Daryl K. Cobb

Before there was "Pirates: The Ring of Hope", Daryl Cobb wrote the story "Monkey Troubles". A funny and engaging short story, it was written with a younger audience in mind. As Daryl came up with more and more ideas, the story began to grow. He would eventually add 150 pages filled with twists and turns in and around the original story. The extended version of the delightfully silly tale "Monkey Troubles" went on to become what older readers know now as "Pirates: The Ring of Hope". "Monkey Troubles" When Monk doesn't return promptly from his mission to find Captain Paul, Peter is sick with worry. And to make matters worse his dreams of a mysterious bottle with a note inside has a message that is deadly and more real than Peter could have imagined. The characters are rich and beautifully rendered, and the story is sprinkled with humor. Much of the dialogue - especially between Peter and Monk and Antonio and Marcus - is delightfully silly.

The Frogs welcome their new baby into the world and become lost in the thought of what their little one might grow up to be like. A rhythmical story that is fun to read, with an important message to all about unconditional love.

"A happy-go-lucky hare finds it difficult to hop when his socks won't stay up. Cobb's text has a playful rhythm to it. T]he narrative is solid. In Miller's unique illustrations, Henry and the other animals resemble an amalgamation of beautifully patterned cutouts. T]he overall effort will impress young readers. A fun romp with uniquely illustrated characters and a simple solution to an amusingly silly dilemma." -- Kirkus ReviewsDaryl K. Cobb's "Henry Hare's Floppy Socks"is a fun, rhyming picture book about a hare whojust can't keep his socks from falling down. Allof his friends come together to try to help Henryfind a solution to this problem. Margot Millercreates colorful, mixed-media type illustrationsfrom household textures and helps makes thisstory fun to read and look at.

Baseball, Bullies & Angels is a fun, funny and emotionally strong story. Stephen is a typical 13 year old boy who just wants to find his place in the world, but his difficulties in school, both socially and academically, have him feeling the pressure. When a group of students make Stephen the target of their merciless bullying he struggles even more to make sense of his life. With all the pressure and pain he feels each day, he still searches for hope. He finds some in his best friend Charlie who tries to show him the humor in it all. And a kind gesture from Megan, the new girl in class, helps to spark a connection between two kindred spirits. But when everything is at its worst he always finds hope in baseball. Stephen's talents as a young baseball player are well beyond the average Little Leaguer; he is an up and coming star. But as his flame grows brighter, one particular competitor and classmate doesn't like getting overshadowed. He and his friends set a plan in motion that could destroy Stephen's dreams of playing baseball in the future. The Bully Gang has worked hard to bend Stephen before, but now they want to break him.-------("Cobb's long stretches of naturally engaging dialogue ... help deliver characters and twists that positively outstrip stories merely about athletic glory. ... Always sincere, occasionally shocking, this tale is required reading for kids and parents." --Kirkus Reviews )------Recommended for boys and girls, advanced younger readers or ages 10-15 and up.

--Kirkus Reviews calls Daniel Dinosaur "A sweet story told in simple rhymes that young children will likely enjoy. Daniel has just turned 4... his parents ask him to watch over his sister Sue] while their away, and he loses track of her. Danny's search for Sue is humorous, and it is rendered with lively drawings. The drama of losing Sue is so brief that it shouldn't be frightening, even to sensitive children. The light, whimsical drawings maintain a sense of fun. This will be a good book for young siblings or for children who have a little brother or sister on the way. Cobb and Castangno's cute, colorful picture bookillustrates the bond between a brother and sister. " --Kirkus ReviewsDaniel Dinosaur learns an important lesson here as he searches for his sister and teaches kids about responsibility.

Kirkus Reviews calls Pirates: The Ring of Hope ... A] spirited swashbuckling tale of mystery and magic." "Cobb's 14th book comes complete with pirates, mysterious messages and a magic ring. . . . The characters are rich and beautifully rendered, and the story is sprinkled with humor. . . . Much of the dialogue - especially between Peter and Monk and Antonio and Marcus - is delightfully silly. . . . A] spirited swashbuckling tale of mystery and magic." Go to kirkusreviews.com for the complete reviewKirkus is a leader in professional book reviewsPirates: The Ring of Hope is a story that will be enjoyed by boys and girls of all ages (10 & up), but this is also the type of book that 'PARENTS' will enjoy reading as well. If you like mystery, suspense and you love humor-- then you need to read Pirates. Pirates: The Ring of Hope (Mystery-Suspense, for ages 10 and up, Chapter Book 284 pages) is amusing, touching and filled with twists and turns to keep you guessing from beginning to end. It is a pirate mystery that captures the minds of KIDS and ADULTS alike. A mysterious bottle with a deadly message is at the center of this pirate story that finds the crew of the Rising Sea unknowingly in grave danger. The evil Captain Darfous Warner has his sights set on The Ring of Hope and he will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. Twelve year old Peter Nichols steps out of the modern world and right into the middle of this pirate mystery that has him struggling with right and wrong, good and evil and the meaning of friendship and family. After a week filled with strange dreams, missing friends and menacing pirates, Peter's struggle to do the right thing comes to a head as he puts not only himself but his best friend in danger of becoming casualties of Captain Warner's deadly plot. "The Ring of Hope" is a suspenseful story that weaves the legend about a mystical gold ring into a story about the good guys versus the bad guys.

Kirkus Reviews calls Mr. Moon " a] pleasing children's narrative with a relevant message. ... Cobb's text ... has a simple charm likely to please young readers and]... Jaeger's illustrations give the night a soft, beautiful glow, complementing Cobb's text ... . Her personifications of Mr. Moon and Mr. Sun are utterly delightful. Cobb will likely delight and instruct children with this charming tale." --Kirkus ReviewsWhen the moon over stays his welcome he gets a little heat from his friend the sun. We all must learn at some point to appreciate the things that make us individuals and what makes each of our own lives special as Mr. Moon does in this unique and fun story.

As a child I always wondered how the clouds could look likeanimals, planes and so manyother fun things. I knew that other people saw them as well, so it wasn't my imagination. In my mind I always dreamed there had to be someone out there sculpting these beautifulbillowy shapes. So, who was it and how did they do it?He'd reach his hands in the air and twirl the clouds around.He'd turn them into funny things, he'd turn them into clowns.He'd turn them into puppy dogsthat chase around their tails.He'd turn them into kitty catsplaying with a pail.Who could it be?The boy on the hill, that's who.