The first book in the series, The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival, titled, Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone, is written by Dene Low (a.k.a., my mom) and is published by Houghton Mifflin. You can buy it at any retailer of fine books (Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc.) If your local bookseller does not carry it, you can ask that it be ordered in.

The author will sign it for you if you pay for postage. I've done this, so I know it is true. Email her at

denelow @ comcast.net

(taking out the spaces, of course) and find out for yourself.

A contract for producing an audiobook of this title is currently underway with Audible.com. My cousin Emily might get to be the voice.

I used this set of instructions to record my Skype conversation with my mother.

Dene Low's pitch line for this book, which she used in query letters for editors at publishing houses, was that this book was a combination of Sherlock Holmes, P. G. Wodehouse or Oscar Wilde, with a touch of Kafka.

• Sherlock Holmes mystery stories were written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
• P. G. Wodehouse wrote novels, short stories, and Broadway plays (search for "wodehouse"). He is perhaps best known for his Jeeves and Wooster characters.
• Oscar Wilde wrote deeply ironic stories and plays (search for "wilde").
• Kafka wrote The Metamorphosis (second author entry on page).
• Dene Low's book also has a lot in common with the better works of Georgette Heyer.

My mom participates in a writers group, is active in her state and local literary societies, such as the local chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and attends writing conferences such as the Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers Workshop. She also has a contract with a literary agent.

Dene Low's planned quartet of Petronella novels:

1. Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone
2. Petronella Saves Several More
3. Petronella Saves at Least One
4. Saving Petronella

A "brick" is a wholly dependable person, someone you can really count on in a jam (search for "brick" after opening that link).

"The Bulletin" is The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.

Ann Cannon has also published under the name A. E. Cannon.

I use Goodreads.com to keep track of which books I like and don't like, why I feel that way, and what these books might be useful for in the future.

The Jo Sharp cardigan I'm working on is referenced in the show notes of episode two of this podcast. A gusset is a triangular addition to fabric, usually along a seam, to create more room in the finished piece. A worsted weight yarn is heavier/thicker than a DK weight yarn.

Taking care of the chickens at the local organic farm is a lot of work because there are 200 chickens to care for.

I may knit some cute baby caps for my friend's new baby.

The music used in this episode is all British music from the decade 1900-1910, the decade in which my mother's book is set. I got it from the Internet Archive, and it is all shared in accordance with a Creative Commons license.

"Nothing Hardly Ever Troubles Me" is by Arthur Collins and Byron G. Harlan.

"What D'Yer Want to Talk About It For?" is by Harry Bluff.

"I Remember You" is by Ada Jones.