Book and Soundtrack Review: Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
HOPE FOR TOMORROW
Wishapick Tickety Boo And The Black Trunk
Written by M.M. Allen
Wishapick Music and Lyrics by Deborah Wynne
I agreed to review this book as part of a blog tour, and was really delighted once I opened it. Targeted for a middle grade audience of 9-12 year old children, this well-written book contains elements of adventure, fantasy, magic and humor in just the right combination.
Jack and his younger sister Lilly are the main protagonists. Since his father’s death two years before, Jack has remained angry and sullen. In the opening scene, readers feel this tension between them when Lilly accidentally breaks the spy drone Jack has built for a science project. But Lilly has a surprise for Jack; she has overheard their mother talking on the phone and now knows the location of the key that will open the mysterious black trunk his father left behind. Their mother has expressly forbidden them to open it. Jack cannot contain his curiosity. When he opens the trunk he falls inside, and down into a black hole surrounded by snakes. Unknown to Jack, Lilly follows him inside. So the adventure begins….
The siblings will meet a fascinating cast of animal characters including snakes, possums, skunks, and wolves. They will learn the meaning of their mother’s mantra, “Breath of all good things.” The mystery of their father’s death will be revealed, and they will discover the value of embracing hope versus despair, while displaying courage and teamwork.
This book reminds me a bit of Charlotte’s Web and Alice through the Looking Glass, but this plot is unique and the language colorful. Length of the book is under 150 pages, one that I feel is just right for a middle grade audience. As a bonus, readers may purchase a companion CD with music that matches the various moods and scenarios presented in the book. Listening to the music and closing one’s eyes, the reader can easily feel transported inside a Disney movie.
I highly recommend this Five Star Readers’ Favorite book to middle grade readers interested in a humorous, imaginative adventure fusing realistic and magical elements with characters with whom they can easily empathize. Librarians and teachers could use this book as a read aloud to open up discussion on many topics relevant to this audience.
About Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
Darkness. Utter blackness. Was this why his mother had refused to let Jack unlock his father’s old trunk? It had been two years since his dad had died, and all Jack could think about was examining whatever treasures were stored inside the beloved trunk. But when he finally lifted the lid, he didn’t just fall in—he fell through it into a pit of rattlesnakes!
Trying to recall his mother’s stories about “the Breath of All Good Things”—anything to shed light on his current situation—Jack wishes he’d paid better attention rather than mock the tales as childish myths…and that he’d waited to enter the trunk with his sister, Lilly, so they could at least face this together.
Like L. Frank Baum’s Oz and C. S. Lewis’s Narnia, M. M. Allen brings to life the fantastical world of Wishapick—a land of courageous animals ruled by a cruel rattlesnake king who has condemned the villagers to live without light. Chosen as the reluctant hero to save the villagers, Jack must face terrifying creatures and overwhelming odds if he wants to help his new friends—and return home himself.
“… a breathy and fantastical storytelling style, imaginations will flourish and the tale will be enjoyed by kids ages 8-12 who enjoy the genre of fantasy.”—The Children’s Book Review
Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk is available on Amazon.
Fun Stuff
Wishapick Soundtrack
Be sure to check out the companion music CD, Wishapick, for purchase or download from DeborahWynne.com
Book Club Questions
Get to the heart of Wishapick by downloading this set of book club questions: Wishapick by M. M. Allen: Book Club Questions
About M. M. Allen
M. M. Allen, author of the acclaimed children’s picture book Let’s Play Ball, is the mother of two adult children and aunt to twenty-three nieces and nephews, including ten great-nieces and great-nephews. MM is a former teacher and university lecturer. She has also worked extensively in marketing and communications with varied businesses and non-profits. MM lives in a picturesque northern California town where she enjoys writing, tending to her rose garden, and caring for her West Highland terrier, Pip.
About Deborah Wynne
Composer and lyricist Deborah Wynne created a companion CD of songs to accompany Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk. Wynne’s primary talents lie in choral singing, stage musicals, and composing. Her musical projects include the 2013 album Strands of Gold and 2007 musical Moment of Truth. She is an active singer and composer in Santa Barbara, California, where she lives with her husband and their two shelties, Sparkle and Gracie.
Wishapick and iPod Nano Giveaway
Enter to win an autographed copy of Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk written by acclaimed author M. M. Allen; plus an Apple iPod Nano to listen to your downloaded copy of the Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk soundtrack composed by the talented Deborah Wynne!
Giveaway begins November 5, 2015, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends December 31, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Wishapick Tour Dates
Thursday November 5 2015
The Children’s Book Review
Tour Kick-Off & Giveaway
Friday November 6 2015
The Review Wire
Book Excerpt & Soundtrack Clip
Tuesday November 17 2015
Suz Reviews
Creating Mood in a Story with Music
Monday November 23 2015
On Starships & Dragonwings
5 Things About the World of Wishapick
Tuesday November 24 2015
Valerie’s Reviews
Book Excerpt & Soundtrack Clip
Tuesday November 27 2015
Batch of Books
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Saturday December 5 2015
The Fairview Review
Wishapick Book Review
Thursday December 10 2015
Inspired by Savannah
Wishapick Book Review
Wednesday December 23 2015
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Sunday December 27 2015
Little Miss History
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
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December 27, 2015
bamauthor
Barbara Ann Mojica's BLOG 
2 responses to “WISHAPICK BLOG TOUR”
MM Allen
December 29th, 2015 at 01:02
Barbara Ann thank you for a very comprehensive and superb review. With every good wish to you.
MM Allen
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bamauthor
December 29th, 2015 at 01:27
You’re welcome…..Looking forward to your next book!
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