Laurel Decher

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About Laurel Decher
The joys we discover early can turn into life-long fascinations. That's why my books challenge 9-to-12-year-old readers to open all the doors in their lives!
Until we reach retirement age, most of us will never again have a window of time, energy, and brain power like this.
Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales are about enjoying reading superpowers, imagining delightfully silly places, and discovering life's possibilities.
Read the books in any order. :)
Laurel Decher lives on the outskirts of a mid-sized city in Germany, between a medieval chapel on the St. James' Way and a boundary marker tree carved with a scary face. It's a little surprising, since she expected to live in Vermont for the rest of her life. You just never know when adventure will call!
TROUBLE WITH PARSNIPS is her first book for young readers (ages 9-12). She writes stories about all things whimsical, vegetable, or musical.
In LOST WITH LEEKS, Prince Nero has to find his true North and rescue St. Nicholas before it's too late.
In UNDER PRESSURE WITH A SQUASH: The Multiplication Problem, Princess Saffy and Prince Magellan face test after test to save their beloved dragon.
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Blog postI wish I'd asked what was the hardest part about working with a horse: keeping the rows straight or making the turn at the end of the row? This post is a mini tour of the open-air museum in Lindlar, Germany: the LVR-Freilichtmuseum Lindlar. "That's the hardest part of weaving
3 months ago Read more -
Blog postA package of seeds doesn't cost very much . . . In the last few years, the world seems to be specializing in crises that are too big for one person or one country to solve.
We could get angry or discouraged or depressed and sometimes I feel all of those things at once.
Or we could plant seeds for peace.
Wouldn’t it be exciting to plan a garden that yields a big crop of mercy, justice, and healing?
Ch
4 months ago Read more -
Blog postFancy costumes, carnival songs and dances brighten up the dark days Some years Valentine’s Day and the biggest day of Germany’s Karneval fall on the same day. German kids don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but they do celebrate Karneval (carnival). This short clip shows a surprise visit from the Carnival royalty at a neighborhood pub. Celebrations like these inspired the cross-cultural books for ki
4 months ago Read more -
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Blog postThe sign over this archway says: Bee Market Gate This secret passageway leads to the Bee Market Gate in the medieval city of Michelstadt in Germany. Why are bees such a big deal in this city? Why are bees such a5 months ago Read more
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Blog postA Sneak Peek at the Cutting Floor for Trouble at the Valentine Factory None of the sketches on this page are in the newest Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale, but I thought they might give you a chuckle.
Want to read more? Here are all the places you can get the book (ebook, Kindle, paperback).
5 months ago Read more -
Blog postImagination is the best kind of kid-powered fun, even when there's lots of legwork! The medieval Christmas Market in Siegburg, Germany has wonderful, people-powered entertainment. Check out these Viking ships and the carousel. The soundtrack is the bells from the pink tower next to the market.
5 months ago Read more -
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Blog postBee friendly And Queen Ash is nowhere in sight. A perfect celebration on the Rhine River. A new Valentine fairy tale in the imaginary world of the Seven Kingdoms inspired by the Rhine and Mosel Rivers in Germany. You’re invited to take a stroll and join the celebration for TROUBLE AT THE VALENTINE FACTORY. For ages 9 to 12.
5 months ago Read more -
Blog postBeautiful city hall on legs in Michelstadt, Germany Michelstadt, Germany is the perfect stop to “bee” inspired for a new Valentine fairy tale.
The ponderous beams of the city hall built in 1484 don’t look like they need protection.
If they did, what could a bee do?
If the Blackfly Queen (in my new fairy tale for ages 9 to 12) had paid more attention to her bees, things might have gone differently fo
5 months ago Read more -
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Blog postThis castle holds the answer Bees are the magic ingredient in a new Valentine’s Day fairy tale set in the world of the Seven Kingdoms. (more buzz after the bees
Trouble at the Valentine Factory would only be half a story without the bees. That’s why we’re visiting the town of Mayen in Germany.
How does their castle protect more than people
6 months ago Read more -
Blog postBuzz for Trouble at the Valentine Factory In Trouble at the Valentine Factory, bees play a big role. What’s going on? The eleven-year-old Saffron twins can’t quite figure it out.
