BLOG TOUR: Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith - Review + Giveaway!

Hi there!

Welcome back to the place that aims to please the reader in you...Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host once again to a Peachtree Publishers blog tour...what can I say, I love their books!  This time around it stars the first book in a planned series aimed at the wee ones but a great fit for anyone with an imagination, childlike wonder...or that simply loves pups and berets!  I mean can you imagine a cuter combination?  I think not.  ^_^  With the in mind, please join me in welcoming to the blog today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

Claude in the City

by

Alex T. Smith

About the book...

Claude and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock (who is both a sock and very bobbly), go to the city for the very first time. They go shopping, visit a museum, foil a robbery, and heal an entire hospital waiting room full of patients. All in all, a most satisfactory day for this delightful duo.

The subtle puns are DARN delightful (...sorry, couldn't help myself ^_^) and the illustrations are certainly smile inducing.  The choice of a limited color palette, though unusual at first glance, really goes the extra mile in making the book, nay the whole series if I may be so bold, stand out.  It's amazing how many variations on the color red one can actually have and the limited use of color on the whole makes those details that are endowed with pigment an even more eye popping display.  But it's not all about presentation, it's also about the story...

Claude is our adorable lead...well, co lead if you want to share the title with Sir Bobblysock which I think he would.  He has a penchant for red and berets and in fact when the two are together, he couldn't be happier.  Nope.  He's one sharply dressed fellow and he's out for an adventure.  Every morning, after Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes (his owners) leave for work, his imagination runs wild.  He thinks the impossible.  Considers the enchanting.  Finally, he settles for something not too out of this world and yet still suitably fantastic for a little dog and a bobblysock.  The fun they have is memorable as are the obstacles they overcome or rather HOW they are conquered...such as a thief in the art museum and a trip to the hospital.

Author Alex T. Smith

In conclusion, a great read for those little ones just branching out into the world of reading on their own, or
with a little support from a bookish friend, as well as those that enjoy the simple pleasures that a friendly little book can bring.  Young ones will be enchanted by the illustrations as Claude investigates his surroundings while still expanding their vocabulary and reading skills; a win-win indeed!  This book is available now via Peachtree Publishers, so be sure to seek it out on a bookstore shelf near you.  As previously mentioned, this is the FIRST in a NEW SERIES of books that will feature Claude and friends...and I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to it.

Special thanks to Emily at Peachtree Publishers for the chance to host the final stop on this tour and for the review copy.  (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as their ever growing catalog of goodness, be sure to check out their site, catch up on their blog, like them on Facebook, or follow along on Twitter.  To see more of the author's written works and fun-tastic illustrations, stop by his blog where I'm told he shares glimpses of his past and future works from time to time...might even be one there now (~whistles~).  It begs to be noted but I do love how when toting the availability of an item for preorder online, the author also makes mention of supporting your LOCAL "high street and independent book sellers" as well.  Bookmarks up for that point indeed!

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Now, I know I mentioned this was the LAST STOP on the tour...a tour in fact that saw itself landing at It's About Time MaMaw and Maestra Amanda's Bookshelf only yesterday...but that doesn't mean the FUN ends here.  Nope.  Not only can you go out and snag a copy of this wonderful title for your own enjoyment as as well that of those around you, BUT...you can...wait for it...wait....a little longer...

...ENTER TO WIN!

Yes siree.

Peachtree Publishers is all about the books and the giving and I was lucky enough to score a chance to give a copy of this title away to ONE LUCKY READER!

All you have to do to enter is fill out the Google Form below and you're in it to win it.  Extra entries are available should you be so inclined, but we're working on the honor system here guys, so proof will not be required...after all, you wouldn't want to be tripped up by a random arrival of many many berets ala Claude now would you?  Didn't think so.  ^_^

This contest will be open for entries starting TODAY through Friday, 04/12/13 at midnight CST.  Open to US residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.  Winner will be contacted by Monday, 04/15/13 and have 48 hours to respond with their FULL NAME and MAILING ADDRESS which will be forwarded to the publisher for prize send out.  If no response is received, a new winner will be chosen.  If you choose to include these details in your initial entry, the time frame issue is of course erased and the winner is the winner!  Not required, just an option.  ^_^

Until next time...GOOD LUCK...BONJOUR...and happy reading!