Review: Thunder Pug by Kim Norman

THUNDER PUG

by Kim Norman

Illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book 

ages 4 to 8

40 pages

What’s a superhero without a sidekick? This delightful follow-up to the popular Puddle Pug brings back that perfectly THUNDER-ful pug-and-pig pair: Percy and Petunia.  

Percy the Pug and Petunia the pig are the very best of pals . . . until Petunia wins a blue ribbon at the county fair. Suddenly, she has no time for hide-and-seek or lapping puddles, cheek-to-cheek. But when Percy finds a faded comic book in a puddle, the lonely pug dons a cape and takes on a new persona: THUNDER PUG! Even though being a superhero is exciting, Percy knows he’s missing something. Only when “Pink Lightning” (aka Petunia) joins him, and the two are “side by sidekick” again, are they truly living the heroic life!

MY TIDBITS

With a cute pug and a sweet pig, this is a tale which promises laughs, understand and tons of friendship.

Percy the pug is best friends with Petunia the pig, and they do everything together. One day, Petunia takes off and returns with a blue ribbon! Percy wants to congratulate her, but nothing works out. Soon, he sad and wants to find something wonderful on his own. When he runs across a comic book with a superhero, Thunder Pug is born! He's off to save...well, whatever he can. But something isn't right.

As a fan of pugs and cute, little pigs, this was a hit with my family from the very first page. Percy is an adorable, energetic ball of playfulness and adventure, which draws in and makes listeners want to have him as a friend of their own. Pig makes the perfect side-kick. The friendship between the two is golden and inspiring as every moment they spend together radiates happiness. The author is sure, however, to include that they do enjoy time by themselves two. When this perfect friendship is marred, it's hard not to feel sorry for Percy. Little listeners will easily relate to this feeling, and be excited when he discovers his new calling as Thunder Pug.

The illustrations and text go hand-in-hand. The wording is simple enough for younger listeners to easily understand, and keeps the pace high. The illustrations glide right along, adding the needed emotion and little details to make the tale come to life. The illustrations are not overly bright and hold a gentle tone. It's nicely put together for a great read-aloud. The message is clear and inspiring, keeping friendship at the center point, and the adventure never runs to extreme, making it great for the age group.



 And here they are...

The Author...

Kim Norman is the author of several children's books, including The Bot that Scott Built; This Old Van; Ten on the Sled; If It's Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws!; and Crocodaddy (all Sterling). Kim runs Author Visits By State, a website connecting schools and authors. She lives in Smithfield, VA and is available for interview. Visit her at kimnormanbooks.com and follow her on twitter at @kimnormanauthor!

The Illustrator...

Keika Yamaguchi has illustrated several children's books including Puddle Pug and Teeny Tiny Toady (both Sterling). She workds as an artist at DreamWorksTV, and has previously worked for Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Publishing Worldwide. She lives in Los Angeles and is available for interview. Visit keikashouse.com to see more of her work, an follow her on twitter at @KeikaYamaguchi!

Review: The Bot That Scott Built by Kim Norman

THE BOT THAT SCOTT BUILT

by Kim Norman

Illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi

Sterling Children's Books

Picture Book 

ages 3 to 7

32 pages

When Scott builds a bot, a bippity-bot, sparks fly . . . and his entire classroom goes wild. Before long, fiery ants and carnivorous plants, a freaky frog, a big-bellied boa, and an exploding "volcano" have wreaked total havoc. Can Scott's bot, which started it all, manage the mess? Cheers for the handy hero! A cumulative story with fun that grows and grows and GROWS.

This funny and tongue-twisting story is a great read-aloud book for the whole family.

MY TIDBITS

Full of gizmos, gadgetry and whimsical rhyme, this science fair adventure places inventions in a whole new light. . .and little constructors will love it.

The book starts before the story really even gets underway. Hammers, nuts, bolts, propellers and many other parts and do-dads, which bring small inventor's imaginations into swing, decorate the inside of both covers. When the title page appears, Scott is already drilling and building, caught up in his own construction world. And the scene is set.

It's the day of the science fair, and the kids have set up experiments through-out the room, things young scientists might even recognize. On center stage, taking his turn in the spotlight, is Scott and his bippity bot--and saying that already brings a smile to the face. A short explanation through rhyme soon turns into disaster. And it mounts and mounts into humorous chaos pure. These rhymes never skip a beat and dance around wonderful word combinations like 'the freaky frog from the bathtub bog...'. By the end, it's a hilarious mouthful.

It's easy for young listeners to understand, and fun to follow the silly phrases, while the illustrations offer the perfect backdrop. They are colorful, hold lovely details, which call for attention again and again, and incorporate the emotions and situations well enough that just flipping through the pages will tell a story all on its own. 

Young listeners and readers discover science from a whole new angle, which is sure to inspire the creator in them with all of its fun. And if nothing else, it's simply a joy to read, and not just for the kids. 

All about. . .

KIM NORMAN

&

AGNESE BARUZZI!!!

Kim Norman is  the author of several books for young readers, including This Old Van; Ten on the Sled; If It’s Snowy and You Know It, Clap Your Paws!; Puddle Pug; and Crocodaddy (all Sterling). Kim lives in Smithfield, VA and is available for interview. Visit her at kimnormanbooks.com and follower her on twitter at @KimNormanAuthor.

Agnese Baruzzi works as a book illustrator and graphic designer and has illustrated several picture books for publishers in Italy, the UK, Japan, Portugal, the US, and South Korea. Agnese lives and works in a little wooden cottage nestled in the hills near Bologna, Italy.