Meet the Author
When Cliff Davis was about seven years old, a thoughtful school teacher encouraged him to write down a story he’d composed, about a horse who hated hay. That little book, handwritten, mimeographed and laminated, was his first attempt to break into the world of literature.
“No parent, teacher – or anyone involved in a child’s life – should ever underestimate the impact of even the smallest gesture of encouragement,” he says.
Mr. Davis has been writing ever since. A 1996 graduate of Brigham Young University with a B.A. in journalism, he has been a newspaper reporter, recipient of several first place Virginia Press Association awards, and a school district public relations spokesperson.
Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming and raised on Air Force bases around the world, Mr. Davis now lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Anita; their Jack Russell-Chihuahua, Bunny; a cockatiel named Nina; a fish named Valentine – and more than 1,500 books he hopes someday to read.
Details
Format: Paperback
Pages: 110
ISBN PB: 978-1-9399301-3-2
Release Date: 12/25/2013
Endorsements
“Cliff Davis has captured all the elements of a marvelous fantasy for young readers. This tale has a hero and dark wizard that actually work problems out. Additionally, the reader has fun practicing like-sounding names of the colorful characters such as Lizzie Lewis, an extraordinarily brave little girl. Most importantly, the story teaches good moral values of forgiveness, helping others, and looking for the good in everyone.”
— Roberta Minetree, retired reading specialist, Chesterfield County Public Schools
“How many of us have thought about mystery, magic, and intrigue and what it would be like to shrink down into another realm of reality? I would recommend this book to my fellow teachers. It was a wonderful story. Now I want a Chookamook of my own to hold when I read this story again.”
— Jeannie Myers, Chesterfield County Public Schools Special Needs teacher
“As a former elementary teacher and current employee of a county library, I have spent lots of time reading children’s literature. While reading Cliff Davis’ new book, A Chookamook Came Over for Breakfast, I felt myself being transported somewhere between Alice’s looking glass and Willy Wonka’s factory. This book is so imaginative with the most delightful characters. Any child who balks at eating his or her breakfast will be enchanted by skinny little Lizzie Lewis and her antics.”
—Patricia Rosvall, former teacher
Meet the Illustrator
Patricia H. W. “Heidi” Gibson spent her early years in Germany with her family. It was a magical time for her and the experience influenced her greatly. When she was a child, her parents nurtured her creative spirit in music and art.
Returning to Virginia, she graduated in 1980 from Colonial Heights High School. Later that year, she married her high school sweetheart, Don. In 1985 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Ms. Gibson refused to let MS define her. She began her journey by staying positive and keeping humor strong in her heart. Art became her outlet. She earned a Certificate in Fine Art from John Tyler Community College in 1994 and began teaching art to adults and children.
In 1995, the John Randolph Medical Center in Hopewell, Virginia, commissioned her to do a painting of the historic Flowerdew Hundred Windmill, and later, of Shirley Plantation. In 1999, she was honored to create the drawings for A Chookamook Came Over for Breakfast in the Progress-Index newspaper … when the world got its first look at a Chookamook.
Although she is now bedbound, Ms. Gibson still teaches on a limited basis. She feels truly blessed for a wonderful husband and family, including her two miniature long hair dachshunds, Hansel and Gretel.
