Modeled on a Bohemian folk tale about how a blacksmith tricks the Devil out of collecting him to take him to Hell, I wrote "The Baker and the Monsters" to provide a less ominous, yet still plenty spooky, story for our nearly five-year-old daughter Z. I turned the Devil into a host of monsters, Hell into a dark cave, and the blacksmith into a baker who has decided to set up shop in an unlikely spot.

What emerged in the process was a protagonist with an absurdly sunny disposition he used to disarm as well as press forward toward his goals. Our audio producer, Joshua McNichols, took the theme and ran with it - the musical selections, and their nearly complete dissolution by the cheery words of the baker, had me laughing throughout this story, even as Z sat stock still to find out what monster was coming next.

Z asserted that this story wasn't too scary for her, and I believe her.



Enjoy, and let us know what you (or your kids) think of it! - Jeremiah