Overview

In an alternate New York City, a gentle bear and an anxious fox must navigate a world of magic to rescue a kidnapped baby from the clutches of a power-hungry witch. When Olaf, a black bear with a heart of gold, stumbles upon a baby abandoned by two ill-intentioned witches in Central Park, he feels an overwhelming urge to protect the child. Joined by his best friend Essex, a clever fox, they embark on a thrilling quest to find her parents. But their mission quickly spirals into chaos when they discover that the infant possesses extraordinary powers that could tip the balance of magic in the Big Apple. As they delve deeper into a supernatural world filled with danger and betrayal, Olaf and Essex face not only the ruthless witch Mabel Blackthornudder-who will stop at nothing to reclaim the infant for her own dark ambitions-but also challenges that threaten to tear their friendship apart. With the NYPD's Chief Magic Detector hot on the case and Mabel's sinister plans of deception threatening to thwart them, the two friends must confront their differences and work together to save the baby. With their friendship hanging in the balance and the lines between right and wrong becoming increasingly blurred, can Olaf find the inner strength to believe in himself and protect the child from dark forces? And, will Essex realize in time that loyalty to a friend is the most powerful weapon they have in their quest to protect the innocent?

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Reviews

"""This funny, sentimental, and heartfelt tale highlights the importance of family, multi-species or otherwise. Calkosz's story definitely tugs at the heartstrings before it ends with a memorable denouement."" - Kirkus Reviews ""It's not often that a children's book with such soft corners reveals so many layers. With its sharp humor and liberal references to Shakespeare, Patti Calkosz's OLAF AND ESSEX is a heartfelt, whimsical book that will entertain children and adults alike. A tender, layered fable set in a world where a baby's laughter is magic and trees give advice, OLAF AND ESSEX by Patti Calkosz is a beautifully warm and heartfelt story that will stay with readers long after they finish it."" - IndieReader ""Author Patti Calkosz utilizes atmosphere, humor, and character to deliver a delightful and thrilling adventure. The unique setting of an alternate New York City, where witches coexist with humans under suspicion, creates an intriguing backdrop that is sure to capture young minds right from the first moment. Mabel Blackthornudder's transformation from a witch with lofty goals to a power-hungry antagonist added a compelling arc to her character that looms over the story in classic fairytale fashion but with so much depth of character and richness for young readers to explore. Olaf and Essex, bonded by their duty, provide heartwarming and humorous moments, especially as they navigate the amusing challenges of caring for an infant. This dynamic between them is gorgeously penned with heartfelt dialogue, and the sheer warmth emanating from this aspect of the narrative allows the whole work to ooze with charm and have readers feeling safe whatever the next dangerous twist may be. Overall, Olaf and Essex is a captivating read filled with themes of bravery and friendship, and I would certainly recommend it for young fantasy fans everywhere to enjoy."" - Readers' Favorite"

Author Information

As a child, Patti Calkosz would have loved to have been rescued by a talking fox and bear. Like many kids, she grew up in an environment where it didn't feel safe to be her authentic self. She created a protective shell in which to hide, which led to deep unhappiness, social isolation, a self-perception of being ""dull,"" and escalating health problems.Employing ""alternative"" healing practices later in life, Patti's energy began to open up, unleashing her creativity. She loves making people laugh and writing about important social issues in an entertaining way.

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