Elaine Ambrose

Bestselling Author, Ventriloquist, & Humorist

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Dragons and Drama at the DMV

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I needed to renew my driver’s license, an ordinary task for most people. Not for me.

I drove to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on a Wednesday afternoon thinking the room would be less crowded. I was correct. When I arrived, there was one person in the waiting room and two clerks behind the counter.

I approached the counter and cheerfully said I wanted to renew my driver’s license. One clerk looked up and pointed me to the kiosk at the front door.

“Take a number,” she instructed. I resisted the temptation to salute.

Shamed for not following proper procedures, I tiptoed back to the kiosk and pushed the button for driver’s license.

“Do you have an appointment?” The ominous message appeared on the screen.

“No.” I replied.

The screen went blank, and I started over. This time I typed that I wanted an appointment. (I really did.) The machine responded with a list of times. I started talking to the machine and said I already was there and the current time was fine so let me proceed. The kiosk didn’t care about or answer my verbal message.

I typed in the current time, and the machine started to process my request.

“Appointment approved,” the machine wrote. I felt special and thought I was ready. But, no.

“Scan the QR Code,” came the message. The machine mocked me as if guarding powerful secrets for entrance into an ancient Egyptian tomb.

Kiosk at the Department of Motor Vehicles (with Enhancements)

I grumbled as I fumbled through my purse, found my cell phone, and managed to open the camera to scan the magic but elusive entry code. Alas, my phone wouldn’t capture the code. I continued to talk to the Kiosk with frustration and a growing irritation. Another person who knew the rules entered the building and stood behind me.  My anxiety activated my heart defibrillator.

Finally, a uniformed official appeared from another room and asked me to follow her. I wondered if a group of employees had been secretly recording me to make a training video to be used throughout the state. The video would warn DMV employees how to deal with vintage women who started driving tractors on the farm at age 14, had driven for sixty years without needing to prove their ability to drive, and resented being told to take a number.

So, to survive the situation, I flew away on my dragon.

I have a lifelong habit of dealing with stress by escaping into my imagination. For the rest of my time at the DMV, I was victoriously riding on a fire-breathing dragon. This liberating image allowed me to finish renewing my license, agree that my weight had remained the same for 40 years, and leave the building without hurting anyone.

Once back in my car, I told the dragon to go back into my imagination, and I would summon him when needed.

The dragon replied, “Take a number.”

Let’s Celebrate Truckers, Gators, and Taters

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To support truck drivers and inspire children to imagine award-winning storytelling, here is the first story in Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories. The children’s book won a prestigious writing award for children’s literature from The Independent Press. (The story is written in poetry form with the accent on every third syllable using the same meter and rhyme scheme as the classic poem T’was the Night Before Christmas written in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore.)

Available in Paperback, eBook, and Audiobook

 

 

 

 

Happy Alligators playing in potatoes

 

 

 

Cleo and Clyde wave bye-bye.

 

The story is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook read by the author. Thanks to Patrick Bochnak for the festive illustrations.

Copyright Elaine Ambrose

 

“Melody” Wins Distinguished Award for Children’s Fiction

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The 2021 Independent Press Awards announced today Melody’s Magical Flying Machine by Idaho author Elaine Ambrose is the Distinguished Favorite winner in the Children’s Fiction category. Judges evaluated entries from around the world, and the Children’s Fiction category received thousands of submissions. The Awards celebrate and recognize key titles representing excellence in global independent publishing and writing.

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is a beginning chapter book for ages 7-11. Melody is an amusing 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome. She narrates her story of meeting an enchanted bird, and they use a 3D printer to create a flying machine pulled by two dragons. She soars over the playground to amaze her friends and confront a group of bullies. Melody’s energetic talent in storytelling empowers her to educate others about Down syndrome while sharing her tall tales and strong hugs.

“The book is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination. Melody is an engaging narrator whose cheerful affection, knack for happiness, and zestful imagination express themselves in every line. Carolyn Zina’s pencil illustrations are beautifully textured and shaded, with a magical quality that deftly matches the text.” – Kirkus Reviews

Publishers Weekly named the book as an “Editor’s Pick” for outstanding quality and wrote about “vivid prose” and “imaginative tapestry that is Melody’s magical adventure.” The published review concluded: “This charming flight of fancy with an equally charming protagonist will delight readers who want to be both educated and entertained.”

Slant3D of Nampa, Idaho, manufactured 3D toys for the book.

The story features a 3D printer, and toys were created with a 3D printer to accompany the book. Ambrose has donated books and toys to several charities, including Special Olympics Idaho and the Ohana Day Center in Woods Cross, Utah.

Illustrations were created by Idaho artist Caroline Zina. The book is available in paperback, published by Brown Books Publishing, and in eBook and audiobook read by the author. Order from independent bookstores, online, or from the author.

Elaine Ambrose is a bestselling author of 12 books, 14 eBooks, and 4 audiobooks. During the past six years, her books have won 10 international writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. More details are available on www.ElaineAmbrose.com.

Melody the Daydreamer
Melody and JuJu use a 3D printer to make a flying machine.
“Don’t forget me, Sweetie Pie.”

Virtual Premiere Party Nov. 14 for Children’s Book

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“Don’t forget me, Sweetie Pie.”

