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I’m always eager to read your comments about my books and stories, so please feel free to pitch in. Here are a few things for you to know:
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931 entries.
Dear Mr. Coville,
I still remember the trip I took to Barnes and Noble with my dad in 2005 when I was in 5th grade and saw Into the Land of the Unicorns for the first time. I read that book so many times, that my original copy is falling apart.
Shortly thereafter I bought the book titled the Unicorn Chronicles, which had Into the Land of the Unicorns and Song of the Wanderer combined. I remember doing a major book report based on the book. At that time, the two final books of the series had not been published yet and I was left hungering for more...
Fast forward into my adulthood, I was a nanny for two boys and decided I wanted to share my favorite childhood book with them and to read to them from my books. My hunger reactivated, I decided to go look to see if any more books had ever been published in the series. To my astonishment, two more books existed! The second two books were apparently out of print at the time, and were insanely expensive to buy used, so instead I bought the CD set of all four books, and me and the boys enjoyed them together.
(I really appreciated the fact that you recorded the books with your own voice and a full cast audio, it was amazing.)
Reading the books again as an adult, when at a point in my life I had transitioned from reading fiction into reading spiritual and self-help type books, I was so moved by the spiritual symbolism underneath the story. Especially the final two books, where I learned about the whisperer. The series nestled even deeper into my heart.
Now I am a mother, and beyond ecstatic to discover that you are selling it in a box set! I will be getting this for my daughter for Christmas this year.
I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing book series that has made such a major impression in my heart and soul. Recently at a seminar I was in, an ice-breaker question to answer and get to know the group was what super power would you have, and my answer was the Gift of Tongues that was Cara's boon from Firethroat.
I have been thinking of the book series for a while now and wanting to re-read it, but the reason I am here signing this now is because I just bought a book for my 30th birthday on 11/11 at the used bookstore called The Search for the Beloved, it's a book about sacred psychology, and in this book in the first couple of chapters she mentions the Centaur Chiron as the teacher of Asclepios... Legend has it that the Centaur Chiron trained Asclepios in the art of healing, and then Asclepios became the greatest healer known to ancient Greece. To say my mind was blown, is an understatement. Your book has been a major part of my spiritual journey. Then just last night while telling a friend about the book I'm reading and mentioning the synchronicity between the two books, she mentioned that Unicorns are a symbol of Christ Consciousness, and so I am excited to embark on a journey back into Luster as I share it with my four year old daughter this holiday season, to get an even deeper spiritual download as I interpret the story through a deeper symbolic lens.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for these marvelous books and the inspiration they continuously give me in my life.
Much love,
Kelsey
I still remember the trip I took to Barnes and Noble with my dad in 2005 when I was in 5th grade and saw Into the Land of the Unicorns for the first time. I read that book so many times, that my original copy is falling apart.
Shortly thereafter I bought the book titled the Unicorn Chronicles, which had Into the Land of the Unicorns and Song of the Wanderer combined. I remember doing a major book report based on the book. At that time, the two final books of the series had not been published yet and I was left hungering for more...
Fast forward into my adulthood, I was a nanny for two boys and decided I wanted to share my favorite childhood book with them and to read to them from my books. My hunger reactivated, I decided to go look to see if any more books had ever been published in the series. To my astonishment, two more books existed! The second two books were apparently out of print at the time, and were insanely expensive to buy used, so instead I bought the CD set of all four books, and me and the boys enjoyed them together.
(I really appreciated the fact that you recorded the books with your own voice and a full cast audio, it was amazing.)
Reading the books again as an adult, when at a point in my life I had transitioned from reading fiction into reading spiritual and self-help type books, I was so moved by the spiritual symbolism underneath the story. Especially the final two books, where I learned about the whisperer. The series nestled even deeper into my heart.
Now I am a mother, and beyond ecstatic to discover that you are selling it in a box set! I will be getting this for my daughter for Christmas this year.
I just wanted to say thank you for your amazing book series that has made such a major impression in my heart and soul. Recently at a seminar I was in, an ice-breaker question to answer and get to know the group was what super power would you have, and my answer was the Gift of Tongues that was Cara's boon from Firethroat.