The bees shouldn’t be active in the middle of winter.
And what’s with the mysterious white darts popping up around the beehives?
6 months ago Read more -
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Titles By Laurel Decher
When their beloved dragon gets them into trouble with the Fairy Kingdom, the Saffron twins must face the ultimate test! Together! How can they beat the PRESSURE?
Get on board the Hubbard submarine and find out!
OhOOOOGA! OhOOOOOOOGA!
Dive!
Dive!
WHY READ SEVEN KINGDOMS FAIRY TALES?
Whether it's speaking up at a feast, reading a map or taking a test in a strange kingdom, SEVEN KINGDOMS FAIRY TALES are all about finding more magic in your life.
One lucky child (or set of twins!) gets the perfect leadership gift.
If only the fairies would remember the training wheels!
Yiiiiiiiikes!
For ages 9 to 12. Read in any order.
Perfect for fans of funny, fast-paced fairy tales like Jean Ferris' Once Upon a Marigold or E.G. Foley's The Gryphon Chronicles.
Also for friends of entertaining adventure stories. . .with a side of handy life skills. (Jacqueline Davies' The Lemonade Wars or Shannon Hale's Princess Academy.)
It's like The King's Speech, but for kids.
When it's save-the-kingdom time, a nameless princess has to use her whole toolbox. . .
Can she finally use the one tool that's never worked. . .her quiet voice?
Organizing a party is hard! When you're a behind-the-scenes inventor princess, it's even worse.
But when your royal parents fall ill with croquet fever? All they want to do is play croquet!
The pressure's on!
Then your royal aunt burns down the castle. . .
And your fairy godmother's booby-trapped gift means. . .
No one hears you at all!
What's a princess to do?
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Whether it's speaking up at a feast, or reading a map in a strange kingdom, SEVEN KINGDOMS FAIRY TALES are all about finding more magic in your life.
One lucky child gets the perfect leadership gift.
If only the fairies would remember the training wheels!
Yiiiiiiiikes!
__________________
For ages 9 to 12. Read in any order.
Perfect for fans of funny, fast-paced fairy tales like Jean Ferris' Once Upon a Marigold or E.G. Foley's The Gryphon Chronicles.
Also for friends of entertaining adventure stories. . .with a side of handy life skills. (Jacqueline Davies' The Lemonade Wars or Shannon Hale's Princess Academy.)
Argh! Twelve-year-old Crown Prince Nero is lost again. That’s what he gets for trying to fly a hot air balloon. His fairy godfather gave him a magnetic personality to make him charming. Only now he's a trouble magnet for compasses, maps and magical creatures.
Why read Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales?
In each Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale a fairy godparent gives one lucky child the perfect leadership gift. Abracadabra!
If only they'd remember the training wheels! Yiiiiiiikes!
Whether it's speaking up at a feast, or reading a map in a strange kingdom, these Tales are all about finding more magic in your life.
The eleven-year-old royal Saffron twins—Princess Saffy and Prince Magellan--have to save the Seven Kingdoms from the Blackfly Queen’s dangerous new magical candies! The trouble starts when the Blackfly Queen introduces a brand-new holiday guaranteed to make her the most beloved queen in the Seven Kingdoms: Valentine’s Day!?! This year, Valentine’s Day falls on the same day as the Rose Monday Parade. Instead of delighting the crowds with traditional candies, the queen has a dastardly plan. She’s making Consternation Hearts with magical powers, a.k.a. candy hearts with messages good for every day of the year. . .like “Go to the Water Dungeon!”
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This holiday story features the royal Saffron twins from UNDER PRESSURE WITH A SQUASH: The Multiplication Problem and is a pre-quel to that story.
__________________
Whether it's speaking up at a feast, reading a map, or taking a test in a strange kingdom, SEVEN KINGDOMS FAIRY TALES are all about finding more magic in your life.
One lucky child gets the perfect leadership gift.
If only the fairies would remember the training wheels!
Yiiiiiiiikes!
__________________
For ages 9 to 12. Read in any order.
