A delightful fantasy mystery for kids from 8 to 12 seeking magical adventure.

Ping, a spirited pixie faery, thought she knew where she belonged - among the dwarves of Nadavir. But her life takes a surprising turn when she discovers she’s the long-lost princess of Pixiandria. Before she can wrap her head around this revelation, mysterious strangers whisk her away to her birthplace - a kingdom that’s as intriguing as it is unfamiliar.

Pixiandria isn’t all sparkles and stardust. Her mother, the queen, has vanished, and the pixies aren’t exactly rolling out the mossy welcome mat. As Ping embarks on a quest to find her mother, she must make tough choices and confront her own fears. Along the way, she learns the importance of loyalty, bravery, and staying true to herself - lessons that will inspire young readers to face their own challenges.

Ping’s Mystery to Pixiandria will captivate children:

• An Enchanting World: From a castle growing inside a tree to a magical library, every page glimmers with wonder.
• Flourishing Friendships: While her friends from Nadavir set out on a daring rescue mission, Ping befriends other pixies with unique personalities and abilities.
• Thrilling Twists: Danger lurks around every toadstool. Who can Ping trust?
• Pixie Dust and Imagination: Kids soar along with Ping, transported to a world full of magic and wonder.

This suspenseful sequel to Frigg’s Journey to Anasgar, part of the Chronicles of Nadavir series, weaves fantasy with powerful messages about resilience, belonging, and problem-solving. Whether read on its own or as part of the larger series, this book is sure to capture the hearts and minds of young readers.

Check out this video HERE!

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

You're standing in your favorite bookstore, planning to choose a book for your child. What are you looking for?

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

Judging by my bookshelf, I’m a fantasy obsessed, mythology loving, mystery solving kid-at-heart who loves being a cheerleader for writer friends, a humor enthusiast, and a scribbler of stories. So tell me, what enchanted secrets does your shelf reveal?

Check out this video HERE!

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

 

I try to practice optimism, but sometimes the glare is overwhelming.

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

 

Magic Reading Portals

Where would a magic portal take you? In my middle grade fantasy, Ping’s Mystery in Pixiandria, Ping steps through a portal into a land of legends. But will she find her mother hidden in its mysterious corners…or face dangers she never imagined? 

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

Fun Way to Teach Kids Appreciation

A Fun Way to Teach Kids Appreciation This Holiday Season

I’m excited to be sharing my books, bookmarks, and notebooks at several Christmas bazaars this holiday season! My husband and I spent some time working out how to arrange several display tables for this weekend’s event. We shifted, nudged, and swapped pieces until everything fit just right. While we worked up a sweat, I thought about how much behind-the-scenes effort goes into things people never see, not just in displaying books, but in writing as well.

When people pick up one of my books, they see the finished product: the cover, the pages, the story. But behind it lie countless hours of research, outlining, writing, revising, editing, formatting, and marketing. And before all that? Years of learning, practicing, and growing into the writer I’ve become.

It reminded me that everything we encounter in life carries an invisible layer of effort.

Take the friendly school bus driver you greeted this morning. How many hours of training did it take to master driving a huge bus and learning her route? What other responsibilities does she have besides keeping it on schedule? Who cleans and maintains that bus so it’s ready each day, and what does that job involve?

Or think about the milk your child poured on their cereal this morning. How many people made that simple moment possible? The farmer, the factory worker, the delivery driver, the grocery clerk. It’s a complete team effort!

Someone’s unseen work touches every part of our day. Maybe this week, pause and notice it. Maybe take a breath and whisper a thank you to the ones who make our world run smoothly, often without recognition.

Here’s a fun game to turn that gratitude into a game with your kids:

• Pick an everyday object like a pencil, a loaf of bread, or your phone, and work together to guess how many people were involved in making it.
• Talk about what skills or jobs might have been needed along the way.
• Draw pictures of people doing those jobs.

Helping children recognize and imagine the effort behind the things they enjoy builds appreciation and empathy. It also sparks curiosity about how things are made and where they come from. It’s a simple, meaningful way to remind them, and us, how much unseen time, skill, and care go into making our world work. The best part? You’ll start noticing the amazing network of people who make our lives comfortable, one small action at a time.

#gratitude #appreciation #kidsactivities #kidsgames 

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

Crossroads

Which way will you go?

#AdventureAwaits #decisions #dreamer

Check out this video HERE!

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

 

Pippi Forever!

On this day in 1907, Astrid Anna Emilia Lindgren was born, and the world gained the unstoppable force that is Pippi Longstocking!

Every year I raise an imaginary glass of sarsaparilla soda to celebrate the freckled, pigtailed whirlwind who taught us that rules are bendable, adventures are everywhere, and strength can be measured in both muscles and imagination.

Some say Pippi is “too irreverent” to be a role model, but isn’t that the point? She reminds us that independence, curiosity, and a dash of mischief are exactly what keep life fresh. I know my own inner Pippi sneaks out often, usually when I’m questioning the ordinary and dreaming up something delightfully impossible.

So today, I send a loud, joyful “THANK YOU!” to Astrid Lindgren for gifting us a character who still inspires us to live boldly, laugh loudly, and never underestimate the power of mismatched socks.

Tell me: when does your inner Pippi show up?

#PippiLongstocking #Pippipower #AstridLindgren #mglit #middlegradeliterature #Pippiforever

DebCushman.com

 

Grandparents are early storytellers, teachers, & cheerleaders in a child’s life. As kids grow into tech-savvy explorers, the roles flip! Suddenly, it’s the grandkids showing you how to swipe, click, & stream. Learning goes both ways, & that’s what makes family magic.

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

 

What Happens Next? Ping's Peril

New Adventure Alert in Nadavir Kids Club!

Your child can now step into the magical world of Ping’s Mystery in Pixiandria with my FREE brand new activity: “What Will Happen Next – Ping’s Peril.”

Here’s the twist: kids read a scene taken from the story… then they get to imagine what happens next! Will Ping escape? Will a dragon swoop in? Or will something totally unexpected unfold?

This activity joins 50+ other FREE games, stories, and challenges inside the Nadavir Kids Club. Sign up for my newsletter and unlock a treasure chest of fun, plus a fresh new activity every single month.

Ready to spark your child’s imagination? The adventure begins at https://debcushman.com

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

 

Fantasy books inspire kids and boost their confidence!

Check out this video HERE!

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

Disappearing Homework

It's true! Gremlins sneak into backpacks & carry off homework to the Land of Lost Homework while kids stare at their phones.

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

A Peek at My Spam Folder

 Here are some excerpts from junk emails in my spam folder received yesterday! Thought you might enjoy a peek. Did I answer any of them? Nope. Blocked, one and all!

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

 Keep me away from those bear claws! What's the pastry that makes you drool?

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

When trolls destroy her home, young dwarf Frigg sets off with a faery, an elf, and a unicorn to find the legendary colony of Anasgar. But between ogre captures, freak shows, and defiant allies, saving her family might take more than courage. It might take a miracle. Can this unlikely crew unite the dwarves before it’s too late? Frigg’s Journey to Anasgar kicks off the magical, mischievous Chronicles of Nadavir—a middle-grade fantasy series full of heart, humor, and heroic hijinks.

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria

Unicorn Traffic Jams

Are you talking about unicorn traffic jams on rainbows?

If so, what are you saying? 

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
Frigg's Journey to Anasgar
Ping's Mystery in Pixiandria