AWARENESS TOUR: A Tall Tale - How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs by Scott Sollers, Illustrated by Alejandro Echavez - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there, readers!

Today, we're embarking on an AWARENESS TOUR featuring a REALLY tall tale that not only reaches some interesting heights, but imparts some valuable life lessons along the way.  Yup.  It's time for an edutainment pick as we play host to The Children's Book Review and set out sights on today's title in the spotlight...

A Tall Tale- How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

by

Scott Sollers

Illustrated by

Alejandro Echavez

9781637557730

Stephanie’s Stories (2024) 

About the book...

This is the story of two rival communities living in valleys separated by a ridge. The Have-Alls live in a fertile, beautiful valley with their leader, Chief Somebody, and their prized pets, the Squatz. In the other valley, one more desolate and barren, live the No-Haves and their leader, Chief Nobody.

The No-Haves, always jealous of the Have-Alls’ pets, decide to gather the Squatz for themselves. What results is a fierce tug-of-war that changes the two communities—and the Squatz—forever!

“A Tall Tale is a humorous and energetic fable, sure to appeal to family audiences and curious questioners.”—The Children’s Book Review

Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes and Noble

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Once upon a time, there were those with and those without...not so unlike today.  Once upon a time, jealousy ran high resulting in poor decisions which led to changes for everyone involved for better AND worse.  Once upon a time...lessons were learned while a story was visually represented in a way that captures the eye and lets the imagination run wild, while building a foundation of openness and acceptance on which to build a better world.  Once upon a time, a tall tale wasn't just another story, but a way of imparting the things we need to learn in order to grow from where we are to where we need to be.  Once upon a time is now...

This was a curious tale for certain, but it reminds us of the importance of sharing, the connections that can be forged when we listen to one another, and how to be happy with what we have instead of always looking for something more.  It's great to have goals and things to reach for, but jealousy is called the green-eyed monster for a reason, and it's a look that doesn't look good on anyone.  The Have-All's and No-Have's learned this the hard way, but learn it they did.  It took losing something they both loved to realize the best way for them to truly have everything was to share the best of both their world's.

A great story for wee ones just getting a handle on life, as well as a way for older readers to remember why sharing IS caring and finding happiness in our present lives can make all the difference to our world.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Having worked as an investment banker in the municipal securities industry for decades, Scott Sollers created this and other nighttime stories for his daughter, Stephanie, when she was a youngster. Originally, he handwrote and illustrated these stories and finally had the inspiration to get them published. Scott still works, is an avid golfer, and leads a not-for-profit organization that helps disadvantaged children. He currently resides in San Mateo, California, with his cat, Charlie.

For more information, visit scottsollersauthor.com.

INSTAGRAM

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Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy of A Tall Tale: How Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs and a $25 Amazon gift card!

A Tall Tale: 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 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. This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Thursday, August 8, 2024

The Fairview Review

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Friday, August 9, 2024

Country Mamas With Kids

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Monday, August 12, 2024

@Pagesforpaige

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Cover Lover Book Review

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Thursday, August 15, 2024

It’s Free At Last

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Friday, August 16, 2024

Writer with Wanderlust

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Monday, August 19, 2024

@avainbookland

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

My Reading Getaway

Author Interview with Scott Sollers

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Mommy’s Memorandum

A Book Activity Paired with A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Friday, August 23, 2024

Deliciously Savvy

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Monday, August 26, 2024

One More Exclamation

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

@StargirlsMagicalTale

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Me Two Books

Author Interview with Scott Sollers

Thursday, August 29, 2024

@GetOutsideAndRead

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Friday, August 30, 2024

The Momma Spot

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Monday, September 2, 2024

Crafty Moms Share

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

@ABlueBoxFullOfBooks

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

@FroggyReadTeach

Book Review of A Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs

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

Miss Sally Ann and the Panther by Bobbi Miller

Happy Monday everyone!

Hope your weekends went swell.

