Question 1

Abigail, what’s your favorite place in Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Oh! Easy. Wildflower Field. The forget-me-nots there have teeny sparks from all the kids who ever loved us. If you listen close, they hum like bees.🐝 I also love the Wangowhirl!
Here's a picture of me and Gloria and Reggie and Queen Ivana in the field.

Question 2

Can anyone go to Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Where I go it’s mostly a doll and toy place. People don’t usually go there, but Grandma Doris visited once, and so did Emily. I remember one time I used a rhyme to go there, and Gloria took me there once, And sometimes you just end up there. But here’s a secret - to get there you just need to really believe and not be distracted. 😀

Here's the time when Gloria took me.

Question 3

What time zone is Sparkle Valley in?

Accepted Answer

Um… time zone? Time isn’t a big deal there—definitely not like here.  I never think about time when I’m in Sparkle Valley. It’s all just… right now. You know what, I don't even think they have watches there.

Question 4

What is the scariest place in Sparkle Valley? (A.N. St Louis, MO)

Accepted Answer

Hmm, there are a lot of scary places. I really don’t like Conundrum Cave because it's dark and creepy.  But I would say the Forest of Memories is the scariest because that's where the Inzos live. And they are the worst!  Oh wait, the scariest place is this big Abyss where the Beast lives. But I'd rather not talk about that right now.

Just for your information, here's what The Forest of Memories looks like. You see what I mean, right?

Question 5

When was the first time you went to Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

I remember it so well. I was with Emily and next thing I knew, I floated down the Wrong Way River in a flower boat and ended up there after falling over a big waterfall. 
Here it is.

Question 6

Why should I believe you really went to Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Why don't you think I went there? I can tell you what the air smells like in Wildflower Field—like honey and rain. I can tell you about all my friends who live there —Gloria, Reggie, Fluffy, Major Bob - and a lot more.

The thing is, if you believe in places that appear when you really need them—where anything can happen—then maybe you’ve been to Sparkle Valley too. You just forgot. But trust me (or don't), it’s there. Waiting. That's the one thing I've learned.

Oh wait - I know how I can prove I went there - look - a picture of me in Sparkle Valley. I like this picture.

Question 7

What would you bring if you had to pack for Sparkle Valley in five minutes?

Accepted Answer

I tried to pack once. I brought a swimsuit and it was freezing. You never know where you’ll end up, so I just bring myself. Plus, it’s not like I know when I’m going. Oh wait! Bring some chalk and a flashlight - just in case. You’ll thank me later.

Question 8

Can you take me to Sparkle Valley with you?

Accepted Answer

Oh, I wish I could! I really do. So many of my friends want to come too. But Sparkle Valley isn’t the kind of place you can just hop on a train to. You gotta feel it. Grandma Doris says it shows up when you need it, or when your heart is brave (or broken). You just have to be ready. That's really all I can tell you. It's not like I'm a Sparkle Valley expert like Grandmas Doris or anything.

Here's a picture of my Grandma Doris with Emily and me. I love her so much! (Btw, she's holding the magic diary, which is really beautiful)

Question 9

How big is Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Big. Like, really big. I’ve never seen a map. I think they have one at the Academy of Muses, but I never saw it.
The thing about Sparkle Valley is... it can change. There was this huge slide once — a Wangowhirl — that just showed up out of nowhere and took us to a castle. But then I never saw it again.
Once I saw a new mountain just show up. And then I saw a frog dressed as a prince (my friend Reggie). So you just never know. That’s why it’s so hard to say how big it is. It sort of changes all the time.

Here's a picture of the Wangowhirl. It's so much fun!

Question 10

Can you take pictures of Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Good question. I never thought about it. There are no phones or any computers there – at least that I know about. Grandma Doris drew pictures in her diary. But in Sparkle Valley I’m always doing something. Taking a picture is for watching something, so I just don’t think about pictures.

Question 11

Are there bathrooms in Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Huh? What do you mean? How else would we go?
I remember once we visited our relatives in Germany and I was worried they might not have toilet paper, so we packed some just in case. They did. And Sparkle Valley has TP too, by the way.

Question 12

Does Sparkle Valley have seasons?

Accepted Answer

It has the biggest trees with the brightest leaves, and snow, and a desert that is sandy and hot. Sometimes there are big storms and I remember earthquakes too that changed the landscape. So I guess... yes. Sparkle Valley has seasons. Just imagine them all together. All at once. Btw, my favorite season is summer vacation!

Here's me in the desert - talk about big,

Question 13

Who makes the rules in Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

Lots of people have tried to make rules - The Smortzle, Hank Needlenose, and Ivana. But Sparkle Valley doesn't let them. That’s what makes it Sparkle Valley—no one really gets to be in charge. Exactly how I like it! 😀

Here are they are  so you know what they look like.