I have been thinking of the book series for a while now and wanting to re-read it, but the reason I am here signing this now is because I just bought a book for my 30th birthday on 11/11 at the used bookstore called The Search for the Beloved, it's a book about sacred psychology, and in this book in the first couple of chapters she mentions the Centaur Chiron as the teacher of Asclepios... Legend has it that the Centaur Chiron trained Asclepios in the art of healing, and then Asclepios became the greatest healer known to ancient Greece. To say my mind was blown, is an understatement. Your book has been a major part of my spiritual journey. Then just last night while telling a friend about the book I'm reading and mentioning the synchronicity between the two books, she mentioned that Unicorns are a symbol of Christ Consciousness, and so I am excited to embark on a journey back into Luster as I share it with my four year old daughter this holiday season, to get an even deeper spiritual download as I interpret the story through a deeper symbolic lens.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for these marvelous books and the inspiration they continuously give me in my life.
Much love,
Kelsey
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Kelsey -
What a lovely and affirming message! It warms my heart to know that the books have stayed with you for so long . . . and even more to know that you are now plumbing their deeper meaning. I was astonished myself by how the tale grew in the telling. It turned out to be a far more complex and complicated story than I had originally imagined!
All good wishes,
BC
What a lovely and affirming message! It warms my heart to know that the books have stayed with you for so long . . . and even more to know that you are now plumbing their deeper meaning. I was astonished myself by how the tale grew in the telling. It turned out to be a far more complex and complicated story than I had originally imagined!
All good wishes,
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
Our third grade class absolutely loved reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher. We enjoyed many different parts of the story. We thought Mary Lou’s letter to Jeremy at the beginning of the book was hysterically humorus. We really liked when Tiamat blew fire on Mr. Kravitz’s foot. We laughed a lot when Mr. Kravitz started hopping on one foot like a crazy person. Our class felt sad when Jeremy had to leave Tiamat so she could return to her dragon realm, but we loved the Epilogue where Jeremy could see Tiamat in her world.
We have a few questions that we were wondering about:
1. Can you make a second book about Jeremy Thatcher where Tiamat comes back? What book are you going to write next?
2. What inspired you to write this story?
3. Why did you want to be a writer?
4. What is your favorite book that you have published?
Thank you for writing an amazing and creative story!
Best wishes,
Ms. B's 3rd Grade Class
Our third grade class absolutely loved reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher. We enjoyed many different parts of the story. We thought Mary Lou’s letter to Jeremy at the beginning of the book was hysterically humorus. We really liked when Tiamat blew fire on Mr. Kravitz’s foot. We laughed a lot when Mr. Kravitz started hopping on one foot like a crazy person. Our class felt sad when Jeremy had to leave Tiamat so she could return to her dragon realm, but we loved the Epilogue where Jeremy could see Tiamat in her world.
We have a few questions that we were wondering about:
1. Can you make a second book about Jeremy Thatcher where Tiamat comes back? What book are you going to write next?
2. What inspired you to write this story?
3. Why did you want to be a writer?
4. What is your favorite book that you have published?
Thank you for writing an amazing and creative story!
Best wishes,
Ms. B's 3rd Grade Class
Reply by Bruce Coville
Ahoy Ms B and Friends -
Thank you for this wonderful message. I am so happy to know that you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER so much. I have been publishing books for 45 years now, and this is absolutely one of my favorites out of all the things that I have done.
Regarding your questions:
1) It is unlikely that I will be doing a sequel to the book. Some stories need to be continued, but I feel that this book is complete in itself. To be honest, I have toyed with the idea of a sequel, but I think if I did it, I would end up writing a book for grown-ups rather than a book for kids.
2) What inspired the book? Well, a love of dragons ,for one thing. But also, I had written one book about the Magic Shop already (THE MONSTER'S RING) and I thought the basic idea of that shop was so cool I didn't want to let go of it. So I spent some time brainstorming what else a kid might buy in Mr. Elives' shop. Also, I LOVE dragons!
3) The basic answer to why I wanted to be a writer is simple: I LOVED books and reading, and I wanted to make books that would make other people feel how my favorite books made ME feel. I wanted to make the things I loved!
4) I shall not answer which of my books is my favorite, as that would be like telling which of my children I love the most! ;>
Thanks again for your letter. Keep reading!! (Also, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!)
BC
Thank you for this wonderful message. I am so happy to know that you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER so much. I have been publishing books for 45 years now, and this is absolutely one of my favorites out of all the things that I have done.
Regarding your questions:
1) It is unlikely that I will be doing a sequel to the book. Some stories need to be continued, but I feel that this book is complete in itself. To be honest, I have toyed with the idea of a sequel, but I think if I did it, I would end up writing a book for grown-ups rather than a book for kids.
2) What inspired the book? Well, a love of dragons ,for one thing. But also, I had written one book about the Magic Shop already (THE MONSTER'S RING) and I thought the basic idea of that shop was so cool I didn't want to let go of it. So I spent some time brainstorming what else a kid might buy in Mr. Elives' shop. Also, I LOVE dragons!
