In book 12, Shadow and Friends Family Reunion concludes the 12 book Shadow and Friends series. In Family and Friends, Foxy and Sparkles, Fox squirrels, and Shadow, a small dog look back over their first meeting and becoming friends and at all the adventures they took part in over the course of this series. In this fun picture book kids learn how a dog and two squirrels become friends. They go on a camping adventure, visit the mountains, take a European vacation, spend Christmas in Central Park, Uncle Stubby gets married in a Valentine Fairy Forest, they re-enact Ellsworth, KS, 150th birthday, memories of an ocean adventure in the Florida Keys, followed by visiting an enchanted forest, Meeting Mr. Rabbit, and his family, and finally the big costume party thanks to Digger digging up a treasure chest full of costumes. Children learn how to be friends with others from different cultures, and how to share in adventures. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt teach how they keep their yard mowed and how they care for the wildlife that venture into their backyard. In these pages, memories of adventures are seen via cell phone pictures and wordage, all the animals are friendly and kind to each other. Lessons are learned in behavior, kindness, and taking care of wildlife. All characters are based on backyard wildlife and Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt.

Shadow’s a dog; Foxy and Sparkles are squirrels. It doesn’t matter that they’re different; they’re still best friends. Shadow once saved a lost baby squirrel, Little Whitey, and that’s what cemented the friendship. There are other wild animals (and not so wild, too) who have connected with Shadow - all friends. They shared various adventures around the world, expanding their list of friends internationally. Now, after so many adventures, Shadow, Foxy, and Sparkles have decided to host a reunion of all their friends - a party, a celebration of friendship and good times. It’s more than just a time to re-connect with friends near and far; it’s a time to remember and share special memories of times spent together. Shadow and his friends

are more than a random collection of friends; they’re family.

Mary L. Schmidt’s picture book story, Shadow and Friends Family Reunion, is the twelfth and final book in her Shadow and Friends series. Using simple language and colorful illustrations, the author leads young readers through a time of cherished memories, recapping the special events that brought the friends together. There were camping adventures, mountain hikes, a European vacation where Foxy wore the Queen’s coronation

gown and crown, and then there was Christmas spent in Central Park, New York City. The friends have shared some grand and exciting adventures and learned a lot along the way. Perhaps the most important thing they all learned was that their differences didn’t matter - they were friends no matter what differences might have separated them. This is a fun story about friendship and caring for others.