A Special Tour From
March 17 to April 6, 2020!
About Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday
A “Mom’s Choice Award Winner”!
Alycat’s brother, Bugsy, is playing in a golf tournament with some of his friends and wants to use his lucky ball to win the game. But when Alycat, who is supposed to bring her brother’s lucky ball, forgets it, Bugsy learns what luck is really about.
Can Bugsy win the tournament without his lucky ball?
Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday is part of the Alycat series.
Book Details
- Book Title: Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday
- Author: Alysson Foti Bourque
- Illustrator: Chiara Civati
- Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
- Genre: Children’s Picture Book
- Publisher: Mascot Books
- Release date: March 17, 2020
- Pages: 38
- Book Trailer
My Thoughts
I haven’t had a chance to read the other books in this series, but this one is very cute and has a lesson to go along with it.
I’m not sure at what age children develop special attachments to objects, but depending on how you apply it, probably early. Most adults can easily remember objects that their little ones couldn’t be without. Perhaps a blanket or Teddy bear. These aren’t for winning or good luck, but more for comfort. Yet there is still an attachment to an object. One that is very real.
I see this book as a tool for little ones who need objects for comfort, and older children who might feel objects are necessary for luck. So I see the book working for two completely different reasons and age groups.
The pictures are colorful and sure to delight kids.
What Concerned Me
Golf didn’t seem at all kid-friendly, even though there is a glossary at the back with golf terms. In fact, to me, that was the worst drawback of the book.
What I Liked Most
I guess the opposite of my concern is the fact that this book can be used as an introduction to golf. For me, that still doesn’t feel like an age-appropriate sport, but the book definitely fits the bill if you want to talk about the sport. And you’re never too young, or too old, to learn something, new. The glossary in the back of the book definitely proves helpful.
This is the perfect book for
- cat lovers
- golf lovers
- parents who want a book with a lesson
My thanks to iRead Book Tour for allowing me to be a part of this tour and to post my thoughts regarding the book.
*Giveaway*
Click for a chance to win 1 of 2 autographed copies Alysson Foti Bourque’s ALYCAT AND THE TOURNAMENT TUESDAY (the USA only) (2 winners) (ends Apr 13)
About the Author
and an Interview
Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the award-winning Alycat series.
Alysson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from
the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from
the Southern University Law Center.
After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs
for writing children’s books. Alysson enjoys public speaking
opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She
hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe
in themselves wholeheartedly.
Interview
- The Alycat Series is included on apps and other media sources. Can you name a few?
I have written original songs for the Alycat series that can be found on iTunes, Apple Music, and YouTube and stories can be read along with the Shark Tank featured app, Novel Effect and The Times Best Invention app, Caribu!
- You have a life-size Alycat the Mascot costume that attends all author signing events. Who dresses up as Alycat?
I have a few volunteers that rotate with the costume, but it is mainly my assistant, Hannah, who dresses up. Sometimes at author visits, a teacher or student will dress as Alycat too.
- Do you have another profession besides being an author?
Prior to becoming a children’s book author, I graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Biology. I began my teaching career as a first-grade teacher and loved it. After teaching for a year, I decided that I wanted to keep challenging myself and applied for and was accepted into law school at Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Three years later, I graduated and passed the bar exam and took a job as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Louisiana. Two kids and six years later, I decided to put my law career on hold to spend more time at home with the kids. This was the best decision I have ever made. I was able to slow down in life and enjoy the little things. I had more time to write about things that I enjoyed—not just trial briefs and motions.
- In your books, Alycat has a problem that she must resolve. She seems to encounter a certain dilemma in every book. Why is that?
Alycat may be a character in a story, but she represents our children who have these day-to-day, real-life issues. She may have challenging situations that arise in every book, but she also has the courage, creativity, and confidence to solve her challenges.
- In your book, you hide “Literary Easter Eggs within? Can you tell us about that?
As a child, I adored Where’s Waldo books and loved scavenger hunts. So, I decided to incorporate these secret literary features in Alycat and the Monday Blues. On one spread you will find Popcorn Popsicles on the kitchen table that Alycat made in the first book, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, and an image of my Space Center book right next to them. I am also a huge fan of Harry Potter so you will find a Harry Potter tie from her toy box.
More Information
AWARDS & HONORS
The Alycat Series has won several prestigious awards including:
Three Mom’s Choice Awards®
Benjamin Franklin Digital Award, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)
Best Book Award Finalist
NY Big Book Award
Reviewed by Midwest Book Review
Southern Festival of Books Panelist
Louisiana Book Festival Featured Author
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful children’s book.