An adorable little vacuum cleaner’s life is turned upside down when his beloved brother is purchased–and he’s left behind at the store. Just when his heartbreak seems too much to bear, a magical friend arrives. She breaks the spell of sadness and sets in motion a chain of events that cause a surprising serendipity!
This book is beautifully illustrated with 16 full-color illustrations by award-winning artist Sheila McGraw, illustrator of the children’s classic Love You Forever. Suitable for boys and girls, age 3-7, bedtime stories, reading aloud and beginner readers.
Targeted Age Group:: 3-7
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
A few years ago, I spent an entire day in a garage-turned-playroom with a small child. I had agreed to amuse her, entertain her, babysit her while her parents were both ill with the flu. What did she want to play? Dress up? Dolls? Coloring books? Paints? No—she wanted stories—not stories from books, but made-up stories. She sat on my lap and pointed to one object after another, each time saying, “Tell me a story about that.”
I told stories about ping pong balls, a mini-trampoline, a little pink bicycle, a box of computer mice, a lemon tree and a clay pot full of wooden spoons. Finally, she pointed to a vacuum cleaner standing in a corner, broken and waiting to be repaired. “Poor little vacuum cleaner,” she said. “He’s lonely all by himself.”
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
I wondered about the vacuum cleaner–perhaps he was lonely. But how could he find a life rich in friendship and good cheer again, as his life must once have been? Who or what would inspire him and re-kindle his natural love of life and self-esteem?
As I began telling the story, what had really happened to the vacuum cleaner—and what WOULD happen—revealed itself in my consciousness, clear as a bell; the story of a little vacuum cleaner, who performs one selfless act of redemption—and who’s life turns instantly magical.
I offer this story to you for your enjoyment in the hopes it will amuse and inspire you as much as it has me and many others, from 3-year-old children to grumpy old men. You may smile, laugh or cry—but without doubt, you will be touched.
Book Sample
Late one night, a tooth fairy flew into the house. It was almost morning and she was on her way home, with one last stop to make.
She heard crying, and found Snuffy. “What’s wrong, little friend? Is your bag too full? Is your cord in a knot?”
“No,” Snuffy hiccupped through his tears. “I miss my brother. He’s gone, and I may never see him again.”
The fairy smiled kindly. “My good fellow, most every vacuum cleaner lives apart from his brother or sister. Didn’t you know?”
“No,” said Snuffy. “Apart?”
“Oh, my,” she said. “You must have ended up in the same store. What good luck! And how long were you there together?”
“More than a year,” said Snuffy.
“Oh, dear,” said the fairy. “I see why you’re crying. But don’t feel sad; everything’s going to be all right.”
She flew three times in a circle, sprinkling fairy dust on him as she sweetly sang:
Vroom-Vroom’s in your heart forever,
For one whole year you were together,
Kindly care for all your friends,
‘Til true love brings him back again.
“But I don’t have any friends,” he said.
Kitty-cat meowed and raised his paw to touch Snuffy.
“That can’t be,” she said tenderly. “Kitty-cat is right here. And who else do you live with?”
“Mom, Dad, two little girls—”
“Good! Mom, Dad, two little girls, Kitty-cat… and what about the carpets, the floors, and the dust bunnies?”
“How are they my friends?”
“They share your life too, don’t they?”
He nodded.
“Then they are friends.”
Snuffy was astonished. Could she be right? Friends all around in plain sight? He felt his sadness melting away.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Lavine is a life coach and nature-lover living in Minnesota. She enjoys writing about the beauty and perfection found in all the usual places (family, friends, flowers, waterfalls, birds, glorious weather) as well as the not-so-usual… blizzards, cars, trucks, airplanes, tarantulas–and vacuum cleaners. She is a mother to three grown children and grandmother to seven, one of whom inspired the writing of this book.
Links to Purchase Print Books
Link to Buy Snuffy and Vroom-Vroom Print Edition at Amazon
Links to Purchase eBooks
Link To Buy Snuffy and Vroom-Vroom On Amazon
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