#oigetslost

In partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Bright Lights Books.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Oi Gets Lost

Written by Lorna Likiza

Illustrated by Yevheniia Melnyk

Ages 6+ | 124 Pages

Publisher: Bright Lights Books | ISBN-13: 9781739985318

Publisher’s Synopsis: Set in Kenya, Oi is a naughty kitten who lives with his Mummy and siblings in an outdoor shed. Despite Mummy’s warnings, Oi has a tendency of wandering off and exploring. But one day, after nearly being attacked by a dog, Oi ends up in an unfamiliar neighborhood. And this time, he’s not sure he’ll be able to find his way back home…

Oi’s adventure is sure to delight children and cat-lovers alike.

‘A brave and vivid adventure’ —Ijeoma Isichei

‘A sheer delight for all kids, a gem of a story’ —Okenna Nzelu

PURCHASE LINK

https://amzn.to/3qg4FRe

https://brightlightsbooks.com/ols/products/oi-gets-lost-the-oi-series

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lorna Likiza is a Kenyan writer, tutor of French, and Founder of the Heroe Book Fair. Oi Gets Lost is her first published book. She considers Literature as one of her passions and lives in Mombasa.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK:

LOST AND FOUND

Oi Gets Lost

Written by Lorna Likiza

Illustrated by YevheniaMelnyk

An adorable chapter book with beautiful color illustrations. Oi, an adorable kitten, who lives in an outdoor shed near a shopping center in Kenya, narrates this story.

Oi possesses an insatiable curiosity that befuddles his mother and fellow siblings. He particularly enjoys wandering off to the shopping center where he encounters wondrous sights and smells. One day he gets too ambitious and finds himself in a shop where he causes damage and gets into trouble. A patron decides to bring Oi home to kill outdoor rats. Oi wonders if he will ever find his way home.

After befriending his new owner’s housecat, they become friends and allies. But these two cats have lived in different worlds. Can either of them be happy in different circumstances?

Elementary and middle-grade readers will learn a bit about Kenyan culture and customs as well as animals in this beautifully illustrated and well-written multicultural tale. Recommended for beginning readers, reluctant readers, and cat lovers everywhere.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a copy of Oi Gets Lost!

Ten (10) winners receive:

A copy of Oi Gets Lost

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

https://gleam.io/f87IG/oi-gets-lost-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 31, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewTour Kick-Off

Thursday, March 31, 2022Afrikanah Book ClubInstagram Live with Lorna Likiza10:15 a.m. Central Standard Time (North America)

Friday, April 1, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Saturday, April 2, 2022The Fairview ReviewA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Monday, April 4, 2022Writer with WanderlustAn interview withAuthor Lorna Likiza

Tuesday, April 5, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Wednesday, April 6, 2022Barbara Ann MojicaA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Thursday, April 7, 2022James Murua’s Literature BlogA podcast episode withAuthor Lorna Likiza

Friday, April 8, 2022The Momma SpotA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Saturday, April 9, 2022Crafty Moms ShareA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Tuesday, April 12, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Wednesday, April 13, 2022Because I Said SoA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Thursday, April 14, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Friday, April 15, 2022Me Two BooksA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Saturday, April 16, 2022A Dream Within a DreamA book review ofOi Gets Lost

Tuesday, April 19, 2022Life Is What It’s CalledAn interview withAuthor Lorna Likiza

Cat Books for Children-Cool Facts about Cats

Written by Barry J. McDonald

The author claims to have written this book for children but I am fairly sure that any one reading it will be astonished by the number of facts you did not know about cats. It really does not matter whether you a cat lover or not, you will be pleasantly surprised. There are beautiful photographs accompanying the text which is presented clearly and succinctly so that even beginning readers will have no trouble handling it. My only criticism is that perhaps the presentation of facts could have been better categorized.

Cats have  lived in human homes half the amount of time dogs have, yet their appearance and behavior have not changed in the last 35 million years! Depictions of cats are drawn on ancient walls. Archaelogists have found more than 300,000 mummies in ancient tombs and many of these had embalmed mice to prevent them from going hungry in the afterlife. When a family cat died, the members shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. The Japanese believed that cats had the power to change into super spirits, and Buddhist spirituals used them as surrogates.

In many ways cats are similar to humans. Every human has a set of unique fingerprints; every cat posseses a unique nosepad. The organization of a cat’s brain is similar to that of a human as it is the center for processing emotions. Cats dream like humans do, they lose their baby teeth, and they can be blood donors for other cats.  They have good memories and may hold something in memory as long as sixteen hours. If you spend time talking to a cat, it is more likely that the cat will talk back to you. Like humans, they may give you the silent treatment if you ignore them!

