First and foremost, I LOVE to write! My co-author and I believe it's a necessity for children to read and be read to. So much of that has been lost in today's society. Being a prior educator, I often asked what books their children read and often heard, "I don't know, there's no time." When I asked the children directly about classic fairy tales, so many of them had not read them, let alone heard of them. Reading is being replaced by internet, cell phones, and the coolest gadgets; and I don't want to end up with an illiterate society or have children that are unaware of the adventures and joy books can bring to them. "The Adventures of Fred and Hodges" was written for children who are too old for picture books but still enjoy pictures. The book is intentionally written with "some" bigger words to which hopefully will prompt the child to ask the meaning and enhance their vocabulary. A few pictures are in this magnificent tale to help the wee ones build a mental picture and increase their imaginations. It is a unique story of friendship, morals, humor, and fantasy. This book was written with the intention for all to enjoy, even the young at heart!