Hidden Valley resident, Shelly Nicholson, announces the official release of her early chapter book for children ages 5-8. "Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair" (Paperback, $16.95, or discounted on her website www.booksbyshelly.com , ISBN 1608366871) – the first children's book penned by author Shelly Faith Nicholson, a mother of four, freelance children’s writer, and member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), will be released May 9, 2009.

Author Shelly Nicholson and Illustrator Colleen Konieczny will be hosting a book release party where they will be signing books at the Hidden Valley Foundation, Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 26, 2009, from noon until 3:00 pm. The public is welcome. If you will be attending, you may pre-order books on her website (www.booksbyshelly.com) by June 15, 2009. The book launch will include fun activities for kids including crafts, face painting, and prizes! Shelly will also be attending the Bridgewater Book Festival in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, on September 12th and the Baltimore Book Festival in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 25th. She will be signing books at both locations and offering “Jake the Snake” giveaways.

Shelly’s book signing plans also include visiting local libraries and schools. She will be visiting Scottdale Public Library near her hometown of Mt. Pleasant. Shelly will be visiting her son’s first grade classroom at Maple Ridge Elementary School in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Shelly writes freelance stories for children's magazines and also enjoys running, skiing, cooking, reading and spending time at the pool with her kids in the summer.

Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair is about a rambunctious kindergartner who is always getting into mischief. And when that happens, he is sent to the “stupid time-out chair.” Jake the Snake is scared Santa Claus is watching and will bring a stupid lump of coal for Christmas. Cause Christmas isn’t far away! When Jake the Snake drowns his brother’s pet lizard in chocolate sauce, he is really afraid. But things only get worse when Jake the Snake goes to the mall to visit Santa and he barfs in the mall elf’s hat! Will Jake the Snake get a stupid lump of coal? Or will Santa forgive him for all the naughty things he’s done all year?
 

Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair is a laugh out loud early chapter book for readers ages 5-8. It is the author’s intention to provide children with a love for reading through humor and realistic characters that kids can relate to.

Shelly’s web designer John Wolffe of Jennco Solutions, Inc. has created a fun, interactive website for children and parents to visit (www.booksbyshelly.com). Jake the Snake’s illustrator and Bullskin Township resident, Colleen Konieczny, provided fun, colorful graphics for this website. Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair may be purchased through www.booksbyshelly.com or any other website where books are sold. Books may also be pre-ordered through Amazon. Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair can be ordered through all major book stores and purchased at select locations.
 

Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair is a candidate for the 2009 Premier Book Award and is available through Publish America and Ingram Book Company. It has received top reviews from Amazon and Barnes and Noble reviewers…

“Funny Book! Jake the Snake and the Stupid Time-Out Chair is a hilarious and delightful book for early readers and parents. The author captures the voice of this kindergarten boy perfectly. Jake the Snake’s orneriness is likeable to Dennis the Menace. This funny, well illustrated book will have readers anticipating what the next chapter will bring.

A must read…”

Please visit Jake the Snake at www.booksbyshelly.com