Tina & Peter

About the Book

Tina Himmel and Peter Frimmel were unfortunate enough to have been born to dukes, who decided at their births that their eventual marriage would solidly unify their dukedoms. Tina and Peter are forced to obey their orders and spend separate lives of constant lessons on courtly behavior to prepare them for their lives together as Duke and Duchess. But strong-willed Tina wants to learn all about nature and life, while equally strong-willed Peter has an insatiable passion for poetry. They do not tamely accept their fates and go on a quest to flaunt their fathers’ intentions. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a joyless castle and an enchanting forest. While Tina is at her classroom desk, distracted by a little jewel of a bird, her father, Duke Himmel bursts in and tells her she is to marry Peter Frimmel. The storm clouds gather over the Himmel castle as Tina reacts defiantly, refusing to obey her father’s wishes. She sneaks out of the castle to hide in the forest. Duke Frimmel finds his son at a goldfish pond and rudely disturbs his tranquility by telling him he is to marry Tina. His anger boils and he retreats to the forest for solace. Tina and Peter meet and spend a golden day together, and discover the beginnings of a deep friendship. They then plan to announce at their engagement ball that they will not marry as ordered, but might do so in the future if it is meant to be. The dukes see the error of their ways and question why they brought their children up as they did. A cuckoo calls from somewhere in the forest….

About the Author

Rosemarie Riechel is a researcher and writer and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Long Island Children’s Writers and Illustrators, and the American Library Association. She received a M.S. in Library Science and a Doctor of Library Science degree from Columbia University. For many years she provided public library reference service to both adults and children. Dr. Riechel authored a number of books, including Easy Information Sources for ESL, Adult Learners, & New Readers, Public Library Services to Business, and two children’s books, Flight to Freedom: Two Parrot Stories and A Rescue in Cyberspace. Visit her web site at rosemarieriechelbooks.com