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Welcome back to the site that aims to please the bookish side of you every day of the week, Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're welcoming an exciting BLOG TOUR courtesy of The Children's Book Review starring the Wishapick series. It's a Children's Fiction adventure with twists, turns, and fantasy that calls to mind the infamous Alice's tumble down the rabbit hole with a dash of Wardrobe magic minus Mr. Tumnus. So if you're quite ready to see what awaits you between the pages, join me as we sneak a glimpse at today's spotlight title...
Wishapick:
Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
by
M. M. Allen
About the book..
Darkness. Utter blackness. Was this why his mother had refused to let Jack unlock his father’s old trunk? It had been two years since his dad had died, and all Jack could think about was examining whatever treasures were stored inside the beloved trunk. But when he finally lifted the lid, he didn’t just fall in—he fell through it into a pit of rattlesnakes!
Trying to recall his mother’s stories about “the Breath of All Good Things”—anything to shed light on his current situation—Jack wishes he’d paid better attention rather than mock the tales as childish myths…and that he’d waited to enter the trunk with his sister, Lilly, so they could at least face this together.
...M. M. Allen brings to life the fantastical world of Wishapick—a land of courageous animals ruled by a cruel rattlesnake king who has condemned the villagers to live without light. Chosen as the reluctant hero to save the villagers, Jack must face terrifying creatures and overwhelming odds if he wants to help his new friends—and return home himself.
"... a breathy and fantastical storytelling style, imaginations will flourish and the tale will be enjoyed by kids ages 8-12 who enjoy the genre of fantasy.”—The Children's Book Review
Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk is available on Amazon.
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Author Interview with M. M. Allen, Author of Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
Did you always want to be
a writer?
I don’t remember thinking I always
wanted to be a writer but I love to write. As a young child my family
moved around the country, a lot. When I was twelve years old I
remember arriving at another new school. At this school I quickly
made some really good friends and I enjoyed writing them notes. I
wrote about what occurred during our morning recess or what exciting
event was scheduled on the weekend. In the afternoon, during the
school day, I liked to distribute my notes to my friends. During
scheduled class time I got caught writing my notes. My teacher took
the pile of notes away and in front of the whole class she read the
first line, of the first message, out loud. Hi Katie – I
am writing my daily set of notes. Thankfully, my teacher
did not continue reading, she was not happy to find out I had been
writing notes every day. I apologized to the class and my parents
were notified. I am forever grateful to my mother who gave me back
the notes my teacher had given her. She said, “You must love to
write.” And I said, “I do.”
Of all the genres out
there why this one?
I appreciate being able to escape the
world and go to a place where all good things are possible. Writing
fantasy for children is just an extension of me escaping, wondering
and dreaming. Telling make believe stories to children is delightful.
A child will always talk about their make believe stories, if we give
them permission, and when we do give them permission something like
“wizzle wax” will be born.
Curious minds want to
know … why choose animals to inhabit the kingdom of Wishapick and,
for that manner, why a rattlesnake king? * shudders *
‘Shudders’ is just the right word
and rattlesnakes make me tremble. I knew the King of
Wishapick should make me afraid—very afraid—so, a King that was a
rattlesnake, that scared me. I love animals and I particularly like
to observe them, watching them exist and survive in the world is
fascinating. The world of animals is always teaching me something
new.
What is it about
forbidden objects or places that make them THAT much more alluring,
such as the trunk belonging to Jack’s father?
It’s only extraordinarily mysterious
and exciting if it’s prohibited. Adding something desirable into
the mix, like a black trunk that belonged to Jack’s father, makes
the forbidden irresistible. Jack was enticed to get into the trunk as
he wanted to keep the promise his father had made to him. They would
open it together. After all, Jack believed it was now his trunk. Jack
missed his father and his anticipation of opening the trunk over
ruled what was not permissible.
If you were a character
in your story, who would you be and why?
There are several characters I saw
myself being, but the one animal character that I would like to be is
an eagle named Clyde. He is the leader of the Victory Eagles Attack
Squadron. Clyde has so much freedom flying. He has the ability to
visit the heavenly realm through the great sacred entrance and return
to earth. Clyde also has ‘special eyes.’ To have special eyes and
to see through darkness … amazing, I’d like that.
As you well know, the
world is all about GO – GO - GO! So, for those with pressing
schedules, and only a moment to spare, describe your book in TEN
WORDS OR LESS…..
