BLOG TOUR: I Ate a Cicada Today by Jeff Crossan

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place you can always find something bookish to indulge in.  

Today, we're playing host to a blog tour...yes, a blog tour on a Sunday...starring a Children's Storybook that's a bit out of the norm.  Curious what I mean?  No worries, you're about to find out.  Ladies and gents, get ready to meet a fellow that one up'd the lady who swallowed a fly, today's book of choice is....

I Ate a Cicada Today

Written, Illustrated and Sung by

Jeff Crossan

9780989522205

Big Bound Books, LLC

I applaud the creativity in both rhyme and illustration...even if it does step outside the box and into the odd territory.  I can appreciate the irony in some of the situations encountered as well as the information shared...even if it can be creepy.  But the realization I came too was surprising even to me.  I can honestly say that I do believe that the included CD of the book, sung by the author himself (applauds), is a MUCH better match up for this rhyming tale than the book itself.  Yep. I said it.  

It's one of those rare occasions that another media format nails it for a wider audience than the one I usually favor.  Why...you might ask?  Well, that's actually pretty easy to explain.  Personally I think at times the story told steps into the category of rude.  How so?  Well, let's see:  the giraffe's best feature was his knees....the teddy bear will whip the stuffin' out of ya....a ladybug that spoke not like a lady.  Then you have the illustrations to ponder.  While their simplicity works for the book, the crass nature of a few did not strike a homerun with me.  I'm sorry, but while I'm certain the peeing Airedale will pass tiny readers inspection of the page, not all older children or adults are gonna take the same shine to it.  The audio version allows you to take the humor from the verses in a style reminiscent of Adam Sandler (just look of the Turkey Song or Hannukah) without as much offense, or at least it did for me.

So, final verdict?

A tale worth reading, with rhymes worth sharing, but in which format to do it....I'll have to leave up to you. I'm not one to dissuade anyone from a paper copy of a read, and it DOES come with the humorously sung version which is something to hear.....just go into it knowing what you're in store for.  It may find a niche with little boys as opposed to girls, again considering the content, but it's not inappropriate for either.  Case closed....or rather final page turned.

Special thanks to Samantha at JKSCommunications Literary Publicity for the chance to participate in this tour and the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their future promotions,be sure to like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  This book is available now via Big Bound Books, LLC so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!