Question 14

Can you tell me more about the Powder of Life? What are its powers? Can I get some?

Accepted Answer

The Powder of Life can make things real. Grandma Doris says it’s really just believing very hard. Which sounds boring, but she might be right. You can’t put it on your cereal, and you definitely can’t order it on the computer. I had some once, but I exploded it. Sometimes I wish I still had it. So you can’t get any from me. But that doesn’t mean it won’t show up again. I don't think anything is “gone forever” in Sparkle Valley.

Here I am trying to get it back from a nasty Inzo

Question 15

Is Sparkle Valley like the real world?

Accepted Answer

Not really. The real world stays the same even when you don’t. Sparkle Valley changes with you. It’s not about rules, it’s about how you feel when you’re there. You can’t just wish for something and make it happen. It’s not like that. There’s just more freedom — which can be good or bad. It’s more random too. Sometimes a friend shows up. Sometimes a monster. Everything’s just more there. More fun, but also more scary, and sometimes kind of crazy — like the time it rained upside down and the rain was lemonade. What was that all about?

Here is a picture of what it looked like when things turned upside down. That bird is huge!

Question 16

Can you get Doris Tortoise on here so we can get some "real" answers about Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

That's an interesting question. Doris and Boris and all the other Tortoise family members live in Sparkle Valley, but you know what, Grandma Doris knows a lot about Sparkle Valley. I'll try to get her.

Question 17

Have you ever been really scared in Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

I've had many scary moments in Sparkle valley – like when Inzo's chased me, or when the Smortzle turned into the beast. But those aren’t the ones I remember the most.

The one that I'll never forget was when Ivana showed me the mirror… and I found out I wasn’t Emily’s sister.

I didn’t scream. It wasn’t that kind of scary. I felt it deep down in my stomach. I felt so alone. And then everything just felt… far away.

I remember sitting on a shelf and not really feeling anything at all.

But then Major Bob came with the locket, and he talked to me like I was still me.
And then Gloria talked to me too. And after that, I didn’t feel so alone anymore.
But that was the scaredest I’ve ever been. Even though “scared” is probably not the right word.

Question 18

Do I have to say "Smortzle, plortzle, ala-ka-dortzle!" to get to Sparkle Valley?

Accepted Answer

You could definitely try. I've used it before with Gloria. But I don't think you have to because there are many different ways to get there and I think you need more than words. If you come across a place that feels a little more magical than it should — you'll know it when you see it —that's when I'd pay attention. Just in case.

Ask Abigail

Questions

Abigail, what’s your favorite place in Sparkle Valley?

Can anyone go to Sparkle Valley?

What time zone is Sparkle Valley in?

What is the scariest place in Sparkle Valley? (A.N. St Louis, MO)

When was the first time you went to Sparkle Valley?

Why should I believe you really went to Sparkle Valley?

What would you bring if you had to pack for Sparkle Valley in five minutes?

Can you take me to Sparkle Valley with you?

How big is Sparkle Valley?

Can you take pictures of Sparkle Valley?

Are there bathrooms in Sparkle Valley?

Does Sparkle Valley have seasons?

Who makes the rules in Sparkle Valley?

Can you tell me more about the Powder of Life? What are its powers? Can I get some?

Is Sparkle Valley like the real world?

Can you get Doris Tortoise on here so we can get some "real" answers about Sparkle Valley?

Have you ever been really scared in Sparkle Valley?

Do I have to say "Smortzle, plortzle, ala-ka-dortzle!" to get to Sparkle Valley?

Contact J.P. Nickles

Questions about the books? Or just want to say hello?
I'd love to hear from you.

Ask Abigail

Questions

Abigail, what’s your favorite place in Sparkle Valley?

Can anyone go to Sparkle Valley?

What time zone is Sparkle Valley in?

What is the scariest place in Sparkle Valley? (A.N. St Louis, MO)

When was the first time you went to Sparkle Valley?

Why should I believe you really went to Sparkle Valley?

What would you bring if you had to pack for Sparkle Valley in five minutes?

Can you take me to Sparkle Valley with you?

How big is Sparkle Valley?

Can you take pictures of Sparkle Valley?

Are there bathrooms in Sparkle Valley?

Does Sparkle Valley have seasons?

Who makes the rules in Sparkle Valley?

Can you tell me more about the Powder of Life? What are its powers? Can I get some?

Is Sparkle Valley like the real world?

Can you get Doris Tortoise on here so we can get some "real" answers about Sparkle Valley?

Have you ever been really scared in Sparkle Valley?

Do I have to say "Smortzle, plortzle, ala-ka-dortzle!" to get to Sparkle Valley?

Contact J.P. Nickles

Questions about the books? Or just want to say hello? I'd love to hear from you.

Questions about the books? Or just want to say hello?
I'd love to hear from you.