Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're welcoming an inspirational book for young readers courtesy of Ravenswood Virtual Tours. It stars an unusual lead with an even more unexpected group of potential friends (and enemies) coming face to face with a reality that's unfortunate but true even today. That reality is PREJUDICE, or rather what it looks like, how to face it, and ways to overcome it that even the smallest of the small can accomplish. Ready to read all about it? Here we go! Today's ebook of choice is...
by
Mike Sandifer
Illustrated by
Joshuva Miranda
9781507743577
Polliwog Press
This is the story of Pable Taco. He is a young, friendly yet spicy taco looking to have some fun on the playground. What better way to add fun to an afternoon than making a new friend, right? Easier said than done. As it turns out, the other "kids" have a bit of trepidation when it comes to being friends with a taco, no matter how smiley he may be. Take one Hamburger Dan. He's a meaty fellow with buns to spare (sorry, couldn't resist!) and although he may share some of the same toppings as Pablo, it doesn't make them the same leaving them at an impasse. How can one be friends with someone that is so DIFFERENT?
Enter Burrito Billy, the high flying playground bully that shoots over spiced burritos at his victims and he's set his sites on this unusual duo just standing about. Well, standing is the least of their worries at this point and as they both attempt to evade this arch nemesis of sorts (hey, imagination is a POWERFUL thing!), they discover that despite their differences, they make better friends than foes and thus a friendship is born.
Overall, I'd say it conveys its message loud and clear...
"We can all be friends no matter what we look like."
The unusual characters along with the bright illustrations ensure that it is both memorable and kid friendly allowing an enjoyable read for one and all. The simplistic story itself gives even the youngest of readers the chance to learn a valuable lesson while giggling away at the antics of Pablo, Dan, and Billy. It might even encourage them to approach those at their own playgrounds that appear to be all by their lonesome in order share a smile and make a new friend. Who wouldn't love a story that could do all of that in the time it takes to tuck the wee ones in for the night?
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About the author...
Michael
Sandifer is a 3rd grade teacher in California and lives with his wife
and two children. Being a teacher, he always wanted to write a
children’s book with the character’s he uses in his classroom. It
wasn’t until recently, during the drama with the Los Angeles
Clippers basketball team that he figured out the message that his
characters were meant for. The message is that diversity is a
celebration, and should be frequently taught to children so we never
have a similar problem that the Clippers players went through for
anyone again.
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Special thanks to Kitty at Ravenswood Virtual Tours for the chance to bring this promotion to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this tour, the publisher, the author, or Ravenswood themselves, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title was released February 2015, so be on the lookout for it at a virtual retailer of your choosing.
Until next time...happy reading!
Loving the idea of a taco as a character. This sounds like a truly quirky read.
ReplyDeleteWow what a yummy way. seriously. to teach and reach our future our children. Even though the world can be dog eat dog we one small voice can unite and change it. One future,ours
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