Picture Book Cover

Review, Author Interview, and Giveaway

Join us for this tour from May 4 to May 31, 2021!

Book Details:

Book Title:  Balloons for Tiger by Lori Orlinsky
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Mascot Books
Release date:   May 4, 2021
Formats available: hardback
Content Rating:  G for everyone.

 

Book Description

How can children begin to heal after losing a pet? Balloons for Tiger takes an imaginative look at this tough topic as colorful balloons travel from the hands of children to their beloved cat who has passed on. This book lets children open up their hearts and imaginations for a magical journey to the farthest corners of the world, where they’ll meet
skydivers, astronauts, superheroes, and everything in between. As they watch the balloons voyage to the other side of the rainbow bridge, they learn to positively process their grief. Balloons for Tiger is a great tool for any child who has experienced the loss of a pet- or any other loved one, too.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ IndieBound
Mascot Books
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My Thoughts

This rhyming story shows what might happen to balloons when they are released after the loss of a pet. The first page shows balloons being released that are holding notes for Tiger. But when the children ask where the balloons go after they are released, the imaginative tale begins.

The pages are filled with a fun story of what the balloons might see on their journey to meet Tiger. (At this point we can only guess who Tiger is if the cover of the book hasn’t been revealed.)

The bright illustrations add considerably to the journey the balloons take.  As they fly higher and higher they observe sights such as Santa and even a cow jumping over the moon. They even hitch a ride on a superhero’s cape. And finally the balloons see Tiger sitting on a cloud. And that’s when we learn where the balloons were headed.

My Concerns

After reading Balloons For Tiger several times I had a few concerns.

  • Parts of the verse felt grammatically incorrect and parts were a little hard to read aloud.
  • I wish the first of the story had covered why the balloons were being released. Perhaps that was supposed to be explained by the reader, but I think it needed to be part of the story. 

Final Thoughts

The illustrations and story are sure to please many children, especially if the adult reader takes the time to explain why the balloons are being released. Having the opportunity to open discussions with children through the aid of a picture book can be very helpful.

I especially liked the sturdy construction of the book as well as the page at the back titled Coping Strategies For Parents. This page includes 5 suggestions to help a child work through the loss of a pet.

My thanks to iRead Book Tours and the author for a copy of this book and the opportunity to review it without stipulations.

Rating: ☆☆☆1/2


 

Meet the Author and Interview

 
 
 

Lori Orlinsky is a multi-award-winning children’s book author who lives in Chicago. She was inspired to tell this story after her family experienced the loss of their beloved eighteen-year-old cat, Tiger. Unable to find books about pet loss to help her young kids cope with their grief, Lori wrote Balloons for Tiger. She hopes this book will help others, too.

Interview

  1. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
    “Balloons for Tiger” is my third book. I have written two other books: “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All)” and “The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache.” I think the third time is a charm. “Balloons for Tiger” is my favorite.
  1. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
    I must have the title before I write the story. I feel a good book starts with a compelling title. That title motivates me to write the story. It sounds a bit backwards, I know.
  1. Describe your perfect book hero or heroine.

I always root for the underdog. There’s nothing like watching your favorite unlikely hero rise against the odds.

  1. Many authors put literary Easter eggs (something in the story which may be hidden to many readers but provides those in the know with an intended reference) within their books. Do you have one in “Balloons for Tiger?”

I sure do! The Tooth Fairy from my second book, “The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache,” makes an appearance.

  1. You’ve released 3 books in 3 years. Can we expect a 4th next year?

I am taking a short break to focus on building my business, Foreword Publicity. I co-founded this publicity firm with fellow award-winning author Alysson Bourque. We are the only publicity firm built by authors, for authors. Together, using proven methods of success, we help authors with their book journey. This has been so rewarding for me. In addition to helping build hype for a book and credibility for an author, we act as mentors to budding authors. But don’t worry, I won’t take too long off from writing. I already have new book ideas swirling around in my head. I just need to find the time to write them!

connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ facebook ~ goodreads

 
Tour Schedule:

May 4 – Cover Lover Book Review – book review / giveaway
May 4 – Welcome To MLMOpinion’s Reviews – book review
May 5 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 6 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
May 7 – Westveil Publishing – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 10 – The Pen and Muse Book Reviews – book review / giveaway
May 11 – Twirling Book Princess – book review
May 11 – Corinne Rodrigues / Booksnista – book spotlight / giveaway
May 12 – Pick a Good Book – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 13 – I’d Rather Be At The Beach – book review / giveaway
May 13 – Chit Chat with Charity – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 14 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
May 17 – Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting – book review / giveaway
May 18 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
May 18 – The Bespectacled Mother – book review
May 19 – The Adventures Of A Travelers Wife – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 20 – Deborah-Zenha Adams – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 20 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review / giveaway
May 21 – Icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
May 24 – I’m Into Books – book review
May 24 – Reading is My Passion – book review
May 25 –Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 26 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review / author interview / giveaway
May 27 – Laura’s Interests – book review / guest post / giveaway
May 27 – I Read Kid’s Books – book review / author interview /giveaway
May 28 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
May 31 – Lisa’s Reading – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 31 – Splashes of Joy – book review / author interview / giveaway

 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

Lori Orlinsky’s BALLONS FOR TIGER Book Tour Giveaway



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