What Readers say...

People all over the US have read the Manford stories in one form or another for the past ten years, among them parents, teachers, librarians, and, of course, children.  Some have sent letters and e-mails. Here are some excerpts:

  • “Manford was the only book in this year's reading program that kept the children's attention.”
  • “I liked your Manford story because it was so interesting and you used so many different kinds of words.”
  • “I like the wilderness a lot so I like your book.  I wish there were more of them.”
  • “Flossie is my Favorite character.”
  • “I think your adventures of Manford and his friends are interesting and exciting.”
  • “I really liked your characters.  They are funny.”
  • “I like Princess Columbine because I like butterflies.”
  • “I think your books are so fascinating.  Manford is great.”
  • “I liked it and would buy it if it was in stores.”
  • “I liked your story about Manford and his friends.  The characters were awesome.”
  • “I loved Manford of MorningGlory Mountain.  I think your books are really great.”
  • “Thank you for sharing your books, ideas, and time with us.”
  • “My teacher read the book in class and we couldn't put it down.  It was really good!”
  • “I really liked your book and if I could I would buy it.”
  • “Manford is so funny.  I have a great time reading his stories.”
  • “In our class we read Manford of MorningGlory Mountain.  I really liked the book and I want you to publish more.”
  • “My favorite characters are Manford, Veronica, and Needlenose.”
  • “Your Manford story was one of the best I ever heard.”
  • “I like Manford and his friends.  Your characters are great.”
  • “Thank you for sharing your story.  I liked Manford and his friends.”
  • “Tell me where I can find the books for my grandchildren.”
Manford of MorningGlory Mountain - The Circle is Drawn book cover

About the book:

Manford of MorningGlory Mountain is the story of seven friends

who go adventuring in mountains, forests, rivers, and even the big city exploring the world and discovering its secrets. They work, play, and learn together, winning the day by relentlessly solving whatever puzzles or problems lie in store.

In Book 1, The Circle is Drawn, Manford gathers friends who will become the Circle of Seven:

Manford lives in MorningGlory Forest in a house called Moostery Manor. Each day is a new adventure for him and you can count on him to go charging cheerfully into it.

Manford is curious. He wants to know what’s around the creek bend, where a trail goes, what’s on top of the mountain, and what new mysteries, puzzles, and delights the world has to offer today.  He makes friends easily and, of course, wants them to go exploring, too. “Again? ” they sometimes say, but Manford’s bright-eyed enthusiasm is so convincing they always join in.

Manford doesn’t give up. Problems or obstacles often stand in the way but he’s not worried. He knows that he, or one of his fellow adventurers, will be clever enough to find a way around them.

Veronica is descended from a family of circus bears, which is why she wears a headset, listens to music, and spends a lot of time dancing. She lives in a cave behind Misty Falls, the waterfall a half-mile upstream from Manford’s house.

Veronica is strong and reliable. She is quick to solve problems and help others out of trouble. Exploring with Manford is so interesting Veronica may never go off to join the circus like her mom.

Golly is a wise old bird who gives much practical help and advice. Golly is also the expedition scout. He flies ahead to see what each day has in store, soaring lazily round and round the mountains just because he likes to fly. He lives in GloryView, a treehouse on the cliff above Misty Falls.

Golly has a secret, but since he is quiet, keeps to himself much of the time, and seldom has visitors, it may take some doing to find out what his secret is.

Flossie, the pink flamingo, gets lost flying one night and eventually ends up in MorningGlory Forest. She hopes she’s found her way back to Florida but with tall mountains all around and no palm trees, it doesn’t look good. She moves in for the summer after meeting Manford and Veronica, taking over the pond she landed in and naming it for herself.

Flossie joins the group and eventually decides to stay the winter instead of trying to find her way back to Florida. Everyone pitches in to help build her a house at one end of her pond. Flossie likes being near water and her new home so is always skeptical of Manford’s ideas about climbing mountains and going on long journeys. “What for? ” she wants to know. “I’ll just get lost again. ”

Princess Columbine sips nectar from flowers and can often be found perched on Flossie’s head. She doesn’t remember ever being a caterpillar. Frankly, Columbine finds the whole metamorphosis idea a bit hard to believe, even if the encyclopedia does show pictures of it.

Though she might seem like just another fragile princess, Columbine is an intelligent, helpful, and useful companion on adventures. She can flutter into places the others can’t go and sometimes gathers information simply by being part of the scenery.

Needlenose has an urgent need to eat potato chips a bag or two at a time. His burrow, known as Haystack Hollow, has an entire pantry with shelf after shelf of nothing but potato chips. Needlenose is a tidy creature who reads books at home and at the library to discover interesting things. He also works in his studio crafting necklaces and other ornaments, often from his own quills.

Needlenose walks slowly, shuffling along as if there wasn’t any hurry. He rides on Veronica’s back when the MorningGlory Forest friends go traveling so he doesn’t make everyone wait.

Ssam is a harmless garter snake about two feet long. It bothers him that so many animals and people don’t like snakes so he’s worked out a way to gain respect: he wears a black bow tie and bowler hat and TALKS VERY LOUD, often in italics, to command attention. He also poses science riddles to get everyone thinking.

Ssam lives with Needlenose in Haystack Hollow. He travels inside the backpack Manford wears when the group goes adventuring, either sleeping or sticking his head out the flap to see what’s going on.

Preview Contents and Chapter 1 ->

Order Manford of MorningGlory Mountain - The Circle is Drawn ->