My review today is a little different as I am participating in a blog tour for some wonderful new books for young readers.
Welcome to the Once Upon A Now! tour . . .
Award-winning bestseller Emma Calin has released a brand new series of modern day fairy stories for younger readers and is introducing them to the blogging world over the next few weeks. A host of talented reviewers will be giving their thoughts on the illustrated, interactive, magical bedtime story chapter books so look out for the special guests, posts and giveaway.
Also, keep your eyes peeled as the books will all available for FREE at different points during the tour!
Alf The Workshop Dog (Once upon a NOW 1)
BLURB
How could a scruffy dog in a bus depot and the call of crows, link back to another world of power and love?
The ancient Kingdom of Zanubia and a stray dog looking for scraps in an inner-city repair garage, hold the secret. A wicked king, a beautiful girl, a young prince and the struggle between right and wrong maintain the fable tradition.
REVIEW
I was given a copy of the book to review and enjoyed it very much. What a clever concept to use the traditional “Once upon a time” and put a twist to it. These new fairy tales are sure to become generational favorites as kids and parents and grandparents read and share the stories.
Youngsters who were practically born with a smart phone in their hands will enjoy the interactive elements, while some of us will just savor the lovely pencil drawings that illustrate the stories. It’s not clear in the credits wehether Michael Abellera designed the cover as well, but it is a charming picture. Who couldn’t love a dog like that?
I highly recommend these books for children of all ages.
Michael “Miko” Abellera (Illustrator)
Other books by Emma:
Isabella’s Pink Bicycle (Once upon a NOW 2)
BLURB
There’s something strange in the woodshed…
A poor little girl in a faraway land dreams of riding a pink bicycle. When she meets a strange animal, her dreams come true. Her happiness turns to sadness when a tragedy occurs in the town and her father doesn’t come home.
Maybe her new magic friend can find him?
Kool Kid Kruncha and The High Trapeze
(Once upon a NOW 3)
BLURB
Charlie finds it tough when his parents divorce – but Auntie Kate helps him overcome his greatest fear.
When Charlie has to move from the country into the city, he leaves behind his home, his mates and his beloved football team. He will need to make new friends. With his small size and red hair, some people aren’t kind to him. He wonders if he can face another day at school.
A trip to the circus gives him the strength to see himself and others in a new way.
Author Links:
Amazon USA | Amazon UK | Blog |Website | Facebook | @Emma Calin | Pinterest | Goodreads
Listen to Audio Excerpts:
Kool Kid Kruncha and The High Trapeze
Giveaway
Enter to win one of the following:
Thank you so much for featuring the ‘Once Upon a NOW’ series on your blog and for taking the time to read and review. I’m pleased you enjoyed the story and the drawings. In answer to your question – yes Miko did do the colour picture of Alf on the front cover. I was so pleased with his visual interpretations of all the stories. I discovered him on the internet and loved his portfolio of pencil drawings. I was surprised when I found out that he creates the pictures directly on the screen with a ‘digital pencil’ – no lead or paper involved. I was even more surprised to discover that he is still in his teens and does the illustrations to fund his education – he’s training to be a computer programmer.
So happy to help you spread the word about the books. Amazing how talented Miko is, and so great that you found him. My daughter is a graphic designer and she does some drawing on the computer like he does. Boggles this old mind. I like a sketch pad and a graphite pencil. (smile)
Have fun with the rest of the tour.
Pingback: Child Labour – digging it out to write for kids | It's Not All Gravy