Book Review – Marvelous Macey by Caitlin Bangsund

Book Review, Author Interview, and Giveaway

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Book Description

Can you va va voom? Do you light up the room? Marvellous Macey does! She may not quite fit the mold, but she is living delightful days. Embrace Macey’s world of imagination and ability to love and accept everyone. Life may not be perfect and some things might be hard, but Macey shows us how to live in the moment and find the delight! Be
inspired by Macey to make everyday the BEST day.

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My Thoughts

This is a book that says so much yet takes so little space to do it. Macey’s mother, Caitlin Bangsund, has created a beautiful story illustrating that life can be what we make of it. And Macey has chosen to be happy.

Macey is happy, outgoing,  thoughtful, and …marvellous! Though she has every appearance of being like other children her age, she isn’t. She has some medical issues that make it very hard for her to do things like read, write, ride a bike, and tie her shoes.

We learn that Macey has to have more help with school work than most other children, but that doesn’t mean she can’t do some things even better. She has very good manners and is great at working puzzles.

And there’s one very special thing she has. She has a make-believe friend. And he will be hiding 16 places throughout the book. This is something that will help keep little listeners entertained as this book is being read to them. 

Concerns

My small concern was with the illustrations. I didn’t like the dark lips on the figures. Most notably the figure on the cover of the book.

Conclusion

It’s obvious that Macey accents the good about her life rather than zeroing in on what she has trouble accomplishing. Her enthusiasm is contagious.  

This would be a great book for not only families to own but counselors, schools, and doctors’ offices. The pages are slick and somewhat heavy indicating that they are apt to withstand many readings.

My thanks to iRead Book Tours and the author for a copy of this book and the ability to post my opinion.

Rating:  ☆☆☆☆

Meet the Author and Interview

Caitlin Bangsund is the author of Marvellous Macey, The Delightful Days. It is the first in a series based on true life. Caitlin knows the trial and trauma of childhood cancer, childhood disability, and the fear of almost losing her daughter — the star of the series — Macey. She encourages readers to look for the treasures that hide in the rubble and gloom. Life is beautiful chaos and her message is to press on and conquer. Read her stories and help create a world that is full of kindness and acceptance.

Interview

1. What do you hope young kids (and adults, too) get out of this book? 

I hope people of all ages will be inspired to accept themselves and everyone around them. And I want people to feel hope so that they will find ways to delight in the life they live and persevere through the parts that are hard. 

2. In your book you make reference to some of Macey’s helpers being imaginary. How did you come up with this idea? 

This idea was so easy to come up with because I live with Macey’s imaginary friends! It sounds funny, but they have been around from the time Macey could speak. 

I wanted to include “Care-mit” (not “Kermit”) because he has been around for a long time, but I am not sure what he looks like and Macey cannot describe him. 

The book really focuses on fact. And the reality is that Macey spends a lot of time each day talking to and talking about her imaginary friends. There are so many of them! 

Pop-goes-the-weasel, pineapple, and loaf-of-bread are included because they are three of her close “friends.” Plus, they are funny names, very specific, and they make great illustrations.  

3. Do you write every day? 

No, but I desperately want to. I’m figuring out my “author-groove” and didn’t realize how much time would be devoted to marketing and learning the business side of things. 

My plan is to start designating a window of time each day for writing!

4. What was the hardest thing to juggle in order to make this book a reality? 

Homeschooling three kids during Covid lockdown! It took awhile to figure out how I could help my children succeed and also have time leftover to write and learn the self-publishing process. 

5. In today’s tech-savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper? 

Yes! There are two times when I write parts of the book on paper:

• When I am stuck, sometimes a new format feels like a fresh way to get my ideas out, and
• If an idea comes to me and I don’t have my laptop, I just start writing on whatever notebook or loose paper I can find!

6. What is something funny you carry in your purse? 

It should be a standard item for everyone, but I don’t think it is and that is hot sauce. I opt for Franks because it does go on everything! The best opportunity to use my purse-hot-sauce is at the movie theater on popcorn. Mmmmm.

7. What’s next for you? 

The first draft of my second picture book in the “Marvellous Macey” series is complete. My illustrator is currently working on the pictures.

“Marvellous Macey, The Delightful Days” introduces Macey and encourages readers to be themselves and make every day the best day ever. But the second book will celebrate her victory over illness and be a little ‘heavier’ (child-appropriate of course).

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

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