Showing results by author "Debbie Urbanski" in All Categories

Sen Anon is assigned to be a witness for the Department of Transition, recording the changes in the environment as the world begins to rewild. Abandoned by her mother in a cabin somewhere in upstate New York, Sen will observe the monumental ecological shift known as the Great Transition, the final step in Project Afterworld. Around her drones buzz, cameras watch, microphones listen, digitizing her every move. Privately she keeps a journal of her observations, which are then uploaded and saved, joining the rest of humanity on Maia, a new virtual home.

Debbie Urbanski wields sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and realism to build a dark mirror that she holds up to the ordinary world. Within the sharply imagined landscape of this collection, portals appear in linen closets, planetary gateways materialize in boarding schools, monsters wait in bathroom vents, and transformations of women’s bodies are an everyday occurrence. Political division causes physical rifts that break apart the Earth’s crust. A son on another planet sends dispatches home to the mother who failed him, and a wife turns to the supernatural to escape her abusive marriage.

Enjoy this collection of magical short stories about dragons. In "When Dragon Shrank", hear an enchanting story of the friendship between Dragon and Red Squirrel, who swap sizes for a day. They experience one another's worlds and learn to appreciate themselves just the way they are. Also included are four other dragon stories: "Sir Thomas and the Dragon", "Too Many Dragons", "There Goes the Neighborhood", and "Mae and the Dragon."

When the exterminator gets called, Charlie races off to a magical world looking for help from his friend to save the stinkbugs in his house. Together they must convince the boy’s parents that the stinkbugs aren’t pests; in fact, they are pretty nice to have around. Convincing his parents will not be easy. Will the friends be able to save the stinkbugs in time?

A story about two moms and their two children, Edun and Will, going on a hiking and camping trip in the mountains. At first, grump Edun doesn't want to hike, but she comes to love the imagination and wonder of the outdoors. She discovers animal tracks, rocks, and trees, and then takes a drink of water from a glacier.

There are too many dragons in Skoki's world for her liking. Luckily, she meets a new friend who introduces her to a different creature.

After you find an ancient map on your bookcase—check again, it's definitely there—you're taken on a mysterious quest in the dark. What is the map leading you to? Are you ready for an adventure?