Kathe Gogolewski

Kathe Gogolewski

About

Kathe the author of three books, numerous short stories andpoems, including TATO, a fantasy adventure for children ages 8 to 13 available at www.tri-studio.com, as well as two books written under her pen name, Ann Durand: A Promise to Keep, a romantic suspense and Flightof the Gryphon, a sci-fi/romance, both of which are available at www.double-dragon-ebooks.

She is published in two anthologies, including TheMuse on Writing, available from Double Dragon Publishing and Spiritual Visitations, due from Zumaya Publications.  She has published several shorts with AmazonShorts at www.amazon.com and has won several awards, including the Golden Wings Award from WingsPress. Kathe is also writer for for Ranch and Coast, San Diego's Lifestyle Magazine. Along with herhusband/editor/writer, Ray, she publishes an ezine for writers, The FictionFlyer, available at http://tri-studio.com/ezine.html

She is also the host of The Mother Daughter Club radio show,a segment of By For and About Women Radio Network atwww.themotherdaughterclub.com. The show celebrates the family of women andaddresses all topics through the language of the heart.

As an artist, she designs illustrations and cover art for authors. She also painted two wall-sized murals at Children’s Hospital in San Diego and several more for Cassidy Medical Group in Vista, California.

As a retired teacher, she currently teaches science and writingto fourth and fifth graders as a volunteer at the elementary school near theirhome and works as a volunteer at Casa De Amparo, afacility that houses children who become wards of the state.

 

You may find out more about Kathe and her books athttp://www.TRI-Studio.com.

Godwine Kingmaker: Part One of The Last Great Saxon Earls

Godwine Kingmaker: Part One of The Last Great Saxon Earls

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Description

<p><span><span>Harold Godwineson, the Last Anglo-Saxon King, owed everything to his father. Who was this Godwine, first Earl of Wessex and known as the Kingmaker? Was he an unscrupulous schemer, using King and Witan to gain power? Or was he the greatest of all Saxon Earls, protector of the English against the hated Normans? The answer depends on who you ask. He was befriended by the Danes, raised up by Canute the Great, given an Earldom and a wife from the highest Danish ranks. He sired nine children, among them four Earls, a Queen and a future King. Along with his power came a struggle to keep his enemies at bay, and Godwine's best efforts were brought down by the misdeeds of his eldest son Swegn. Although he became father-in-law to a reluctant Edward the Confessor, his fortunes dwindled as the Normans gained prominence at court. Driven into exile, Godwine regathered his forces and came back even stronger, only to discover that his second son Harold was destined to surpass him in renown and glory.</span></span></p>

