Review: Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday by Alysson Foti Bourque with Giveaway!

 Today's read comes from an author I've been following for a few years now from her very first Alycat book onwards. It's exciting to watch a fellow author work their way up with so much success...plus, her character and tales are adorable. She's won more than a few prizes and is extremely hard working. So, when the next book came out, there was no way I was going to pass up on the chance to take a peek.

Join us for this tour from May 23  to June 17, 2022!

ALYCAT AND THE CATTYWAMPUS WEDNESDAY 

by Alysson Foti Bourque

Pelican Publishing

Picture Book

ages 3 to 7

Alycat wakes up to seafood gumbo for breakfast, and even though her house is the first stop for the school bus, the bus is already full when she boards. Alycat’s whole day is turning topsy-turvy. What is happening? Young readers will tag along on Alycat’s adventures during her very “cattywampus” Wednesday and learn that a little help from some friends and a good attitude can make your day!

​The themes of the books in the Alycat Series all reflect a reliance on friendships, imagination, and creativity towards problem solving. The character traits of Alycat and her friends inspire and encourage young readers to find their own special gifts. After enduring a cattywampus world pursuant to an unexpected pandemic, this book will resonate with readers to persevere through the wackiest and toughest of times.

Alycat website
Amazon ~ B&N​
Walmart ~ Bookshop

 

MY TIDBITS

Strange events meet with a touch of humor and a cute character's attempt to adapt in a tale, which leaves a smile on the face.

Alycat isn't sure why her mom serves her dinner food for breakfast, but she doesn't have too much time to ask since the school bus is already there and the strangeness continues. Nothing is happening like it should, but rather, everything seems a bit flip-flopped. Alycat has no idea what's happening but decides to go with the flow as best she can until she can figure things out.

These pages twirl a little confusion fun as a usual day's events take odd twists. This alone will have listeners/readers smirking and smiling as well as forming their own opinions as to what might really be going on. It's a usual day in the sense that many listeners/readers with be familiar with the situations...or at least, until these are turned on their head.

Alycat is as energetic and positive as ever. While she is curious and wonders about the situations, there's never a glimpse of negative thoughts or emotions. A bit of hesitation and uncomfortableness is there, but she manages to find her way through. 

While the main flow does stay with the humor and fun at facing the odd situations, there is a gentle, underlying message of staying calm even when things aren't what is to be expected. Alycat never stops wondering at the cause but doesn't act-out, either, until she figures things out. The solution does come and it's simple as well as sweet.

At the end of the book, there's a suggestion for fitting activities as well as a definition of cattywampus. These help to lead to discussions and do make it appropriate in group settings. It works very well as a read-aloud and can be used by more beginning readers, who are pretty sure of their words. 

Meet the Author:

Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the award-winning Alycat series. Alysson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center.

After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. Alysson enjoys public speaking opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe in themselves wholeheartedly.

AWARDS & HONORS

The Alycat Series has won several prestigious awards including:
Three Mom’s Choice Awards®
Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Best Book Award Finalist
NY Big Book Award
Reviewed by Midwest Book Review
Southern Festival of Books Panelist
Louisiana Book Festival Featured Author

Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram ~ Pinterest

 

Tour Schedule: 

 

May 23 – Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
May 23 - Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
May 24 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 24 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 25 – Chit Chat with Charity – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 25 - Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
May 26 – Bookworm for Kid – book review / giveaway
May 26 - Library Lady's Kid Lit – book review / giveaway
May 27 – A Mama's Corner Of the World – book review / giveaway
May 31 – Baroness' Book Trove – book spotlight / giveaway
May 31 - Splashes of Joy - book review / giveaway
June 1 – Sandra's Book Club – book review / giveaway
June 2 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 3 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
June 6 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
June 7 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
June 7 - The Phantom Paragrapher – book review / giveaway
June 8 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway
June 8 - Older & Smarter? – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 9 – Bigreadersite – book review / giveaway
June 9 - Ravenz Reviewz – book review / giveaway
June 10 – Leels Loves Books – book review / giveaway
June 13 – Westveil Publishing – book review / guest post / giveaway
June 14 – 100 Pages A Day – book review / giveaway
June 14 - @twilight_reader – book review / giveaway
June 15 – Fur Everywhere – book review / giveaway
June 15 - Lisa's Reading – book review / giveaway
June 16 – My Reading Getaway – book review / author interview / giveaway
June 17 – Amy's Bookshelf Reviews – book review / giveaway
June 17 - Faith And Books - book review / giveaway

 

Giveaway!!!

