The Loch Lomond Monster

THE LOCH LOMOND MONSTER
1997 - Glasgow, Scotland. When we visited our daughter and granddaughter we would stay at Jury's Hotel, with its large swimming pool, where Rebecca liked to dive off Pop-Pop's shoulders.
1996 - Dumbarton, Scotland. Granddaughter Rebecca lived 8 miles from Loch Lomond. One day after reading about Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, Becky asked, "Grandpa, why can't Loch Lomond have a monster like Nessie?" I asked what she would call it. Her reply was "Lommie."
1993 - Hollywood, Ca. Grandson Aaron was into Knights and Swords; dressing in a knight costume and carrying a gold painted sword.
1974 - Hollywood, Ca. We produced a "King Kong" TV Spot for VW. Our daughter, Mara, later Rebecca's mother was an extra.
1942 - Brooklyn, NY. Ringling Brothers traveled its circus to large, empty lots; one near where I lived. Helping raise the Big Top earned you a free ticket. Shoveling Elephant droppings got a better seat, close to the huge Ape, Gargantua, in his oversized "steel cage."
1938 - Brooklyn, NY. Every Saturday Morning a quarter bought a handful of candy and a double feature at the movies beginning with an adventure series such as "Tim Tyler's Luck." There one day, I saw "King Kong," 5 times.
60 years later all that which had been long percolating finally poured out. "The Loch Lomond Monster" came to life in an adventure where his best friend Becky and her cousin Sir Aaron rescue Lommie from the Scheming Scot.
MEET DAVID & FRANK
Author David Russell and Illustrator Frank Furlong first teamed 30 years ago, initially to produce animated TV commercials for the U.S. and for Mexico. Their work led to being invited to produce a series of High School/Jr. College films for the Office of Education/HEW.
From there, Russell went on to become a principal in a Special Effects company making commercials for clients such as the Pillsbury Doughboy, Speedy Alka Seltzer and Chuck Wagon, plus producing effects for the "Fantasy Island" show and NBC's Bible series.
Furlong's busy Animation Director career, included work for "Sesame Street" and many commercials. Later, he drew the backgrounds for two series, "Bobby's World" and "Angry Beavers."
Now retired, David and Frank have teamed again with their goal to publish children's picture books of stories and poetry. Their first book, "Pop-Pop's Magic Chair," is now available through the E-Catalogues of Amazon and Barnes&Noble, as an E-Book, or through their website at www.booksbyallmeans.com. "The Loch Lomond Monster" is next.