Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: AWARENESS TOUR: The Monsters of Marymount Mansion by Gregory G. Allen, Illustrated by Shelby Goodwin

Hi there friends!

Today, we're playing host to a stop along The Children's Book Review AWARENESS TOUR featuring a children's title that is all about acceptance, celebrating the uniqueness that is you, and having a whole lot of fun along the way. So, in that vein, we've got a quick SPOTLIGHT on today's featured book that's a perfect addition to your TBR, but we're taking the BOOKISH FUN a step further, or rather two. First, there's a giveaway at post's end that nets you a chance to WIN BIG, but before that, we have a very special GUEST POST with author Gregory G. Allen, as he shares with us the FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME (him) UNIQUE! It's touching, heartfelt, and inspiring, so don't miss out on this great share (much thanks to the author!).

The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Gregory G. Allen

Illustrated by

Shelby Goodwin

Ages 7+ | 128 Pages

9780996102940

ASD Publishing

About the book...

Meet Toby: a young monster who has skin like a fish, fur like a dog, and smells like cotton candy when he gets excited. He lives with his family in the basement of Marymount Mansion and once a year ventures out into the real world when everyone is dressed for Halloween. Toby becomes frustrated with hiding below ground and sets off on an all-important quest.

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~~~ GUEST POST ~~~

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME UNIQUE

with Author Gregory G. Allen

As someone who tends to write about inclusion and acceptance of one’s self as well as accepting others, you would think I would have a handle on all of that myself. I’ve basically been telling the story that it’s ok to be different since I wrote my first musical back in high school and 30 years later that very story has become my latest children’s book The Monsters of Marymount Mansion. So If I’m going to sit behind my computer typing that uniqueness makes you special, or travel to schools speaking to thousands of students not to fear someone who is different because they have autism or something else that sets them apart…I will accept the challenge laid down for this guest post and speak to my own uniqueness.

First off, I was always a pleaser as a child. I wanted everyone happy. I grew up as the youngest in a blended family and I was the peacemaker to get the kids from both sides of parents to get along. Not always an easy task when dealing with kids from divorce, but I saw it as a personal challenge. When dad’s kids would come visit during the summer, there I was reaching into my bag of tricks to make sure we all got along. I would be silly and make up games. I would entertain. I would talk like a child therapist…even though I had no idea what that was. I wanted us all to be the Brady Bunch and do things together. Even years later when we adopted a foster kid who had been living with us and I was no longer the baby of the bunch, I would still do what I could to make sure there was peace in the household. I took that tool with me into my adult life and my ability to adapt to situations and pull others in has served me well. So being a pleasing peacemaker is one of my unique talents.

Number 2. I love to perform. I discovered that in 4th grade after having sung in the choir the year before I was determined to get a solo the following year. I moved to the front of the class. I would speak up and sing out in chorus class. When we did a musical review of the roots of rock-n-roll…I played Elvis Presley…yup…as a 9 year old. That was the year I started to see my path coming into focus. Those young years of being silly for siblings lead to acting on stage. I couldn’t get enough and continued my entire childhood playing roles such as Charlie Brown and Cinderella’s Prince. I had a ball. I felt like I had found my niche and it was fantastic. You can also insert here this is when I discovered I was different as I preferred to being on stage more than playing sports or enjoying gym class. I instantly felt picked on and bullied at times… which I’m sure was the start of my need to share the message that it’s ok to be different.

Number 3. I’m a great listener. A wonderful observer. Sometimes I just like to sit and watch other people when I travel on vacation. So many times those people end up in a book I’ve written because they fascinate me. I’ve also often teased friends to be careful what they say to me (as I do listen) because it might end up in a book using a different name. Joking aside, I think my ability to listen and observe has greatly contributed to my ability to write and offer up dialogue the way people speak. When I was in high school and started writing my first musicals, the woman who ran the theatre company said I write like people speak: that was always a wonderful compliment to me.

This is actually a harder challenge than I thought. Have you ever sat down and tried to think of 5 things that make you unique? It’s not easy. As I read back up the page, I realize what I’m stating isn’t fully unique to me…there are tons of others who have these same qualities and abilities…but I’m going to keep going with them.

Number 4. I think I’m good with kids. I’m not a dad, but I’m an awesome uncle. Just ask my nieces and nephews. I even act as uncle to friends’ kids at times. Once I turned 18, I left Texas and moved to NYC so I wasn’t around my family all the time. I wasn’t there to see nieces and nephews grow up. Yet somehow I remained very close to them. I would fly my nieces up to NYC and take them to shows. When one graduated from college, we took a trip to Paris together. I took on chosen family that lived closer than my own and my first two kids books were based on my godson with autism. I support my friends’ kids by going to see their shows or games and I love being there for them. My youngest sister had children later so we’ve started over again in my family with smaller kids and thanks to FaceTime and technology, I can stay close to them. One of my older nieces is a mom now too so I get to be a great uncle and have a ball “playing” with him on Facetime. So part of that uniqueness is that even though I was never blessed with kids of my own, I get the joy of children without having to raise them.

We’ve hit number 5. I feel all this pressure to have an amazing answer to my uniqueness. Is it my nose that’s too large for my face that I never grew into? Is it my double jointed pinky? What about the fact when I was younger I could put my leg behind my head? I think instead I’m going to go with…I accept people for who they are. That’s right…a big ol boring message here at the end that ties back to my books/my mission. I don’t go through life trying to change others into who I want them to be. I believe the world could be a better place if we accept people with all their quirks, oddities, and uniqueness. Too much time is spent trying to make everyone think and act the same: let people be themselves. It makes for a much more interesting world.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gregory G. Allen is an award-winning author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and actor. His children’s books include Chicken Boy: The Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, Chicken Boy Deals with Doctors & Dentists, and Irving the Theater Nut! He is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Dramatist Guild. The idea for his monster book goes back to the first musical he ever wrote, which was produced for the stage when he was 15, with the message that it’s okay to be different.

For more information, visit gregsimagination.com.

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ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Shelby Goodwin is an illustrator, letterer, graphic designer, and all-around creative living in Hoboken, NJ. She is extremely passionate about children’s media and the power of art to romanticize the everyday. When she is not making things, she can be found with her spouse and three cats exploring new places, eating pastries, or cuddling up in her favorite reading chair.

For more information, visit heartonmysleevedesign.com.

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GIVEAWAY

Enter for the chance to win a signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion, a signed paperback copy of each of the author’s previous picture books** (Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism, Chicken Boy: A Superhero with Autism Deals with Doctors & Dentists, and Irving the Theater Nut!), and a $50 Amazon gift card to buy other books! **All books teach children not to fear those who are different and to be proud of themselves FOR those differences.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:

- A signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

- A signed paperback copy of Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism

- A signed paperback copy of Chicken Boy: A Superhero Deals with Doctors and Dentists

- A signed paperback copy of Irving the Theater Nut

- A $50 Amazon Gift Card

Four (4) winners receive:

- A signed paperback copy of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

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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 the author for sharing a bit of themselves with the guest post. (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Gregory G. Allen. 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

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The Momma Spot

Book Review of The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Me Two Books

Book Activity Paired with The Monsters of Marymount Mansion

Friday, October 13, 2023

Life Is What It’s Called