This is a story about ten year old Wayne who is befriended by Newton, a rather large red eft phase salamander who can speak, much to the shocking surprise of Wayne. Newton needs Wayne’s help because toxic chemicals have been dumped into the pond he calls home. Newton is also having a problem with the town’s bullies... that Wayne knows all too well! What led me to writing this, my first children’s book, was, 'As a small child I spent summers in Lake Luzerne, New York in the Adirondack Mountains with my Grandpa and Grandma. There, I fell in love with amphibians and reptiles. After summer was over and back in school I was once again a target of the bullies. Those real life experiences are at the heart of this series.'