The Zemi
Young Adult/Fantasy Fiction Completed Manuscript
Word Count: 68,800+
Story duration: Seven days in June 2017
A dying man in the Bronx gives an ancient South American idol to a fourteen-year-old boy named Buca. Instructed by the dying man’s last breath, Buca must protect the idol as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and then fights for his life as the dying man’s brother attempts to retrieve the Zemi. The story unfolds in The Bronx, Spain, Puerto Rico, and the State of Maine. Buca discovers a new way of life in Maine, develops confidence in himself, and comes to terms with his estranged father.
The genesis of this novel evolved around the concept of being worthy of selection - a childhood fantasy of mine. My unlikely hero is a boy from the Bronx of Puerto Rican descent and of Taino heritage who wields the power of a magical deity, initially, by accident, and then ultimately, by control.
Itchy and Kitchy
Children’s Picture Books
Inspired by bedtime stories that my father told, on the fly, to my brother and me. The adventures of Itchy and Kitchy are playful and engaging tales for young children. They are purely fun with some teachable moments. The stories celebrate imagination, curiosity, and the joy of seeing the world through a child’s eyes — these stories are meant to be shared at bedtime, in classrooms, or curled up on a couch.
Itchy and Kitchy - Whaleriders Completed Manuscript
Itchy and Kitchy Go To The Moon In progress
Itchy and Kitchy - A Day On The Farm
Itchy and Kitchy Ride The Bus
Conceptual sketch by Norman Houle