Join us for this tour from July 6 to July 26, 2021!
Book Details:
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Mascot
Release date: July, 2021
Content Rating: G.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Amal is so anxious. They are at it again. The talk about him being different, and especially his hump and this makes him sad. But things are about to change for our friend Amal, and author Robert Schorr tells all about it in his sweet book Amal the Thirsty Gamal: A Christmas Tale. This adorable book is awesome for children because it teaches the valuable lesson of acceptance, because it is ok to be different, despite what others say about you. Just because we may be different, it doesn't mean we can't be valuable and useful. Just like Amal found an important way to be useful, so can you, and anyone else.
I love this story about a sweet little camel with a hump that is different. Robert Schorr does a fantastic job writing this story so it can be read to little ones, and really older kids and adults alike will love and benefit from reading about Amal. And I love how illustrator Kristina Koontz does an absolutely fabulous job of bringing the story to life with her adorable illustrations on the cover and throughout the book. I love how the pictures she creates for each page fits so perfectly with the words to the story. I think this book would be perfect for very young readers, after hearing the story, to look at the pictures and tell the story themselves. I love it when small children do this, and it's the fabulous illustrations that make it happen. Schorr and Koontz work together so well to make this story happen. Amal the Thirsty Gamal: A Christmas Tale by Robert Schorr will be awesome for daycare and school classrooms as well as libraries where children's books may be. I highly encourage you to check out this adorable book for your little ones. This one is a sound Five Stars in my book.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
AND NOW JOIN ME READING THIS SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR Robert Schorr
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Q: It looks like you had a lot of fun writing Amal the Thirsty Gamal, but were there any challenges along the way? Did you encounter any difficulties?
Robert: Oh, I did have a lot of fun with it, but yes, as a matter of fact, the entire premise of a “lovable camel” is challenging, if you think about it. I mean, we don’t often think of camels as “adorable” or “cuddly.” They’re overwhelmingly large and gangly and they have a rather stern expression on their faces. But my goal was to somehow make my little readers feel sorry for this one — want to hug him and comfort him and take away his sorrows. And that was rather challenging. I remember when I first started in, looking at pictures of camels, thinking “Man! They’re ugly! How am I going to do this?” But they’re not ugly! They’re beautiful creatures! I’ve totally changed on that now. And I owe that to Amal.
Q: Your illustrator certainly helped with that, didn’t she? She really did make him look cute.
Robert: Oh, goodness! Yes! Tina is just marvelous. She is a fabulous artist, as you can easily see.
Q: That’s Kristina Koontz.
Robert: Yes. I’ve known Tina as a friend for years, and I knew she was a good artist, but I had no idea she was capable of doing what she did for me. The story was already written when I asked if she could do a few sketches, and I was just blown away by her very first one. You know, we worked on this during the COVID months, and we had the best time doing it, and—man! I threw some challenges at her! “Can you make Amal look more anxious?” “Can you make him look worried and thirsty at the same time?” “I’d like to have him kicking up his heels on the way into Bethlehem. Do you think you could do that?” She was unfazed! No problem at all.
Q: She made the camel pray!
Robert: That’s my favorite. That and the “Tall/Small” signs on page 7. And the Wise Man’s “Camel Anatomy Chart” on page 21. Honestly, Tina did more to write the book than I did — or to make it come alive, anyway.
Q: It’s beautiful. I don’t suppose you had to do much research for your book.
Robert: Oh, tons of research! Deep, deep stuff, like: “what’s in a hump?” and “is myrrh really a liquid?” Things like that! (it can be either a liquid or a gum, but the liquid form was popular in ancient times). No, seriously, it was all just fun, from beginning to end. I didn’t research it much.
Q: There have been other books about downtrodden animals. What makes yours any different?
Robert: Hmm…yeah. What I find most pleasing about my story are the depths of it. My little readers probably won’t pick up on them—and they don’t have to—but I secretly hope that one day they will, perhaps when they go back and re-read it.
Q: Like what kind of depths?
Robert: Well, the “strange gifts,” for example, that are destined for the Christ-child. “Oh, the gold of course is perfectly fine but incense and myrrh?” One belongs in a temple; the other is used for tombs. And that’s deep! For a nativity gift? That’s deep! The stranger who comes in from the west and proclaims: “A king has been born in a manger of hay, it’s a strange way to come if you ask my opinion, with no palace or splendor or signs of dominion...” Oh, yes, it is strange. And deep! Everything about Christmas is deep, actually. The youngest ones don’t need to “get” any of this, but I’m hoping the story “lasts” a little longer than the childhood years to some degree.
Q: Do you have a favorite children’s book writer these days?
Robert: Oh, Sandra Boynton surely. “The Going to Bed Book” is my favorite, but they’re all priceless. I love her artwork. And her humor—it keeps popping up all over her website: sandraboynton.com. Look for her “motto,” for example. She’s really special.
Q: With your book in mind, what would you like to tell every young reader?
Robert: Oh, that’s easy! “You are perfectly made! And very special! And greatly loved by the One who made you.”
Meet the Author:
Robert Schorr resides in San Clemente, California, with his wife Sharilyn and their family nearby. For 26 years, he served as Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Towne in Orange, California. Prior to that, they lived in Asia for 17 years. He is devoted to his Savior, to Sharilyn, his children, flying, hiking, fly-fishing, Chinese, and writing. He loves any story that makes someone special, and he knew, a long time ago, that little Amal had one to tell.
Connect with the Author:website ~ facebook
Tour Schedule:
July 6 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
July 7 – Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
July 7 - Stephanie Jane - book spotlight / giveaway
July 8 – Laura's Interests – book review / guest post / giveaway
July 9 – Sefina Hawke's Books – book spotlight
July 12 – Books for Books – book review
July 13 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
July 13 - A Mama's Corner of the World - book review / giveaway
July 14 – Reading is My Passion – book review
July 15 – Icefairy's Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
July 16 – Lisa's Reading – book spotlight / giveaway
July 16 - Writer with Wanderlust - book review / giveaway
July 19 – She Just Loves Books – book review / giveaway
July 19 - Gina Rae Mitchell - book review / author interview / giveaway
July 20 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
July 20 - The Adventures of a Travelers Wife - book review / guest post / giveaway
July 21 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
July 22 – Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway
July 23 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
July 26 – @twilight_reader – book review
Enter the Giveaway:
AMAL THE THIRSTY GAMAL Book Tour Giveaway
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