Thomas' 443rd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.
He had thunder in his feet.
In his dancing feet.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 442nd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.
"Mommy!" said Thomas.  "I have a surprise for you."
And it was a kiss.  Two kisses.  Two big kisses.  From Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 441st Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a hamster mouse, named Apollo.  Apollo lost his mommy.  She was gone.   Apollo was lost and sad.  A Thomas named Thomas found Apollo.
"Hello, my friend," said Thomas.
And Apollo and Thomas were friends.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 440th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  And there was a kitten named Molly.  And there was a glass of chocolate milk.  The chocolate milk disappeared.  The kitten disappeared.
"Naughty, naughty, Molly," said Thomas.
And there was a light.  And the light was gone.
"I want my raccoon back," said Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 439th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had shadow feet.  And his shadow feet were dancing.  On the ceiling.
What do you thing of that?

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 438th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a bird.  It was a robin.  He lived in a tunnel tree.  And he sang.  It was beautiful.  When he was hungry, he ate goldfish crackers.  They were delicious.  When he was happy, he danced.  And when he was tired, he took a nap.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 437th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a monster.  He lived in a Thomas named Thomas' house.  He hid behind doors and roared.
"Roar," said the monster.  "I'm after you, Molly Kitten!"
And Molly hid under the sofa.
"Too bad monsters don't like cinnamon toast," said Thomas mommy.
"I'm not really a monster," said the monster. "I'm a Thomas.  I love cinnamon toast."

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 436th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He couldn't eat his dinner.  Because his tongue closed down.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 435th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was a Bird Thomas.  He couldn't fly, but he liked to play in the birdseed.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 434th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a bird.  It ate worms.  And there was a giraffe.  It ate branches.  And there was a whale.  It ate snails.  And there was a jellyfish.  It ate jelly beans.  And there was a fox.  It ate lights.  And the fox ate the sun.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 433rd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He lived in a garden.  On top of the world.  There was a tree in the garden.
"Hello, Branch," Thomas said to the tree.  "I'm happy to meet you."
There were purple flowers in the garden.  Fluff flowers.  Butterfly flowers.  He picked some flowers and gave them to his mommy.
"Thank you, " said his mommy.  "How pretty."
"How sweet," said Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 432nd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was watching a pigeon show.  There was a duck, the guy and the pigeon.  But the show wasn't on TV -- it was in Thomas' head.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 431st Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a bus.  It was a paper bus.  It flew out the window on a windy day.

The End.

(April 2013)

Thomas' 430th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a fire.  It was a yellow fire.  In the hen-house.
Duck was screaming, "Quack!  Quack!"
Thomas was not happy.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 429th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  There was a light in his room.  It was a lantern light.  But the lantern was dark.  Someone turned it off.
"The pigeon did it!" said Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 428th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He tracked chicken pox.  He broke the hen.  With an exclamation point.
"How do I look?" asked Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 427th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had fresh fish breath.  He saw a light across the street.  It was an Avengers' light.  And there were letters at the top of the hill.  He lost his head a little and made music.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 426th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He spilled his milk.  He lost his boots.  He dropped his books.  He hurt his toe.  And his pants got wet in the rain puddles.
"I'm having a bad day!" said Thomas.

The End.

Book 178

We Planted a Tree, written by Diane Muldrow, illustrated by Bob Staake, Random House 2010.
We Planted a Tree is a sweet story that is told through a gentle, lulling poem.  Diane Muldrow manages to explain the benefits of trees without lecturing and in a way that is a delight to read out loud.  And in a way that an active four-year-old boy can understand and enjoy.

Bob Staake illustrated this lovely poem-story, so that should automatically translate as the artwork in the is book is brilliant.  If you are not familiar with Mr. Staake's work, it is brilliant; both as in colorful-brilliant and in clever-brilliant, and infused with a healthy dose of humor.

We Plant a Tree is a perfect book for Earth Day, and for every day thereafter.

Thomas' 425th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He put on his socks.  He couldn't put on his froggy boots.  They had disappeared.
"Oh, no," said Thomas, "The goblins got my froggy boots."

The End.

Thomas 424th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had a wish.  He wished for gold.  Chocolate gold.
"My wish has come true!" said Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 423rd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had a painting boo-boo.  On his leg.  It didn't hurt.  It was purple.  And orange.
And Buster Cat got away.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 422nd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was an ocean.  And there was a stream to the ocean.  It was a jelly stream.  There was a boat on the stream.  It was a ship of friends.

The End.