Story Behind The Book

Reviews

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">REVIEW EXCERPTS for TATO:</span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Piers Anthony, noted science fiction and fantasy author of Xanth series:</span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> </span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;I found Tato to be a well-written fantasy novel that...became compelling as the </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">magic developed.&quot;</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;The story is interesting with young Michael believing more than he should, and </span><span class="text">the power of his belief making it real. It also gets scary, as the malign mirror eats </span><span class="text">souls.&quot;</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;It's about a seven year old boy who tries to make a little brother from a potato </span><span class="text">and almost succeeds. But he messes up the formula and spills some on a miror, </span><span class="text">so not only does he get a talking potato instead of a brother, the mirror starts </span><span class="text">devouring people, including his parents. Now he has to go into the mirror himself </span><span class="text">To try to rescue them, and it's harrowing.&quot;</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">POT-Tato is cute. Getting lost in mirror-land, and stalked by trapped bugs is good </span><span class="text">adventure. So I did enjoy this novel, and think a young reader would too.&quot;</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Shirley Johnson, Senior Reviewer for</span></strong></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.midwestbookreview.com/"><strong> MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWS</strong></a><strong>:</strong></span></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> </span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;This is a fun read, entertaining from beginning to end; but also one that will </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">teach children lessons of life.  Very highly recommended.&quot;</span><span class="text"></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text"></span><br /> <br /> <span class="text"><strong>Tracy-Jane Newton, reviewer for </strong><a href="http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2005/12/145-alternative-read-tato-kathe.html"><strong>Alternative Book Reviews</strong></a><strong>:</strong></span><strong><br /> </strong><span class="text">&quot;Kathe Gogolewski is an adaptable writer, who can turn her hand to creating a </span><span class="text">children’s story with ease. It’s not surprising she trained as a teacher! I enjoyed </span><span class="text">the ending tremendously, and when I asked my son what he thought, he told me, ‘I </span><span class="text">liked the ending because it was happy, but kind of sad at the same time!’  </span><span class="text">This is a captivating adventure of magic and mayhem, where one child’s yearning </span><span class="text">for adult recognition throws him into an unfamiliar fantasy world, where he </span><span class="text">discovers his true inner powers – love and courage – are held within.  Tato is </span><span class="text">guaranteed to thrill the younger audience and comes thoroughly recommended </span><span class="text">by us oldies too!&quot; For a full review, click on the Alternative Book Reviews link </span><br /> <span class="text">above.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">Tracy-Jane also says:</span><br /> <span class="text">&quot;I honestly enjoyed it (TATO) as much as Jake (her ten-year-old son) did, and </span><span class="text">reading together makes all the difference when you see he is enjoying it, and not </span><span class="text">just reading it because 'Mum wants him to!'&quot;</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.Quilldipper.com"><strong>Heather Froeschl</strong></a><strong>, reviewer for </strong><a href="http://www.bookideas.com"><strong>Book Ideas</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="http://www.bookreview.com"><strong>Book Review</strong></a><strong>:</strong></span></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> </span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;Tato is a story about the process of grief, the challenges of a young</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> <span class="text">boy, the knowledge that the love of family never dies, the acceptance</span><br /> <span class="text">of magical possibilities, and the power of believing. Kathe Gogolewski has</span><span class="text"> written a powerful tale, masked in a simple story that will reach out</span><br /> <span class="text">to children everywhere. Her characters are lovable and interesting, the</span><br /> <span class="text">settings vivid and captivating.&quot; For a full review, click on Book Ideas or Book </span><span class="text">Review link above.</span></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <br /></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Marie Davies, reviewer for  </span></strong></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.mariedavies.com/www.mariedavies.com_003.htm"><strong>Book Reviews by Marie, </strong></a><strong>says:</strong></span></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> </span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;In the touching story of Tato, retired elementary school teacher Kathe </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> <span class="text">Gogolewski creates a fantastic world where courage gives a little boy the power </span><span class="text">overcome the obstacles he faces to rescue his family. Michael learns that love </span><span class="text">never ends even after the ones we love have died. Tato is a wonderful fantasy </span><span class="text">adventure for middle grade readers. Tato is a fun read and an excellent teaching </span><span class="text">resource for parents and children to read together and discuss.&quot;</span><span class="text"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Susan Stephenson, reviewer for</span></strong></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://themusebookreviews.tripod.com/id11.html"><strong> Muse Book Reviews,</strong></a>  says:</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> <span class="text">&quot;This is an action-packed, intriguing story from Kathe Gogolewski, sure to </span><span class="text">delight 10-14 year-olds. Whether in describing the details of Tato’s dresser-</span><span class="text">drawer home or chilling our blood by recounting Michael’s battle with the wolf </span><span class="text">spider, Kathe’s writing sweeps the reader along with her finely-crafted tale.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">If you’re a french fry fiend, or you have a pal who loves potatoes, put this book on </span><span class="text">your menu! If you just want a totally potatoriffic, unforgettable story, then “TATO”, </span><span class="text">by Kathe Gogolewski, has all the elements.