REVIEWS and GIVEAWAY
Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie
by Julie Wenzlick
The Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie series by Julie Wenzlick comprises three books: The Day Annabelle was Bitten by a Doodlebug, The Day Maisie and Annabelle Got the Giggles, and The Day Maisie Picked a Daisy. This blog tour is hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. The tour stops here today for my reviews, an excerpt from each book, and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
The Day Annabelle was Bitten by a Doodlebug
(Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie Book 1)
(Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie Book 1)
Description
When pre-schooler Annabelle awakens one morning, she has a strange urge to start doodling.
She calls for paper and pen and begins doodling continuously, unable to stop - even for meals! Her concerned parents take her to the doctor, who discovers a doodlebug bite on her neck.
He assures them her doodling urges will end when the bite fades away. Annabelle gets so good at doodling she opens a shop to sell her work and even travels the world to share her art.
Then one day the bite fades and so do her uncontrollable urges.
Excerpt
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
Annabelle wakes up one day and can’t stop herself from drawing “oodles of doodles”. What’s wrong with her?
This cute book is dedicated to the real Annabelle, the author’s granddaughter. The rhyming text is reminiscent of Dr. Seuss, and Annabelle even wears a hat like the one worn by the Cat in the Hat. However, this story is set squarely in modern times with a reference to a tablet. The colorful illustrations by Jaime Buckley complement the text perfectly.
Parents will enjoy reading this book aloud to their children.
Book Links
Author’s Website (discount)
The Day Maisie and Annabelle Got the Giggles
(Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie Book 2)
(Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie Book 2)
Description
After sisters Annabelle and Maisie meet the gigglepuss outside on the trampoline, they suddenly can’t stop giggling. Their dad has a hard time believing they met a gigglepuss, calling it “mythical nonsense”. But as time passes and they giggle harder and harder, there’s no choice but to take them to the doctor, who provides an unpleasant but effective remedy. Wonder who else in the family will encounter that rascally gigglepuss?
Excerpt
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
Sisters Annabelle and Maisie are fighting. But something very strange soon puts them both in a good mood. Until it gets out of control.
With another nod to Dr. Seuss, a mischievous cat gets two children in trouble. The author brings this picture book into the twenty-first century by adding a reference to Google. The rhyming text is engaging and well-executed, and the illustrations by Jaime Buckley accurately portray the author’s granddaughters Annabelle and Maisie.
The kids will be laughing along with these two gigglers.
Book Links
Author’s Website (discount)
The Day Maisie Picked a Daisy
(Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie Book 3)
(Adventures with Annabelle and Maisie Book 3)
Description
When big sister Annabelle decides to go against Mom’s rules and take little sister Maisie Grace for a ride in her pink Barbie Corvette, she has no idea of the adventure that lies ahead! Join these wandering sisters as they explore Miss Millie’s garden and fail to obey the sign: Do NOT pick the Daisies! What will happen when Maisie unknowingly plucks one daisy from the garden?
Excerpt
My Review
By Lynda Dickson
Miss Millie loves people picking her flowers, just not the daisies. What happens when Maisie picks one because she can’t read the sign?
I love the addition of modern technology - this time a drone - along with
the fantasy element. The alliteration in the rhyming text may prove a challenge
but will be fun to read aloud to the children. Cute illustrations by Jaime
Buckley round out the experience.
Fun for kids and adults alike.
Book Links
Author’s Website (discount)
About the Author
Julie Wenzlick is a retired English teacher who loves to rhyme. She began writing poems and stories in second grade, and she loves to share her books with elementary students in hopes of inspiring them to write their own stories. Three of her books were inspired by her granddaughters Annabelle and Maisie. She often gets the question from her young audiences, “Did this REALLY happen?”
Her book The Day Annabelle was Bitten by a Doodlebug was chosen as Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest Children's Book category for 2017. Julie, who also writes songs to go with her books, produced her original full-length musical comedy Singles File, in the early '90s at three venues.
Author Links
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win one of three coloring books.
Books featured in this post:
