Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver Blog Tour (interview & giveaway)

I'm thrilled to have the Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver Blog Tour stopping by today! This blog tour is hosted by The Children's Book Review and sponsored by AmberJack Publishing...

Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver

Written by Lorri Horn

Illustrated by Agnieszka Grochalska

Dewey Fairchild isn’t just good with parents, he’s great with them. He’s so good at handling parents that he’s built a thriving business out of it. He even has a secretary, Clara―a great alibi and an even better baker. Dewey settles the most troublesome of cases, from an overprotective mom who won’t let her child go to class on her own, to a dad who can’t stop picking his nose any chance he gets!

Dewey has no problem handling other people’s parents, but when he overhears his parents talking one day, he faces a challenge he never expected. Dewey can solve any problem parents may cause, but what will he do when the parents who are causing problems are his own?

Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Amberjack Publishing | August 8, 2017 | ISBN-13: 978-1944995164

Available Here:

Indiebound

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Q1. What three words best describe your book, Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver?

Amusing, perceptive, delightful

Q2. Grab a copy of Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver and answer the following:

Favorite chapter?

“Tiny Developments”—The title is ironic in a number of ways: Pee Wee’s size, what a big development it must be for Seraphina, and meanwhile, all that is happening internally for Dewey as he puts his trust in Clara. It turns out no one needs Dewey’s help this chapter, and I think that’s a compelling development as well.

Favorite page?

Page 41—I like how once Seraphina’s mom finally crosses over, it seems simple—“that was that.” From there, the rest of the page follows with the simple proposition that remains the backbone of the story: Dewey is a Parent-Problem-Solver if you ever need one. And everyone pretty much needs one of those.

Favorite place/setting?

Dewey’s office with the air conditioning ducts the clients crawl through and get cookies along the way as they enter.

Flip to a random page and give us a 1-2 sentences teaser:

“When we return: one father’s near encounter with utter ruin, only it was all a big joke. Can children abuse their parents? When we get back . . .” (75).

Q3. Tell us a bit about your character, Dewey Fairchild. What makes him special and what do you love about him?

Dewey Fairchild equally loves a good challenge and a good snack. He possesses a natural curiosity, and his mind easily wanders sometimes from one idea to another as he free-associates. To some in his life, this might prove frustrating, but it’s part of his charm and enables him to become the problem-solver he does. Dewey is a fixer, not just a suggester—which, evidently, I find much more satisfying. We all have our foibles. When we can acknowledge them, laugh about them, apologize for them, the better everyone fares. Dewey Fairchild is the liaison between parents and kids because sometimes we parents don’t always do those things as well as we’d like. No one really wants to admit to her kid she was picking her nose and rolling a booger into the carpet, you know? But Dewey helps us be the better person who can say, “Gosh, how embarrassing! I was just picking my nose right then! I felt so caught when you asked that I actually lied and said I wasn’t!”     

Q4. Fill in the blanks:

I’m really awesome at analyzing ideas and people.

I’m really embarrassed to admit I’m not a good speller.

The last great book I read was My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante.

Q5. If you were to create and bake a cupcake inspired by Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

I just spent an hour baking a prototype Dewey Fairchild cupcake. I dumped it though. You’ll never taste it. I’ll tell you why. Because I can’t bake just a single cupcake. I’m a baker. I bake a dozen. Maybe half a dozen. No sooner had I taken the Fairchild out of the oven to cool for you to taste, I panicked in that way I do. What if I want to open a bakery and make a Dewey cupcake or a Wolfie cupcake or a Clara, Colin, Seraphina or Pooh Bear one, and I baked just a single cuppiecake never considering how the rest of the batch needed to turn out? I just tossed a cupcake into the trash right now, and in doing so, may have salvaged the future of some other cupcake’s destiny. It’s possible, you know. Don’t rush me. I gotta rethink the whole Fairchild cupcake now. I don’t want to reveal too much, but I just dumped a perfectly dense, delectable, tender, stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth marbled chocolate and vanilla cupcake with the tiniest dancing flecks of salt into the garbage, and I think those of you who read Dewey Fairchild will know soon enough why that would have been a disaster of a choice come the day I want to open a bakery of my own and have a cupcake called Wolfie. Clearly, he’s a black and white! I don’t know what I was thinking. Clearly, I wasn’t. I had my nose straight in the batter. Close call.

