By Heidi Dahms Foster
Leland Gamson has the knack for creating delightful, entertaining children’s books with lovable animal characters, creatively weaving in life lessons. His books are written primarily for ages 3-7.
Retired from the Veterans Administration and the U.S. Army, Gamson had previously written for the Wesleyan Church Sunday School curriculum, and is currently writing children’s books, devotionals, and several church newsletters. He lives in Indiana with his wife Bonnie Lou.
Gamson’s newest three books, Malgrim Joins A Gang, Malgrim’s Gang is Rescued, and Sweetums Gets a Sister, are beautifully illustrated by Karna Peck and Karen Camdem Welsh, adding colorful touches that young children will love.
In Malgrim Joins a Gang and Malgrim’s Gang is Rescued, Gamson tells the story of two pampered dogs, Malgrim and Gracey, who one day meet a pack of five stray dogs over the back fence. The stray dogs lead Malgrim astray, though Gracey tries to bring a doggie voice of reason.
Malgrim leaves home to live with the stray pack, and meets a dog friend who got lost and couldn’t find his way home, though he wanted to.
Through a near tragedy, Malgrim and his dog buddy happily find their way home. In the sequel, the stray pack also finds families and good homes.
Sweetums Gets a Sister is the story of a spoiled cat whose owner rescues a kitten named Butternut and adds her to the family. Sweetums is not thrilled, and renames the kitten Squash.
The story is a gentle lesson in learning to get along with a happy ending. All three books will delight young readers.
Leland also has written five activity books for specific historical locations that are sold in those areas—activity workbooks about Clarkdale, Arizona, and a Wabash & Erie Canal activity book, among them. These activity books and Gamson’s paperback books are great birthday gifts or stocking stuffers for youngsters.
Sixteen of Gamson’s books have been accepted to the Indiana State Library’s Young Readers Center. He has received numerous awards of excellence for his books, and he is a member of the American Academy of Poets.
All of Leland’s books are available on eBooks and in paperback at Amazon. Children may also watch Leland read his children’s books on YouTube at tinyurl.com/3fpzzbs9. Some of his books are also available for purchase in Spanish.
Parents can get three PDF ebooks (The Pony Who Wanted to be a Unicorn, If Your Dog Were a Human, and If Your Cat Were a Human) and notifications on upcoming book releases by signing up for Gamson’s newsletter at lelandpgamson.com.