&quot;</span><span class="text"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Cheryl Mc Cann, reviewer for </span></strong></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><a href="http://www.review-books.com/modules.php?op=modload&amp;name=News&amp;file=article&amp;sid=394&amp;mode=thread&amp;order=0&amp;thold=0"><strong>Review Books</strong></a><strong>  and </strong><a href="http://www.electronicbookreviews.com/modules.php?op=modload&amp;name=News&amp;file=article&amp;sid=111&amp;mode=thread&amp;order=0&amp;thold=0"><strong>Electronic Book</strong><strong></strong><strong><br /> </strong></a><a href="http://www.electronicbookreviews.com/modules.php?op=modload&amp;name=News&amp;file=article&amp;sid=111&amp;mode=thread&amp;order=0&amp;thold=0"><strong>Reviews</strong></a><strong>:</strong></span></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;Tato is a very warm children's book with vivid imagination for easing a death of a </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">family member. The storyline with its adventure will keep youngsters interested </span><span class="text">while delivering an important message that we all face sooner or later. Adults will </span><span class="text">enjoy the story as well. I highly recommend it.&quot;</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Sarah Lomas, reviewer for MYSHELF:</span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> &quot;Tato is a very warm children's book with vivid imagination for easing a death of a </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">family member. The storyline with its adventure will keep youngsters interested </span><span class="text">while delivering an important message that we all face sooner or later. Adults will </span><span class="text">enjoy the story as well. I highly recommend it.&quot;</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">WHAT KIDS ARE SAYING ABOUT TATO: <br /></span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Mrs. Barnea's 4th grade class at Herbert Hoover Elementary in the </span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Palo Alto</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Unified</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">School District</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"> wrote letters to the author after her visit. Here are a few excerpts from some of those letters:</span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> </span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;I really loved the book Tato! It shows a lot of feelings. It shows sadness, bravery, </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">happiness, and many feelings in between. The feelings help the story, and make it more interesting to read. It also gets you to know the characters more. You are </span><span class="text">touched by some of their feelings or heart. Because of that, the story affects you more than other books. There is a message to the story, or a moral. I think the moral is that love lasts forever, so it's good for readers to know. Many young readers don't know that moral, so it would be good for them to read your book.&quot; - Michelle</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I had a great time during the week that you came to visit. Everyone finished the book. It gets so emotional at the end. It was amazing how seven-year old Michael Tate gained his power by being brave and saved his whole family. It's hard enough just to get the courage to stand up for yourself.&quot; - Kelsey</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I felt very sad at the end of the book when Tato dies. I felt very nervous when Michael was about to fight the spider. Your writing was very emotional. Kids who will be lucky to read Tato will like it very much. The book that you wrote was one of the best books I ever read.&quot;  -Travis</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I felt the story was exciting. Tato was an adventurous book. It always left me with questions, then they always seem to answer the questions...Your book has many interesting parts.&quot; - Stephanie</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Your book has good characters, magic and settings. I could really picture it! My </span><span class="text">favorite part was when Peter Oliver Tate was born. He was like a dream brother. I would recommend your book to anyone.&quot; -Emily</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;The book Tato was awesome. It should deserve a Newbery Award...I wish I had a little companion like Tato.&quot; -David</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato is the best book ever! I really like the way you've written the book; I can feel </span><span class="text">myself in the mirror world, hanging from the beetle, stuck in the gooey web, walking inside the endless doors, it all seems so real. You painted vivid pictures in my mind's eye...If you don't mind me giving a suggestion, her it is: write a sequel to Tato!! I love Tato so much, that I'd be glad if another book came out by the same author. Also, I think Tato should get the Newbery Award, it certainly deserves it.&quot; -Jayshree</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Thank you for the marvelous week of fun and excitement. I enjoyed your company and I hope you will visit again sometime. I also hope that there will be another book about Tato because it is so good...Also thanks for sharing the activities with us. My favorite was the one with the rainbow.&quot; -Jarrod</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I looked forward to each day of school that week because you came to do science and writing projects with us. Your magic tricks are amazing. Although I enjoyed every word of your book, Tato, I especially like the part when Michael meets Tato. It amazed me when I could picture him trembling on the dresser...I hope you become the second J. K. Rowling!&quot; -Sabrina</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I love the book. If I had to rate this book one to five, I would rate it a five. I think the message of the book is don't be too sad when you lose things.&quot; -Paul</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Your book, Tato, was thrilling! I felt that once I started reading, I wouldn't be able to stop! The sincerity of Tato, the pure imagination of Michael and the love he had for Gankum, it all seemed so true. I found great pleasure in the little experiments we did, especially the part when we tested the rainbow with the mirror. My most enjoyable time in the hours that you were here, with us, was when you read. I also treasure the book that you, especially signed for me!&quot; -Monica</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;It (Tato) is wonderful. The best part I like is when Michael makes Tato. I loved how Tato talks. I also like it when they're all in the mirror world, and how they shrink when they walk down the hall. I like it when he could see his Grandpa. But it's sad that Tato had to go away in order to let Michael's family go home.&quot; -Sophie</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;If I were a judge reading the book, I would give it the highest book award there is! It's just so good!...Thank you for letting us have a great time with you! You're a great person to be with!&quot; Joelle</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I really relished the moment when you came in. Your book, Tato, is amazing. You really made my week, a week to remember....One of my favorite parts is when Gankum says &quot;love is forever.&quot; I like this because it gave Michael a reason to feel good about himself. Tato is a great book.