AWARENESS TOUR: Pirate & Penguin by Mike Allegra - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Joining the Picture Book fun with The Children's Book Review as we take part in the tour for an adorable high seas adventure about the life of a pirates, a penguin, and an unlikely friendship. Ladies and gents, prepare to set sail for bookish fun and take a gander at today's book of choice...

Pirate & Penguin

Written by Mike Allegra

Illustrated by Jenn Harney

Ages 4+ | 32 Pages

Publisher: Page Street Kids (2023)

 ISBN-13: 9781645677123

About the book...

What happens when a pirate, hoping for a parrot, stumbles upon a bird of a duller plumage?

Pirate doesn’t know that Penguin is a penguin. But any bird can sit on a shoulder and squawk “shiver me timbers”…right?

Laugh along with Pirate and Penguin in this high seas tale of mistaken identity and find out whether they’ll find friendship before somebody walks the plank.

Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes and Noble

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Do you like pirates?

Do you like penguins?

Did you ever imagine them starring in a story together?

Then you're in for a treat!

We've got a seasoned Pirate looking for a parrot 🦜 friend...in all the wrong places, and the wrong climate... but it's not merely to complete his captain look. He wants a ship mate, and a friend. I mean, you sail the seven seas solo looking for treas-ARRRR and try saying you're not a little lonely. It happens to the best of us, but it doesn't do any good if we find that potential friend and try to change them to fit our ideal either.... hence the penguin 🐧 sporting parrot colored plumage. We have to see them for who (and in this case what) they are, accept them as is, and build a friendship around those similarities and differences... something our pirate friend begins to understand. 

Along with the charming story filled with smiles, laughter, and wonderful messages, we have the fun-tastic illustrations depicting every angle of their encounter along the way. From the impromptu meeting to the ill-fated attempt at shoulder perching (webbed feet weren't made for it apparently), and everything in between, there's not a page turned where there isn't something to remark on, smile over, or gaze at... including the under cover!

A great pick for story time or any time with appeal for audiences from the tall to the small!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Allegra sailed into uncharted writing waters to create an all-dialogue story with an unexpected pirate character: a little dotty, well-meaning, and unusually patient (anyone would snap if a penguin trashed their ship and spit out their cracker). He’s written a number of other books for children, including Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles (Page Street Kids) and Scampers Thinks Like a Scientist (Sourcebooks). He also works as an editor and a creative writing teacher.

Visit his website at mikeallegra.com and say, "Ahoy

INSTAGRAM

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Jenn Harney had a blast creating the art for this story because who doesn’t love pirates and penguins? Together at last! She’s illustrated many other children’s books, including Hornswoggled! (Page Street Kids), and even authored a couple as well. She lives in Ohio with her family and their corgi named Steve.

Visit her online at jkharney.blogspot.com.

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

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Enter for the chance to win a three-book prize pack, including Pirate & Penguin!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

A hardcover copy of Pirate & Penguin

A hardcover copy of Sleepy Happy Capy Cuddles

A hardcover copy of Hornswoggled

Two buttons

Four (4) winners receive:

A hardcover copy of Pirate & Penguin

Pirate & Penguin Book Giveaway

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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and for the copy for review. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Page Street Kids. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, June 19, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

Pirate & Penguin Book Tour Kick-Off

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Me Two Books

Book Activity Paired with Pirate & Penguin

Thursday, June 22, 2023

The Momma Spot

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Friday, June 23, 2023

The Fairview Review

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Monday, June 26, 2023

Twirling Book Princess

Book Giveaway of Pirate & Penguin

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin and Little Free Library Drop

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Cover Lover Book Review

Author Interview with Mike Allegra

Thursday, June 29, 2023

The Review Wire

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Friday, June 30, 2023

My Reading Getaway

Author Interview with Mike Allegra

Monday, July 3, 2023

Because I Said So

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Writer with Wanderlust

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Get Outside and Read

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Friday, July 7, 2023

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Monday, July 10, 2023

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

One More Exclamation

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Stargirls.Magical.Tale

Book Review of Pirate & Penguin

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

TCBR AWARENESS TOUR: Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm by Lori Adams - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Ahoy there matey!

