The story of a giant squid who embarks upon a quest to find a friend. Moral: there is no escaping the pain of solitude.

I didn't include a moral for this story. I was trying to grow as a writer, and leave room for readers to draw their own conclusions. Just kidding. The moral is: vain stalks of chard make lousy friends.

Many years ago, I tried sending these children's books to agents/publishers. They responded, "so maybe a children's book shouldn't have the moral that all sentient beings are, in this, universe, ultimately alone? Or make so many references to Nietzsche?" Then the agents/publishers suggested that these issues might make my books "difficult to place in this competitive market." I graciously crumpled to the floor in despair. Then plotted my nefarious revenge.) Years later, after I had my own children, and read them my children's books, I realized that my children's books were not for children. I made my subsequent angst-ridden animal tale, Bipolar Bear & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Health Insurance for grown-ups. It will be published by Graphic Mundi in November 2022, but you can pre-order it now!