Mike Darcy
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Mike Darcy is the debut author of the Little Joe series, as such it is not a series yet, but trust him, there is more than one book. He spent the better part of his youth wandering the forest, subsisting on foraging wild berries and the generosity of concerned woodland creatures. He holds degrees in Digital Forensics, Applied Mathematics, and a Masters in Public Administration. Obviously, natural foundations to tales about adventurous, talking animals.
He lives in Southern New Hampshire with his family of super geniuses, where he serves as a bed for their adopted cat. He can be seen around town most days when his Norwegian Elkhound takes him for his daily proscribed walks. Footnote: While he was raised in a barn he did not, nor has he ever claimed to have walked uphill to school both ways in the snow. It was uphill one way then a sled ride home.
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Little Joe and the Big Rain
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Children's
Join puppy Little Joe and his good friend Hopper a frog as they head to the pond for a unique lunch of fly soup. The clouds build and soon they are in the midst of a summer thunder storm. The pair takes refuge in the forest where Little Joe can’t help but follow his nose. But, noses are not renowned for leading the way and soon they realize where Little Joe’s nose has lead them. Now lost, Little Joe sniffs out more adventure and Hopper vocally worries. There is a crashing nearby and through the brush appears a large bear. Roxy. and she is angry and hungry. Hopper figures out that a thorn is the causing her to be angry. In a tense negation Roxy agrees to help the two find their way out of the woods. After a couple of tries, Hopper removes the thorn and everything changes. Roxy invites them back to her home where they wait out the rest of the storm. Now friends, they share stories until it is time for them to get back home. Safely home, Little Joe tries to share his adventure with Anna, but he doesn’t speak human. 
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Little Joe and the Big City
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Children's
Little joe sets off an adventure in the city with his family. When he is left outside on his own, this curious puppy quickly finds a gap in the fence and squeezes his way into adventure. The city is full of new sights, sounds, and smells and soon his over stimulated nose has lead Little Joe onto unfamiliar streets with no easy path home. Lost and alone Little Joe gives up and huddles under the street light. He is collected by an animal control person and brought the city pound. Luckly, he has a tag so the officer puts him in a cage and calls his family. Here Little Joe meets a new friend, Mura the cat. She has a sad story and has given up hope but Little Joe thinks he can help his new friend. When Anna and her family arrive Little Joe jumps into action. He barks and squirms until Anna’s aunt meets Mura. It is love at first sight and Mura gets a new home. Finally back home Anna reads to Little Joe and Mura until everyone falls happily asleep. 
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Little Joe and the Big Snow
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Children's
It is early spring but the snow is still holding tight on the farm. Little Joe starts his day gathering sap from the maple trees with dad so they can boil it down for some sweet syrup. After breakfast Little Joe and Anna race up the hill for some end of the season sledding until Anna’s nose gets too cold. They go to the sugar shack and help dad boil sap. Little Joe gets bored and heads back out for some winter fun. After some good sledding he encounters two bear cubs, Hazel and Jasper. It turns out they are Roxy’s cubs and since Little Joe and Roxy are good friends the three get along wonderfully. Little Joe shows them how to sled and when the snow starts, he teaches them how to catch snow flakes on their tongue. As it starts to get dark the cubs head home and Little Joe heads back to the sugar shack. Anna introduces him to the sweet treat of warm maple syrup and they end the day in the steamy glow as fresh snows falls outside. 
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