Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Gus' Fortunate Misfortune by Susan Pepka

Join us for this tour from May 3 to May 21, 2021!

Book Details:

Book Title: Gus' Fortunate Misfortune by Susan Pepka

Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 62 pages Genre: Children's Book P

Publisher: Full Cycle Publications R

Release date: December 2018 C

Content Rating: G.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEc6UoiYzB8]

Book Description: How do you turn a Very Bad Day into a Hopeful New Beginning? Gus, an ordinary mouse, must find a way to do just that. Following a series of unfortunate events, Gus finds himself trapped, separated from his family, and transported far from home. Alone and frightened, the young mouse must confront his deepest fears. Using his wits Gus solves problems and makes discoveries. Adapting to his new surroundings, Gus receives help from an unexpected friend. Each trial brings a new lesson... but will Gus ultimately succeed? Will Gus find what he's truly looking for? - Ages 3-7

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com Full Cycle Publications B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BAM Add to Goodreads

Guest Post from Sue Pepka

The Top 10 ways to Help Develop Empathy for Others in Your Child

In my book, Gus’s Fortunate Misfortune, one of the main characters has empathy for another. Along with learning to tie shoes, eat with utensils, and not steal your sister’s teddy bear, is the development of interpersonal skills, such as empathy. Not sure if these are the top 10 ways to help children develop empathy, but this is what came to mind while out shoveling compost into our community garden beds this afternoon.

Children learn by example when very young and they don’t miss much. Your acts of kindness and compassion will go a long way in forming your child’s character.
If you have a family pet, show your child how to lovingly care for it. If no pet at home, then expose your child to animals and insects when you walk, visit friends, go to the zoo, at the park, etc. Let your child know that they feel fear and pain, do not often have protection or enough good food.
When insects get inside your home practice “catch and release” in order to spare a life! This can be done simply with a cup and post card (like junk mail). You will be teaching that all life has value, and this will help develop a mind of compassion.
When your child sees another child hurt (a skinned knee, bump or bruise, a broken bone) engage them in a conversation about how they think their friend feels. Encourage kind words and actions.
When your child is enjoying a snack or meal have a conversation about how many people it took so that they could have that juice box, apple, sandwich, etc. Help them to understand that all of those people made it possible to have that snack and express gratitude for their kindness and effort.
When your own child is experiencing pain or sickness, express to them that you feel their pain and wish you could make it all go away. All your loving words and cherishing touch will help them have a model for how to behave with others.
Keep open communication with your child. Try not to shy away from difficult situations or avoid answering questions, especially as your child gets older and is aware of bullying, homelessness, hunger, etc. Acknowledge that these conditions exist and have open conversations and really listen to what your child thinks.
Volunteer with charitable organizations and take your child with you if they are old enough. Let them help.
Set a good example for your child in everything that you say.
Set a good example for your child in everything that you do. Demonstrate empathy in daily life. Let your child be so familiar with it that it becomes a bedrock for their character.

Meet the Author: A native of Detroit and currently living in Atlanta, Susan Pepka has enjoyed great diversity throughout her life. Mother of three and grandmother of four, Susan has experienced life as a preschool teacher, technologist in diagnostic imaging, co-owner of a successful wellness center, meditation teacher, and now a published author with the debut of her first children’s book, Gus’ Fortunate Misfortune. One of Susan’s greatest pleasures is reading wonderful stories that stir the imagination and nourish the spirit. Her passion is helping others find ways to healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives. Her wish is that all beings live together in harmony. connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads

🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓

Book Details

Book Title: Z is for Zebra: A Mosaic Menagerie by Judith Caseley
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 53 pages

Genre: ABC Book Publisher: Full Cycle Publications

Release date: May 2019

Content Rating: G.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvTMVVoI6gU]

Book Description: NEW from beloved illustrator/author, Judith Caseley, Z is for Zebra is a delightful reading romp for the very young child. With vibrant art and quirky rhymes, this sure-to-be-a favorite book uses a child's innate love of animals to move the reader through the letters of the alphabet. Displaying gorgeous mosaics, rich with colors and details, the book presents the alphabet in an easily accessible and entertaining presentation. Perfect for teaching the child in your life about language and the animals we share the planet with. A delight for the mind and a visual feast for young book lovers and their parents, each page features an alphabet letter and a highly colorful animal mosaic along with quirky, funny memorable phrases. Using glass tile, pebbles, and found materials instead of her usual paints and brushes, Caseley's words and pictures celebrate the imagination of every child, weaving her magic for the youngest would-be zoologist. It appeals to a young child's shorter attention span and innate love for animals and color. From jeweled starfish to bright butterflies, comic giraffes to venomous vipers this book is sure to be one your child will cherish.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.com Full Cycle Publications IndieBound

Author Interview from Judith Caseley

The pictures in the book are made of mosaics! Did you do those yourself??? If so, how long did each of those take you???
Yes! I saw a restaurant whose walls were covered in mosaics, and said to my husband, I want to do that! He knew how to lay floors, so he cut me a board, gave me nippers, I ordered tile, and started. It took me over three years to do the 26 letters, and I did them from A to Z. The zebra was my last. I can see the improvement.
What was the hardest letter to create and write about and why?
I was very worried about the zebra! When I was in high school, the good artists could draw horses. I could not. And that’s the reason I didn’t do the zebra’s body! I knew it would look stiff and awkward. Not every artist can not do all things well…or at least, I can’t.
There are many books out there about the ABCs…What makes yours different?
So true! I had quite a few turned down….I wanted to do a Christmas ABC’s, and a Halloween one. Both were rejected. I was so happy when FullCycle said yes..as far as I know, it’s the only alphabet book done with mosaics.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?
Yes! It’s awful. Sometimes I can jumpstart the imagination by writing about something from my life. If I’m struggling a bit, I never finish a chapter…I finish it the next day, so that I can continue without interruption.
If you could go back in time, where would you go and why?
Every summer when I was little, my family went to Hunter, NY. I loved the creek, behind our house. My sisters and I would climb on the rocks, catch pollywogs and dragonflies, picnic in the sun. It was a blissful spot and time.

Meet the Author:

Judith Caseley has written and illustrated over forty books for children, including “Dear Annie” and “On the Town: A Community Adventure”. She fell in love with the mosaics that decorated a restaurant in Sea Cliff, New York, and in the unique style of her picture books, began making her own.

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ goodreads

Tour Schedule: May 3 – Cover Lover Book Review – books spotlight / giveaway May 4 – Gina Rae Mitchell – books spotlight / giveaway May 4 – fundinmental – books spotlight / giveaway May 5 – Stephanie Jane – books spotlight / giveaway May 6 – Lisa Everyday Reads – books spotlight / author interview with Susan Pepka / giveaway May 7 – 100 Pages A Day – books spotlight / giveaway May 10 – Writer with Wanderlust – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway May 11 – Reading is My Passion – books spotlight May 11 - Lisa's Reading – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway May 12 – The Bespectacled Mother - books spotlight / guest post by Susan Pepka May 13 – A Mama's Corner of the World – books spotlight / giveaway May 14 – Laura's Interests – books spotlight / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway May 17 – Splashes of Joy – books spotlight / author interview with Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway May 18 – Jazzy Book Reviews – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / author interview with Susan Pepka / giveaway May 19 – Rockin' Book Reviews – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway May 20 – Pick a Good Book – books spotlight / author interview with Judith Caseley / author interview with Susan Pepka / giveaway May 21 – Locks, Hooks and Books – books spotlight / giveaway

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