Introducing Colton, a fun and happy ten-year-old boy who just so happens to have dragons as friends! In my opinion, author Rebecca Massey has hit gold with these short children’s books featuring the main character, Colton. I’ve only reviewed one of these excellent books, and it’s phenomenal!
I reviewed the first installment of her newer Colton’s Time Machine series, titled “Book 1: Columbus, Independence and Washington.” It did not disappoint! Colton takes his dragons on a fun-filled adventure where history mixes with magic.
Colton has several dragon friends who were previously introduced in Ms. Massey’s prior children’s books, the Colton’s Pocket Dragon Series. (I’m going to have to get my hands on those to complete the collection for Declan and Tristan!) In the new series, Colton builds a time machine and gathers his dragon friends for a trip through the time they aren’t going to forget.
My thoughts:
He takes them to visit Christopher Columbus as he’s discovering America; George Washington as he’s with his troops near the Delaware river; AND even takes them to SEE the signing of the Declaration of Independence! Each trip takes a fun turn and allows Colton to interact with these historical figures.
The amount of history and beautifully illustrated pages in the Colton book that I was fortunate enough to read is terrific! My kids are a bit too young to understand the importance of the actual events, but my eldest loves the colors and has me read it to him regardless of his understanding!
I reached out to Nadine Bubeck with Pitch Public Relations to see if Ms. Massey could answer some questions for me, and she happily obliged! PS – THANKS Nadine and Pitch Public Relations for choosing me to review and write up a post about this fantastic story!
Interview:
Me: What made you decide to go on this adventure and write this children’s series in the first place?
Ms. Massey: My grandson inspired me to write my stories.
Me: What are your plans/goals for the next five years?
Ms. Massey: As long as ideas come to me I will continue to write
Me: About how long does it take you to get done with writing a Colton book and then getting it published?
Ms. Massey: It takes me about 3 months from start to finish on writing a story and then I send it off to the publisher. If there are no hiccups the book will be published in 6 months. Some of my books have taken a year.
Me: Do you illustrate the Colton series yourself? The artwork and illustrations in the series are fantastic and so fun for young readers!
Ms. Massey: I plan and decide and choose what pictures I want drawn, which usually takes me a couple weeks.
Me: When you’re not coming up with book ideas, or things like that, what do you like to do in your spare time?
Ms. Massey: I really don’t have much free time these days. My mind is constantly plotting, figuring out the current story I’m working on or coming up with the idea for the next one. But when I do have the time I love to crochet.
Me: What is your favorite quote, and why?
Ms. Massey: There are so many famous saying in history to choose. Like this one that Charles Dickens quoted; ‘The most important thing in life is to stop saying, ‘I will.’ Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.’
Me: What wisdom would you like to impart to the readers of your series?
Ms. Massey: I would say, sometimes the risks we don’t take are the ones we will regret. So, go ahead and take that first step, follow your dream no matter what it is. Make your dream, your passion a reality.
Closing thoughts:
If you haven’t gathered already, I think these books are wonderful, and I’m looking forward to purchasing the next set! One can buy all of these books on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble! There are four books out that involve Colton and his time machine. He visits Lincoln, Edison & the Wright Brothers in book 2. Then he visits Jefferson, Adams & Franklin in the third installment. Lastly, he visits Betsy Ross (WOW!), Mount Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty! (I’m in my 30’s and haven’t even seen the Statue of Liberty – good for Colton and everyone who reads his books!)
The Colton’s Pocket Dragon series currently has twelve available books per the website! So if you’re at all curious like I was, go and check it out!! If you sign up for her newsletter, there’s a chance for you to get a free signed copy of one of the Colton originals!
For some previous kiddos books I’ve reviewed, feel free to check out the Freeda series (so great and explorative!); Little Hands Help (highly recommend!); & Stress Stinks (which may help some little ones out there with COVID-19 ongoing!)
Love ya,
Please feel free to drop me a comment – I’d love to hear any thoughts/suggestions!
Kelly Ann
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