BLOG TOUR: Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of the Borrowed Guinea Pig by Deborah Hopkinson

Hi there!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, where the reviews are always fresh and piping hot...just like your favorite comfort food.

Today, we're joining a Provato Events BLOG TOUR already in progress starring a new Picture Book (pardon me, it's technically a Picture LETTER but not as many may be familiar with that terminology) release via Schwartz & Wade.  The title is curious as it brings to mind stories of misbehaving bunnies and angry gardeners though none of those are EXACTLY the right image because although the title bares that famous author's name, it's a story ABOUT her not penned by her.  The "her" in question is someone that we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of her birth with this particular release as well.  Got your attention now didn't I?  I'm going to have it even more when you discover that much of what transpires was drawn from diaries the woman kept in her youth, including some of the "unfortunate" details.  *nods*  Alrighty then.  You've been primed for the post, now it's time to deliver.  Ladies and gents, grab a hold of your precious pets...albeit gently...and get ready to dive into today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

Beatrix Potter and the Unfortunate Tale of the Borrowed Guinea Pig

by

Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrated by

Charlotte Voake

9780385373258

Schwartz & Wade

With delightful illustrations scattered throughout the story, we come to know Beatrix Potter in a whole new light.  Okay, perhaps that's not entirely true.  We did after all know that she had a heartfelt desire to capture the beauty of those living things around her, and a deep love for fur babies of all varieties (for confirmation of that, just look to the characters of her works!), but that doesn't mean she was the perfect person to care for them 100% of the time.  *ahem*  Yes, my friends, the "unfortunate" part of the title does actually play a role in the story.  It begins as a usual sitting when a certain young girl desires to draw a certain cherished guinea pig and absentmindedly leaves her for a short time within reach of some edibles-yet-shouldn't-be-eaten-items while she attended a dinner party. *gulp*  Let's just say that while Queen Elizabeth (the guinea pig) never looked more majestic, she found herself in a sticky situation that could not be undone.  (Poor Queen Elizabeth!)  

The morals of the story...

...if one if going to loan a pet for a sitting, accompany them...just in case.

...mistakes happen; it's how we grow from them that really matters.

...never underestimate the talent of another; you may not only claim "I-knew-them-when" rights but a possible fortune if one encounters the right buyer!

Overall, a curious story to say the least with a young impetuous heroine that shadows the writer we came to know beautifully.  The care taken in sharing this tale is evident in the merry ways it is divulged right up to the "unfortunate" end and the illustrations serve as a visual stimulant appeasing in both design and color palette.  Recommended read for Picture Book (or Letter!) fans of all ages, though explaining exactly what happens to Queen Elizabeth may be best left for slightly older kiddos.  *ahem*

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About the author...

Deborah Hopkinson is the prolific, bestselling, and versatile author of many books for children. Her most recent picture book for Schwartz & Wade Books is Annie and Helen, a Junior Library Guild Selection, which received a starred review in School Library Journal. Her Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek was also a JLG Selection, as well as an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book. Other backlist gems include the Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book and ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book Sky Boys: How They Built the Empire State Building, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, Fannie in the Kitchen(recipient of four starred reviews), and Titanic: Voices from the Disaster, a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. 

Visit Deborah Hopkinson online at DeborahHopkinson.com and follow her on twitter at @Deborahhopkinson.

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Special thanks to Deborah Hopkinson for appearing, or rather letting us join in this bookish celebration.  My thanks as well to Michele at Provato Events and Cassie at Random House Children's Books for the copy for review.  (THANKS!) For other stops on the Beatrix Blog Tour please stop by deborahhopkinson.com.  Be sure to use this hastag: #Beatrix150 when discussing the title on social media so others can follow along!  This title is available now via Schwartz & Wade, an imprint of Random House Children's Books so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

BLOG TOUR: Waggers by Stacy Nyikos

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, the site is going to the dogs as we welcome a blog tour from Provato Events that stars a Children's Storybook you have to read to believe.  It stars a four-legged friend that's got a heart of gold....but a tail that doesn't always fall in line.  Ready to meet and greet today's blog tour guest?  Then get ready to SIT and STAY as we focus in on today's book of choice...

Waggers

by

Stacy Nyikos

Illustrated by

Tamara Anegon

9781629146294

Sky Pony Press

About the book....

When Waggers is adopted, he tries to be good; he really does! But it isn’t Waggers’s fault that his tail goes crazy when he gets excited. How much harm can a tail do, anyway? Well, his new family is about to find out. In the kitchen, the cookies smell so good that Waggers’s tail makes the dough hit the ceiling. And when Waggers helps the kids defeat a monster in the living room, there may be a sofa casualty. After his tail accidentally scratches the paint off the car in the garage, Mom and Dad aren’t so sure their home is the right fit for such an excitable pup. Could this be the last straw, or can Waggers and his family find a way to stay together?

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What do my eyes land on when I first open this ebook?  Waggers the dog!  What's this?  He's a Razortail Whippet and just so happens to have a REALLY long tail?  This is gonna be good!  ^_^

Okay, well good is definitely what readers are in store for, but poor little Waggers is headed for trouble.  What harm can an extra long tail be?  Oh well, let's see....if you happen to have a happy dog, or a dog that loves treats, or really gets into sneaking up on the "monster" in the house, A LOT of trouble is your answer.  So much in fact that Waggers' forever home is in jeopardy!  *GASP!*  Now that really hit home with this dog lover, but let me put your minds at ease....we do get a happy ending for all.  ^_^

Waggers is an adorable story filled with all the spunkiness and mischief an everyday puppy can get into, multiplied by 3....foot that is.  His extra long tail provides for moments of mayhem not expected nor intended but in the end, it works in his favor in helping him and his family find the PERFECT "job" for him.  Let's just say that his tail gets a real work out leaving not much energy left for wiggling and waggling all over the place at home.  

In short, it's a laugh, it's a riot, and it's a great reminder that adopting a pet is SERIOUS business (in the serious sense and the seriously fun sense).  You have to find the perfect fit for you AND for them.  I am a frequent visitor to our local shelter and rescue societies (several of my own pups have come from them) and I can't tell you how often I see "owner give up" as the reason they were turned in.  Now it's not to say that sometimes these are valid cases of people moving, someone passing away, financial situations changing, and the like, but they aren't ALL that way....some even list additional reasons that I'm hinting at such as "too rambunctious" or "too active".  Okay, let's get this straight....you don't go selecting a Lab puppy, if you want a dog that's simply going to laze about and do nothing all day.  They are active dogs (at least through their teen years for certain) and need exercise to burn off that energy.  Same goes for those wanting an active dog that choose a dog in its golden years or those that want a "purse dog" and select a full size Pomeranian.  You have to make a good match for BOTH parties involved and then...THEN you have a match made in puppy loving heaven.

Recommended read for all ages.  Waggers will entice you from the tip of his tail right to his cute little nose with his antics, his misadventures and most of all his unconditional love.  

Ebook for review received courtesy of Michele at Provato Events.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this promotion as well as those forthcoming, be sure to stop by their official site.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Thanks again to Stacy Nyikos for appearing.  For other stops on the Waggers blog tour please check http://www.stacyanyikos.com/blog.html

Until next time...happy reading!