Perfect for fans of funny, fast-paced fairy tales like Jean Ferris' Once Upon a Marigold or E.G. Foley's The Gryphon Chronicles.
Also for friends of entertaining adventure stories. . .with a side of handy life skills. (Jacqueline Davies' The Lemonade Wars or Shannon Hale's Princess Academy.)
Do you have to bend the rules . . . to keep your friends?
Eleven-year-old Prince Vlad is thrilled to
be appointed judge for the Magenta Educational Royal Court for Youth.
Unfortunately, his first case is a doozy.
His good friends show up in court with an illegal baby dragon!
Good grief! Magellan and Saffy want him to bend the rules!
How can the brand new judge do his duty without losing his friends?
It's Rules versus Friendship . . . What's the verdict?
__________________
Whether it's speaking up at a feast, reading a map, taking a test in a strange kingdom, or playing by the rules, Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales are all about finding more magic in your life.
One lucky child gets the perfect leadership gift.
If only the fairies would remember the training wheels!
__________________
For ages 9 to 12. Read in any order.
Perfect for fans of funny, fast-paced fairy tales like Jean Ferris' Once Upon a Marigold or E.G. Foley's The Gryphon Chronicles.
Also for friends of entertaining adventure stories. . .with a side of handy life skills. (Jacqueline Davies' The Lemonade Wars, Shannon Hale's Princess Academy or Jessica Day George’s Tuesdays at the Castle series)
PRAISE FOR THE SERIES
Book 2: Lost With Leeks
"delightful funny book that captures the readers heart from start to finish. A
wicked Queen, hot air balloons, a friendly yellow dragon and a Prince
with a lot of responsibility and a huge talent for getting lost make for
a hilarious journey. . . will definitely be sharing it with my
grandchildren." -Sharon Walker, grandparent
"a wonderful and fantastical story. . .a great read for older elementary
children. . .enjoyed discovering this whimsical world, watching Nero
overcome his obstacles, and seeing the growth of characters through the
story. . ." -Christina Newcomb
"Very cute story. I can't wait to read it with my girls! As someone who has no sense of
direction, I love that Nero is directionally challenged also. I hope
there are more books to follow. I'd love to read about the other
characters or even more adventures with Nero." -Charlotte's Reviews (Goodreads)
Book 2.5: Trouble at the Valentine Factory
"Gr 4-7–Decher’s fourth book in the “Seven Kingdoms” series is a zany story
of ingenuity and collaboration. Life in the Seven Kingdoms is never
dull, especially not with fairies popping by to ask for favors and a
cranky queen creating candies that will put a spell on anyone who eats
them." --Jen McConnel, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Book 3: Under Pressure With A Squash
"Whimsy and adventure at every turn! . . . another wonderful read. Funny,
delightful and whimsical story of two royal siblings who learn what
leadership requires. Smiles for readers of all ages who will relate with
the troubles these two face in doing what must be done - whether it's
learning multiplication tables or utilizing archery skills!"
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Follow the hilarious adventures of three smart young leaders:
a princess who defends her castle and wins a name for herself,
a perpetually lost prince who learns how to lead, and
a set of royal twins who face test after test to protect their beloved dragon.
1. Trouble With Parsnips, A Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale, 1;
2. Lost With Leeks, A Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale, 2; and
3. Under Pressure With a Squash: The Multiplication Problem, A Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tale, 3
Now in a single volume.
__________________
Whether it's speaking up at a feast, reading a map, or taking a test in a strange kingdom, Seven Kingdoms Fairy Tales are all about finding more magic in your life.
One lucky child gets the perfect leadership gift.
If only the fairies would remember the training wheels!
Yiiiiiiiikes!
__________________
For ages 9 to 12. Read in any order.
Perfect for fans of funny, fast-paced fairy tales and for friends of entertaining adventure stories. . .with a side of handy life skills.
He’s known about loss since the third grade. His mother always asked him to let joy into his life, but he keeps himself strong with bitter radicchio, black coffee, and wine as dry as dust. After she dies, her favorite poem inspires him to try a new, carefree, persona.
When he shows up as “Jack”, his childhood sweetheart wants to show him something sweet. There’s only one catch: she wants to drive his truck.