We be welcoming you back to this here site that aims to bring you bookish treasure at every turn...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today be a special day indeed...I can smell it on the air, feel it in the waves, and see it in...wait, are those gathering storm clouds?  Okay, perhaps I should shed my pirate accent (because let's face it, I can be creative, but a whole post worth might be overdoing things!), and get on with the show before the show becomes us!  *eyes storm clouds*  

Now on deck, we've got book one in what I'm assuming will be a series (*fingers crossed...and eyes...and toes*) that fits nicely into the Children's Fantasy genre, but is a GREAT READ for shellbacks and landlubbers more advanced in years as well.  It's currently making the rounds with The Children's Book Review, so while I get to reviewing, you get to reading because there's a treasure to be found beyond the book (though that is treasure enough!), but well before you reach the end of today's post (can we say GIVEAWAY?).  Ready, set, let's set sail for adventure with today's blog tour guest and ebook of choice...

Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm

by

Lori Adams

9781737131205

Spyhop Publishing

About the book...

When a young girl learns she is the Last Heir of the legendary pirate Davy Jones, she is whisked away to begin life aboard an enchanted schoolship for Pirate Heirs where danger and excitement awaits.

Contemporary kids who happen to be Heirs of the most villainous and celebrated pirates in history. Superstitions, mysteries, curses, secrets, strange ocean creatures, undead pirates, and seafaring legends will thrill middle-grade readers in this rollicking, globe-trotting adventure.

Avalina Jones, the Last Heir of the infamous pirate Davy Jones, has never heard of Sea Magic, flying dinghies, Pirate Heir schoolships, phantom islands, undead pirates, or creatures called Half Ones. And she has never understood her strange connection to water. But when a beautiful woman arrives in a swirling waterspout, Avalina’s life explodes with more adventures than she can possibly imagine. She takes her rightful place aboard a giant Pirate Heir schoolship teeming with Heirs of the world’s most nefarious pirates.

Raised as a Landlubber, Avalina quickly realizes bizarre and danger are normal aboard Pirate Heir schoolships-food fights back, school supplies giggle or explode in your face. And not everyone can be trusted.

When Avalina is accused of a terrible crime, she must prove her innocence or risk being banished from the schoolship forever-and this in the middle of a crucial Treasure Hunt!

Avalina races to unlock the secrets of the ship, and makes a dangerous discovery that threatens everyone aboard. With the help of her new friends Charlie, Pippa, and Bummy, Avalina draws closer to the truth, unaware that a deeper, darker fate awaits.

Author Lori Adams expertly delivers a story that is timeless, bringing together elements of sea lore, magic, and adventure. The first book in a seven-book series, Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm, is a romping tale for middle graders who are searching for the next enduring fantasy classic.

AMAZON  |  BOOKSHOP

☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠

Do you like ACTION?

Do you like ADVENTURE?

Do you like heartwarming stories with lead characters you can't help but love, despite their mysterious backgrounds, and uncertain futures?

Do you enjoy finding yourself in the middle of a magical pirate ship with new friends AND enemies, as well the potential for an infamous family curse to be weighing over your head?

Do you like second, third, and even fourth layer characters that are drawn into the forefront because they too deserve their time in the spotlight and are memorable too, even if the story isn't there's at heart?

Do you want me to stop asking if you love these things because OBVIOUSLY you're still reading this and the answer is pretty clear...YES, WE ARE SHARING THE SAME BOAT OF BOOK LOVE FOR THIS TITLE?

