Spotlight, Giveaway
and Author Interviews
Join us for this tour from May 3 to May 21, 2021!
Book Details:
Book Title: Gus’ Fortunate Misfortune by Susan Pepka
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 62 pages
Genre: Children’s Book
Publisher: Full Cycle Publications
Release date: December 2018
Content Rating: G.
Book Description:
How do you turn a Very Bad Day into a Hopeful New Beginning? Gus, an ordinary mouse, must find a way to do just that. Following a series of unfortunate events, Gus finds himself trapped, separated from his family, and transported far from home. Alone and frightened, the young mouse must confront his deepest fears. Using his wits Gus solves problems and makes discoveries. Adapting to his new surroundings, Gus receives help from an unexpected friend. Each trial brings a new lesson… but will Gus ultimately succeed? Will Gus find what he’s truly looking for? – Ages 3-7
Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
Full Cycle Publications
B&N ~ IndieBound ~ BAM
Add to Goodreads
A native of Detroit and currently living in Atlanta, Susan Pepka has enjoyed great diversity throughout her life. Mother of three and grandmother of four, Susan has experienced life as a preschool teacher, technologist in diagnostic imaging, co-owner of a successful wellness center, meditation teacher, and now a published author with the debut of
her first children’s book, Gus’ Fortunate Misfortune.
One of Susan’s greatest pleasures is reading wonderful stories that stir the imagination and nourish the spirit. Her passion is helping others find ways to healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives. Her wish is that all beings live together in harmony.
INTERVIEW
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Such an interesting question! Honestly, writing is exhausting, and I always leave a line or two left unfinished so that I can more easily return to it the next day. The art, and in this case, mosaic making, is energizing and therapeutic. Making art is going to my happy place.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
When I was growing up, my whole neighborhood, including my father, was voting for President Kennedy. I felt sorry for Nixon, and wrote him a letter, saying that if he put more “peace” in his speeches, my parents would vote for him. He wrote back, signing his letter and a photograph. (My dad still voted for Kennedy.)
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Coming up with a story is the most difficult part. Everything has been done, and finding a unique way to illustrate the alphabet, in the case of Z is for Zebra: a Mosaic Menagerie, was using a new medium: mosaics. I taught myself.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Writer’s block is my Kryptonite, and probably every writer’s fear. Any alphabet book I offered a publisher was rejected, until FullCycle Publications said yes to Z is for Zebra. The poems for Z had to be short and fun for children, but most importantly, the choice of animal had to be one I could execute in mosaics!
What surprised you the most when creating this book?
I was surprised that I was able to improve so much, from A to Z. I worked chronologically, so that the anteater was my first mosaic, and the zebra was my last. You can actually see the progress, so much so that I made the zebra the cover of the book.
Book Details:
Book Title: Z is for Zebra: A Mosaic Menagerie by Judith Caseley
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 53 pages
Genre: ABC Book
Publisher: Full Cycle Publications
Release date: May 2019
Content Rating: G.
Book Description:
NEW from beloved illustrator/author, Judith Caseley, Z is for Zebra is a delightful reading romp for the very young child.
With vibrant art and quirky rhymes, this sure-to-be-a favorite book uses a child’s innate love of animals to move the reader through the letters of the alphabet. Displaying gorgeous mosaics, rich with colors and details, the book presents the alphabet in an easily accessible and entertaining presentation. Perfect for teaching the child in your life about language and the animals we share the planet with. A delight for the mind and a visual feast for young book lovers and their parents, each page features an alphabet letter and a highly colorful animal mosaic along with quirky, funny memorable phrases.
Using glass tile, pebbles, and found materials instead of her usual paints and brushes, Caseley’s words and pictures celebrate the imagination of every child, weaving her magic for the youngest would-be zoologist. It appeals to a young child’s shorter attention span and innate love for animals and color. From jeweled starfish to bright butterflies, comic giraffes to venomous vipers this book is sure to be one your child will cherish.
Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
Full Cycle Publications
IndieBound
Meet the Author:
INTERVIEW
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Such an interesting question! Honestly, writing is exhausting, and I always leave a line or two left unfinished so that I can more easily return to it the next day. The art, and in this case, mosaic making, is energizing and therapeutic. Making art is going to my happy place.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
When I was growing up, my whole neighborhood, including my father, was voting for President Kennedy. I felt sorry for Nixon, and wrote him a letter, saying that if he put more “peace” in his speeches, my parents would vote for him. He wrote back, signing his letter and a photograph. (My dad still voted for Kennedy.)
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Coming up with a story is the most difficult part. Everything has been done, and finding a unique way to illustrate the alphabet, in the case of Z is for Zebra: a Mosaic Menagerie, was using a new medium: mosaics. I taught myself.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Writer’s block is my Kryptonite, and probably every writer’s fear. Any alphabet book I offered a publisher was rejected, until FullCycle Publications said yes to Z is for Zebra. The poems for Z had to be short and fun for children, but most importantly, the choice of animal had to be one I could execute in mosaics!
What surprised you the most when creating this book?
I was surprised that I was able to improve so much, from A to Z. I worked chronologically, so that the anteater was my first mosaic, and the zebra was my last. You can actually see the progress, so much so that I made the zebra the cover of the book.
May 3 – Cover Lover Book Review – books spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – Gina Rae Mitchell – books spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – fundinmental – books spotlight / giveaway
May 5 – Stephanie Jane – books spotlight / giveaway
May 6 – Lisa Everyday Reads – books spotlight / author interview with Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 7 – 100 Pages A Day – books spotlight / giveaway
May 10 – Writer with Wanderlust – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 11 – Reading is My Passion – books spotlight
May 11 – Lisa’s Reading – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 12 – The Bespectacled Mother – books spotlight / guest post by Susan Pepka
May 13 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – books spotlight / giveaway
May 14 – Laura’s Interests – books spotlight / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 17 – Splashes of Joy – books spotlight / author interview with Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 18 – Jazzy Book Reviews – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / author interview with Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 19 – Rockin’ Book Reviews – books spotlight / guest post by Judith Caseley / guest post by Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 20 – Pick a Good Book – books spotlight / author interview with Judith Caseley / author interview with Susan Pepka / giveaway
May 21 – Locks, Hooks and Books – books spotlight / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:
GUS’ FORTUNATE MISFORTUNE & Z IS FOR ZEBRA Book Tour Giveaway
