National Award-Winning Boomer and Halley Books ages 4-8
Boomer and Halley books feature a high energy pooch and a feisty feline who learn how to behave while having fun in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
Boomerang is an Australian Shepherd boy dog and Halley’s Comet is a silver streak of a girl cat.
They are adopted by a couple who never had children.
Now Harold and Edna are learning to parent these four-legged “kids” and the whole town gets involved.
A 3-book set available here, individual books for sale on Amazon.
The National Award-Winning Boomer and Halley Book Series (for ages 4-8)
Boomer and Halley books feature the delightful adventures of a high energy pooch and a feisty feline in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
Through their adventures and mis-adventures, kids discover how to be good and have fun at the same time!
How cool is that?
Special gift set and pricing only available here, individual books for sale on Amazon.
Boomerang is an Australian Shepherd boy dog and Halley’s Comet is a silver streak of a girl cat.
They are adopted by a couple who never had children.
Now Harold and Edna are learning to parent these four-legged “kids” and the whole town gets involved.
Click on image for larger version
Little Lessons. Big Results ™
(The PAWSitive Approach) Books
Each Boomer and Halley Book includes four, positive lessons like: teamwork, manners, importance of family, compassion, kindness and respecting property. Reinforced over time, they can lead to big results in a child’s life.
When those themes appear in the story, a PAW print pops up on the page. A perforated bookmark with prompting questions allows you to see if your child understands what he or she is reading.
Best of all, the books have a bright, durable, linen cover that doesn’t wear out and there are delightful black and white illustrations that the kids can color!
Little Lessons. Big Results ™
(The PAWSitive Approach) Books
Each Boomer and Halley Book includes four, positive lessons like: teamwork, manners, importance of family, compassion, kindness and respecting property. Reinforced over time, they can lead to big results in a child’s life.
When those themes appear in the story, a PAW print 
pops up on the page.
A perforated bookmark with prompting questions allows you to see if your child understands what he or she is reading.
Click on image for larger version
Best of all, the books have a bright, durable, linen cover that doesn’t wear out and there are delightful black and white illustrations that the kids can color!
What do you do with a couple of bored children?
Harold and Edna Sanders decide their four-legged “kids” should go on a Scavenger Hunt. It’s up to Boomer and Halley to search the house and find all the hidden toys and treats. While searching for goodies, the feisty duo also learns an important lesson in teamwork and more!
What do you do with a couple of bored children?
Harold and Edna Sanders decide their four-legged “kids” should go on a Scavenger Hunt. It’s up to Boomer and Halley to search the house and find all the hidden toys and treats. While searching for goodies, the feisty duo also learns an important lesson in teamwork and more.
Find out what happens!
Boomer and Halley Lost and Found, Learning to Live in a Blended Family
Boomer and Halley grew up in different parts of the country. Now here they are, alone and lost, in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
Once they are found by Harold and Edna Sanders, their lives take another turn. Follow the adoption process and the humorous adventures of a blended family learning to live together!
Boomer and Halley Lost and Found, Learning to Live in a Blended Family
Boomer and Halley grew up in different parts of the country. Now here they are, alone and lost, in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
Once they are found by Harold and Edna Sanders, their lives take another turn. Follow the adoption process and the humorous adventures of a blended family learning to live together!
Boomer and Halley Election Day, A Town Votes for Civic Responsibility
Red, white and blue streamers and confetti can mean only one thing – an election is taking place in Shady Pines.
The mayor has some explaining to do about some missing money. What should the people in town do?
Boomer and Halley elect to get involved. Harold and Edna have some banner ideas of their own. Honesty and responsibility are up for debate and civility is the big winner!
Boomer and Halley Election Day, A Town Votes for Civic Responsibility
Red, white and blue streamers and confetti can mean only one thing – an election is taking place in Shady Pines.
The mayor has some explaining to do about some missing money. What should the people in town do?
Boomer and Halley elect to get involved. Harold and Edna have some banner ideas of their own. Honesty and responsibility are up for debate and civility is the big winner!
