FREDERICK THE SEAHORSE synopsis

LOGLINE
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also, even at the bottom of the sea.

PITCH 

A seahorse prince searches for the lost Titanic treasure to ensure the building of a kingdom greater than any other king before him. Captured and left for dead by pirates, he’s rescued by a lovely seahorse whose gentle heart opens to his guarded one. It isn’t until he loses her that he realizes what real treasure is and does not stop until he wins her back and makes her his beloved queen.  

SYNOPSIS 

Frederick the Seahorse loves to scour the ocean floor, looking for the Titanic’s lost sea chest. Although Frederick’s father King Maris, and his father before him have ruled the Kingdom of Kaimana they have not been able to find the lost treasure. Afraid of running out of treasure and losing his kingdom like Uncle Makai, Frederick, an only child and next in line for the throne, insists he must find the treasure so as not to be overshadowed by their rich neighbor King Saewine and his sons. King Maris tells Frederick to make sure he doesn’t squander the wealth he already has and that it would be better for Frederick to find a bride and start a family. But Frederick longs to have as much treasure as possible, so that statues are made of him, similar to those of his father and Poseidon, God of the Sea.

Later that night, when the ocean grows dark, Frederick sets out on an expedition without his father’s consent. He writes a note on a seashell, and when his father finds it, the King weeps in remorse, fearing that Frederick will die in search of a vain treasure chest. After weeks of swimming past sharks in the fierce ocean waves, Frederick washes ashore on an unknown island. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself lying next to a sea chest of treasure, guarded by pirates with sharp swords. Frederick begs to go back to his father. But the band of pirates wraps Frederick up in ropes and weights, takes him out on their ship, and bounces him off the plank. Frederick sinks to the bottom of the ocean. In order to taunt him, the pirates drop a shiny diamond with Frederick, which lands at his nose on the ocean floor. Just as he is about to give up hope, he thinks he is having a vision: A gorgeous red-orange seahorse named Naia saves Frederick’s life by unraveling the ropes secured by the pirates.

Frederick explains to Naia that he has been searching for the sea chest from the Titanic. Stunned, she says she enjoys the ocean’s beauty more than an old chest from that sunken ship. Frederick notices how beautiful Naia’s blue eyes are in the sunlight. Leaving the pirates’ diamond behind, he asks her to come with him to meet his parents. Naia asks her friend Guppy to send word to her father that she will be gone for a few days. She tells Guppy that it’s finally true love. After days of swimming in the ocean, Frederick and Naia dance in the waves to more than one melody. Trying to nudge Frederick into admitting that he admires her, Naia asks him if he has a seahorse in mind to be his wife. When he says “no” and that he’s trying to acquire wealth first, Naia swims back to her father, despite Frederick’s protest. Days later when Frederick finds her in an ocean cavern with her friend Guppy, he’s afraid she won’t even speak to him. After desperately apologizing, Naia forgives Frederick. When the two seahorses swim to King Maris’ throne, the King and Queen are speechless at their arrival. Frederick asks Naia to marry him and a tear fills Naia’s eye as she kisses him, knowing she loves him more than anyone—even her father, King Saewine, the richest king in the ocean.

Copyright 2022 Jennifer Waters

Pizza Party Pizzazz: The Story of Pilled-High Pies

Pizza is as popular

As Italy’s famous boot.

First you roll the dough

Into a face that looks cute.

New York-style Pizza

Is wide with a thin crust.

Folding it when you eat

Is an extra tasty must.

Neapolitan pizza comes

With a fork and a knife.

Margherita style with

Tomatoes brings a good life.

Sicilian-style is thick

And squarer than the rest.

It’s cut in a rectangle.

With herbs, it tastes best.

Chicago-style pizza is

Deep with cheese and meat.

It takes a while to bake,

So, turn up the oven heat!

Detroit-style is square,

But it’s also lighter than air.

Wisconsin brick cheese

Instead of mozzarella fare.

Calzones are like dumplings

But apples aren’t their fill.

Cheese, veggies, and meat

Are folded in with a skill.

Crispy crust, soft crust,

Extra spicy pizza sauce.

Pizza toppings abound.

Sprinkle them with a toss.

Ham and pineapple,

Bacon and alfredo,

Barbecue and chicken

Is a very good credo.

Onion with caramel

And mushrooms on top.

Throw on the pepperoni,

Plop, chop, plop.

Cheese is nice for melting.

Flavor it all away!
Parmesan on mozzarella

Is good any ol’ day.

If you want to go all out,

Make a pizza cake

Like a bundt cake roll.

It won’t be a mistake.

Or pigs in a blanket,

Pizza pretzels for a change.

Stromboli, or fruit pizza

With a theme you can arrange.

Everyone loves pizza!

You can never loose.

Have a party day or night!

Dessert pizza with a juice.

Pile your pizzas high

With lots of pizzazz.

Turn up the music

Pizza has a lot of jazz!

