Spiritual Book of Children's Stories Creating a New and Daring Path in Literature.

A new type of children's literature is being well received by reviewers. Tales From Grandfather And Bacus The Swamp Troll by Louise R. Roarty is a new illustrated children's book which explores both the dark and spiritual aspects of emotion and life.

Grief, mystical hobos, Shamans, and a touch of mushroom magic are just a little taste of the fresh new children's literature available this year from author Louise R. Roarty. Daring to push the limits and blur the traditional lines of adult and children's literature, Roarty has written and illustrated a raw spiritual and emotional book.

Tales From Grandfather And Bacus The Swamp Troll published July 2003 by PublishAmerica of Baltimore immediately throws convention out the window. Roarty begins the book with a melancholy atmosphere of grief from one of the main characters of the book who is known as Grandfather. The symbolic relationship of the dying season of summer and the particles of dust remind the reader of his grief for his deceased wife. The honesty of loss, and the description of the senses makes the reader stop to catch their breath. Roarty then presents the old swamp troll named Bacus who is filled with secret knowledge of magical brews and old stories.

Roarty introduces magic, mystical strangers, and a variety of non traditional subjects to modern children's literature. At an early age, she was raised by her grandfather and was told stories based on the incredible experiences of his life. Her grandfather who was born in 1906, became her primary parent in his 70's. The honesty of his storytelling, and the art of his words shaped Louise R. Roarty's view of nature, spirtuality, and the world. Roarty states,"My grandfather was an incredible artist in the subjects of life and storytelling."

At the age of 30, Roarty continues the tradition of living a very unconventional life. She is a veteran, widow, and artist. Roarty's book and art are a product of her desire to capture the essence of her grandfather and to define the beauty of a good late night story.