By Marissa Wells
Contributing Writer
Retired intergalactic space commander and defender of the cosmos, Cosmic Granny, was having a pleasant day preparing for a fun weekend with her grandchildren, the Astrokids, when she discovers that they’ve been abducted. She soon learns that her former best friend turned archenemy, Meteor Molly, is to blame and has an evil plan to ruin her life and take everything from her.
Will Cosmic Granny be able to stop Molly in time?
Find out in “Introducing Cosmic Granny in A Score to Settle” by Edward Rice, illustrated by Mark Harmon.
The new children’s book was originally inspired by a vocabulary assignment the author had in the sixth grade. “Each week we had to write an essay that incorporated all of our weekly spelling words,” Rice said. “I wanted to get an A, so I would think of creative stories to tell.”
Rice kept the story over the years and decided to turn it into a book dedicated to his mother and daughter.
“I thought it’d be a cool story for my daughter,” Rice said. “Plus, I saw it as an opportunity to bridge the gap between her and my mother since she passed away before they had a chance to meet.”
In the book, young readers are presented with important lessons about friendship, conflict resolution and forgiveness.
Rice said he is thrilled to introduce readers to a story that’s lived in his head for more than 30 years. He expects the book to be enjoyed by children ages 6-10, grandparents, superhero enthusiasts, comic book fans and anyone who loves a great adventure.
“I hope readers are entertained, intrigued and interested in learning more about Cosmic Granny and the Astrokids,” Rice said. “I also want readers to embrace the idea that fun, adventures and heroism are not just for the young.”
This was Rice’s first book and the first in a series of books that will feature Cosmic Granny’s adventures. The next book will introduce a new villain and it’s expected to be released in 2024.
In addition to being an author, Rice is a journalism professor at Moreno Valley College. He is based in Los Angeles. For more information about the author and his work, visit cosmicgranny.com or Instagram@cosmic.granny.
“Introducing Cosmic Granny in A Score to Settle” is available for $6.95 (eBook) and $11.95 (print copy) online via cosmicgranny.com, barnesandnoble.com, and Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