Copyright 2018 Jennifer Waters 

MR. PENGUIN SINGS THE OPERA synopsis

LOGLINE 

A penguin with an amazing voice dares the doubts of others and a dangerous ocean voyage to follow his unusual dreams and successfully sing in the New York Metropolitan Opera.

PITCH 

Born to sing the Opera, a singing penguin named Emperor finds a pamphlet featuring “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart at the Opera House in New York, starring Alberto Matteo dressed in a black and white outfit, which looks like his own penguin suit. Despite his family’s discouragement, Emperor courageously sets off on his ice raft to New York City. He meets a dolphin family who travels with him, keeping sharks away, and an albatross, who feeds him fish. When Emperor goes to the Opera House, the manager decides that a penguin who can sing might attract crowds. During his audition, the casting director is impressed he’s already dressed for the job, and he is hired as Alberto Matteo’s understudy. Matteo tells Emperor he must follow his dreams. Months later, Emperor’s family surprises him by arriving at a concert in New York, and Emperor becomes as famous as Alberto Matteo, not only for his voice, but his perfect suit. 

SYNOPSIS 

Emperor the Penguin of the Antarctic loves to sing, even if his friends and family don’t appreciate his talent. One day he comes across a pamphlet drifting in the ocean. It features “The Marriage of Figaro” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. He notices a male vocalist named Alberto Matteo dressed in a black and white outfit, which looks like his penguin suit with tails. Despite the discouragement of his family, Emperor decides he is born to sing the Opera and must travel to New York City. Emperor courageously sets off on his ice raft with the pamphlet. Along the way, he meets Delfina Dominique and her dolphin family who love to sing. They travel with Emperor, keeping sharks away. He also meets Jack the Albatross, whose unlucky luck helps by feeding him fish. Persevering through lonely nights, wind, and storm, Emperor arrives months later in New York. The dolphin family says goodbye to Emperor, while Jack goes with him into the big city. He asks Delfina to send word to his family that he made it to New York and to please come visit him.

Walking through Times Square, most pedestrians wondered what a penguin was doing on the sidewalk, insisting he is meant to sing Opera at the Metropolitan Opera House. Emperor budges at the front doors until the manager asks him to come back tomorrow for tickets. Emperor explains he needs to audition. The manager says penguins don’t sing and turns off the lights. To prove him wrong, Emperor croons with a beautiful baritone voice in front of the dark Opera House. As the penguin keeps singing, a crowd gathers. The manager bursts through the doors, telling him to come back tomorrow morning for an audition. Of course, a penguin who can sing might attract crowds. Emperor pleads to sleep in the Opera House for the night with Jack. So, Emperor snores on a soft chair in the auditorium. In the morning, Emperor stands inside the stage door, nervously.

After the penguin finishes singing a gorgeous passage from “The Marriage of Figaro” he bows and stands with pride. The casting director is impressed that he is already dressed for the job, and he is hired immediately as Alberto Matteo’s understudy. After meeting Mr. Matteo with the help of Jack, Alberto tells Emperor he must follow his dreams. Months later, Emperor’s family arrives in New York to happily see him perform the Opera. Emperor the Penguin becomes as famous as Alberto Matteo, not only for his voice, but for his black and white suit. It all started because Emperor had enough courage to take a journey alone on an ice raft through unchartered waters.

Copyright 2022 Jennifer Waters

The Coming of Christmas: The Story of a Rhyming Advent Calendar

Come boys and girls!

Come one and all.

Get your Christmas calendars.

Hang them on the wall.

The days ‘til Christmas Eve

Are twenty-four to count.

It seems like a lot,

But it’s a very small amount.

Open the doors wide

For each day on the chart.

Behind each tiny door

You’ll find a sweet or a tart,

And maybe you’ll find a poem,

Or an extra special story

Of Jesus and angels

And Christmastime glory.

You might get a puzzle,

Or a game that gives you fun,

Or a picture with a riddle

That has a quirky pun.

The best gift will come

With the arrival of St. Nick.

By the 25^th day of December,

He arrives with reindeer click.

Count the days on your fingers

And when you run out of toes,

You can use your two ears,

Your two eyes and your nose.

Look for the man in the suit

With a sleigh that can fly.

Christmas will be here

In the twinkling of an eye!

Copyright 2018 Jennifer Waters

THE KINGLY SALAMANDER synopsis

LOGLINE

An important destiny makes personal sacrifice a noble thing, especially when love, loyalty, and friendship are also involved.    

PITCH

The Kingly Salamander’s ancient destiny is to save a young village girl so she can become a princess. Over the years they become friends, and he hopes no harm will come to her. But when she’s threatened by a wildfire destroying all the nearby villages, he steps up to his mission and sacrifices himself so she and her beloved prince can start life anew in peace and happiness for generations to come.

SYNOPSIS 

Before time began, flames burn beneath the Earth, creating all living creatures, including a fantastic amphibian: The Kingly Salamander. Its red leather skin with black spots is incombustible, and the Creator tells him that his fire-proof blood will save the life of Aliza Lazarus so she can marry the prince of her village. Over thousands of years and many adventures, he comes across The Village of Adar which is in an inhumane war for precious diamonds. Once a place of upright people who loved its neighbors, it has become dark and violent. However, Aliza, a beautiful, young peasant girl who collects flowers in the field, dreams of being a peaceful princess one day.