Idaho author Elaine Ambrose will introduce her latest children’s book at a virtual and drive-by event on Saturday, November 14 at SpurWing Country Club. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Idaho. People can view online Eventbrite details or stop by Spurwing, 6800 N Spurwing Way in Meridian, between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm to purchase an autographed book and two toys for $20. Due to social distancing regulations, masks will be required and there won’t be a program.

Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Idaho

The book tells the story of a ten-year-old girl with Down syndrome who meets a talking bird named JuJu. Using a 3D printer, they create a magical flying machine. Slant3D in Nampa manufactured toys with a 3D printer to accompany the book. The 88-page chapter book is written for ages seven through eleven and includes creative illustrations by Idaho artist Caroline Zina. The book was published by Brown Books Publishing and also is available in eBook format and in audiobook read by the author. They are available online or can be ordered from local bookstores and libraries.

National professional reviews have been positive. Publishers Weekly awarded the book with a “lightning bolt” designation, indicating an “Editor’s Pick for a Book of Outstanding Quality.” The review to be published in the November issue of Publishers Weekly noted that: “Award-winning humorist, memoirist, and children’s author Ambrose adds another hit to her roster with a third children’s book.” Kirkus Reviews  wrote the book “is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

Melody and JuJu with 3-D printer

Readers within the Down syndrome community also gave positive reviews. Allison Zoccola has an adult brother with Down syndrome and sent these remarks: “WOW – your book is incredible. I can imagine reading this to my daughter with so much joy and pride in having the main character proudly represent such an underrepresented population of phenomenal people. The illustrations are marvelous with so much depth, and truly enhance and bring more life to the words on the page.  The descriptions are peppered with realistic details and mannerisms – like fidgeting with the strings on her outfit – and bring so much life to the story for me. Having a brother with Down Syndrome, I know all too well the habits, repeated routines, safe places etc., that make up the day of an individual with Downs. I genuinely enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to read it again.”

Slant3D of Nampa, Idaho, manufactured 3D toys for the book.

Ambrose is the bestselling author of ten books, a viral blogger, and certified workshop facilitator. She has won national writing awards for books in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books.

Melody the Storyteller
Melody the Daydreamer

3-D Toys Created for Children’s Book

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Video shows 3-D printing of the doll toy for Melody.

Melody is coming! A new children’s book titled Melody’s Magical Flying Machine introduces 10-year-old Melody, an amusing girl who loves to imagine and tell stories, give strong hugs, and share knock-knock jokes with her brother. She also has Down syndrome.

After a bad day at school, she escapes to her safe place beneath a catalpa tree and meets a magical talking bird. They use a 3-D printer to create a flying machine so Melody can fly through the air, amaze her friends, and chase a group of bullies. Through her adventures, Melody discovers her strength, resilience, and joy.

Slant 3D Printing in Caldwell, Idaho, was commissioned to design and manufacture 3-D toys to accompany the book, eBook, and audiobook. The company features state-of-the-art design, prototype manufacturing, and production of complex products for clients across the country. The finished toy resembles the illustration of Melody and details include her eyeglasses.

3-D toys in a Fairy Garden.

The book contains a dozen charming illustrations by Idaho artist Caroline Zina. Two illustrations were used for the 3-D toys: the girl and the shell that became the flying machine. The toys are three-inches high, light-weight, and sturdy enough for active children to use during storytelling activities with the book.https://elaineambrose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/img_2329.mov

The book premieres in November, and the paperback and eBook are available for pre-order. The audiobook read by the author will be available on November 10. The author is organizing a premiere party on Saturday, November 14. The book and two toys will be sold for $25. Individual books and toys also can be purchased. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics Idaho.

20_52062_CVR_SoftProof Click this link to see the back and front cover.

The book is receiving excellent reviews from national reviewers, professionals, and children who enjoy chapter books written for ages seven through eleven. Kirkus Reviews wrote, “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

“Melody” Ready for Pre-Order in Paperback and eBook Formats

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Sample eBook page for “Melody’s Magical Flying Machine”

Melody’s Magical Flying Machine is almost ready to fly into the hands and hearts of adults and children eager for a positive, imaginative story. The book, eBook, and audiobook read by the author will be available in November, but orders are being accepted now.

Click here for the paperback edition available for pre-order.

Click here for the eBook edition for Kindle.

The story features a 10-year-old girl with Down syndrome who meets an enchanted talking bird. Using a 3-D printer, they create a magical flying machine pulled by two dragons so she can soar freely through the air, amaze her friends, and scare a group of bullies. Kirkus Reviews wrote “the book is a joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.”

Kirkus Reviews wrote illustrations by Idaho artist Caroline Zina are “beautifully textured and shaded, with a magical quality that deftly matches the text.” The manuscript was professionally edited and published by Brown Books Publishing. The author employed the assistance of five children between the ages of eight and twelve to make suggestions and approve the final version. Talented people at DesignWorks Creative in Boise designed the interior layout for the eBook. With the release in November, the author will offer 3-D toys for purchase to accompany the book. The toys are being manufactured by Slant 3D in Nampa. The audiobook will be produced by Drew Allen Brown of Nampa. The cover art by Wayne Anderson is courtesy of Bridgeman Art Gallery in New York. Proceeds from the initial launch in November will be donated to Special Olympics Idaho.