Alycat and the Cattywampus Wednesday Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

Review: Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday by Alysson Foti Bourque with Giveaway!

Join us for this tour from March 17  to April 6, 2020!

Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday 

by Alysson Foti Bourque

Mascot Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 3 to 7

A “Mom’s Choice Award Winner”! Alycat’s brother, Bugsy, is playing in a golf tournament with some of his friends, and wants to use his lucky ball to win the game. But when Alycat forgets his lucky ball at home, Bugsy learns what luck is really all about. Can Bugsy win the tournament without his lucky ball? Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday is part of the Alycat Series: alycatseries.com.

Amazon.com


MY TIDBITS

With tons of heart and a bright personality, Alycat is the kind of cat readers will wish they had for a  best friend.

Alycat's brother, Bugsy, has a golf tournament, but as they head out the door, he realizes he's forgotten his lucky ball. Alycat runs in and grabs it. When they arrive at the golf course, she realizes that she snatched the wrong ball. Not wanting Bugsy to ruin his game, she quickly adds the important star with a marker and hopes he won't notice.

This is such a colorful, cute and wholesome read. The sibling relationship between Alycat and her brother hits on the first page with a dash of mischief and a bunch of love. It's easy to sympathize with Alycat as she has to run back into the house and snatch her brother's ball for him, and hard not to feel her disappointment and unease when discovering she grabbed the wrong one. Her solution is a little under-handed but creates a smile and just the right amount of tension to keep readers glued to the pages. 

The illustrations are as bright and bold as Alycat herself and bring across the scenes and atmosphere nicely. This is the first time I've seen a golf course in a picture book. Not only do the illustrations bring the setting across well, but even those not familiar with golf won't feel out of place. And to help out, there's a glossary at the end of the book with all sorts of golf terminology for those who'd like to know more. 

But golf isn't the main theme of this book. Rather, there's a wonderful message wrapped up into the tale about trusting in ones' own ability, especially when this was achieved with hard work and practice. Add the caring relationship of sisters and brothers, and it's a read which warms the heart and is sure to bring more than a single grin.

And here she is...

  

Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the award-winning Alycat series. Alysson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center.

After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. Alysson enjoys public speaking opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe in themselves wholeheartedly.

AWARDS & HONORS

The Alycat Series has won several prestigious awards including:
Three Mom’s Choice Awards®
Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Best Book Award Finalist
NY Big Book Award
Reviewed by Midwest Book Review
Southern Festival of Books Panelist
Louisiana Book Festival Featured Author


​Connect with the author: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook  ~  Instagram ~ Pinterest

Tour Schedule:

Mar 17 - Working Mommy Journal – book review / giveaway
Mar 17 - Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 18 – The Pen and Muse Book Reviews – book review / author interview
Mar 18 - Gwendalyn’s Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Mar 18 – Books, Dreams, Life – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Mar 18 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Mar 19 – Over Coffee Conversations – book review / giveaway
Mar 19 - eBook Addicts - book review / giveaway
Mar 20 – A Mama's Corner Of the World – book review / giveaway
Mar 23 – StoreyBook Reviews – book review / giveaway
Mar 24 – Svetlana's reads and views – book review
Mar 24 - Laura`s Interests – book review / giveaway
Mar 25 - Library of Clean Reads – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 25 – Rosco's Reading Room – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Mar 26 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Mar 26 - T's Stuff – book review / author interview / giveaway
Mar 27 – Books Direct – book review / guest post / giveaway
Mar 30 – She Just Loves Books – book review / author interview / giveaway
Mar 31 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Apr 1 – Bookworm for Kids – book review / giveaway
Apr 2 – Pickagoodbook.com – book review / author interview / giveaway
Apr 6 - My Journey Back-The-Journey Back – book review / giveaway

GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Review: Alycat and the Monday Blues by Alysson Foti Bourque with Giveaway

ALYCAT AND THE MONDAY BLUES

by Alysson Foti Bourque

Illustrated by Chiara Civati

Children's Picture Book

Mascot Books

 Sept 12, 2017

32 pages

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

Add to Goodreads

MY TIDBITS

School blues are whisked away into a cute, little adventure, which not only offers inspiration but guarantees more than a smile or two.

