Life's Little Fable

by Patricia Cornwell

Jarrod has a carefree, innocent existence in a far-off land, but faces temptation when he is offered anything he wants in return for venturing into a forbidden pond, in this Eden-like fable. 50,000 first printing.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 24, 1999

About the author

Patricia Cornwell sold her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990 while working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia. Postmortem, was the first bona fide forensic thriller. It paved the way for an explosion of entertainment featuring in all things forensic across film, television and literature.

Postmortem would go on to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards as well as the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure prize – the first book ever to claim all these distinctions in a single year. To date, Cornwell’s books have sold some 100 million copies in thirty-six languages in over 120 countries. She’s authored twenty-nine New York Times bestsellers.

Patricia’s novels center primarily on medical examiner Kay Scarpetta along with her tech-savvy niece Lucy and fellow investigator Pete Marino. Celebrating 25 years, these characters have grown into an international phenomenon, winning Cornwell the Sherlock Award for best detective created by an American author, the Gold Dagger Award, the RBA Thriller Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters for her contributions to literary and artistic development.

Fox 2000 bought the rights to Kay Scarpetta. Working with producer Liz Friedman, Marvel’s Jessica Jones and fellow Marvel EP and Twilight Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg to develop the film and find Scarpetta a home on the big screen.

After earning her degree in English from Davidson College in 1979, she began working at the Charlotte Observer.

Cornwell received widespread attention and praise for her series of articles on prostitution and crime in downtown Charlotte. From the Charlotte Observer, Cornwell moved to a job with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia – a post she would later bestow upon the fictional Kay Scarpetta.

When not writing from her Boston home, Patricia tirelessly researches cutting-edge forensic technologies to include in her work. Her interests span outside the literary: Patricia co-founded of the Conservation Scientist Chair at the Harvard University Art Museums. She appears as a forensic consultant on CNN and serves as a member of Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital’s National Council, where she advocates for psychiatric research. She’s helped fund the ICU at Cornell’s Animal Hospital, the scientific study of a Confederate submarine, the archaeological excavation of Jamestown, and a variety of law enforcement charities. Patricia is also committed to
funding scholarships and literacy programs. Her advice to aspiring authors: “Start writing. And don’t take no for an answer.”


Social and Digital Outlets

http://www.patriciacornwell.com

https://www.facebook.com/patricia.cor...

https://twitter.com/1pcornwell

https://instagram.com/1pcornwell/


Other areas of expertise & interests
Forensics | Forensic Technologies | Ballistics | Weapons | Explosives | Pathology & Autopsies | Crime | Historical and Unsolved Criminal Cases | Jack The Ripper | Helicopter Piloting | Suba Diving | Archaeological Excavation Experience |

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

If there was a BadReads, this book should be on that list. This is a crime against children's literature. Vague, unclear story written sometimes in rhyme, sometimes not. Is it trying to teach a moral? Did the boy's dad get eaten by the crocodile? My son pulled this off the shelf himself at the library. I think he was drawn to the beautiful nature drawings, but the story can be seen as anti-nature since the wildlife is screeching for the boy to go into the pond to get eaten by the crocdile. We struggled to get through this at bedtime tonight. How did this even get published?

[Kevin Vrieze · Rating 3 out of 5]

very good graphics. the story was intricate for an alleged picture book. very satisfying, in devoid of mature male presence. pan for the modern age? that said its an unfortunately one of several serious flaws in what might anotherwise good story. the vagueness of the mother and her relationship to her husband, the never-never land view, etc. still its quite readable, and short but takes you in. Jarrod somehow sticks it to them

[False · Rating 1 out of 5]

An odd children's book with even odder illustrations. The illustrator seemed better at drawing wildlife than humans. A little boy wearing tiger skin surfer shorts? A violent crocodile? Just the thing to get a child nightmares. I can't imagine what child would want to read this.

[Bekkah Riecke · Rating 2 out of 5]

The language within this book is beautiful, but I wasn't a big fan of the story itself. It seems like it would be a bit scary for small children and I'm not sure if older children would enjoy the style in which it is written.

It would be a good addition to a unit on folk tales or legends though and would compliment a discussion on ecosystems as well.

[Christina Packard · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were A+++.. just beautifully done. As to the fable, I don't know what we were to learn exactly. The story plot seemed to go in another direction that we never knew what may have happened, and what did happen didn't make a good ending for a fable. I feel there could be two separate stories. It is a very short fast read, and in the end I just say...ok.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairy-tale type story - a boy lives in a happy place where it is always light and the children climb trees and soar through the forest without fear. The boy is tempted by what is in the deep water of the pond. He struggles with his curiosity and the warnings his mother gives him about the water. An entertaining story. Lovely artwork.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the only childrens book written by Patricia Cornwell. I'm a big fan of Cornwell (especially the Scarpetta books), but I didn't think this book was all that great. I wish it was better but it's really rather forgettable.

[Jazzmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting fable, very fairy-tale like with a dark side. I enjoyed it and the language in which the book is written is very beautiful and almost lyrical in some ways.