Tag Archives: Family

Writing

The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey

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cover for The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey
Copyright © 2026 Joan Y. Edwards book cover – The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey

“The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey” by Joan Y. Edwards

I am excited to tell you that my latest children’s chapter book, The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey is alive. It is wonderfully illustrated by Ecaterina Leascenco. It is published and available for sale on Amazon.

About the Book
The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey is a humorous fantasy children’s chapter book for Grades K-4 that explores themes of  sibling rivalry, adventure, and magic. Through vivid storytelling the book invites readers to reflect on is the power of their words and their ability to solve problems.
Book Summary:
When a moment of sibling frustration sparks Ginger to make a silly wish, everything goes bananas. Suddenly, her brother is a real monkey!

Book Details
Formats
eBook 26 pages ISBN 978-1-966006-03-9
Paperback 43 pages ISBN 978-1-966006-02-2
Publication Date: February 18, 2026
Publisher: Edwards Quality Productions

Purchase Available for purchase on Amazon as an ebook and a paperback https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966006020

About the Author
Joan is a creative writer and loves to tell stories. Her work often explores humor and fun ways to solve problems. The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey reflects her love of family, fun, and peace.
Excerpt from  The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey Copyright © 2026 Joan Y. Edwards. All rights reserved. Reviewers may quote brief portions provided that attribution credit is given to the author and book title,
My brother, Butch, pestered me too long. He threw beach balls at me. He tossed ping-pong balls at my head. I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw the balls back at him. That didn’t seem to stop him from aggravating me.
I slammed my book down. I pushed my forehead against his and stared into his eyes. I said, “I WISH YOU WOULD TURN INTO A MONKEY.”
Why readers love this book!
My favorite part of the book was the naughty monkey eating all of the fruit and creating mischief!
…Brianna Ralston
This story is sweet. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the siblings. I loved the details the author gave. The artwork is amazing.
…Karen Willoughby
If you want to read an interesting story about a pair of siblings who suddenly have to adapt to new changes, this is it.
…Allen Johnson
What a delightful story! I’m sure we’ve all wished for bad things to befall our younger siblings, but this well-written story takes it to a whole new level. The illustrations are creative, yet whimsical. It brings a new meaning to the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for.”
…Melanie Robertson-King
I loved the silliness of the story and honestly who doesn’t want to turn their brother into a monkey??
…Melissa Ralston
“This book will both amuse and stretch the imagination. There is nothing more frustrating than having your little brother constantly torment you. One day in exasperation, Ginger, the big sister, said aloud: “I wish you would turn into a monkey!” How would she explain to her mom that Butch was now a monkey?
…June Baker!
Contact Information
Email: mailto:joan@joanyedwards.com
Social Media
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I hope you will leave a comment. Hearing from you gives me one more reason to smile.
Giveaway Is complete.
Thank you to the following people who left a comment on my this blog post before midnight March 11, 2026:

1. Billy Kwack
2. Melanie Robertson-King
3, Emma Shipes
4. Bill Harvey

I asked Random.org to choose a number between 1 and 4 and it chose 3; therefore, Emma Shipes won a free paperback copy of The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey.

If you are willing to read and review The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey on Amazon or Goodreads or to interview me on your blog or podcast, please let me know in the comment area. I will send you a pdf review copy and a Book Press Kit.
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Never Give Up

Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2026 Joan Y. Edwards
The Day I Turned My Brother into a Monkey
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Spiritual

You Are Where God Wants You

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people in the middle of the world
You are where God wants you to be!
Thank you, Geralt and Pixabay.