It's Monday and Alycat does not want to go to school. The talent show is right around the corner, and she has no idea what she'll do. Her mother tries to encourage her and claims a solution will surely come, but Alycat is certain that she doesn't possess a single talent and will only make a fool out of herself.

Alycat is a sweet kitten with tons of heart. She might be in a bad mood, but her problem is easy to understand. Even though she's feeling down, Alycat thinks of others and radiates warmth and fun. It's this attitude which makes her easy to love and will have young readers cheering her on. 

The illustrations are bright and draw into the story. Even when someone isn't around to read this book aloud, kids can flip through the pictures again and again, letting the story to come to life on their own. The text is fitting for ages 3 and up, and flows nicely. Alycat's excitement radiates through the words, especially when it hits the song she wrote. It's lively, fun and sure to make young readers sing along.

To top off all the sweetness, there's also a wonderful message woven in. Alycat realizes that she does have a talent, but sometimes, it takes just the right moment to discover what it is. Everyone has something special about them, even if they haven't discovered it yet. And this is a message young listeners/readers can never hear often enough.

Summed up, this is a cute picture book with a main character to snuggle and love. The singing adds a fun twist, which is sure to make kids smile even more.

​

​

And here she is. . .

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

GIVEAWAY!!!

Ends Oct 14

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Review: Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day by Alysson Foti Bourque with Giveaway

Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day 

By Alysson Foti Bourque

When Alycat’s daydreaming causes her to miss out on Dessert Day at school, she will need to rely on her imagination to satisfy her sweet tooth! With the help of her best friend Spotty, she discovers trying new things can lead to fun adventures and tasty inventions! The Alycat series encourages readers to celebrate the joy, innocence, and fearlessness of being a kid, while learning a valuable lesson in the end. Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day is the first book of the Alycat Series.    

ON Goodreads

PURCHASE

Amazon / B&N

MY TIDBITS

With sprinkles or chocolate, this super sugared cat whirls her way through a sweet tooth adventure which demands to be read again and again.

Nothing is better than dessert day. Alycat's been dreaming about it her whole life--well her whole week. When she gets caught up in a day dream of Popsicles and ice cream, this long for expected day doesn't turn out quite the way Alycat had hoped.

The pink cover with a super sweet kitty lures in with the fitting atmosphere for the story. Alycat is a kitty full of life and knows what she likes best--in this case, desserts. Her family radiates warmth and understanding, and even her younger brother is as sweet as can be. Each character offers help and support, never showing a mean side, which makes this a wholesome, caring read.

The illustrations bring the story to life with their bright colors. There's just enough detail to hold attention without overriding the written story. The cats are cute and the situation comes to life from one picture to the next.

There's quite a bit of text, making this a read for a slightly older crowd (four and above), but then the vocabulary is also very fitting for this age group. It hits a theme kids will easily sympathize with (no one wants to lose their ice cream!) and offers lovely solutions without ever preaching. The plot moves along steadily, great for keeping younger listeners'/readers' attention. Although it could have been a bit tighter in some places.

Summed up, this is a sweet read with a lovely character kids 4 and up are sure to love. And I can't wait to see where Alycat might take young readers next because she's definitely a kitty to love.

And here she is. . .

ALYSSON FOTI BOURQUE!!!

Alysson Foti Bourque is the award-winning author of the Rhyme or Reason Travel series, and the 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. After practicing law for six years, Alysson traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. When Alysson is not writing stories for her children, she takes pride in working in her garden, caring for her pets, serving her community, and volunteering at her children’s school. She believes there is an Alycat in all of us, encouraging our imaginations to guide us to new opportunities and adventures. Alysson is a Mom’s Choice Awards Recipient for her book, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day! 
Author Links: Website | Twitter |Facebook | Goodreads  

GIVEAWAY!!!



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