Two great Indie books by one author. Find out more by clicking on the cover of each book
SEAFOAM WAVEFOLLOWER and the Mysterious Ghost
WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT?
The humpback whales have declared an island in the part of the Great Western Ocean called the “PUH-SI-FIC” to now be safe from the human whale-hunters.
But sperm whales do not trust or like man. For protection against clashes with man’s deadly whaling fleets, they have organized into the “The United Pods”: Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern “Greater” pods. Each Greater Pod is further divided into groups such as hunter-Squid killer pods, nursery pods, and navigation pods.
Seafoam Wavefollower, a juvenile sperm whale and skilled navigator, along with his family navigator pod, is cautiously investigating so-called “safe” area, off an island called “MOWIE” by the humpbacks. Except that Seafoam is not exactly cautious, but is exceedingly curious.
Seafoam manages to get himself trapped in a sea cave under the island. Before the “Twenty-Four Hour Rule” rules force his family to abandon him, Seafoam is forced to rely on the ghost of a mysterious Hawaiian boy he doesn’t trust and who doesn’t appear comfortable with Seafoam, to lead him the way out via an underground river.
Seafoam’s natural curiosity gets him into a trouble (a lot). Like a “Curious George” he ignores warnings not to get into trouble. His sense of humor, cheerful nature, and even bravery are not enough to overcome a very dangerous journey along a river beneath West Mowee. He has to use his smarts. And he has to trust a ghost; a child ghost; and a human child ghost at that. Humans are the ancient and sworn enemies of sperm whales. And worse, this young human spirit is hiding a secret he is ashamed to share with Seafoam. Unless the live whale and the human ghost cooperate to overcome some serious obstacles, Seafoam is doomed.
HOW DOES THE BOOK START?
“Whale Power!” Seafoam roared, charging the alarmed parrotfish.
They scattered like sea spray in a stiff wind. “Say, this is gonna be fun!” The spray from Seafoam’s spout, warmed by his great lungs, blew back into his face.
“Hold on, mate,” Dongo warned. “Yer Dad says this is a new and dangerous part of the ocean.” The spinner dolphin grinned and poked his buddy with a flipper. “Besides, wasn’t you sent here as punishment?”
“Punishment?”
“Yeah. For braggin’ about how good a navigator you are.”
“Hey, I never brag. Can I help it if my family is the best navigator pod in the sixth Northern United Pods? A navigator can find his way from one spot in the ocean to another spot no one even knows about!”
Dongo snickered, “I can see you don’t brag, all right.”
MEET SOME OF THE CAST
- Seafoam: Seafoam Wavefollower, a juvenile sperm whale and skilled navigator, along with his family navigator pod, is cautiously investigating so-called “safe” area, off an island called “MOWIE” by the humpbacks. Except that Seafoam is not exactly cautious, but is exceedingly curious.
- The Ghost: The ghost of a mysterious Hawaiian boy is supposed to get Seafoam out of the underground river and to guide him alive and in one piece to the other side of Maui before the “Twenty-Four Hour” rule kicks in and the pod is forced to abandon their search for them young whale. But the boy is clearly hiding a secret from Seafoam, and Seafoam doesn’t know if he can trust him. A moot point since the ghost holds thre only hope.
- Squidcrusher: Seafoam’s stern, dictatorial, and by-the-book dad. A serious whale with a deep distrust of man, he does not believe the playful humpback whales who claim the waters of Mowie are now safe from man.
- King Kia: When alive, almost two centuries, he started, for selfish reasons, a long war with another Hawaiian king on another island. Thousands of lives were lost for no good reason. He was condemned by the gods and killed. His spirit was to be forever confined to a cave in the underground river system. Only if he can find a way to prove himself worthy of salvation will he be allowed to enter paradise. It is a cruel hope. How can he ever get a chance to prove himself worthy when he is stuck in a sad, empty, dark cave with only a moaning wind for company?
- Dongo: A spinner dolphin from Audtralia, he is Seafoam’s good friend asnd eager partner in mischief. He plays a larger role in the following two books in the Eafiam Trilogy.
WHO SAYS WHAT?
Seafoam: “Follow me. No guts—no glory!” “Whale power!” “Too many rules,” Seafoam muttered. “That’s the trouble with being a Sperm Whale. Too many stupid rules.”
Dongo: “We? Whaddya mean, ‘we’?…” “Seafoam…I’m not enjoyin’ meself.” “All of a sudden-like, I got a bad feeling about this,” “As usual….”
