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by Wanda Cavaliere (Author), Donna Orth (Illustrator)
The universe is Nicky's home and his friends are the planets and the stars, though his very best friends are the children of planet earth. He whispers softly to them, "DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK." The US Review of Books "If only you believe, you can achieve anything." Nicky Moonbeam, The Man in the Moon, has two very important tasks he must perform each night. First, he gives all the children of the world a giant hug with his long moonbeam arms. Then, he works as the "Big Night-Light" in the sky so children won't be afraid of the dark. When Christmas Eve arrives, Nicky receives an emergency signal from the North Pole. Rudolph has come down with a cold and can't guide Santa's sleigh. The snow is falling faster and thicker by the minute while the mischievous Dream Stealers are playing practical jokes and pranks on Santa's elves and reindeer. Nicky must help save Christmas. Yet, he worries that his moonbeams won't be bright enough to guide Santa's sleigh. He is entering his "new moon" beam phase. Nicky quickly realizes he must overcome his fear and find a way to have the Dream Stealers and elves work together. Children cannot be disappointed on Christmas morning. Cavaliere created the Nicky Moonbeam character when she was a little girl to help deal with her fear of the dark. Fast forward years later and the result is a heartwarming story with an important lesson children can take to heart. Beautiful illustrations accompany the story, helping Nicky and his friends come to life. It's the first in a series of twelve planned books, which is sure to delight children who are looking forward to discovering Nicky's next adventure. RECOMMENDED
Author Biography
Wanda Cavaliere, Creator of Nicky Moonbeam is a former elementary school principal and teacher. She created Nicky Moonbeam, The Man in the Moon as a child of seven. As a child, Wanda was afraid of the dark. To calm her fears, her father, Edward Clifford Askins, told Wanda and her twin, Fonda that God hung the moon, "as a Night Light in the Sky" for all the "children of the world." After all the children were in bed, The Man in the Moon would stretch his long moonbeam arms around the earth to give each child a hug before they crossed into dreamland whispering, "DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK." Wanda holds a B.S. degree in History, Political Science, and Sociology from Austin Peay State University. She received scholarships to work on her Master's degree at Kent State University and Middle Tennessee State University with emphasis in Early Childhood Curriculum and Special Education. Wanda was selected as an Outstanding Young Women of America, 1980, and prior in l976 for her contributions to children, and in l971, selected as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America. Nicky Moonbeam Saves Christmas is the first in the series of, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark! Currently, Wanda is a National Sales Director in the Pharmaceutical and Human Nutrition industry. Wanda and her husband, Chris live in Mission Viejo, CA with their two Greyhounds.
