BOOK NOOK REVIEWS: Izzy & Oscar by Allison Estes & Dan Stark

TITLE: Izzy & Oscar

AUTHOR: Allison Estes & Dan Stark

ILLUSTRATOR: Tracy Dockray

PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Inc, 2015

SYNOPSIS: 

Pretend pirate captain Izzy is looking for a pet when an adventurous little octopus squiggles into town.

Have you ever taught an octopus to roll over? It’s harder than it looks. Discover why octopuses make the best pets in this charming picture book about friendship and embracing individuality!

Izzy has always wanted a pet. So when an adventurous octopus squiggles into town, Izzy decides to keep him. After all, a real pirate captain has to have a mascot. Oscar is not very good at going for walks or playing fetch. (Although he is amazing at hide and seek). And he’s definitely not like other pets…

But he is just right for Izzy.

Readers will be tickled by Izzy’s attempts to teach Oscar to behave like a dog, a parrot, a pony?and gratified by Izzy’s realization that in the end we love others for who they are…eight arms and all!

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK : I’ve always been fascinated with pirates and ocean creatures, so when I saw this adorable picture book, I just had to read it! Izzy is a spunk little girl determined to have a pet. No matter how unusual. No matter how troublesome to train. Oscar was just minding his own business when one little girl shows him there is more to life than sea water and seaweed. A strange friendship begins and soon the two are off on grand adventures all young readers will enjoy reading about. A great addition to any library!

RATING: *****5 Stars *****

RATING SYSTEM:

1 star…probably not worth your time.

2 stars…there are some things to like, but could elements have been stronger.

3 stars…this story will appeal to some readers but others might find it lacking something.

4 stars…strong story, nice illustrations, and should grab the attention of many readers.

5 stars…superbly written story, stellar illustrations, a must addition to any book lovers’ collection!

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Jack is afraid of the THING in the closet. Monty is afraid of the LUMP in the bed. One day boy and monster both decide they no longer want to fear what hides in the dark. Both have a plan, but will be surprised by what they discover after A BUMP IN THE NIGHT.

***Ebook Pre-orders happening now and paperback edition releasing August 2nd!***

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Hybrid published author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of flash fiction, children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna offers occasional BOOK NOOK REVIEWS of great children’s books and offers WRITERLY WISDOM to new and established writers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Alliance of Independent Authors, and Children’s Book Insider. Donna loves dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.

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c/o Story Catcher Publishing

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Donna L

Hybrid award winning author; aspiring sketch artist; and 4th Degree Senior Certified Taekwondo Instructor. Host of BOOK NOOK REVIEWS. Member of SCBWI. Mom to fabulous son and adventurer delving into the tricky world of indie-publishing.

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