Blog Tour/Review: Alycat and the Monday Blues @AlyssonFBourque @iReadBookTours #TheAlycatSeries #kidlit #giveaway #interview

Book Details:

Book Title: Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque

Illustrations by: Chiara Civati

Category: Children’s Fiction, 32 pages

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Publisher: Mascot Books

Release date: Sept 12, 2017

Tour dates: Sept 18 to Oct 6, 2017

Content Rating: G (appropriate for all audiences)

Book Description:

Alycat wakes up with the dreaded Monday Blues and is certain that nothing will go right. But when a mishap sends her astray, she discovers that helping a friend will help her discover her own hidden talent—curing her Monday Blues.

To read reviews, please visit Alysson Foti Bourque’s page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Mascot Books

Book Depository ~ Powells Books

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Meet the Author:

Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the Rhyme or ReasonTravel series, and the multi-award winning Alycat series. Alysson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She believes that there is an Alycat in all of us, encouraging our imaginations to guide us through new opportunities and adventures.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

Interview:

What is your writing schedule?

Being a mother of two young children, I try my best to stick to a rigorous writing schedule around my family’s needs. After dropping my children off at school, I grab a cup of coffee and start my day with writing. My ideas are usually fresh in the morning and after my coffee is finished. I’ll write for a few hours and then focus on the marketing aspect of publishing—responding to emails, scheduling visits, and social media. After the kids are in bed, I write some more. When I don’t feel like writing, I rewrite my to-do list.

In your books, Alycat has a problem that she must resolve. She seems to encounter a certain dilemma in every book? Why is that?

Alycat may be a character in a story, but she represents our children who have these day-to-day, real-life issues. She may have challenging situations that arise in every book, but she also has the courage, creativity, and confidence to solve her challenges.

In your book you hid “Literary Easter Eggs within? Can you tell us about that?

As a child, I adored Where’s Waldo books and loved scavenger hunts. So I decided to incorporate these secret literary features in Alycat and the MondayBlues. On one spread you will find Popcorn Popsicles on the kitchen table that Alycat made in the first book, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, and an image of my Space Center book right next to them. I am also a huge fan of Harry Potter so you will find a Harry Potter tie from her toy box.

Your first book of the Alycat series was about dessert. What is your favorite dessert?

Tres Leches cake or Funfetti cake. Definitely cake—and cupcakes!

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?

The Bible, Harry Potter box set (if that counts), Life of Pi. All teach survival techniques and provide spiritual guidance.

My Review 5/5:

What a delightful book with a great lesson!

This book is about Alycat, who has the Monday Blues. She doesn’t want to go to school, and is troubled because she doesn’t know what she’s going to do for the upcoming talent show.

I read this book with my 7-year-old daughter, Emily. We both loved it! The story is a great confidence builder, allowing a child to realize just how special they are and to dig inside for special talents they possess.

A fun part of the book is the song Alycat sings. After reading it, Emily belted out the words to her own tune. When I asked her what she liked best about the book, she immediately said “the song!”.

The illustrations are bright and vibrant, just perfect for a children’s book.

“This book is awesome! It is now one of my favorites!”, said Emily. I have to agree. I highly recommend!!

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