“You Are Where God Wants You” by Joan Y. Edwards

I like sharing experiences that l have had that let me know that God is listening to me and he cares for me and my loved ones. In sharing my experiences, perhaps it will give you a little inkling of hope for you to hear that God is also with you and helping you get where he wants you if you look for signs and listen to the voices that come from within.
In  1999, my husband’s daughter, Susan called us and said our granddaughter, Amanda who was 9 years old was going to  be baptized the next Sunday.
Oh my. This made Carl and me extremely happy and very sad at the same time. We had airline tickets and motel reservations to fly out west to visit with his sister and her husband for two weeks. We really wanted to be there when Amanda got baptized.
So during the night, I happened to think: if God wanted Carl and me to be at Amanda’s baptism, then we would be there. But since it was scheduled and we weren’t going to be there, that meant that God was happy with us not being there and we would just pray that everything go well for her on her special day.
So we flew out west and had a wonderful visit. When we returned, I called Carl’s daughter and asked “How did Amanda’s baptism go?”
Her answer was, “Amanda didn’t get baptized last week. The minister forgot to put the water in the baptismal pool at the church. She’s going to be baptized this coming Sunday!”
“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!” I was so-o-o-o excited.
I hung up and told Carl,  “That voice was right. God did want us there for Amanda’s baptism.” Then I explained our good fortune.
We went to see Amanda get baptized the next Sunday.
What a gift from God!!!
I share this because it shows how God loves to surprise us with his goodness and mercy!  When we are open to listening to him, we will be right where he wants us.
I hope each of you will search your life experiences and find times to rejoice because you were blessed to be where you wanted to be and that’s also where God wanted you to be.
I hope you will leave a comment. Hearing from you gives me one more reason to smile. Please share a story of your faith, hope, and love with me.
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Never Give Up


Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2026 Joan Y. Edwards

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Health, Spiritual

God Fills You and Surrounds You, Your Family and Friends with His Love

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man sitting at table with his little daughter
Thank you, Daniela Dimitrova and Pixabay for allowing me to use this photo of a man and his daughter.
“God Fills You and Surrounds You, Your Family and Friends with His Love” by Joan Y. Edwards

Here is a devotional I wrote as a Lenten devotional for my parish, St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC. Thank you to Jim Alvarez who asked me to do a devotional on family and recorded it for me. You can listen to it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BThDLYQgr6A

God is in you. God created you in his image. He shared a part of himself with you when he made you. He shared his loving qualities with you, your family, and close friends.
God is in your family: your birth parents; those who raised you; those who grew up in the same house with you. He shared his loving qualities with your family. If your original family members do not furnish all your needs, God grows your family. He puts people in your life to meet your needs.
two friends with lollipops
Thank you Andi Graf and Pixabay for allowing me to use this photo of two friends.
God is in your friends. Like a magnet, God sends people to be your friends. People with common interests, similar values, experiences, and beliefs. People with whom you feel comfortable. With friends, you spend quality time talking, eating, playing games, and sometimes traveling together to learn your similarities and differences. Some friends are with you for a short season; others are there for a lifetime. These you may consider your close friends.
God is your close friend. God is in each of your close friends. Close friends are like family. They stand by your side. They love and accept you as you are. They tolerate your weaknesses and quirks, like the way you eat sloppy dishes or wear mismatched clothing. They protect you. They provide emotional and spiritual support. They help you acquire wisdom, understanding, and compassion. They are there for you. They not only understand what you say, but interpret your body language accurately. They may be willing to sacrifice time, self, or personal pleasures to help you. Those are Godly attributes. Those are the loving qualities of our God.
Even though you may not talk to your close friends every day, you communicate often. You understand and respect each other. You honor each other’s boundaries. You allow each other to be different, yet consider each other equal. You do things alone and with each other. After a long absence, you pick up right where you left off. You have a strong mutual feeling of trust, loyalty and support. You can see things from each other’s perspective. You walk in each other’s shoes with kindness and understanding. When appropriate, you share guidance and advice. You tell each other the truth, even when it hurts. You may argue and disagree, but you always forgive each other and never hold a grudge. These are the loving qualities of our God.
Life is full of twists and turns. When things go wrong or change, your family members and close friends who are able to adjust to the new conditions stay by your side. They love, honor, and respect you. God is there in you, your family, and your friends. God fills you and surrounds you, your family and friends with his love. Amen.

I hope you enjoyed listening and reading these words. Remember: God Fills You and Surrounds You, Your Family and Friends with His Love!

Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2009-2023 Joan Y. Edwards

 Flip Flap Floodle Firebird Book Award Winner Will this little duck’s song save him from Mr. Fox?
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