Cedric Thistlewhump (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798317808341)

Dr. Donald High is a storyteller, innovator, and lifelong believer in the power of imagination. With a career that spans cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence, and federal innovation, Don has always found joy in transforming the complex into something magical. Now, he brings that same spirit of creativity to the world of children's literature.
As a proud grandfather, former chief data architect at the IRS, and former chief scientist at Walmart, Don's love for storytelling began not in boardrooms or data labs--but in bedtime stories. Inspired by his granddaughter, Leanna, and the whimsical way children see the world, Don set out to write stories that spark wonder, encourage perseverance, and remind every reader that sometimes the best kind of magic is the kind we make by accident.
His debut series, "Cedric Thistlewhump and the Academy of Accidental Art," follows the misadventures of a well-meaning but bumbling boy wizard who never quite gets it right--but never stops trying. Alongside talking owls, musical ferrets, and a book that might be alive (or just very rude), Cedric reminds readers that failure is just the beginning of every great adventure. Don's writing is rich with humor, heart, and hidden wisdom--gently nudging children toward resilience, curiosity, and kindness. Each chapter ends with a mirrored old English journal entry written by Cedric himself, who doesn't realize he's done something wonderful.
When he's not writing, Don enjoys weightlifting, going on adventures with his real-life partner, and turning everyday chaos into creativity. He also holds over 300 technology patents, teaches university-level blockchain courses, and has helped shape some of the most innovative data strategies in the federal government. However, his proudest title is "Grandpa."
Don believes that every child deserves to see themselves in the stories they read--whether they're twins like Cedric and Bramble, musical like Took, curious like Whindle the owl, or a little bit of all the above. His books aim to be inclusive, joyful, and just a bit mischievous. Welcome to the world of accidental magic, improbable heroes, and the kind of fun that gets a goose floating through town because, in Don's world, mistakes aren't the end of the story--they're where it all begins.