Author Spotlight

Linda Harkey

I am a storyteller. I present humorous teachable tales to elementary school children on the lives of hunting dogs, other animals in nature, their habitats, and life lessons involving family, friendships, teamwork, bravery, diversity, determination, and problem solving. I am a storyteller of children’s literature which plays a role in parenting. My books are more than stories. They are tools that help parents, teachers, and librarians connect with children in meaningful way. My books encourage independent reading and discussions of the stories with the children in the classroom, libraries, or at home during meals or bedtime. I tell my readers to follow your dreams wherever they may lead you.

The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy was inspired by a neighbor who had two German Shepherds that loved their squeeze toys. I used my imagination and developed a story from that. The manuscript I am working on now is called The Curious Friendship of Patch and Barney. It is an adventure story with a stormy setting that has plenty of action between a German Shorthaired Pointer named Patch, her hunter called the Great One, a skunk named Barney, and a very scary coyote. Friendship and teamwork grow between Patch and Barney as they encounter a shaggy brown coyote who appears to be hungry. Will Patch and Barney outwit the snarling coyote and make it through the storm to the cave?

I have used The US Review of Books before and feel they have wonderful professional book reviewers that truly give you a complete review. It is obvious that the reviewers know the genre they are reviewing and have read the book more than once.

About the Author: Linda Harkey loves animals and teaching children. Her experiences as a mother, schoolteacher, volunteer docent and hunting dog owner have inspired her to write award-winning children’s books. For over 22 years she diligently worked as a volunteer docent at two outstanding museums in Oklahoma—The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History. During her tenure, she helped develop curricula for children’s programs and gave countless presentations to children both at the museum and local schools.

Books:

• The Budding Staff (2005)
• Hickory Doc’s Tales (The Pack: First Generation) (2017)
• The Remarkable Story of Willie the Crow (A Hickory Doc’s Tale) (2018)
• Solitary Toes and Brown-Headed Cowbirds (A Hickory Doc’s Tale) (2019)
• Doc, Willie, and the Pack: Secrets, Gifts, Family (A Hickory Doc’s Tale) (2019)
• Doc’s Dog Days: A Hickory Doc’s Activity Book (2019)
• The Wayward Path of the Devil and Mr. Snake in the Garden of Eden (2021)
• Chatty the Hen Pheasant (Travels with the Pack) (2021)
• Desert Friends (Travels with the Pack) (2022)
• Blake Jake’s Unusual Day (Travels with the Pack) (2023)
• Desert Friends 2nd Edition (Travels with the Pack) (2023)
• The Great Animal Escape (2024)
• The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy (2026)