Salamander King

This is a story about ten year old Wayne who is befriended by Newton, a rather large red eft phase salamander, who also needs his help because toxic chemicals have been dumped into the pond he calls home. Newton is also having a problem with the town's bullies... that Wayne knows all too well! The book was written by Richard Perkins from Maine, illustrated by twenty year old Anh Bui from California, professionally edited by Melanie Lopata and re-published in March of 2022. What led Richard to writing his first children's book was, "As a small child who spent summer in Lake Luzerne, NY where the story takes place, I fell in love with amphibians and reptiles and was also bullied in school. Those real life experiences are at the heart of this series."

The Salamander King, Book Two: "For All Creatures Great and Small...", was re-published in March of 2022 after being edited by Melanie Lopata. The book has 76 pages, 33 illustrations and introduces the amazing eleven year old Becky Hage, new in town because her Dad, Dr. Jim Hage, just moved his large and small animal Veterinary practice to Lake Luzerne after the towns previous and only Vet retired. Becky and Wayne not only have a whole new set of problems at the pond to solve they have to save the life of their friend Marty-Bull the beaver who was shot with an arrow after trying to warn them! Each book continues where the last one left off. Book Three is available right now on amazon.com. Wayne and Becky have to protect the pond from vengeful girl bullies and they have to rescue some endangered newts being sold illegally by an exotic pet store! We are very curious to see what you think of the new character Becky. Thank you for your interest.

Here we are, six months of illustrative work is now complete! Professionally edited by Melanie Lopata, The Salamander King, Book Five: "As Absurd As That Sounds...", was published in December of 2022 on Amazon.com. The book has 122 pages, 24 illustrations and follows the two twelve year olds, Wayne and Becky, as they get involved in wild animal rescue, learn about salamander physiology, discover that bullies can change for the better and lots more. And then... Wayne goes to do a good deed for a visiting vacationer and gets abducted! Becky is with him and is she going to get abducted too? Does anyone hear her screams for Help! Their small town suddenly gets a huge wake-up call and a big school assembly follows. Fred and Edie need to get back to their home at Lake Tear of the Clouds now that Newton has finally found his life-mate Janine. Wayne would love it if Marty-Bull could once again see his parents and siblings who all live there but, there is no way the beavers can hike in seven miles over rough, steep terrain. Just maybe, Grandpa Lynn has a solution.

Book Six is a direct continuation of Books One thru Five. In Book Six, there are baby skunks but where is their Mom, a scary surprise guest in the pond, a new kind of mean bully, a baby bunny with the snapping turtles, a rousing football game, a funny volleyball match, Gefilte fish!, Police Chief Nan's Air Force Colonel hubby and son are home and lots more!

The Salamander King, Book Seven: "Family Comes in all Shapes and Sizes", was published in February of 2024. The theme here is; the importance of family, friends and people who want to help others and ask for nothing in return. A direct continuation of books one thru six, this story has 106 pages, 37 illustrations and follows the two thirteen year olds, Wayne and Becky, as they get involved in lots of new adventures; there are TWO big eggs, Hugh the bald eagle gets sick, Stryker the water snake gets attacked, whoa - who is that new kid on the soccer team, why is the man slumped over on the sidewalk, frogs and turtles are disappearing from the pond, the squirrels meet with the pond clan, brumation versus hibernation, what does neoteny mean, wow - she is our new karate instructor, where did Angie's horse go, who is that eating my eggs, and much, much more!