Premier of The Nine Lives of Donovan Kluckk!
Released on International Cat Day, August 8th, 2026
A Story 59 Years in the Making
Rooted in Real Life
The Chinaberry Treehouse Café sprung from the chinaberry trees my brother, Gary, and I climbed at ages 6 to 10 around our parents’ property in Phoenix. During the height of its seasonal foliage, the leaves would form a complete capsule of soft greenery cut off from the outer world. At our size, the rubbery branches would allow us to vault inside the canopy like chimps on drapes. Our father lovingly called us “yard apes.” We also crafted a three-story tree house, with a trap door in the V of two cottonwood trees planted by the irrigation ditch behind and peeking above our house roofline.
The activities in the Chinaberry Treehouse Café trace back to the local Phoenix summer recreation program at Westwood Elementary. Writing this book has returned me to the wonder of those summers pouring over the comics, playing Carom, and enjoying a snow cone, or watching a 16mm movie stretched out on the cool darkness of the bare cafeteria cement floor.
As an RV’er of decades, the Kid’s Camp of America captured the best memories of camping. The camp wouldn’t have been complete had not my wife Carol suggested the unforgettable Daisy! My favorite Daisy scene is when Daisy makes Slinkk her baby … again!
Donovan Kluckk, Please Stand Up!
As a spin-off character in The Kitties of Sky Village, Donovan Kluckk was forged from memories in the 1960’s and ’70’s, including my blue-sparkle-flake Sting-Ray bike with ape handlebars, 5-speed, a banana seat, and a slick rear tire. His character blended that of a quirky youth counselor at the Boys Club, where we wore our club cards punched onto shoelaces around our necks. The feel of that membership card gave us a sense of belonging and discovery.
Kluckk also has his roots in a developmentally disabled person I knew who personified a spirit to try something though you might fail in the attempt. He had the peculiar habit of appearing all over the city on his bicycle, where you couldn’t miss thinking, “There he is!” He was unmistakable!
I remember “Donovan” attempting to play softball on our church team. When emotions became too much for him, he would collapse. On the way to first base, with the cheers of his actually hitting the ball, he collapsed to the ground, like a fainting goat. What inspired me was his willing to try despite what we might consider “odd behavior.” In many ways, we can learn from Donovan, engage the game, and “Get Kluckky!”
The Rise of the Bogwhump
The story of the Pollugans and the Bogwhump arose out our national epidemic of politicians lying for their leader coupled with a profound lack of kindness and compassion for others. In an attempt to bring redemption to those caught in this black tide, the Bogwhump lifts his great hand to the task.
Enjoy the Read
The Kindle version is released, with paperback and hardback versions in editing. If you enjoy the read, please give an honest review.
Remember, what ever you can be in this life … Be Kind,
Jim
