BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Lori Degman

**This week's BOOK NOOK REVIEWS shines a spotlight on great books provided by some of the authors participating in my annual FREE AUTHOR PROMOTION event held each May in my city. Help support these new and established authors by checking out their books!***

Title: 1 Zany Zoo
Author: Lori Degman
Illustrator: Colin Jack
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Ages 4-8


"While YOU stood here waiting, with nothing to do
I snuck through the gate and into the zoo.
You'll never believe what I saw--what I heard.
I swear it's the truth--every last word."

Synopsis: One small boy sneaks into what he thinks is a quiet little zoo...only to discover the animals inside are anything but ordinary! All it takes is one fearless fox with a key to unlock all the cages and soon it's one wild menagerie of rollicking, frollicking animals partying all day long! How will the zoo keeper maintain order in the one zany zoo?

Why you should read it: I will be the first to admit I LOVE rhyming books. It may be that it calls out to the child in me but give me a story with a lyrical, rhythmic tone to it and I just melt. Ms Degman manages to do just that as she takes her readers on a fantastical journey through a zoo as one clever fox not only stays one step ahead of the zoo keeper, but also manages to show us what it's REALLY like when humans aren't around! Children, young and old, will love the whimsical illustrations by the talented Colin Jack and I wouldn't be surprised if some of those children start asking to visit the zoo soon!

Like-O-Meter Rating: 5 out of 5...Grab it!

Calling All Authors...Part Two!

I have gotten such a great response so far with the shout out for autographed children's books (PB, MG, YA fiction and nonfiction), that I thought I would run one more post explaining how I am showcasing and promoting other authors' works as my way of saying thank you for being so supportive in this wonderful writing community!

Some of you have heard about the Children's Festival of Reading that is coming to my city on Saturday, May 19th.  If you haven't, you can check out the link here http://knoxrooms.sirsi.net/rooms/portal/page/21676_Childrens_Festival_of_Reading.  I have been invited to have a booth where I am going to showcase any of my author friends who want to send me an autographed copy of their books or anything else they want to autograph...i.e. bookmarks, posters, pictures, etc. as free giveaways. 

I have been receiving packages almost daily and I know some more are on their way, but there is still time to participate if you would like to!  I'm also asking all my readers to help me get the word out to THEIR author friends so that I can have the best booth at the festival!  And if you give this blog post a shout-out, your name will be put in a drawing for some prizes 

( http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com/2012/03/time-for-another-giveaway.html ).  Anyone interested in more information can email me at tkd2lady (at) yahoo (dot) com.  They don't have to be newly published books and e-book authors can autograph bookmarks, posters, postcards, etc for a chance for me to promote their books as well.  

Here is the list of authors so far who have been so generous with their books and swag items:

Susanna Leonard Hill

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen

Salina Yoon

Tammi Sauer

Keiko Kasza

Heather Newman (illiustrator)

Debbie Bernstein LaCroix

Alayne Kay Christian

Genevieve Petrillo

Nancy Smiler Levinson

Diane Dawson Hearn

Sarah Frances Hardy

Vivian Kirkland

Lisa M Cottroll-Bentley

Teagan Bentley

Jan Wade

Lori Degman
Doreen Mcgettigan

I think the festival committee will be quite surprised when I let them know what I'm gonna have at MY booth...;0)