3) The basic answer to why I wanted to be a writer is simple: I LOVED books and reading, and I wanted to make books that would make other people feel how my favorite books made ME feel. I wanted to make the things I loved!
4) I shall not answer which of my books is my favorite, as that would be like telling which of my children I love the most! ;>
Thanks again for your letter. Keep reading!! (Also, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!)
BC
I first found your books when I was a kid because my older brother was having a very hard time with a teacher who didn't quite know what to do with precociously intelligent question-askers when he was in grade 2. The title "my teacher is an alien" really appealed to him when he saw it at a book fair. After that, your books were a must-buy whenever a new one showed up! Usually my mom would pick them up and then add them to the stack of prizes we could 'earn' with chores and good behaviour.
Fast forward about 30 years, and now my brother has kids about the same age as we were when we first discovered your stuff, and for some reason your books popped into my head again. Thanks for the hours of enjoyment you gave us and our friends we shared the books with; something tells us that our next generation in our family will like them as much as we did!
Fast forward about 30 years, and now my brother has kids about the same age as we were when we first discovered your stuff, and for some reason your books popped into my head again. Thanks for the hours of enjoyment you gave us and our friends we shared the books with; something tells us that our next generation in our family will like them as much as we did!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Barbara -
Many thanks for this message. It really delights me to know that you and your brother still remember the books so fondly . . . and that they will be shared with your brother's kids. One of the best things about having been at this writing thing for so long is becoming a two-generation author! When I was a young dad, reading to my kids was one of my favorite things. Knowing my own books are now being shared with the kids an early fan feels like a perfect circle to me!
Please give your brother and his young'uns my good wishes!
All best,
BC
Many thanks for this message. It really delights me to know that you and your brother still remember the books so fondly . . . and that they will be shared with your brother's kids. One of the best things about having been at this writing thing for so long is becoming a two-generation author! When I was a young dad, reading to my kids was one of my favorite things. Knowing my own books are now being shared with the kids an early fan feels like a perfect circle to me!
Please give your brother and his young'uns my good wishes!
All best,
BC
When I was in grade school (back in the 90's) I picked the first book up from the Unicorn Chronicles and instantly fell so in love with the series. I read it twice as a kid and now as an adult iv done another reread of it. This series introduced me to fantasy novels and I haven't looked back since!! Thank you for creating a series that shaped me into being a major fantasy reader as an adult. I now have children that are beginning to get into reading and this will be a series I hope all of my children come to adore. This series is something that even after all these years I still think of all the characters and one of the best story lines to date!. Thanks Bruce!!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Oh, gosh, I could not ask for a better response to those books! I love knowing that you will be sharing them with your children. Many thanks for this lovely message!
BC
BC
Hi Bruce,
In 1994 (I was in Grade 3) I bought a copy of My Teacher is an Alien at my school's used book sale for something like fifty cents. I read it twice or three times that year, I loved it so much. I remember being so enthralled with the concept you explored in that series that I read the sequels immediately, taking them out from the library as soon as they were available. At some point my parents must have bought me copies, because I just found them on a shelf at home and was flooded with wonderful childhood memories.
So now I'm reading them to my eight-year-old son, who is a total space and sci-fi junkie and is absolutely loving them! Thanks so much for giving the world this terrific and imaginative series, challenging us all to look to the stars and then look back at ourselves from an outside perspective. I'm certain your books helped shape the child I was to become the man and father I am today.
Many warm regards,
Kyle
In 1994 (I was in Grade 3) I bought a copy of My Teacher is an Alien at my school's used book sale for something like fifty cents. I read it twice or three times that year, I loved it so much. I remember being so enthralled with the concept you explored in that series that I read the sequels immediately, taking them out from the library as soon as they were available. At some point my parents must have bought me copies, because I just found them on a shelf at home and was flooded with wonderful childhood memories.
So now I'm reading them to my eight-year-old son, who is a total space and sci-fi junkie and is absolutely loving them! Thanks so much for giving the world this terrific and imaginative series, challenging us all to look to the stars and then look back at ourselves from an outside perspective. I'm certain your books helped shape the child I was to become the man and father I am today.
Many warm regards,
Kyle
Reply by Bruce Coville
Kyle -
Many thanks for this message. It delights me more than I can say to know you're sharing these books with your son. One of the best things about being around as long as I have is becoming a "two-generation writer"!
Reading to my kids was one of my favorite things to do when I was a young dad, so it absolutely delights me when I learn that some other dad is now doing that with my own books!