Yet, there are many differences as well. Cats move the left front and back leg together as they walk. The only other two animals in nature that do that are the giraffe and the camel. Cats’ vision is better than that of a human, but their color sensitivity is poor. A cat’s whiskers are controlled by muscles in its face and are used for balance. The average cat has twelve whiskers on each side. When a cat is blind, it can actually move the whiskers in front of its face to prevent bumping into objects using its whiskers like a human would use a cane.

You might think that I have already presented most of the information in this book, but that is far from the truth. The reader will find out how cats were used in war and as spies. McDonald explores the senses of the cat and how they work, how they hunt, gender differences, the classifications of cats, and social behavior. The reader learns how to tell if your cat is too fat, if he is in danger of being poisoned, and what you can do to keep your cat safe and happy. Parents, teachers, children and  anyone interested in animal behavior will benefit by reading this book and keeping it on hand for reference.

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Blucy

Written by: Julia Dweck

Illustrated by: Erika LeBarre

I am excited to post a preview of Julia Dweck’s newest e book to be officially released on August 13, 2013. This time around Ms. Dweck has teamed with Erika LeBarre to produce a short sweet tale in verse about a very strange kitten.

The story begins with Mandy, the only other character, visiting the local shelter in search of just the right cat. Her eyes set upon Blucy, peacefully curled up in sleep. Mandy falls in love with her and adopts the kitten. But Blucy proves to be quite cantankerous and obstinate. She refuses to eat and drink. In fact, she disappears whenever it is time to eat. The only thing she eats are blue jellybeans! Blucy possesses a unique talent. This cat turns blue whenever she is excited or feels moody. Blucy chooses to camouflage herself by blending in with all things blue. What havoc Blucy wreaks!. She destroys the curtains, birthday gifts, and draws on walls with blue crayons. The kitten shreds all the clothes in the laundry pile. Poor Mandy is at her wit’s end. The playmate that she hoped to have causes nothing but trouble. Then one day, Mandy discovers a secret that will allow Blucy to eat and even want to come home at night to play with her. You will have to read the book to find out how Mandy accomplishes this feat.

This book is approximately twenty pages with full screen images and pop up the text. The illustrations portray such lively animation that you will think you are in the story. Mandy has a unique, almost multicultural appearance, and Blucy’s eyes will mesmerize you. There are two bonus features included at the end of the story, a hidden picture puzzle for younger readers and a page of amazing cat facts for the older reader. Children four and older as well as adults will enjoy the clever four line verse on each page. The rhymes make it fun to read aloud.

You can reserve a copy online on Amazon before the release date and receive a 20% discount. Just use the link http://ow.ly/n1BHT   ENJOY!

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The City Kittens and the Old House Cat

by: Mrs.D.

Illustrated by Mike Motz

 

Okay, so it’s only July….why are we talking about Christmas? Well, this charming children’s book was just released about a somewhat cantankerous old cat who is forced to celebrate Christmas with a relative’s city kittens.

This is a new book written by Mrs.D. She has previously released, Carlo the Mouse on Vacation and The Trees Have Hearts. In this charming book, the old house cat named Nyda feels out of her comfort zone because this year some new intruders have appeared to celebrate Christmas with the family.

Nyda is accustomed to the hustle and bustle that the Christmas season brings along with the sometimes annoying visitors who come to disrupt her peaceful lifestyle. Normally she can retreat to her secret lookout spots and watch from afar. She eagerly gazes at the sparkling tree and nostalgically remembers the ornament given her the first Christmas that Nyda spent with Mrs. D. Nyda loves the holiday goodies that she bribes Grandma to feed her. Unfortunately, this year when the oldest daughter came home to visit, she brought with her a box with two kittens. These two rambunctious kittens are annoying Nyda. When the kitten named Jack goes after her food, she reaches her wit’s end! Then we are introduced to the story of how these two little kittens came to be adopted . Now Nyda feels ashamed and contrite. What was it that changed her mind about them and why?

The tale is one of a close and loving family sharing holiday traditions and memories as well as a first person narration by a beautiful cat who thinks and acts like she is human. The reader is given a glimpse into the life of a beautiful family with a big heart. This story is written with compassion and warmth. The illustrations are dramatic and vivid. Some of them look more like portraits. These complement the book’s story line well even though my personal preference is for softer images. This book is a nice addition to a family holiday reading library for both adults and children. It is available in hardcover, paperback and e book additions.