&quot; Rajeev</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato is a winner. How did you get that story? I wish you could come to the classroom again.&quot; -Ervin</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I really liked the activities that we did in class, especially the one about the blind </span><span class="text">spots. It was really fun learning about our eyes. I was really lucky to meet an author because that is what I've wanted to be when I grow up! ...I think Tato was one of the best books I have ever read.&quot; -Nabeel</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Mrs. Connaugton's 5th grade class at Valley View Elementary in the </span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">West</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Contra</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Costa</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Unified</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">School District</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"> also wrote letters to the author. Here </span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">are their comments:</span><br /> </span></strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> <span class="text">&quot; I think Tato is one of the best books in the world.&quot;   -Alexander</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Your a great writer. Tato was a great book, I loved it.&quot;    - </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Alexandria</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <span> </span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I really enjoyed Tato. I didn't know you were such a good author.&quot;  - Kishleen</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I think Tato is one of the best books I read because it has all kinds of adventures.&quot;</span><br /> <span class="text">- Scarlett</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">I loved Tato! I liked the ending the most.&quot;  - Corissa</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;The magic in the book was awesome and I really can't believe you wrote all of it. I can barely think up a page never the less a whole book.&quot;  - Ben</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot; I personally think that (Tato) was a very good book.&quot;   - Tiffani</span> <br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato is a great book.&quot; - Alyssa</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I love to write books myself. I would like to publish my books someday. I loved Tato and you inspired me to write more books. I loved the feeling you put in it too! Thanks for your dedication and patience to this class.&quot;  - Emily</span> <span class="text"><span style="color:#990099;"></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text"><span style="color:#990099;"></span></span></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Children from Mrs. Vivaldi's fourth grade class at </span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Lake</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;">Elementary</span></strong></span><span class="text"><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"> were </span></strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text">asked what they thought of TATO after the story had been read to them. </span><span class="text">Here are the unedited excerpts from their written responses:</span><br /> <br /> </span></strong><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">&quot;I love TATO. It is now one of my favorite books...it's about a boy who believes</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="text"> she can bring a potato to life...&quot; -Anna</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;This is a great book. It is about a brother, a sister, a potato and a lot of magic.</span><span class="text">If I were to give this book on a scale of 1-10 it would defenetly be a 10.&quot; -Kahryn</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;This book brang a bunch of joy to my life and I think all children who love</span><span class="text"> fantasies should read this book...I give Tato a thumbs up!  -Emily</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I thought it (Tato) was the best! I really liked all the details and magic.&quot;  -Jaymee</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I really liked the book because each page was exciting.&quot; -</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Harrison</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I loved the book &quot;tato&quot; very much. It was the best book ever.&quot; -Kaitlyn</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato is so cool. I like how it talks. I think it's funny that Mikele  believes potatos can </span><span class="text">turn into babies.&quot;  -Sean</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato was a great learning experience for young readers. It shows that you have to </span><span class="text">sometimes let stuff go once it's gone.&quot; -Connor</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;My new favorite book is Tato.&quot; -Christian</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato is the best story ever...All through the story he is filled with more and more </span><span class="text">adventure. This is my favorite book ever.&quot;-Natalie</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;The story was very cool.&quot; -Justin</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I really like it.&quot; -Katie C.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;The book TATO was awsum! It was one of the most coolest, funniest, most </span><span class="text">amazing books I have ever read!&quot; -Lauren</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;It (the book) was really, really, really cute! I loved how it was exciting in the </span><span class="text">beginning, and then kind of sad.&quot;-Katie</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;It is a great book. It drags you in. Tato is about a yung boy who makes a potato </span><span class="text">come to life.&quot;-Mason</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;This book (Tato) is a great book about a fantasy story about a boy who makes a </span><span class="text">formula and puts it on a potato. It is so good you want to read it all.&quot;-John</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Our class enjoyed listening to...Tato...I loved this story  because it is full of mystery </span><span class="text">and magic.&quot; -Haley</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I think it's a really good book.&quot;-Jenny</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I think Tato is a very good  book. Because I like how there is an adventure in the </span><span class="text">story.&quot;-Dakota</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;The book Tato was one of the best books I have ever herd. I would give the book 5 stars.&quot; -Clayton</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;I liked it a lot because it was very adventurous, exciting, and just a great book.&quot; </span><br /> <span class="text">-Shane</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;It is a great book of fiction and adventure about a boy with power to twist reality.&quot;</span><br /> <span class="text">-Hayden</span><br /> <br /> <span class="text">&quot;Tato was the best story ever. It was a hit.&quot; -Curtis</span></span></p>