Everybody’s Talking!
We really like hearing from the folks like you who take the time to visit Shady Pines™ Story Town. Here’s what some of you have to say about our site and about Boomer and Halley – Scavenger Hunt, Discover Rewards by Working Together.
Everybody’s Talking!
We really like hearing from the folks like you who take the time to visit Shady Pines™ Story Town. Here’s what some of you have to say about our site and about Boomer and Halley – Scavenger Hunt, Discover Rewards by Working Together.
Everybody’s Talking!
We really like hearing from the folks like you who take the time to visit Shady Pines™ Story Town. Here’s what some of you have to say about our site and about Boomer and Halley – Scavenger Hunt, Discover Rewards by Working Together.
Everybody’s Talking!
We really like hearing from the folks like you who take the time to visit Shady Pines™ Story Town. Here’s what some of you have to say about our site and about Boomer and Halley – Scavenger Hunt, Discover Rewards by Working Together.
Author Mary Jane McKittrick
Mary Jane McKittrick is the Chief Creative Officer of Shady Pines ™ Story Town, a delightful destination that harkens back to a kinder, gentler bygone era. In this tight-knit community populated by human and animal cartoon characters of all ages and backgrounds, children are encouraged to make good life choices through laughter, love, adventure, and imagination. This project combines Mary Jane’s love of animals and storytelling and her knack for wacky humor. A native of Los Angeles, California, she enjoyed a successful career in television entertainment, broadcast news, and corporate communications. She is also a national award-winning author of the Boomer and Halley book series. In her Shady Pines™ Story Town project, Mary Jane draws upon life lessons she learned firsthand while living on a historic horse farm in North Carolina.
Illustrator Bob Ostrom
Illustrator Bob Ostrom
The overall look of Shady Pines harkens back to a bygone era. Colorful cartoon characters come to life due to the expertise of illustrator, Bob Ostrom. Based in North Carolina, Mr. Ostrom has been illustrating children’s books for more than 20 years. He is a nationally known talent with credits that include Little Mermaid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rug Rats, and many more. Bob has worked for such noteworthy companies as Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. He and Mary Jane first worked together on the Boomer and Halley book series which won the Mom’s Choice Award. The nostalgic imagery they concocted for the Shady Pines™ Story Town Project was developed with the intention of keeping with the feel of a safe, small Southern town. The 2-D animation style illustrations make it possible to convey the project’s illustrations on various platforms.
Author Mary Jane McKittrick
Mary Jane McKittrick is a national award-winning author of the Boomer and Halley book series. The books won the Mom’s Choice Gold Award for excellence. Mary Jane is also the Chief Creative Officer of Shady Pines Story Town, a delightful online destination that harkens back to a kinder, gentler bygone era. In this tight-knit community populated by human and animal cartoon characters of all ages and backgrounds, children are encouraged to make good life choices through laughter, love, adventure, and imagination. This project, based on her books, combines Mary Jane’s love of animals and storytelling and her knack for wacky humor. A native of Los Angeles, California, she enjoyed a successful career in television entertainment, broadcast news, and corporate communications In her Shady Pines Story Town project, Mary Jane draws upon life lessons she learned firsthand while living on a historic horse farm in North Carolina.
Illustrator Bob Ostrom
The overall look of Shady Pines harkens back to a bygone era. Colorful cartoon characters come to life due to the expertise of illustrator, Bob Ostrom. Based in North Carolina, Mr. Ostrom has been illustrating children’s books for more than 20 years. He is a nationally known talent with credits that include Little Mermaid, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rug Rats, and many more. Bob has worked for such noteworthy companies as Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network. He and Mary Jane first worked together on the Boomer and Halley book series which won the Mom’s Choice Award. The nostalgic imagery they concocted for the Shady Pines™ Story Town Project was developed with the intention of keeping with the feel of a safe, small Southern town. The 2-D animation style illustrations make it possible to convey the project’s illustrations on various platforms.