Kimberly McIntyre

Alligator Pond and the Fingernail Moon Kimberly McIntyre

Ali is an alligator living in the swamps of Louisiana. He is thrown into a cruel world after the violent death of his parents by hunters. He embarks upon a journey not knowing where he will wind up. He ultimately ends up in a magical world of a pond inhabited by talking creatures and trees. Ali comes to a realization that there is a reason for his ending up at this pond. He is the chosen one to rid the Land of the Pond from evil inflicted by the Lizard King, a bearded dragon who wants to rid the pond of its magic and good. Ali and his friends, Bubba, a bubbling bullfrog, Custer, an irate catfish, and Poe, a fiery firelfy, are dedicated and united in this adventure. Guided by the Moon, who has a character and identity of her own, Claire de Lune, remains Ali's constant companion, guiding him and his leadership, not only with soft illumination, but endowing him with the light of reason, judgment, comfort and warmth.