It also delights me to know that the books continued to hold such a place of fondness in your own memories! This: "challenging us all to look to the stars and then look back at ourselves from an outside perspective" is one of my favorite descriptions ever of what the series does!
All good wishes
Bruce Coville
Many thanks for this message. It delights me more than I can say to know you're sharing these books with your son. One of the best things about being around as long as I have is becoming a "two-generation writer"!
Reading to my kids was one of my favorite things to do when I was a young dad, so it absolutely delights me when I learn that some other dad is now doing that with my own books!
It also delights me to know that the books continued to hold such a place of fondness in your own memories! This: "challenging us all to look to the stars and then look back at ourselves from an outside perspective" is one of my favorite descriptions ever of what the series does!
All good wishes
Bruce Coville
I've been re-reading some of your works, and I have to ask, given its use of the name "Nilbog" and the presence of a goblin seer named Flegmire... is the short story "The Stinky Princess" meant to be a prequel to "Goblins in the Castle" and "Goblins on the Prowl"?
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Russ -
Thanks for the questions. I wasn't thinking in terms of a prequel when I wrote "The Stinky Princess," just that it was a story set in the same world as GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. But now that you mention it, the story is definitely a prequel.
I have to say that it was one of the most fun stories to write that I have done!
All best
BC
Thanks for the questions. I wasn't thinking in terms of a prequel when I wrote "The Stinky Princess," just that it was a story set in the same world as GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. But now that you mention it, the story is definitely a prequel.
I have to say that it was one of the most fun stories to write that I have done!
All best
BC
I remember reading a book or short story that I don't recall the title to. There was a witch granting a wish and and one of those wishes involved an unlimited credit card and a space adventure.
I think it was a sequel to another book or story.
I think it was a sequel to another book or story.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Sorry, that doesn't ring a bell with me. It's certainly not one that I wrote! It is possible it was in one of the "Bruce Coville's Book of anthologies that I compiled back in the 1990's. But that was nearly thirty years ago and we used nearly 150 stories, so I don't have a solid recollection of all of them!
Dear Bruce,
I am one of the "OG" readers of your Unicorn Chronicles. I was 9 yrs old when the first book came out in 1994 and I was immediately captivated, re-reading it many times in the years that followed. I've written in your guestbook before and was so excited when you announced you finally had the rights to re-publish the books (since I never got a chance to read the 4th book due to Scholastic never publishing in paperback and letting the hardback go out of print). Though I am 37 yrs old now, I was so enchanted by my first and subsequent visits to Luster, that over the last few decades I would once in a while check on the status of this series. So today, I happened to check on whether the final books had been published, and - hooray!! What a treat to discover book 7 was published just in December! Now I suppose I'll wait for a box set or something, but I'm just so happy to finally be able to own the full series, and to finally read the ending of the saga (books 5-7 I believe, in the new split).
I'm sure it's apparent how much this series has meant to me. Thank you Bruce, for persevering through all these years, all the challenges of finishing the series, re-arranging them, and re-publishing! It is so worth it!
Much love, from your longtime fan,
Lisa N
I am one of the "OG" readers of your Unicorn Chronicles. I was 9 yrs old when the first book came out in 1994 and I was immediately captivated, re-reading it many times in the years that followed. I've written in your guestbook before and was so excited when you announced you finally had the rights to re-publish the books (since I never got a chance to read the 4th book due to Scholastic never publishing in paperback and letting the hardback go out of print). Though I am 37 yrs old now, I was so enchanted by my first and subsequent visits to Luster, that over the last few decades I would once in a while check on the status of this series. So today, I happened to check on whether the final books had been published, and - hooray!! What a treat to discover book 7 was published just in December! Now I suppose I'll wait for a box set or something, but I'm just so happy to finally be able to own the full series, and to finally read the ending of the saga (books 5-7 I believe, in the new split).
I'm sure it's apparent how much this series has meant to me. Thank you Bruce, for persevering through all these years, all the challenges of finishing the series, re-arranging them, and re-publishing! It is so worth it!
Much love, from your longtime fan,
Lisa N
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Lisa -
Thanks for this lovely message! Getting the whole series out in this new incarnation has been vastly more work than I anticipated . . . but it is also more satisfying to have the whole series finally available to everyone than I can express. It's lifted my heart to be discovering how many people still harbor a love for the Unicorns of Luster!
All good wishes,
BC
Thanks for this lovely message! Getting the whole series out in this new incarnation has been vastly more work than I anticipated . . . but it is also more satisfying to have the whole series finally available to everyone than I can express. It's lifted my heart to be discovering how many people still harbor a love for the Unicorns of Luster!
