Due out November 2024 in time for Christmas gifts for all your favorite children, about 3-8, who love a read aloud book!
Autographed copies will be available here to be mailed with Homer’s books!
Goldfish earrings made by Linda are also available.
There is also an accompanying coloring book coming soon called Our Friends at the Pond Coloring Book (a Little Bit and Buddy at the Pond) Series Book by Linda Hickam Illustrated by Jan Philpot. I am not sure when but in time for holiday gifting for sure!
PREORDER NOW!
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The Tail of Little Bit
$20.00 -
Based on a true story, the children’s picture book Little Bit by Linda Hickam (Homer Hickam’s wife and his editor/assistant all these years) is her first book and is based on a true story about their tiny special goldfish born in the little pond in their front yard. From the start, they knew there was something different about Little Bit, as they named him. He was kind of odd looking in the face, with bug eyes and he had a hump in his back and a curved tail that made him swim strangely, only in a spiral way, and up and down. The other goldfish in the pond did not like him because he was different and they were mean to him, so much so that he had to stay hidden under a rock. After it became clear that he was not eating well either, “PondMom” and “PondDad” decided to bring Little Bit inside to give him special help. He thrived inside in his tank and so they bought him a friend, Buddy, a beautiful little goldfish with flowing silver fins and tail. At first, Buddy didn’t like Little Bit because of the odd way he looked but Pond Mom told him: “Little Bit can’t change the way he looks but you can change the way you feel about it.” Buddy accepted this and he and Little Bit grew closer with Buddy even helping to feed his tiny friend. After awhile, Buddy didn’t even notice that Little Bit was different.
Eventually Little Bit and Buddy grew too big for aquariums so they needed to be returned to the pond. Although the PondParents feared the worst for Little Bit, his friend Buddy was not only beautiful but wise. When food was put in the pond, Buddy, although stronger and faster than all of the pond goldfish, held back until Little Bit was able to eat. When asked why, he told the Leader goldfish: “I once thought like you but now I know he couldn’t change the way he is but I could change the way I felt about him. You can, too.” Leader Fish saw the wisdom and goodness in Buddy’s attitude. Before long, the two new aquarium fish were a happy part of the pond’s goldfish family.
A second Little Bit and Buddy pond story is already written!
About Linda Hickam
Linda Hickam was raised in a large loving family on the last hill of the Appalachians, where every day nature was their wonderful playground. Her rocket engineer dad also taught them about critters and amphibians in their natural yard with a creek running through it and she continues to love to learn about nature today. Linda also has a passion for cats and has volunteered with cat rescue her whole life. Her career was in the space industry in her hometown, Huntsville, Alabama, as a graphic artist and a copywriter. Also a scuba diving professional, she lived in the Caribbean for several years and there loved learning about every flowering tree or bush as well as all the beautiful marine life under the ocean, especially the fish. She has enjoyed a home on Saint John, US Virgin Islands for 23 years with her husband Homer Hickam, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Rocket Boys made into the movie “October Sky.” Homer is her first reader and editor, the PondDad and father of their kitties.