and Exec. Director, HandtoHold.org -- Fragile Babies, Strong Support

"Prince Preemie is a sweet book that offers a good way to start conversations with a preemie child about their early birth. The story hints at the stress and fear that comes with having a child prematurely, but leaves the reader feeling hopeful."
--Andrea Mullenmeister, writer at AnEarlyStartBlog.com

"The arrival of a premature baby can be confusing for a young child. In this delightful dog kingdom, Jewel Kats has created a teaching tool that normalizes the situation. Claudia Marie Lenart's illustrations look cuddly, every child will love them and be drawn into the story of Prince Preemie even without the words."
--Bob Rich, PhD, psychologist, author of Anger and Anxiety: Be In Charge of Your Emotions and Control Phobias

"Prince Preemie is a feel good book -- the story is one of inspiration, determination and acceptance. It reminds us that there is always hope and that with optimism, dedication and love you can create the good and happiness into every situation you face."
--Robin Marvel, author of Framing a Family: Building a Foundation to Raise Confident Children

For more information please visit www.JewelKats.com
From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com
Juvenile Fiction: Social Issues - Special Needs

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615993062
Publisher:	Loving Healing Press
Publication date:	12/01/2016
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.09(d)
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Once a teen runaway, Jewel Kats is now a two-time Mom's Choice Award winner and Gelett Burgess gold medalist. For six years, Jewel penned a syndicated teen advice column for Scripps Howard News Service (USA) and The Halifax Chronicle Herald. She gained this position through The Young People's Press. Her books have been featured in Ability Magazine (USA) twice. She's authored a dozen books-eight are about disabilities. The Museum of disABILITY History celebrated her work with a two-day event. Jewel has appeared as an international magazine cover story four times! Recently, her work was featured in an in-depth article published in The Toronto Star. Jewel's work has also appeared as an evening news segment on WKBW-TV and on the pages of The Buffalo News and The Huffington Post. Jewel Kats was the pen name of Michelle Meera Katyal, who passed away in 2016 as the result of complications of surgery. Please visit her online at www.jewelkats.com

Claudia Marie Lenart is a fiber artist from northern Illinois. She experimented in the arts and handwork since childhood and while pursuing a career as a journalist. She finally found her true muse when she discovered needle felting. Her soft sculpture characters are created by repeatedly poking wool and other natural fibers, like alpaca, with a barbed needle. Claudia also uses a variety of other techniques to create her wool illustrations, including wet felting and pressed wool painting. Claudia has previously illustrated two other books by Jewel Kats: Jenny and Her Dog Both Fight Cancer: A Tale of Chemotherapy and Caring and Hansel and Gretel: A Fairy Tale with a Down Syndrome Twist To see her work, visit www.claudiamariefelt.com

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

TO MY SISTER MEGHAN AND HER SON MILAN, THE REAL PRINCE PREEMIE

The King and Queen were expecting a boy. Prince Puppy would be their first child. He was considered a miracle because he was the only puppy in the Queen's womb. Prince Puppy hogged all the space inside her belly.

Weeks before Prince Puppy's birth, the King and Queen prepared for his arrival. A bassinette stuffed with the finest goose feathers was built. Little capes were sewn. Tiny booties were knit for the Prince by the Queen herself.

A majestic gold and diamond crown fit for a wee Prince's head was in the midst of creation. The crown was of utmost importance. Without it, the baby wouldn't be regarded as a Prince. Everything was going as planned.

One day, the Queen felt unusual movement in her belly. She knew something was wrong. The King and Queen headed out in their carriage to see the city doctor. Their heads were filled with worry.

Doctor Pup examined the Queen. He felt her belly. He performed an ultrasound to see Prince Puppy through pictures on a computer screen.

At long last, Doctor Pup spoke. "The baby will be here before his crown is built," he said.

The King and Queen gasped.

The Queen's puppy-dog eyes filled with tears.

The King placed his paw on the Queen's shoulder. He now looked at the doctor. "How soon will my son be born?"

