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Reading with Your Kids Podcast Ft. Spooky Middle-Grade author & storyteller, David Neilson
Happy and blessed Friday everyone!
In today’s episode, we’re super excited to share a conversation that we recently had with one f the spooky middle-grade authors David Neilson, about his scary middle-grade children’s books Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom & Beyond the Doors!
Davis’s Middle-Grade novel, Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom, won the Silver Falchion award for Best Tween/YA Horror or Fantasy novel of 2017 at this year’s Killer Nashville conference! We’re so EXCITED to learn all about his craft and his funny, creepy books. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s get started!
About David Neilsen
David Neilsen is the author of odd, weird, supernatural, and occasionally slightly disturbing stories. His debut novel, Doctor Fell and the Playground of Doom, was published by Crown Books for Kids (a division of Random House) in August of 2016. His next book, Beyond the Doors, will be published on August 1, 2017. David is based next door to Sleepy Hollow, NY and also works as a professional storyteller up and down the Hudson River Valley. His one-man performances based on the work of H.P. Lovecraft have sent many screaming into the hills in search of their sanity while his education school presentations have inspired hundreds of Middle Grade-aged children.
Check out David’s website for more information about his book, exciting children’s activities & more!!
More about Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom
“Such deliciously creepy fun! I fell in love with Dr. Fell!” —Chris Grabenstein, New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
When the mysterious Dr. Fell moves into the abandoned house that had once been the neighborhood kids’ hangout, he immediately builds a playground to win them over. But as the ever-changing play space becomes bigger and more elaborate, the children and their parents fall deeper under the doctor’s spell.
Only Jerry, Nancy, and Gail are immune to the lure of his extravagant wonderland. And they alone notice that when the injuries begin to pile up on the jungle gym, somehow Dr. Fell is able to heal each one with miraculous speed. Now the three children must find a way to uncover the doctor’s secret power without being captivated by his trickery.
“Deliciously dark, funny, and foreboding, Neilsen’s first novel delivers with broad appeal.” —Booklist
“Recommended for school libraries that need to breathe life into their traditional mystery collections.” —School Library Journal
Learn more about Beyond the Doors
Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Coraline will devour this dark and creepy, humor-laced tale about four siblings who discover a mysterious world where secrets hide around every corner.
When a family disaster forces the four Rothbaum children to live with their aunt Gladys, they immediately know there is something strange about their new home. The crazy, circular house looks like it stepped out of a scary movie. The front entrance is a four-story-tall drawbridge. And the only food in Aunt Gladys’s kitchen is an endless supply of Honey Nut Oat Blast Ring-a-Dings cereal.
Strangest of all are the doors—there are none. Every doorway is a wide-open passageway—even the bathroom! Who lives in a house with no doors?
Their unease only grows when Aunt Gladys disappears for long stretches of time, leaving them alone to explore the strange house. When they discover just what Aunt Gladys has been doing with all her doors, the shocked siblings embark on an adventure that changes everything they believe about their family and the world.
Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom and Beyond the Doors are in stores now! They make for great gifts! Grab a copy today!
In this episode, you’ll discover
- Introduction to the Spooky Middle-Grade author David Neilsen
- What was the inspiration for his middle-grade novels Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom & Beyond the Doors?
- When did David first discover his love for horror stories and all things creepy?
- Importance of reading with kids and asking their opinions?
- An exclusive sneak peek into some of the exciting upcoming books by David..
A big thank you to David Neilsen for joining us and for sharing his stories with us!
So, there you have it. We’re sure you’ve enjoyed learning about Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom & Beyond the Doors, as much as we did! If you’ve enjoyed this episode then please rate and review our show on iTunes and share it by clicking the social media buttons at the bottom of this page!
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Thanks for tuning in and have a wonderful day😆
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