Book Tour – Animals at the Office by Sarah Sommer

A Book For Kids AND Adults

Join us for this Tour from Oct 19 to Nov 13, 2020!

Description

It’s Gator’s first day at his new office job, and he is surrounded by quirky personalities like the slow slug, the obedient dog, the aggressive hawk, and the chatty chicken. He is eager to fit in with his new co-workers, so he tries to be like them. But acting like everyone else doesn’t work out for him, and he learns a valuable lesson about himself instead. Featuring hand-drawn illustrations, vibrant colors, and rhymes, Animals at the Office sparks dialogue regarding first-day jitters, fitting in with new crowds, and embracing one’s own special traits despite being surrounded by others who are different. Adults may relate to the featured characters based on their own experiences at an office and can use the book to talk more with children about their own job and what going to work means for them.

Details

• Book Title:  Animals at the Office by Sarah Sommer
• Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  40 pages
• Genre:  Picture Book
• Publisher:  Sarah Sommer
• Release date:   October 2020
• Content Rating:  G. Children’s picture book with no adult topics or language

Buy the Book:
Amazon
Bookshop.org ~ Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts

The bright cover was the first thing to catch my attention. And when I opened up the book I wasn’t disappointed. The story is told in verse, and the illustrations work seamlessly with it.

After reading the book a few times, I’ve decided to list it under both the  Adult and Picture Book headings. I’m convinced that it’s the perfect gift for someone who is either changing or starting a new job. Kids will certainly enjoy it, but perhaps not as much as adults since they can relate to employees at work.

 As the story opens, Gator is starting a new job which he is quite nervous about. Various animals offer all of their recommendations for him to succeed in his new position. Of course, the slug suggests chilling out and relaxing. The obedient dog suggests being quick to fetch everything, and so it goes. Several employees have ideas to help him succeed. But Gator is quickly becoming overwhelmed. How can he implement all of the ideas?

Gator takes a deep breath and decides to ask one more animal for help. He gathers his courage and heads to Ms Hoo, the boss and wise owl.

This works for children since the verse is fun and there is a good lesson. But at the same time I see it as a unique gift to someone starting a new job.

See the Giveaway at the bottom of the page! 

Watch for my review of Sarah’s other book on this tour, The Goose on the Roof, November 10th. 

My thanks to iReadBookTours and the author for a copy of this book. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My Rating

4 Stars

About the Author

*Interview*

Sarah Sommer enjoys working with words in a way that makes the story feel musical and rhythmical, which is a reflection of her first career in music as a professional clarinetist. She is passionate about animals and enjoys nature, the arts, and dark chocolate.

Interview

What children’s book had a major impact on your childhood?

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.  Even as a child, I felt sorry for the little house getting squeezed out by the big expanding city.  The story impacted my early perception of society, the environment, and how actions have far-reaching consequences.  

You work in an office.  Is Animals at the Office a reflection of your own experiences at the office?

It is not a reflection of any particular person or place, but rather, a culmination of the various personalities I’ve encountered over the years at various jobs.  I freelanced for a few years and I’ve worked a bunch of odd jobs over my lifetime including retail, nannying, performing, teaching, and office work.

Most unique job?

When I lived in New York City, I worked for a production company that produced concerts in Carnegie Hall.  Sometimes I corralled large choruses onto the stage; other times, I assisted the special guests.  One night I was assigned to a celebrity host, a major singer from American Idol, and I had to arrange secret building exits and manage fans.  Another time, I had to run all over Manhattan going deli to deli looking for a special kind of deli meat requested by a famous conductor. 

Favorite travel spot?

A tiny little town known for its salt mines- Hallstatt, Austria.  I used to travel a lot in my first career as a musician, and I spent a summer playing for an orchestra in Austria.  A friend and I managed to get away for a day to see this nearby town which had slides built into the mines.  It was a truly picturesque place.

What decisions surprised you in the writing process?

I’m always surprised at how much time I spend considering and revamping genders, names, and other stereotypes.  During a first draft, it seems like a minor decision, but later on in the process, it feels impactful, as if your book could inspire a little girl to be a doctor if you decide to cast the doctor as a female. 

What are you working on now?

My third children’s picture book is in illustrations right now.  My Cat is Blue handles the topic of sadness caused by the loss of a pet, and it plays with color as the book evolves from darkness into light.  Not only is it difficult to lose a pet, but it can also be difficult to be the person trying to help someone through a tragic loss. 

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

Tour Schedule

Oct 19 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 19 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of Animals at the Office / guest post / giveaway
Oct 20 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 21 – Welcome To MLM Opinion’s Reviews – book review of Animals at the Office
Oct 21 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 21 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 21 – Amy’s Booket List – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 22 – I’d Rather Be At The Beach – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 22 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 23 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 23 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 26 – She Just Loves Books – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 27 – Splashes of Joy – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 27- Amy’s Booket List – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 28 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 28 – Cuzinlogic – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 29 – I’d Rather Be At The Beach – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Oct 29 – My Journey Back – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Oct 30 – Reading is My Passion – book review of The Goose on the Roof
Nov 2 – Welcome To MLM Opinion’s Reviews – book review of The Goose on the Roof
Nov 3 – She Just Loves Books – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 3 – My Journey Back – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 4 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 4 – Splashes of Joy – book review of Animals at the Office / guest post / giveaway
Nov 5 –Jazzy Book Reviews – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 5 – Pick a Good Book – book review of Animals at the Office / author interview / giveaway
Nov 6 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review of Animals at the Office / guest post / giveaway
Nov 6 – Nighttime Reading Center – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 9 – Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 9 – One Frugal Girl – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 10 – Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting – book review of Animals at the Office / giveaway
Nov 10 – Pick a Good Book – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 11 – Bigreadersite – book review of Animals at the Office
Nov 12 – Bigreadersite – book review of The Goose on the Roof
Nov 12 – Reading is My Passion – book review of Animals at the Office
Nov 13 – Writer with Wanderlust – book review of The Goose on the Roof / giveaway
Nov 13 – One Frugal Girl – book review of Animals at the Office / author interview / giveaway

**Giveaway**

Click for a chance to win signed copies of ANIMALS AT THE OFFICE & A GOOSE ON THE ROOF & a $50 Amazon Gift Card (1 winner) (USA only) (ends Nov. 20)