Kekoa (the ghost): “There you go again! Look, there is a difference between keeping on trying and being stupid.” “What is important is that he believes it. And as you can see, he is able to keep us here.”
WHERE DOES THE STORY TAKE PLACE?
The story takes place in an underground river and cave system running from one side of the West Mowie to the other. Not much color
TELL US ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Doctor Briley, completing his pediatric residency in Boston, moved to Maui with his wife, wintertime having proved dangerous for his handicap (polio, class of ‘54). He writes for fun. Too busy as a pediatrician, he shelved all his manuscripts (eight kids’ books in two series: the Seafoam series, and a series about a miniature dragon called Green Flash). Now retired, he took Seafoam off the shelf and the kids (and adults) had fun with it. And now…enter the dragons, with more in this series to follow. Hope you have fun with Green Flash, with more action, zaniness.
TELL US ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Peter Durand, with teaching from his artist parents since he was a five year old, developed a talent that had him working for Disney until he branched out on his own. More important, he was a wonderful human being, numbering more friends than persons listed in the L.A. telephone directory. And I mean real friends, not simply acquaintances. Tragically, he died young, just after he completed the last illustration for this book. The last illustration is not just for Ding’s mom, or for us, but also for Peter.
WHAT DO READERS THINK?
By E. E. Suranieon November 25, 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I had my first sperm whale encounter two years ago and it was magical! This is a wonderful story about a sperm whale on his own magical journey in the ocean and in an underwater cave in Hawaii. There is danger, history, adventure, and family. My six year old niece was transfixed. Not only are the characters well drawn and lovable, they translate perfectly when read out loud. In fact, this book seems written to be read out loud. It is infused with energy and images. I highly recommend it based on how well it kept my niece engaged – not all books I have read to her do that! Seafoam Wavefollower would be a great gift for any child – especially one who loves whales.
By maya on October 24, 2012
I am 8 and I just finished reading seafoam wavefollower. I love the book. It was interesting and I liked that it was in Hawaii where I live. It is one of my favorite books. Seafoam is my favorite character.
By Christopher D. Costanzoon May 9, 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is a wonderful children’s book that succeeds at various levels. First, it is an adventure story about a whale who finds himself separated from his family and stuck in a watery labyrinth inside a mountain, but gets out with the help of a mystical boy who is stuck there as well. The story flows well and effortlessly leads even an adult reader from chapter to chapter. Second, the visual imagery is gripping—mountains, crags, and the sea with its currents and watery wildlife. Third, the action (which takes place in Hawaii) is beautifully interwoven with local mythology and legends, generating a sense of fantasy and wonder. Fourth, the characterizations are appealing. The whale is a gruff but gentle giant who is at first very impatient and suspicious of the boy, who obviously has a secret to hide—a secret that comes out at the end of the book. The story slowly documents a growing bond between the two. Fifth, the story conveys lessons about friendship, commitment, punishment, reward, redemption, responsibility, and effort—all in language that attuned to the mind of children. Put it all together, and you have a superb book.
By Tom M Leonard (Educator) on December 31, 2012
This is a great little story about a big hearted whale. While it’s a fun read, it also does a nice job teaching kids about whales and the Hawaiian islands and culture. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series…
By Mimi on December 23, 2012
I could not put this book down. I know it is for children but I fell in love with Seafoam, the little sperm whale who constantly disobeyed his parents and went off in search of adventures which turned into misadventures beneath the ocean off the islands of Hawaii. The author was so descriptive about the surroundings of the islands, the ocean, the mammals, the environment and history of Hawaii. I was so caught up in the adventures of little Seafoam as he traveled from one cave to the next in search of his escape.
DRAGON CENTRAL: Introducing Green Flash
WHAT’S THE BOOK ABOUT?
Green Flash, a troublesome miniature dragon who wants to help troubled kids (a combination Santa Claus and Godzilla), gets involved with “Ding” Diaz. He puts the troubled ten year-old Hispanic boy from the ghetto into one mess after another (usually unwittingly). But handling adversity helps Ding overcome a multitude of problems and emotional handicaps. He learns about himself, others, the world around him.
Ding thought he had problems – inside and outside the classroom, with a local gang, and with his father and little brother. He made bad choices due to a dark secret in his heart. A helper dragon, Green Flash, by mistake takes him to Dragon Central, a dangerous planet in a parallel universe. Even if Ding learns his truth, he might be stuck there forever…
HOW DOES THE BOOK START?
