Harold's Midnight Adventure

Hooray! I am now a published author. I originally wrote the poem “Ode to a Fairy Ring” in early October 1995. It took me about ninety minutes, during an inspirational train ride from London to Forrest Row. At that time, I was studying at the Emerson College School of Storytelling. Emerson College is named after the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, who lived in the area,. It rests on 250 acres of wooded farmland. The Waldorf school is surrounded by a rich history of writers and tradition of myth. Plus my degree in dance from the University of Illinois has been my inspiration to write "Ode" and Harold.

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My storytelling teacher Ashley Ramsden liked the poem so much, he asked me to perform it a couple of weeks later. I spent another hour or so polishing it up so it was presentable. "Ode's" debut performance was at Forest Row's All Hallows Eve celebration. I recited it as we danced and sang with the fairy folk.

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Last year, I was thinking about my grandfather Harold. He is an inspirational figure in my life. A musician, who played organ and piano for silent moves and drums in vaudeville back in the 1920's and 30's. He taught me about music and humor. 

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I decided to merry (Yes, merry, it's been a happy experience) the two together and created Harold's Midnight Adventure. I had never published a book before. So, to honor Grandpa Whicomb, I added the character Harold to the story and created this 32 page illustrated book. It's been fun and fulfilling process.

 

While the book is recommended for children 6 and up, I have told “Ode to a Fairy Ring” to thousands of people. The last time was November 2024, for a University of Illinois Alumni Dance Concert at links hall. I was helping to produce the Chicago program. I received a BFA in Dance from the U of Illinois in 1980.

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I've had such a positive response, that I'm thinking of creating a series of Harold adventure books. They will be based on the stories from many cultures I been telling since 1995.

 

The wonderful illustrations are by Ukrainian born artist Kate Gleyzer.