Good because I was running out of questions!  🤣

Seriously though, this book was un-put-down-able from start to finish.  Once I knew Avalina, I had to know more.  I felt bad that she had the start she did, but as time goes by, some of that grit, that gumption, that I can survive anything attitude really comes into play, and you can't help but wonder...was that why she grew up where and how she did?  (*ponders*)  The moment her non-Anna-esque time comes to seek bigger, grander adventures, I was in awe...I mean it's not often a character LITERALLY escapes in/on Cloud #9 (inside joke...read it, you'll see!), lands where she does, gets passed around like a bad omen, only to find a home she never knew to look for, with friends that are by her side through thick and thin!  Pirating may be her heritage, but the size of her heart is the real treasure...and I know a couple of Buccaneers that would swear to that statement in a heartbeat, let alone members of the crew.

Get on board this new Children's Fantasy series post haste because once the ship has sailed...okay, well the only thing that will happen is you'll have to play catch up in order to read the series, but seriously, be IN THE KNOW NOW and you can grab top rank in the fandom order of things!

☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠

About the author...

LORI ADAMS is the author of the Avalina Jones series for middle-grade readers (Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm (#1) as well as two young adult series: The Kate March Mysteries: Speak Easy (#1) set in Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, and the Soulkeepers Series: Forbidden, Awaken, and Unforgiven, a paranormal fantasy set in the quintessential but fictitious town of Haven Hurst, Connecticut and first published through Random House.

Lori was born and raised in Oklahoma but moved to Southern California where she lives with her family. She loves traipsing along SoCal’s wonderful beaches, watching Angel’s baseball, Cowboys’ football. Aside from writing, Lori loves reading and watching Classic Hollywood Movies.

For more information, visit https://loriadamsbooks.com.

☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠

Enter for a chance to win an Avalina Jones and the Eye of the Storm prize pack!

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

An autographed copy of Avalina Jones: And the Eye of the Storm

An Avalina Jones quote tote

A Hands-Off Me Gigglin’ Grog mug

An Avalina Jones fridge magnet

An Avalina Jones bookmark

Two (2) winners receive:

An autographed copy of Avalina Jones: And the Eye of the Storm

An Avalina Jones bookmark

Avalina Jones Giveaway

☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠     💎     ☠

Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Silver Dagger Book Tours presents... GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG by Andrea Torrey Balsara - SPOTLIGHT + GIVEAWAY!

 Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're teaming up with Silver Dagger Book Tours to shine the bookish spotlight on a title that I actually read once upon a time.  It was great.  It was fun.  It was pirate-licious...and led by a little green bearded piggy to boot, you couldn't ask for more adventure.  So, get ready to sail the high seas as we focus in on today's title in the spotlight...

Greenbeard the Pirate Pig
by Andrea Torrey Balsara
Genre: Children's Adventure

Ahoy, my Piggywinkles! Sail with GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG as he sails the Seven Seas in search of ADVENTURE! With his ratty first mate, Snug Rumkin, Greenbeard sets sail on THE GOLDEN LETTUCE, determined to become a proper pirate!

****Click here for FREE colouring pages! ****

Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Website

SAVE A FOX, is dedicated to the wellbeing of rescued fur foxes, these beautiful creatures are suffering at fur farms.

Most of the farmed foxes at SaveAFox are handed to them because they are sick, injured, or rejected, and therefore a liability or of no value to a fur farmer.

Mikayla Raines, founder / rescuer and her wonderful team are passionate about what they do and devoted to making a difference.

Their purpose is reflected in SaveAFox’s Mission Statement:
“To rescue and provide forever homes for captive-born, non-releasable wildlife.”