(April 2013)

Thomas' 421st Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had a train.  It ran out of gas.  In the kitchen.  The refrigerator was broken -- the battery was dead.
"Mommy!" yelled Thomas, "I'm not happy!  I'm cranky!"
His mommy gave him some clean white paper.
Thomas drew a Molly Kitten.  He was still cranky.  He drew a Buster Cat.  He was still cranky.  He drew Chloe Cat's big yellow belly.  He was happy.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Stream of consciousness poem -- part XX

October 18

Tuesday

I have lists

Two lists

Of things that need to be done

To sort out my brother's life

One is a list

Of things that I can

Do something about

The other

Is a list

Of things that I can’t

Do anything about

The second list

Is longer

Than the first

I can’t do anything about that

Either

Thomas' 420th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a kitten named Molly.  She was crying, "Meow, meow."  She went through the door.  She couldn't get out.  She was locked in the bathroom.  Oh, no.  Poor Molly.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 419th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was like peppermint.  And sprinkles.  And he was like sprinkle cheese on top of spaghetti.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 418th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Mr. Hop-Hop Rabbit.  The duck was chasing the rabbit.  The rabbit wanted to sleep.  The rabbit put on his shoes and climbed up the apple tree.  Up to the ceiling.  There was a honey bird in the tree.  But not the duck.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 417th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Cranky Thomas.  He was lost and sad.  He found a happy cucumber.  He ate it.  He was still sad.  He found Hop-Hop Rabbit.  Hop-Hop was happy.  Thomas was still sad.  Thomas found Molly Kitten.  He petted her and kissed her and tickled her.  Thomas was happy.  I can't believe it.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 416th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had a shadow named Shadow Thomas.  His shadow was tall -- like a giant.  And it was dancing.  A dancing shadow giant.
And it was eating cinnamon toast.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 415th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a cat.  It wasn't really a cat.  It was Molly Kitten.  She climbed up the branches of a tree.  To the treetop.  She almost fell, but she didn't.  She climbed to the moon.  The moon was full of chocolate milk.  It wasn't really; it was full of chocolate ice cream.
And Molly was happy.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 414th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a guy.  He was fishing.  He had magic cheese and sad-faced cucumbers.  Zip and pull!  He caught a big fish.  It was a whale.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 413th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was coloring and drawing letters.
"H I X," said Thomas, "Spells car."
"No," said Mommy, "C A R spells car."
"That's not fair!" said Thomas.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 412th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He helped in Thomas' house.  He helped make Mommy's coffee.
Thomas rocked!  Hooray!

The End

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 411th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was an egg.  It was in the house.  It was downstairs.  It had jelly beans inside.  A Thomas named Thomas drew the egg and ate the jelly beans.

The End.

(April 2013.)

Thomas' 410th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a UFO.
And a butterfly.
They were in heaven.
And it was quiet.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 409th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Hop-Hop.  He was cranky.  He was mad.  He wanted jelly beans.  But they were wet.  It was raining.  And Hop-Hop had cold feet.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 408th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was lost.  It was raining.  He was wet.  He found a piece of paper.  It was a map.  To a castle house.  In the curling, laughing woods.  He went to the castle house.  And he stayed the night.  It was nice and warm.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 407th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had a kitten named Molly Kitten.  Molly was sneaky.  She liked ice cream.  And jelly beans.
"I'm keeping my eye on you, Molly," said Thomas.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 406th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was a rabbit.  Like Hop-Hop.  He lived in the garden.  He didn't take baths.  Or naps.  He ate salad.  And corn.  And carrots.  And ice cream.  Lots of ice cream.
"Rabbits don't eat ice cream," said his mommy.
"I'm not a rabbit anymore," said Thomas.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 405th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He was a Prince Thomas named Thomas.  He was sad.  He lost his family.  He was in the garden.  He picked some beautiful flowers.  For a beautiful princess mommy.  He found his mommy and gave her the beautiful flowers.  His mommy gave him a kiss!

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 404th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He scratched his foot.  On turtle tails.  On baby turtle tails.
"I need a boo-boo bag," said Thomas.  "And a popsicle."

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 403rd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Doctor Thomas named Thomas.  And there was a Hop-Hop Rabbit.  Hop-Hop was lost and sad  He was in Thomas' closet. And he was singing "On Top of Spaghetti."  Molly- Wolly- Skolly found Hop-Hop.  Molly took the Batman pillow.  Molly loves Batman.
"Doctor's orders," said Molly.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 402nd Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a goblin.  He had goblin shoes and a goblin hat.  He ran through a door.  He ran outside.  He hat blew off in the wind.  His hat was a flower.  A beautiful yellow flower.  Thomas found it.  He gave the beautiful flower to a beautiful princess.
And the sun closed down.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 401st Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He made beautiful music.  He made a concert of beautiful music.
"I got a booger out," sang Thomas.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 400th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there were three cats:  a Molly, a Chloe and a Buster.  Buster was a black Buster.  And he had big claws.  Like a raccoon.  But Buster wasn't a raccoon.  He was a black Buster.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 399th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas the Cowboy Thomas.  He had a black hat on his head.  And white underpants on his butt.  And NO socks.  And he ate peanut butter sandwiches.  And he painted.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 398th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Hop-Hop Rabbit.  He was missing.  He was hiding.  A Thomas named Thomas found him hiding in a blue blanket.  And eating chips and mustard.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 397th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a special story.  It was a Molly Kitten story.  Once upon a time, there was a Molly Kitten.  She was a baby girl kitten.  She ate baby lettuce.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 396th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had amazing powers.  He could make special music.  With the tomato bowl.  And the strawberry bowl.
"That's beautiful music, don't you think?" asked Thomas.

The End.

(March 2013.)

Thomas' 395th Story -- Illustrated

Once upon a time, there was a Thomas named Thomas.  He had books in his room.  Lots of books.  He took them down off the shelf.
"Duck is coming over," said Thomas.  "Ducks like books."

The End.

(March 2013.)