The Kingly Salamander follows the girl back to her mud hut and watches from a distance, admiring the girl that he would die for one day. When young Prince Gabor arrives on a white horse with silver and gold trappings, the Salamander slips into Aliza’s pocket and hears her promise the Prince that she hasn’t told her parents his father is King of The Village lest they forbid her friendship with the Prince, who would be told to marry a nobleman’s daughter. So, they meet in private and become closer than most at a young age. As months turn into years, the Kingly Salamander and Aliza become friends, and the amphibian realizes what a good Queen she could be. He questions that he would ever have to give his life for her. Then, one windy night, the Prince arrives, whispering for Aliza with panic. A fire is growing in the hills and is bound to reach Aliza’s home by morning. Although he can’t take Aliza’s parents with her, he might be able to save himself and her. Aliza quickly slides the Kingly Salamander into her pocket and crying silently, leaves with Gabor, knowing her family would most likely die in the flames. Three days later, the two arrive in the brush near the ocean, waiting for the prince’s father to join them.

As Aliza falls asleep on Gabor’s shoulder, a huge gust of wind appears over the mountains, blowing the fire to the sea. The two are so tired they don’t notice the devouring flames coming toward them. With tears in his eyes and knowing his destiny, the Kingly Salamander throws himself on a nearby rock. His blood splatters on Aliza and Gabor. When the fire reaches the sea, it burns through the brush where Aliza and Gabor sleep, but the flames don’t touch the two who are covered in the blood of the Kingly Salamander. Aliza and Gabor realize that the fires have destroyed not only the people of The Village, but also his father’s noble household. Finding the remains of the Kingly Salamander, Aliza picks up the ashes of the amphibian, wishing to have a son called Salamander. As the decades pass, King Gabor and Queen Aliza live long and happy lives in peace, and their son Prince Salamander is kind and strong, and fire never singes him or his kin. The Creator returns the Salamander to the eternal fire, and his image burns in the flames for the rest of time for everyone who is looking for him.

Copyright 2022 Jennifer Waters

Skeletons: The Story of Halloween Bones

Everyone has a bedroom closet

Where they hang their fancy clothes,

But Halloween brings costume time,

From your nose to your toes.

So, before you put your outfit on,

And act all mean and goblin-scary,

You can sweep your closet clean,

Not a thing from spring to bury.

If you want to hang your skeleton up

In the closet on a soulish hanger,

Make sure to hang it super softly,

Or it might cause a real loud banger!

If it falls to the closet floor in ruins,

And breaks into a million pieces,

You’ll have to put it back together,

And the madness never ever ceases.

Two hundred seventy bones at birth

Becomes two hundred six bones strong,

Tiny bones to help you to hear,

Three in each ear, and you can’t go wrong.

The Skull holds the face together.

The cranium is the proper word.

The mandible, maxilla, and shoulder girdle

Make me sound just like a nerd.

The clavicle and scapula are more precise,

If you want to know particulars.

And there are many other bones,

A lot of them are perpendiculars!

The vertebral column is quite complex.

The ribs and sternum hold their own.

The humerus bone is always funny!

The femur, tibia, and fibula well-known.

They can break into many little parts.

Oh, the tarsals and the metatarsal sections

And the phalanges can crack like that!

It’s always good to count your collections.

So, before you give a trick or treat,

Hang up your skeleton for Happy Halloween.

It’s not always the type of October-thing

That you would ever want to be seen.

Then put on a costume for the ages!

Something creative that has a tale,

A hero or a king or a princess story,

Your skeleton will never leave a trail.

All the bones will hang up in the closet,

And you can shut the creaky door.

Collect the neighbors’ skeletons, too,

And you’ll be a part of Halloween lore!

Copyright 2018 Jennifer Waters

Prepositions as Suppositions: The Story of Phrases with Nouns and Pronouns

About a preposition,

Above a noun,

Across a sentence,

After a frown,

Against all odds,

Along a street,

Amid a storm,

Among the wheat,

Around the corner,

As a friend,

At the diner,

Before the bend,

Behind the window,

Beside the bed,

Between the bookshelves,

Beyond the stead,

By the river,

Considering the truth,

Despite the trouble,

Down the booth,

During the day,

Except with love,

Excluding failure,

Following a dove,

For the winners,

From the best,

In the morning,

Inside the rest,

Into the evening,

Near the door,

Off the deep end,

On the floor,

Onto the table,

Outside the wall,

Over the window,

Past the hall,

Per the letter,

Plus the check,

Regarding the mistake,

Round the deck,

Save for one,

Since the first,

Through the tunnel,

To the cloudburst,

Toward the sunlight,

Under the tree,

Until the beginning,

Up the sea,

Upon the horizon,

With a blend,

Within the circle,

Without an end.

Copyright 2018 Jennifer Waters