The Books

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Honey Girl Books and Gifts publishes illustrated books that bring scholarly discoveries and new versions of classic novels to younger readers.  

Illustrated by young and up-and-coming artists, these books are unique collectors' items as well as a good read. 

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NEWS!

 

Angelina and The Stranger's Name is now available! 

42 pages, color illus, NOW only $19.99 with free shipping in USA.

Written by Sabrina Ferri of Rome, Italy, illustrated by Luisa Galstyan of Yerevan, Armenia, and with commentary by Stefania Benini of Lancaster, PA.

With its feminist angle on a diabolical legend, this book will be a must for clever children everywhere...

The Italian original is available too: Angelina e il Nome dello Sconosciuto! ​​​​​

in paperback right in time for the holidays!

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A Spooky Tale of Spring, or How the Grumpy Mom Got her Cheer Back, illustrated by Kiera Highsmith. (Hint: it's a retelling of a favorite Dickens novel, with a Ghost Cat who visits her former owner and ushers in a night of useful terrors....). With historical and contextual notes by Dickens scholar, Chris VandenBossche, and animal rights activist, Wendy A. Wolfe. 50% of proceeds from A Spooky Tale of Spring will be

donated to Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group in Mishawaka, IN.

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 Available now for only $19.99 plus free shipping the USA!

Also at Pegasus Book Exchange in West Seattle, on Amazon, and bol.com for those of you in Europe!

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A Spooky Tale gets an "A"!

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"Laughter heals, and this lovely book kept me laughing. It's a wonderful tribute to Dickens's Christmas Carol, by extending it to animals. Our pets come out ahead here, knowing things it would be best for we adults to learn and take to heart.

And as we laugh and chortle, we heal."

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--Murray Baumgarten, Founding Director The Dickens Project, UCSC 

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Our first book, The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate, illustrated by Karen Neis, was ranked by Amazon as #1 New Release in Children's European Historical Fiction, and #1 New Release in Children's European Biography (November 2018)! 

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The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate: A Possibly True Story of the Monster's Origins is a ghost story, a Gothic novel for youngsters, and a work of alternative history. It shows how Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, then age 19, could have got the inspiration to write her masterpiece Frankenstein during that fateful night on the banks of Lake Geneva. It makes a leap of imagination into the past to unearth how the girl Mary could have read a French tale, published in 1790, that features an inventor named Frankénsteïn who makes a man-sized robot. Could the secret have been left behind in the papers of her mother, the amazing Mary Wollstonecraft?

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Possibly true (and possibly not!), The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate was inspired by archival research, and includes historical and biographical notes by scholars of the French Revolution, Mary Shelley, and the thrilling Frankenstein.

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The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate: A Possibly True Story of the Monster's Origins, by Julia Douthwaite Viglione, illustrated by Karen Neis, with biographical and historical notes by Eileen Hunt Botting and Greg Kucich.

35 pages, 33 color illus, ages 8 and up

Available NOW for only $19.99 and free shipping from my Etsy shop! 

Also available at Seattle's best independent bookstores: Pegasus Book Exchange and Third Place Books in Ravenna.

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Readers rave about The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate:

The story is fascinating, and the illustrations capture the haunting mood so well."
--Liz, Mishawaka, IN

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The kids loved the book!
--Kathleen, Seattle, WA

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French and Spanish versions!

Le Frankenstein du cageot à pommes, ou comment le monstre est né,

de source (presque) sûre, translated by Vincent Jauneau

Available now in hardcover on Amazon.fr! 

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El Frankenstein de la caja de manzanas: 

Una historia posiblemente verdadera de los orígenes del monstruo,

translated by Jeremy Llanes Dela Cruz

Available now in hardcover on Amazon!

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Coming in January 2025: 

Five Seattle Stories by Seattle Kids

 

Five tales set in Seattle circa 1880-present, by groups of young writers in the "Write YOUR Story" workshops, ca. 2023-2024. Includes retellings of beloved children's books "Puss in Boots,"* River Dragon,** and Make Way for Ducklings*** ! --that is, *The Trickster of Puget Sound, **Nightmare at Green Lake, and ***Family Along the Way.

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Advance reviews are looking good!  -- Readers rave about Seattle Stories!
 

“Five Seattle Stories by Seattle Kids is a true testament to imagination and collaboration from some promising young authors.  While there may be a hint of the original folk tale in each one of the stories, they are creatively altered and woven into Seattle itself resulting in a new and refreshing retelling of each tale. Well done to Julia’s editing and all of the authors who contributed to these delightful stories.” -- Dan and Joanie Jacobs - Admiral Neighborhood Association, Seattle, WA
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I've enjoyed reading each one and being transported to the different areas of Seattle so I am sure it will bring joy to many others.”  --Kirstyn, Denver, CO
 

“Very sweet illustrations and stories that tug at my heart.”  --Joyce, New York, NY
 

“Heartfelt congratulations to you and to your merry band of authors!”  --Kate, Atlanta, GA
 

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