Compelling story of enchantment,
horror, and delight -the music unforgettable.
If readers were to walk
away with only one message, what would you want it to be?
Holding onto anger cannot be justified.
Anger is a breeding ground for harmful hostility and revenge.
Resentment harms the one who is afflicted and those in his/her path.
Fear and darkness are always vanquished by love and light; discover
the higher way – Tickety Boo.
Let’s get to know YOU
on a different level.
Finish this sentence: The BEST part of being an author is ….WRITING!!!!!!!
These are a few of YOUR favorite things….
Color –
Blue
Smell –
Cookies, breads, pastries just out of the oven
Holiday –
Christmas
Reading Nook –
If I could make a wish: a warm day in a tree house with a comfortable
couch (I like to recline into something comfy when I read).
Book of the Month
– The Two Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling
Author you would pick up
anytime anywhere – Agatha Christie
Way to spend time away
from the writing desk – I love to go into my
picturesque town and ‘walk about’ then sit in the plaza and
observe the activities. I enjoy San Francisco, the Golden
Gate Bridge (magnificent), the skyline and the bright colored houses
(splendid). I love to walk to the park near my home and let my West
Highland Terriers enjoy the grass. I like to spend time in my rose
garden. I like to BBQ outside, in any kind of weather. I adore
spending time with my adult children and my nieces, nephews, and
great nieces and nephews; any adventure with them is exciting. I
enjoy tea or lunch dates with friends. I love it when my neighbors
stop by and I like to pop in unannounced to see my neighbors. I read,
I like movies, and I cherish listening to music. My favorite songs
change, right now my favorite song is The Spell of Goodwill on the
Wishapick Cd. This song reminds me to always wish good things for
everyone.
Any parting words for
readers out there or fellow authors-to-be?
Authors and authors-to-be, continue to
write. That’s the best part.
Readers and authors, and authors-to-be,
I wish you all good things and may all your wishes come true.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
About M. M. Allen
M. M. Allen, author of the acclaimed children’s picture book Let’s Play Ball, is the mother of two adult children and aunt to twenty-three nieces and nephews, including ten great-nieces and great-nephews. MM is a former teacher and university lecturer. She has also worked extensively in marketing and communications with varied businesses and non-profits. MM lives in a picturesque northern California town where she enjoys writing, tending to her rose garden, and caring for her West Highland terrier, Pip.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Deborah Wynne
Composer and lyricist Deborah Wynne created a companion CD of songs to accompany Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk. Wynne’s primary talents lie in choral singing, stage musicals, and composing. Her musical projects include the 2013 album Strands of Gold and 2007 musical Moment of Truth. She is an active singer and composer in Santa Barbara, California, where she lives with her husband and their two shelties, Sparkle and Gracie.
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Fun Stuff
Wishapick
Soundtrack
Be sure to check out the companion
music CD, Wishapick, for purchase or download from DeborahWynne.com
Book Club
Questions
Get to the heart
of Wishapick by downloading this
set of book club questions: Wishapick by M. M. Allen: Book Club
Questions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wishapick and iPod Nano Giveaway
Enter to win an autographed copy of
Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk written by acclaimed
author M. M. Allen; plus an Apple iPod Nano to listen to your
downloaded copy of the Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
soundtrack composed by the talented Deborah Wynne!
Giveaway begins November 5, 2015, at
12:01 A.M. PST and ends December 31, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tour Dates
Thursday November 5
2015
Tour Kick-Off & Giveaway
Friday November 6
2015
Book Excerpt & Soundtrack Clip
Tuesday November 17
2015
Creating Mood in a Story with Music
Monday November
23 2015
5 Things About the World of Wishapick
Tuesday November 24
2015
Book Excerpt & Soundtrack Clip
Tuesday November 27
2015
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Saturday December
5 2015
Wishapick Book Review
Thursday December
10 2015
Wishapick Book Review
Tuesday December 15
2015
Wishapick Book Review
Wednesday December
23 2015
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Sunday December
27 2015
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
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Special thanks to Bianca at The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this tour to you and to author M. M. Allen for quenching my curiosity. (THANKS!) For more information on THIS TOUR, this title, the author, the publisher, or those promotions on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Don't miss out on the companion music CD as well! To learn more, CLICK HERE.
Until next time...happy reading!
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