About the Author

Lorri Horn is an educator and an author. She has a degree in English, a teaching credential, has been Nationally Board Certified, and has taught pubic school for over 14 years. She loves cheese (and wants it to be its own food group, which made working on a vegan book a challenge), humor, baking, books, and spending time with her family. Lorri’s background as a career schoolteacher and instructional leader make her especially sympathetic to the needs and perspectives of children, and this sensitivity features in her work as an author. Lorri blogs on her website,lorrihorn.com. Her work has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, Phi Delta Kappan, The College Board and Mayim’s Vegan Table. Lorri lives in California with her husband, son, and their dog, Wolfie.

About the Illustrator: Agnieszka Grochalska is an illustrator living and working in Warsaw, Poland. As a child she wanted to be an astronaut or a jet pilot. Eventually she changed her mind and dedicated her keen eye and steady hand to drawing precise and detailed compositions reminiscent of classical storybook illustrations.

She received a MFA in Graphic Arts in 2014, exploring traditional painting, printmaking, and sculpting along the way. Currently she works predominantly in digital medium, striving to make it look as natural as her works drawn traditionally. Her illustrative works were featured in group exhibitions both in Poland and abroad.

Agnieszka enjoys travel and cultural exchange with people from around the world, referencing those experiences in her works alongside the Slavic folklore of her homeland. When she isn’t drawing or traveling, you can find her exploring the worlds of fiction in books and story-driven games.

Agnieszka’s works can be viewed in her online portfolio at agroshka.com.

Enter to win a Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver themed prize pack!

One (1) winner receives:

• A copy of Dewey Fairchild, Parent Problem Solver, by Lorri Horn
• A Dewey Fairchild themed gift pack. Includes items such as cookies, gum, notebooks, pens/pencils, Tootsie Rolls, Monopoly game etc.

Giveaway rules:

• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
• Enter between 12:00 AM Mountain Time on August 1, 2017 and 11:59 PM on August 31, 2017.
• Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older.
• Winners will be selected at random on or about September 3, 2017.
• Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Prizes provided by Amberjack Publishing.

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TOUR SCHEDULE

The Children's Book Review	https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2017/08/dewey-fairchild-parent-problem-solver-by-lorri-horn-awareness-tour.html	8/1
Teacher Dance	http://www.teacherdance.org	8/2
Jrsbookreviews	http://www.jrsbookreviews.wordpress.com	8/3
Word Spelunking	Wordspelunking.blogspot.com	8/4
To Read, or Not To Read	http://www.toreadornottoread.net	8/7
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com	8/8
icefairy's Treasure Chest	http://icefairystreasurechest.blogspot.com/	8/9
Tales of A Wanna-Be SuperHero Mom	http://wannabesuperheromom.blogspot.ca/	8/10
ShootingStarsMag	http://www.shootingstarsmag.net	8/11
LitPick Student Book Reviews	www.litpick.com	8/14
The Fairview Review	http://fveslibrary.blogspot.com	8/15

Interview and Giveaway: Deborah Underwood, author of Here Comes Teacher Cat

Here Comes Teacher Cat

By Deborah Underwood

Illustrated by Claudia Rueda

August 8, 2017

Dial Books

It's back to school for the New York Times bestselling Cat when he steps in as a substitute teacher.

Cat is not pleased to be tapped as substitute teacher. Not only is it cutting into his naptime, but a roomful of kittens is a little, well, scary. At school, he's faced with six adorable kittens and follows the lesson plan of music, building, and painting--only in pure, mischief-making Cat style. By the end, Cat has learned a thing or two about inspiring others by being himself. But even more heart-melting and humorous is what the kittens have learned from Cat.

Goodreads / PRH

Deborah Underwood returns to her adorable and hilarious picture book series about Cat, with Here Comes Teacher Cat. Cat finds himself playing the role of substitute teacher for a classroom full of kittens...and really, he'd rather be napping. But soon Cat finds that even though being a teacher is hard work, it's also kind of fun!