“Look out, kid!” I heard a strange raspy voice holler. Huh…? Sitting on my butt, I looked up from the gutter. I’d slipped on the rain slippery curb while kicking a can.
“Huh?” I repeated, louder.
“Yeah, you kid; the one with his butt in the gutter! HEADS UP!” said a voice.
The voice was panicky so I didn’t waste time saying, “Okay, okay, who said that?”
Voices around me screamed as brakes real close to me squealed.
I looked up. Oh no, oh no, oh no!
Too late. My heart dropped to my ankles. I then understood what “frozen with fear” meant. I couldn’t move as Death sped towards me; death in the form of a diesel-fed dragon. The huge city bus loomed real big, real fast. My mouth felt as dry as sandpaper so I couldn’t say nothing. When my body finally moved…well, it was so weak I slipped on the curb and collapsed. I was dead meat for sure. Did I tell you I couldn’t move? Well, I couldn’t.
I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder and blacked out.
MEET SOME OF THE CAST
(1. Ding Diaz: Ten year old Ding is motherless and bitter about it. His mother died in childbirth (with his younger brother). Ding blames his father (he got his mom pregnant, and didn’t magically protect her like the magic protectors a father is supposed to be), his brother (his mom died bearing his brother), and also blames himself. (Jealous of a brother to be, he wished he wouldn’t be born, and feels cosmically punished for having wished such a terrible thing). Further, Ding is learning disabled, and though bright he thinks he is stupid. All these problems and his underlying self-blame, foster lack of self-esteem and is fertile ground for poor decision-making. Living in a rough neighborhood, Ding is considering joining a gang, needing to belong somewhere. He learns during the tale that his support system is within his own home, and what makes for real friends and supporters. In order to elevate himself, he falls into the easy trap of scapegoating by harboring pre-conceptions about other races.
(2. Green Flash (alias: Flash, Green Snoot, Green Beak): Green Flash is a miniature, green, flying dragon with a helpful heart who excels in causing trouble (picture “Godzilla meets Santa Claus”). “Flash” originally comes from Dragon Central–an odd planet (with its own unique set of rules–natural and “dragon-made”) in a parallel universe. Though he appears “invisible”, Green Flash is actually a superb mimic–like a super chameleon, but more talented at blending in. He could flutter in front of a Jackson Pollack painting and not be seen. Doc Kidder sends him on assignment to keep an eye on troubled or vulnerable kids. Flash is supposed to help them but seems to be a magnet for trouble. Oddly, the very trouble he causes curiously acts as a catalyst for vulnerable kids to learn about themselves, others, the world they live in, and how to safely inter-act with the latter two. He is called “Green Flash” because he is green in color and he flies so fast he can make a speeding bullet look like a one-flippered turtle crawling through thick mud.
He originally came from Dragon Central, but now he and his clutch of fellow miniature dragons live on Earth. They adopted “Doc” Kidder–a pediatrician (the only adult human who could see them even when “blended-in”–and live with him).
3. Dunya: An ancient Sumerian girl Ding’s age. Her tribe came over to Dragon Central from what is now Iran a long time ago (several thousand years, Earth time) in a time warp. She confronts Ding’s indoctrinated beliefs, when he refers to her people as “ay-rabs”. Ding saves her from the Droods after she saves him. Having lost her own mother in an accident for which she blames herself, she shares many of Ding’s concerns. She becomes a companion in his quest(s) and helps him with the Four Riddles he needs to solve in order to be allowed to stay alive on Dragon Central .
4. Fang: The baby dragon (a “kit”) who comes from the stolen (er, “mistakenly taken”) dragon egg. He imprints to Dunya when he hatches (she is the first one he sees). (Naturally, Dunya doesn’t listen to Flash’s scream, “Don’t touch it”, because she falls in love with the little kit, “Ohhhh, isn’t it adorable.” Fang protects Dunya and Ding from his mother, Snarl’s, wrath. He accompanies them to the Zorn bazaar, growing rapidly by the hour. He figures big on Dings’ plan that convinces the Zorns to be uncharacteristic in their generosity in reversing a spell without being paid extra. (Let’s face it, a young dragon galumphing around a bazaar can cause a lot of damage if not “reined in” and is best negotiated off the premises as soon as possible. It may grate on Zorn pride to be out-foxed by a human boy–from Earth, yet–but hey, that’s the way the baby dragon blunders.)
