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Deborah's Words
VISIT WITH A VIKING
Reading has always been a great love of mine and for over twenty-six years, I have tried to instill that same feeling in my students. To me, reading is like taking the most fantastic vacation you can imagine- for free.
I have since retired from the teaching profession to pursue a career in writing and am working on several manuscripts at the present time, both in adult and children's fiction.
My current children's book series is entitled SWEPT AWAY STORIES. The first book in the series is VISIT WITH A VIKING. In VISIT WITH A VIKING, two young boys are magically transported back to the days of the Vikings while visiting a museum on a school field trip. The boys have to overcome their fears and language barriers and learn to work together in order to find a way back to the present time. During their adventure, they face Viking warriors, a hungry wolf and even a storm at sea.
There are currently three books in the SWEPT AWAY STORIES series: VISIT WITH A VIKING, SECRET IN SCOTLAND and JOURNEY TO JAPAN. If you are interested, the books are now available for purchase through this web site. The books are written for approximately a third grade reading level and include an individual art project corresponding to each story. However, if read aloud, the books are suitable for younger children. The price of the books are $5.95 each plus $2.00 for postage and handling (per book). For further information, you may contact me by email at
She smiled at him and said, "I'm the broom maker. It's my job to make brooms the same way they were made a long, long time ago. See how I tie many little bundles of twigs together around one end of this stick?"
Bruno walked over and stood next to Johnny and watched the broom maker. He pointed to her and said, "Ja, ja."
"That's not your grandma," Johnny told him.
"Verry gute, verry gute."
"And it's not a goot. It's a boot. ...I mean it's a broom." Oh brother, Johnny thought, now I'm getting confused.
The lady smiled at both of the boys and said, "Look at it. Touch it. Share it together. That's right. Sweep away the cobwebs from your minds..."
When Johnny and Bruno touched the handle of the broomstick, something happened.
There was a bright flash of light and the broom started spinning, pulling the boys with it in fast circles. It spun so fast, streaks of light crackled from the walls like lightning as they whirled by. The light rays flew into the handle of the broom and it spun millions of tiny threads of light out in every direction from its end tips.
Bruno and Johnny closed their eyes and held on as tight as they could. The boys were too scared to look or to let go.
It was like they were caught in a great big spider web that sparkled with light, like a million light bulbs shining all at once. The ends of the web of light spun together and they were sucked down with it. Down, down, down, it spun, like a tornado made of sparkling light beams, pulling them through a shimmering cloud of light.
All of a sudden the broom stopped spinning and the bright flashing lights went out, leaving them in a strange, new place.
Johnny and Bruno opened their eyes. They were still together, holding the broom. But that was the only thing that was the same. Now they were outside somewhere and it was winter. It was really, really cold.
Suddenly, they heard the growl of a wolf behind them.
4 STARS!...Deborah Gafford has created a delightful story that is both exciting and educational for children. The story is easy to read and children will enjoy the art activity she's included in the back. This is a good book for introducing your child to the new worlds and cultures they can discover through reading.
... Parents will applaud Gafford's special attention to manners and "proper" behavior. Children will delight in her tactically reinforced covers and surprise activity hidden on the inside back pages. As Bruno would have commented, "Ja, that's a gute idea."
In Deborah Gafford's Swept Away Series, A Visit With A Viking will keep your child sitting on the edge of their seat waiting for the next thrilling event. If action and adventure is your child's cup of tea, then they'll love VISIT WITH A VIKING.
VISIT WITH A VIKING is such a fun, educational, cool way to teach kids. The story itself featured some wonderful, realistic characters full of adventure and humor.
Ms. Gafford has found the right mix of fun, curiosity, and idiosyncrasies for her characters to make you want to follow these children on all their adventures! Children are not the only ones who will be able to relate to Johnny and his antics.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Texas
Mrs. Garcia, Texas
Watch for my upcoming book:
Day With A Dinosaur