With her signature sparse, yet pitch-perfect text, Underwood will charm and entertain little readers with silly, giggle-inducing humor and antics. Readers will love joining Cat and his kitty students as they play music, build, and create unforgettable art. And Rueda's engaging illustrations, with their soft and whimsical palette, and lively depictions, make for the perfect companion to Underwood's text.

Q1. What three words best describe Here Comes Teacher Cat?

Cat + kitties = chaos!

Q2. What is your favorite page and/or illustration in Here Comes Teacher Cat?

There are so many, but I have a special fondness for the illustration that shows the results of the class’s painting efforts: red, yellow, and blue paint all over the floor, the walls, and the kitties. I also love the very final illustration. I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say when Ms. Melba comes back after her absence, she finds a few surprises in her supply closet.

Q3. What advice would Cat give to newbie teachers heading to the classroom this fall?

Cat would tell them 1) It’s okay to be nervous; 2) Things probably won’t go exactly the way you planned; 3) You’ll learn as much from your students as they will from you; and 4) Teaching will be lots of fun!

Q4. What do you love most about writing and/or illustrating the Cat books?

I’ve fallen more in love with Cat with every book. And it’s been wonderful working with Claudia Rueda, who brilliantly brings Cat to life in all Cat’s heart-of-gold crustiness.

Q5. If you were to create and bake a cupcake inspired by Here Comes Teacher Cat, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

I usually prefer chocolate, but this time I’d pick a delicious vanilla to set off the tangle of red, yellow, and blue icing drizzled on top. I’d sprinkle on sugar decorations: musical notes, hammers, and fish to represent what the class did in Kitty School. And I’d name it Ms. Melba’s Delight!

Deborah Underwood is the author of numerous fiction books for children, including A Balloon for Isabel, Pirate Mom, Part-Time Princess, and the New York Times bestsellers Here Comes the Easter Cat, The Quiet Book, and The Loud Book. She has written more than 25 nonfiction books for children, and her work has appeared in National Geographic Kids, Ladybug, Spider, and Highlights for Children. She lives in Northern California with her cat, Bella.

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Win a copy of Here Comes Teacher Cat!

The wonderful PRH folks have offered up one new copy for one winner.

-US only

-ends 8/11/17

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-word spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, stolen prizes in the mail

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Interview and Giveaway: Steve Schatz, author of the YAlit Adima Rising and Adima Returning

ADIMA RISING by Steve Schatz

For millennia, the evil Kroledutz have fed on the essence of humans and clashed in secret with the Adima, the light weavers of the universe. Now, with the balance of power shifting toward darkness, time is running out. Guided by a timeless Native American spirit, four teenagers from a small New Mexico town discover they have one month to awaken their inner power and save the world. Rory, Tima, Billy, and James must solve four ancient challenges by the next full moon to awaken a mystical portal and become Adima. If they fail, the last threads of light will dissolve, and the universe will be lost forever. Can they put aside their fears and discover their true natures before it’s too late?

BOOK ONE of The Adima Chronicles: Adima Rising- Available NOW!

ADIMA RETURNING by Steve Schatz

The sacred cliff is crumbling and with it the Adima way of life! Weakened by the absence of their beloved friend James, Rory, Tima, and Billy must battle time and unseen forces to unite the greatest powers of all dimensions in one goal. They must move the sacred cliff before it traps all Adima on Earth–and apart from the primal energy of the Spheres–forever!

Aided by a surprising and timeless maiden, the three light-weaving teens travel across the planes of existence to gain help from the magical creatures who guard the Adima’s most powerful objects, the Olohos. There is only one path to success: convince the guardians to help. Fail and the cliff dissolves, destroying the once-eternal Spheres and the interdimensional light weavers known as Adima.

Like the exciting adventures of “Adima Rising,” the second spellbinding book of The Adima Chronicles, “Adima Returning,” will have your senses reeling right up until it’s across-worlds climax. Will conscious creation and the bonds of friendship be enough to fight off destructive forces and save the world once again?

BOOK TWO  of The Adima Chronicles: Adima Returning Coming Soon!

Q1. What three words best describe your books, Adima Rising and Adima Returning?