5. Snarl: Mother to Fang. She was out foraging when Ding walked off with her egg, thinking it was a pretty colored rock. Her mate had died and wasn’t there to watch over the egg while she foraged. She is short tempered, lacks a sense of humor, and is smart–a dangerous combination in a dragon (especially with Green Flash’s penchant for cracking wise). She forces Ding and co, to get 9or eklse) a potion at the Zorn Bazaar that will get Fang to un-bond from Dunya and bond to her. Later mates with Snarf–part of a distraction plan to get Ding and his dad to the Gateway Tree so they can get back to Earth. The beauty of the mating plan is that not only does it get Snarl a mate (it’s safer to travel in two’s if you are a wingless dragon), but it gets Fang a dad for his very own.
OTHER CHARACTERS: King Garth: King dragon on Dragon Central; Queen Garenth: The queen dragon; Shabaaneh: Human advisor to the Dragon Court in Cloud City, from The Tribe of lost Sumerians); Droods: You don’t want to know! Nasty humanoids who live underground and are cannibalistic; Zorns: three horned, Devil-like in appearance traders who buy and sell anything and give mercantilism a bad name; “Doc” Kidder: (Only alluded to). A kindly but eccentric pediatrician. He sends his dragons out to help vulnerable kids.
WHO SAYS WHAT?
Anyways, the name’s Domingo Diaz. But everyone calls me Ding (mainly because if someone calls me Domingo he’s gonna get his kisser dinged.)
A small green monster appeared, hovering inches from my face. No kidding, it was a monster; the one I thought I’d heard before becoming road kill. Ding Diaz don’t kid around about stuff like that. The monster was kinda small for a monster. But its leathery wings spanned two feet and it’s smile (at least I hoped it was a smile) showed some dangerous looking teeth.
“For some strange reason, man, I’m still worried,” I wisecracked. But my mouth was dry. Maybe…maybe I could get scared after all.
Green Flash:
“Well whaddya know, kid,” Flash said with wonder in his voice. “So you can think of someone besides yourself…”
“Ya see, dragons do not just love gold; we needs it. We sleeps on gold because it armors our scales and keeps ‘em shiny, healthy and strong. We collects gold from wherever we finds it…”
“I don’t know, Yer Greatness,” Flash said, rubbing his chin with that sandpaper on
concrete sound, “The kid’s pretty clever. While here on Dragon Central he’s sure
shown he can come up with a good idea or two. Yessiree, Ding Diaz is one
resourceful kid, all right.”
WHERE DOES THE STORY TAKE PLACE?
The story almost totally takes place on Dragon Central, a planet in a parallel universe that occupies the exact same space as Earth does in our universe. The differences in plants, trees, fruits and the colors of Dragon Central (the sky is purplish, the grass reddish, the dragons come in all sizes, colors, and are winged, wingless, fire or steam breathing, etc.) are revealed slowly.
WHAT DO READERS THINK?
I really dig the fantastic, gritty, whimsical, grounded, ungrounded world created by Doc Briley, and the illustrations are fabulous!
BRIAN KOHNE (Writer/Director) Most recent: Get a Job
John Briley is an imaginative and loving human who has nurtured children of all ages, as a pediatrician, as a family man, and as a storyteller —all his life. “Dragon Central” is as filled with surprising characters as he is. From earth to a parallel universe, Briley’s words will delight.
MARGO BERDESHEVSKY: Award winning poet, and Author of BEAUTIFUL SOON ENOUGH Winner of Innovative Fiction Prize
This story deals with some of the insecurities that children experience, in this case the problems of the protagonist, Ding Diaz. Adults to tend to overlook that a child has ears, eyes, and a heart filled with questions and emotions. The “wise- guy” talk is entertaining. I also saw within the body of the story the similarity of a bit of the Irish, Cockney; as well as Trolls; Zombies, Fairies and Leprechauns, which shows that intercultural similarities bind us all. I like the role of Dunya, (whose name means Life and Mother of the World), of the long lost tribes of Mesopotamia (Sumeria), as Ding’s companion and guide.
NUANCE 2000
Anyone looking for a miniature superhero need look no further than DRAGON CENTRAL where he or she will find the magical Green Flash, Doc Briley’s answer to every child’s wish for a special friend and partner. Born out of Briley’s more than 40 years of experience treating children, Green Flash, a miniature dragon, uses his sometimes troublemaking dragonly ways to help troubled kids. Fire, anyone? Be prepared to enjoy a magical, mystical experience.
PHILIP DREYER, PhD, Education and Psychology, Claremont U.