Balsara Boutique will be donating a % of proceeds raised from the Balsara fox series of pieces to Save A Fox. https://www.balsaraboutique.com/shop-collections

Andrea Torrey Balsara is a Canadian children’s author and illustrator who writes and illustrates for ages 3 and up. She is involved with children’s empowerment, and works to create stories that not only make children laugh, but makes them think. Her latest illustrated book, GREENBEARD THE PIRATE PIG , is a whimsical adventure about a guinea pig with a dream.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of the book and the Fox Love 18x18 cotton pillowcase (case only)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK: Shivers! The Pirate Who's BACK in BUNNY SLIPPERS by Annabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor White

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to another day here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

We're still going strong on this CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK celebration (hopefully you've taken a moment to enter to win the HUGE prize pack up for grabs RIGHT HERE!) and this time, we're bringing you in on a Middle Grade series perfect for the pirate or landlubber in your midst.  How can it be for both land AND sea loving readers?  Ah, well now...if you're clued in to the pirate adventurings of Shivers (such as revealed in my review of book one), then you know exactly where I'm coming from; if not, prepare to be introduced.  Ready or not, it's time to grin and ARRRRRRRR it as we dial in on today's book of choice...

Shivers!

The Pirate Who's BACK in BUNNY SLIPPERS!

(Shivers!, Book 2)

by

Annabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor White

Illustrated by

Anthony Holden

980062313898

HarperCollins

About the book...

Shivers, the scaredy-est pirate to ever sail the Seven Seas, is back. Comic book–like illustrations in each chapter bring Shivers to life and invite even the most reluctant readers to join the adventure. Perfect for fans of such series as Stick Dog, Big Nate, Dork Diaries, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

This time, Shivers must set sail again to get his beloved ship, the Land Lady, back from Mayor Sheila B. President. Shivers won’t be going alone, however. He’ll be bringing his best pal, Margo, and his loyal fishmate, Albee, on a clingy-clam and hot dog filled adventure. Like all good pirates, Shivers will just have to grab his swimmies (and his bunny slippers) and jump right into this epic tale.

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First things first, you HAVE to give mad props for the covers in this series, as well as the artwork within for that matter.  Shivers is represented toot suite with Margo ready to take action and a surprised Albee right by his side...err, umm...feet.  The little details like the bib, watered down outfit, and new bunny slippers, make the image complete...and give readers a chance to wonder at what's in store for them this time around.  Now, on to that story...

My first reaction upon starting this read....Yay! Albee, Shivers, and Margo are back! We became close friends in our first adventure together and I wasn't relishing (inside joke from the first book...hehe) my time away, but boy was it good to meet up with these familiar faces.  Wait a second...head count.  Oh my....there seems to be a few UNFAMILIAR faces that I was NOT in love with and I'm pretty certain you won't be either.  Take one...Mayor Sheila B President.  Though her name is hilarious (and I mean really, it is!), she seems like the type Professor Umbridge should have tea with...though the kitten portraits would have to go because this woman is one TOUGH cookie.  Let's just say she's a thorn in Shivers' side and plagues him throughout the story as he tries to clear his and his family's name from the last heist gone awry.  It won't be easy, in fact it's going to be downright HARD but with friends like Margo and Albee at his side, things can't go wrong...for the most part.  *gulp*

It was great catching up with these old friends while making new memories.  Albee's part in this story isn't as firework-display-inducing but it's still big enough to make a splash (get it...because he's a fish?).  Margo is just as I remembered and as resourceful as ever.  She's never met a challenge she can't conquer and self-doubt was never her style.  I admire her spunk.  As for Shivers, he's a frightful pirate but he's coming into his own...bunny slippers and all.  Though his first choice is to run away, he's learning that sometimes to "fight another day" a stand must be made.  I'm glad he's making it with a pure heart.

In the end, I give it a rousing ARRGGGH! It was an amazing time maties with plenty of piratey plundering and adventure to be had. It brought readers back into the family/friend fold while leaving us wanting more, hence my desire to embark on a third mission STAT!  Come on Shivers!  Pull it together!  Though it can be read as a stand alone, its connection to book one can not be denied...thus I decree you should read BOTH stories.  Hey, I didn't make the rules...I just enforce them.  (^-^)

Recommended read for pirate fans of all ages and species.,,we mustn't forget Albee and his fin-ny friends!

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About the authors...

Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White graduated from Northwestern University in 2009. When he is not writing books, Connor is a director and producer for the Story Pirates, an arts organization that teaches kids creative writing, then turns their stories into a sketch comedy show. Annabeth is also a producer for the Story Pirates, and her plays have been produced in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Louisville. Connor and Annabeth once ran a half marathon together. After that, they decided to never run again.

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Special thanks to the HarperCollins Publishing team for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the authors, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

Shivers! The Pirate Who's Afraid of Everything by Annabeth Bondor-Stone & Connor White

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're diving into a Kids Fiction title that will have you battening down the hatches and keeping your shoulder at the ready for your best mate to land. It's a pirate tale but not in the traditional sense that's fit for the wee land lubbers as well as the more time tested folks running about this here part of the blogosphere. Ready to make its acquaintance? Just say, ARRRRRHH! Ladies and gents, pirates and pir-ettes, today's book of choice is....

Shivers!

The Pirate Who's Afraid of Everything

by

Annabeth Bonder-Stone & Connor White

Illustrated by

Anthony Holden

Based on a really funny idea by

Harrison Blanz, Age 9

About the book...

Meet Shivers, the scaredy-est pirate to ever sail the Seven Seas. Along with his best friend, Margo, and his loyal fishmate (yes, you read that correctly), Albee, Shivers battles a giant squid, discovers hidden treasures, and gets pooped on by a pigeon to save his parents from the clutches of evil. (Yep, that's right: evil!) You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll never eat snails again. So put on your pantaloons, batten down the hatches, and join Shivers on his first (but still very dangerous) adventure.

This was a whale of a tale if ever there was!

Shivers is a land loving pirate, much too scared to venture out on the high seas, until one very unfortunate day for his family and one feisty girl named Margo come together to create an adventure of a lifetime. Nothing like family in peril and the making of a friend to give you just the right motivation to crawl out of the shell you're living in, am I right? So naturally, Shivers sets forth with gusto to save the day....

Umm.

Knock Knock

Who's there?

You

You who?

You weren't apparently listening to me when I originally described him now, were you?

Shivers is anything but weigh-the-anchor-let's-get-this-excursion-under-way, but he also knows that his family's lives are in his hands. What's a scared lad to do? Seek out the authorities, that's what! Bad news for him, they seem unmoved; good news for him, Margo (the captain's daughter) is a little firecracker who's been paying attention every Take You Child to Work Day (whether actually the holiday or simply a day she tricked him into THINKING it was). Apart, they are definitely unusual individuals, but together they are an unstoppable pair. Now, don't get me wrong, things DO try to stop them many a time so it does look as if all might not end well (can't confirm if it does or doesn't...sorry), but they still form a formidable team. The fact that they also discovered that friendship doesn't spawn from the likenesses we have with each other, but the differences that make us who we are is just icing on the cake.

 

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this tale as I was having a hard time connecting with Shivers. I mean really, the kid is afraid of EVERYTHING! Hard to swallow, especially when he's from a family of pirates....I mean, I was ready to think “adoption” might have been the answer. Leave it to the ending to change my mind. That's right. Right up until about the final fourth of the book, I was ready to give it a resounding “meh” but then came the turning point which turned me around. What did the job? Oh, it was all in unraveling of the situation at hand, though at whose hand and why it unraveled will have to remain a mystery until you read it for yourself. Suffice it to say that one should never underestimate the strength of someone's fear nor a foe based on their size. The latter of those provided an unexpected laugh out loud moment as well, leaving me to end the read with a smile upon my face.

Recommended for Middle Grade readers through adults. Fans of the Wimpy Kid and MacKenzie Blues series will definitely gravitate towards it for the similarity in formatting (story with lots of pencil illustrations), though it is certainly not necessary to enjoy the adventure within.

Special thanks to the team at HarperCollins for the chance to bring this title to you as well as the review copy. (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter. This title reached its book birthday February 2015, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!