Today on Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers, we’re taking a look at a Children’s Storybook dealing with life lessons wrapped in an over sized package of tall tale goodness.  That’s right!  You remember the likes of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox right?  Well this time, we’re checking out the life and times of Davy Crockett’s sweetheart (fictionally, of course) and boy is she a force to be reckoned with!  Ready to jump start this review?  Let’s go!  Today’s book of choice is…

Miss Sally Ann and the Panther

By

Bobbi Miller

Illustrated by

Megan Lloyd

About the book…

Miss Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind was a woman of wonder. She could rope a hurricane, outspin a steam mill, and blow out the moonlight in a single breath. But her finest adventure was wrestling Fireeyes, a mean-as-tarnation panther whose eyes glared fire. Both fall in love with each other's coats at first sight, and lickity-split begin fighting. Before long the fight turns into a true conbobberation, as they raise such a racket that the moon dips onto its side and the Milky Way curdles. But neither one backs down, backs up, or backs out . . .

….and yes, I cut the synopsis there; don’t want to spoil the read for you!

Ladies grab your prairie dresses and bonnets; fellas put on your boots and grab your trusty double barrel…because we’re heading to the old west.  Once upon a time, the prairie was ACTUALLY prairie (shock, gasp, and awe…I know).  Knitting was not merely a pastime, churning butter not merely reserved for the Amish, and gathering food was all in a day’s work.  Yes, simpler times indeed but not without their own set of rules…and risks. 

One day, when out gathering onions for her stew, Miss Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind (gotta love her name) was being followed by a GIANT beast with glowing eyes…and as it just so happened, a lustrous coat.  The same thoughts were in the creature’s mind as well seeing as it was winter and Miss Sally Ann was donning her best bear fur.  Oh dear…it seems we are at a crossroads as they each want what the other has and unfortunately for them both, neither one is the type to back down without a fight.  The envisioned tussle follows leaving them both exhausted and the landscape redefined, until something magical happens…and no, I don’t mean with actual “magic” per se.  One second they’re at odds and the next, a peaceful calm descends on the entire scene.  But what changed?

Now see, this was the only hanging point for me in the story; something that didn’t quite fit.  It almost seems as though the author expects the reader to assume what happened when they face each other eye to eye a second time and as an older reader, I get it; not so sure that the younger set would right off.  So, yes…that makes it a tinge hard to follow, but in another light, think of the questions it will evoke.  Anywho, back on track here…

As all the tall tales of our youth were meant to show us a bigger picture, this one is no different.  The change that occurred was that in understanding; a mutual respect for one another was gained in those quiet moments.  The knowledge that they could both get want they wanted with a little give and take blossomed like a wild rose.  They saw each other as more than a simple means to an end and thus a bond was created that would afford them both the best of what the other had to offer.  It’s quite clever actually and the final scenes will certainly bring a smile to your face as the wolves are lulled to sleep by the newly formed duo (a favorite past time of Miss Sally Ann). 

Now as this is a storybook, we simply can’t forget to mention the artwork!  I must say the illustrations go a long way in sharing this tale as well, what with the incredible size and strength of Fireeyes (that’s the GIANT beast alluded to previously) and the incredible feats performed by Miss Sally Ann.  One scene in particular had me chuckling out loud, though I believe Fireeyes would certainly disagree with me.  It was during the skirmish with Miss Sally Ann and he “…let loose a roar so thunderific, skunks lost their stripes.”  Yep.  It shows him roaring alright…so much so that his mouth breaks through the log pane design on the page!  Nice touch.



Author Bobbi Miller



All in all, a curious tale that takes young readers on an adventure and winds up teaching them about the ways of the world.  It’s a great way to introduce the kiddos to the idea of sharing, bartering, and the like without the waning attention because they are engaged with the story; sorta that spoonful of sugar that’s said to make things go down easier.  Also, don’t be surprised if while reading you get a bit tongue tied because there are certainly a smattering of creative words strewn throughout the book.  Just think of them as a great chance to practice your phonics AND perhaps an engine to spark the creative juices in you and yours!

Review copy provided by author Bobbi Miller.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as her complete body of works, feel free to visit her online.  To discover the world of illustrator Megan Lloyd, check out her official site.  This book was released earlier this year from Holiday Books and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time…have a splenderific day…and happy reading!