The Peddler's Bed - Hardcover

Lauri (Coppola) Fortino grew up in Canastota, NY, where she spent part of childhood sharing a bunk bed with her twin sister. Now she lives in Syracuse, NY, with her husband and their dog, Java, who has the coziest bed in the house. The Peddler's Bed is her first traditional picture book.

"The Peddler's Bed is a delicious story for children, rich with humor and warm with compassion. A peddler with a fine bed on his cart rode by an old man working in his small garden with his dog, Happy. The man admired the fine bed, which the peddler informed him was for sale. The bed was so sturdily made it would never squeak, the peddler assured the old man. Unfortunately, the old man had not even one penny to give for the fine new bed, though he would have loved to have it. The peddler made him an offer: he could have the bed free if he could find a way to make it squeak by sunset. There followed an amazing series of kindly, sharing actions and events that had the sound of little squeaks always present as the old man proceeded to offer water, a meal, and hospitality to the peddler and his pony. The little old man worked very hard, with well worn, squeaky furniture and tools to make a simple soup supper for the peddler, sharing vegetables from his garden, meat from his larder, and water from his well. The peddler enjoyed every moment of the old man's squeaky, creaky hospitality and kindness. Then he asked if he could rest awhile on the fine bed, which the peddler had gotten down from his wagon to demonstrate. A truly touching ending transpires to this quirky little tale that expresses the core message of kindness and hospitality, sharing what you have with others, no matter how humble or how fine. Splendidly expressive illustrations, lit with clownish joy and humor, enshrine the message of "The Peddler's Bed" for readers of any age."-Midwest Book Review