Create your sacred

Q2. Grab a copy of your books and answer the following:

Favorite chapter? My favorite chapter from Adima Rising is chapter 26: The third challenge, the power of earth. I can’t answer that yet for Adima Returning because it is still being formatted.

Favorite page? I’m particularly fond of Belecha’s words on page 237 of Adima Rising: “When there is darkness, you light a candle. If a candle is not enough, light a torch. Keep lighting candles. Get others to help. Don’t stop.”

Favorite setting/place? From both Adima Rising and Adima Returning: The web of light. I would love to actually be there, riding it, seeing energy spreading as far as I can see from each aware creative act.

Flip to a random page and give us a 1-2 sentences teaser:

From Adima Rising: “I’ve been watching and planning for more than 5,000 years and if you can’t activate the Stone by the next full moon, we don’t get another chance. Tag – you’re it!”

From Adima Returning: “Before the cave, we sat in a hole behind your house, held onto a rock, and flew along a web of light. You have no problem with that, but walking down a tunnel and ending up on the surface of a different place seems impossible?”

Q3. What inspired your Adima Chronicles series? How did the story come to be?

I had been to see a Native American dreaming woman. On our way home, I had a vision of a village of aware beings who were looking through the web and seeing the mistake humanity was on the verge of making: turning over the responsibility for creating the sacred to another person (a priest) and the horrors caused by giving up that essential power.

Q4. Can you tell us a bit about your four main characters, Rory, Tima, Billy, James? What makes them special?

Rory Hurtado the son of an archeologist. He’s stocky, strong, and independent with a quiet wit. He’s used to hanging out with grad students and has met tribal elders all over the world, so he knows how to be respectful but hold his own.

Billy Fuller is a math whiz with a smart mouth. He comes from a bad home, but he doesn’t let it get him down. He’s short, blond, wiry, and fast, and he tends to blurt out what he’s thinking.

Tima Clark is an artist. She likes wild colors and making her own clothes. She’s used to people noticing her; she’s the only African American in school and her mother is a well-known author. Her full name is Septima, named after Septima Clark, an early civil rights worker and educator.

James Normura is Tima’s closest friend. He lives and works on his family’s farm, which was started by his great grandfather. He likes farming, working on robotic and engineering projects, talking with Tima, and playing with Lilly, his sister. He is neat and tidy and likes things to be explained and understood.

Q5. What’s next for Rory and his friends and The Adima Chronicles?

The second book in The Adima Chronicles, Adima Returning, has the world of the Adima on edge. The Sacred Cliff, which is an essential part of their life, is crumbling. The four friends must travel to different planes of existence and work with the beings there. They also must join with the Katsinim to return the Cliff to its original place.

Q6. What is your inner mythical creature/being and why?

Usually when I seek an answer, I am met by a moose. However, it is different depending on what I face. A fox was once very helpful. Many times, when I am writing, I am guided by beings without form.

Q7. Fill in the blanks:

I’m really awesome at telling stupid jokes.

I’m really embarrassed to admit how long it takes me to write a book.

The last great book I read was Hopi Stories of Witchcraft, Shamanism, and Magic by Ken Gary and Ekkehart Malotki.

Q8. If you were to create and a bake a cupcake inspired by Adima Returning, what would it look and taste like, and what would you call it?

Billy’s the cook. I imagine he’d come up with something like this: Corn flour with plenty of chili to give it a surprise bite. Honey for sweet follow up. Glazed sugar icing to reflect sparkles. He’d call em “Eat ‘Em & Die” cupcakes to add a sense of adventure that no one could resist.

Steve Schatz grew up in New Mexico, where, as a teen, he dug a kiva in his backyard. He has traveled all over the US, discovering how other people see the world. He has been a tour guide, party clown, TV producer, business owner and, for the last several years a professor of learning theory. Always interested in things spiritual, a life changing experience brought him to the idea for Adima Rising and spiritual guidance during the tricky parts. He spends most of his time writing in a little house in a little town next to Yokum Brook.

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Win a copy of Adima Rising and

Adima Returning!

Absolute Love Publishing has generously offered both books for one winner.

-US only

-ends 8/11/17

-winner will be emailed and must claim prize within 48 hours

-word spelunking is not responsible for lost, damaged, stolen prizes in the mail

a Rafflecopter giveaway