Docor Pup sighed. "He will arrive tonight."

As the good doctor predicted, the Queen gave birth that evening at the hospital. Palace horns sounded, announcing the new pup's arrival. However, the King's subjects didn't rejoice.

Lady Yappy Puppykins — the owner of many fancy coffee shops — was gossiping as usual.

"Did you hear?" Lady Yappy Puppykins said to a local customer. "The King and Queen have a premature pup on their hands. The boy was born before his time. How can we call him a 'Prince' when he does not bear a crown?"

The unknown customer agreed.

Back at the hospital, the King paced back-and-forth. He'd just learned that he couldn't take his son and wife home. They'd be staying at the hospital. No doctor could tell him for how long. Never in the history of Puppy Kingdom had this happened. The King watched through a glass window as his son was placed into an incubator to keep warm. Tubes were tied to his son for feeding. The Queen was not speaking to anybody.

The King went home to a large, empty palace. He picked up his antique phone. He slowly dialed the Manager of the Kingdom's craftspeople.

"Is the Prince's crown complete yet?" the King asked.

"Sorry, your Majesty. It's nowhere near finished ..." the Manager answered.

The King slammed his phone receiver down in frustration.

The King lay down in bed. He tossed and turned. That's until he felt something poke him. It was the Queen's majestic knitting needles. The King was immediately hit with an idea.

Day-after-day, the King went to see the Queen and his son at the hospital. The Queen had no idea the King was planning a surprise. The King's happiness spread to the Queen, and soon she too was in merry spirits. They spent hours looking after their son in the hospital.

One morning, the Queen woke up in the hospital to a racket of noise. Newspaper and radio reporters were standing outside her door.

The Queen put on her robe. Then she walked to the special unit where the incubator for her son was kept. The King was standing behind the protective window. He signaled for the Queen to come join him and their son. She played along, all the while confused.

The King put his paw inside the Queen's paw. Together, he raised their arms. "We have an important announcement!" he exclaimed to the reporters who stood outside. Nurse Puppy Rose came bearing a sterling silver plate with a silver cover on top, keeping something from view.

The King took the plate and slowly unveiled what was hidden underneath. The King was holding a knit cap made of the finest Kingdom yarns. A single glittering gem stood proudly in the middle of the hat. The King went to his son, who lay in his incubator, and put the cap on him. He kissed him softly.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Prince Preemie"
by .
Copyright © 2017 Jewel Kats.
Excerpted by permission of Loving Healing Press, Inc..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Dedication
Prince Preemie
About the Author
About the Illustrator
Also by Jewel Kats and Claudia Marie Lenart

Editorial Reviews

"As the mother of two children born pre-term, I can relate to the sorrow and joy that Prince Preemie's parents faced at his early arrival. Through magical writing and illustrations Jewel Kats and Claudia Marie Lenart once again help children of all abilities and their families understand the special gifts that are inside each one of us." --Kelli Kelley, Founder and Exec. Director, HandtoHold.org -- Fragile Babies, Strong Support "Prince Preemie is a sweet book that offers a good way to start conversations with a preemie child about their early birth. The story hints at the stress and fear that comes with having a child prematurely, but leaves the reader feeling hopeful." --Andrea Mullenmeister, writer at AnEarlyStartBlog.com "The arrival of a premature baby can be confusing for a young child. In this delightful dog kingdom, Jewel Kats has created a teaching tool that normalizes the situation. Claudia Marie Lenart's illustrations look cuddly, every child will love them and be drawn into the story of Prince Preemie even without the words." --Bob Rich, PhD, psychologist, author of Anger and Anxiety: Be In Charge of Your Emotions and Control Phobias "Prince Preemie is a feel good book -- the story is one of inspiration, determination and acceptance. It reminds us that there is always hope and that with optimism, dedication and love you can create the good and happiness into every situation you face." --Robin Marvel, author of Framing a Family: Building a Foundation to Raise Confident Children

From the Publisher