by Francis C. Pengitore
It started off as just another ordinary day for the Squirrel family. Mom and dad were out busily gathering food, and Junior was asleep in his comfortable bed waiting for them to return with breakfast, when he was startled by the screeching of blackbirds flying in great numbers all around his tree home. In an instant, everything turned dark, and Junior sensed a huge weight upon him. He was becoming increasingly terrified and filled with despair as he felt the tight grip of the talons of a giant hawk around his belly as he was being lifted up into the air. He wondered if he would ever see his home and family again.
This story describes the rescue of a baby squirrel from the clutches of a hawk through the various stages of rehabilitation ending with him and a buddy he acquired along the way being returned to his home in the tree from which he was abducted.
by Francis C. Pengitore
Join Lucky and Bud in their new adventure that starts where their first one left off. This sequel to The Adventures of Lucky and Bud: The Rescue finds the boys at the center of a mystery when their chipmunk cousins’ winter food cache is robbed, and the mischievous pair, who have a reputation for raiding bird feeders, eating flower bulbs, and stealing corn cobs and tomatoes from Mr. Pickles’ vegetable garden, become suspects. To clear their names, find the real thief and, hopefully, recover the stolen food, they lead a search with help from their friends and other animals in their neighborhood to hunt for clues in what turns out to be a thrilling and, at times, risky pursuit.
Along the way, the amateur detectives learn about the importance of friendship and loyalty, as well as the problems that can arise from prejudging others without knowing all the facts or shunning those who look different or come from unfamiliar places.
by Francis C. Pengitore
Join Lucky and Bud, two gifted young squirrel athletes, as they pursue their dream of participating in the Squirrel Olympics. Coached by Lucky’s grandpa, himself a former Olympic champion, they train every day before and after school for nearly a year to qualify for the big games, realizing that only by hard work and unwavering dedication to their goal will they succeed. They also know that there are no shortcuts to success, something they come to learn may not necessarily be shared by all their competitors. In fact, over time, they begin to wonder if some of the athletes are benefitting from an unfair advantage. So, drawing on their crime-solving skills practiced in The Adventures of Lucky and Bud: The Pursuit, the boys decide to investigate while continuing to prepare for and then participate in the Olympic games. What will they find? Are there cheaters in the Olympics? And in the end, can they stay focused to overcome these challenges and become Olympic champions?
