BookRix

The story is okay...but the SnoopyQwopes are creepy!!

this book is my favorite

This is an adorable story. I truly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing
B. Barnett

why do the squigglypoops look like rabbits with duck beaks and pom pom tails? As for the claws they very accurately portray my now dead bunny.

ps-I wonder how they can get their chores done though for I sure can't do a good job at dishes with long fingernails.

Hi Kathy,

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my book. I appreciate it very much, particularly considering your line of work.

It's a bit late for me to make any changes to my book at this point as the first printing is already in progress. For some reason,the version I was able to upload to this site is missing a couple of pages. I guess the size of the files was too big or something. It makes the story a little choppy missing those pages. I'd love for you too comment on my original poem if you wouldn't mind. The final version has the illustration and the complete poem.

Here it is:

SNOPPYQWOPS IN THE ATTIC

In attics ‘cross the northern climes, you’ll hear but never glimpse,
The squeaking, creaking, noises of the cutest little imps.
At first their sounds are scary as you wonder “What could be?”
But there’s no need to worry now, they’re SnoppyQwops you see.

I‘ve never ever seen one, but I know they are around,
When they’re about, the noise they make’s a quite unusual sound.
They’re odd, peculiar creatures, or so it is I’m told,
They live in higher latitudes, they much prefer the cold.

My Papa said he saw them once while opening the door,
They scurried right in front of him across the attic floor.
It happened all too quickly then, to see with clarity,
But never did he share a doubt, T’were SnoppyQwops you see.

When children start to climb atop their soft and feathered beds,
With fresh, cool, colored quilts and sheets pulled way above their heads,
The SnoppyQwops begin their day; they’re creatures of the night,
Until you get accustomed, they’ll give you quite a fright.

The squeaking of the floorboards in the attic as they scurry,
About their Snoppy, Qwoppy work oft made me fret and worry.
What was that sound? What was that noise? Whatever could it be?
“Shush”, said Papa peeking in,” they’re SnoppyQwops you see”.

“Let them be and go to sleep; they’re harmless and quite funny,
They’re smart and quite industrious, with fur just like a bunny.
We’re fortunate to have them here as guests up in our attic,
They keep the dust and cobwebs there from being problematic.”

‘Cause as you sleep and dream your dreams of days of summer fun,
They’re busy in the attic never stopping ‘til they’re done.
They clean and sweep and mop and dust, they’re busy as a bee,
It’s what they do and well it is, they’re SnoppyQwops you see.

When fading light does usher in soft, gentle evening breezes,
It wakens all the SnoppyQwops ‘mongst coughs and snorts and sneezes.
They can’t abide a cobweb or a single speck of dust,
So they hurriedly assemble, a good cleaning is a must!

So darlings don’t you worry now at noises in the night,
Or squeaks and creaks or other sounds that once gave you a fright.
It’s our busy little attic guests about their cleaning spree.
It’s what they do and well it is, they’re SnoppyQwops you see.

-Scott Franz
August 2008

Thanks so much.

Scott,
I am a school literacy consultant for an elementary school. I loved the topic of your story and the glimpses of your PaPa. The theme of children being frightened is so appropriate to the age of the readers to which this book is targeted. If I were to change anything I would revisit the meter of the poetry. Kids need a predictable meter or rhythm. Other than that, enjoyable creatures.