All good wishes,
BC
Mr. Coville,
I wanted to drop a note to thank you for sparking a generational love of dragons and goblins and mystery. I found your work long ago and it opened so much to me that I wouldn't be who I am today without. Many years later I've spent a few years reading those same gifts to my kids and watched them overjoyed with possibility. I've watched Igor live again and heard the snap of dragon wings. No reply necessary, just a quiet 'Thank you', Sir.
I wanted to drop a note to thank you for sparking a generational love of dragons and goblins and mystery. I found your work long ago and it opened so much to me that I wouldn't be who I am today without. Many years later I've spent a few years reading those same gifts to my kids and watched them overjoyed with possibility. I've watched Igor live again and heard the snap of dragon wings. No reply necessary, just a quiet 'Thank you', Sir.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Christopher -
Ah, many thanks for this. I know you said "No reply necessary" but, really, this so delighted me that I had to take a moment to say Thanks!
BC
Ah, many thanks for this. I know you said "No reply necessary" but, really, this so delighted me that I had to take a moment to say Thanks!
BC
Dear Bruce Coville,
Our 3rd Grade Class read Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and enjoyed it very much. We think that other kids will like it, too. Our class found it interesting that Tiamat and Jeremy had the same feelings at the same time because they were connected through pictures and thoughts.
And here are some of our favorite parts:
- We thought the poem in the dragon hatching instruction sheet was catchy. It was fascinating and heartwarming. We like how Tiamat and Jeremy were reconnected on All Hallow’s Eve.
- The scene where Tiamat messed up the dinner table was hilarious. We laughed when Mr.Thatcher got knocked head first into the mashed potato bowl.
- We also thought it was really funny when Tiamat gave Mr. Kravitz a hot foot.
We have a few questions for you:
- Are you planning to work on a Jeremy Thatcher series?
- Which book did you enjoy writing the most?
- What is your favorite part of writing a book?
Thank you for making awesome books for us to read!
Sincerely,
Ms. B’s 3rd Grade Class
Our 3rd Grade Class read Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and enjoyed it very much. We think that other kids will like it, too. Our class found it interesting that Tiamat and Jeremy had the same feelings at the same time because they were connected through pictures and thoughts.
And here are some of our favorite parts:
- We thought the poem in the dragon hatching instruction sheet was catchy. It was fascinating and heartwarming. We like how Tiamat and Jeremy were reconnected on All Hallow’s Eve.
- The scene where Tiamat messed up the dinner table was hilarious. We laughed when Mr.Thatcher got knocked head first into the mashed potato bowl.
- We also thought it was really funny when Tiamat gave Mr. Kravitz a hot foot.
We have a few questions for you:
- Are you planning to work on a Jeremy Thatcher series?
- Which book did you enjoy writing the most?
- What is your favorite part of writing a book?
Thank you for making awesome books for us to read!
Sincerely,
Ms. B’s 3rd Grade Class
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hello Ms. B and Class -
Thanks for your message. I'm delighted to know how much you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER. To be honest, I wish I could write another book (and I've written over a hundred!) that would come together as beautifully as JEREMY did.
I do not have any plans to write a sequel - I think it's a book that should stand on it's own. However there IS a series about the Magic Shop itself. What makes it unusual is that each book is about a different kid.
As to which book I enjoyed writing the most . . . well, every book has times when it's flowing smoothly and fun to do, and other times when I feel like I am beating my head against a brick wall. Probably the one that was most fun all the way through was GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE.
My favorite part of writing a book is when the story really starts to come alive . . . sometimes it feels like instead of me writing the book I'm just writing down what happened, almost as if it's real. It's great when that happens!
Happy Reading . . . and Happy Halloween!
Your pal,
Bruce Coville
Thanks for your message. I'm delighted to know how much you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER. To be honest, I wish I could write another book (and I've written over a hundred!) that would come together as beautifully as JEREMY did.
I do not have any plans to write a sequel - I think it's a book that should stand on it's own. However there IS a series about the Magic Shop itself. What makes it unusual is that each book is about a different kid.
As to which book I enjoyed writing the most . . . well, every book has times when it's flowing smoothly and fun to do, and other times when I feel like I am beating my head against a brick wall. Probably the one that was most fun all the way through was GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE.
My favorite part of writing a book is when the story really starts to come alive . . . sometimes it feels like instead of me writing the book I'm just writing down what happened, almost as if it's real. It's great when that happens!
Happy Reading . . . and Happy Halloween!
Your pal,
Bruce Coville