Hello Readers!
I have some exciting news!
I have the honor of being a part of a Birthday Blog tour to celebrate the second anniversary for the publication of Bubble Wrap Girl, written by Kari van Wakeren and illustrated by CA Nobens.
The Birthday Blog Tour runs from May 15-June 15. In this post, I will post the interview with the author, my review and lastly the tour schedule. I hope you enjoy this post!!
Review:
( I received a review copy of Bubble Wrap Girl from the author, thru Lien Public Relations)
Published June 2018
Available at Itasca Books, Amazon, and Indie Bound
Children’s book ages 4-8
Synopsis:
Izzy Magee gets bumps and bruises when she does the things she likes- chasing her brother, dancing in the kitchen, and riding her bike. Getting hurt is a hang-up for Izzy, so one day she decides to cover herself in bubble wrap. Her plan works like a charm…until the bubble wrap gets in the way of doing the things she likes. Eventually, Izzy realizes that getting hurt is a part of life- and she isn’t going to let it get in the way of having fun!
Interview with Kari van Wakeren
I had the chance to send the author questions about her book and writing and received some fantastic answers.
What was your inspiration behind Bubble Wrap Girl?
When my daughter was four years old, she would often get hurt doing things lots of different things, and when she would, she would come to me for a band aid. I had been a pretty timid child, and I wanted her to know she was strong and capable and for her to not let the possibility getting hurt prevent her from doing trying new things or going after things in life.
One day, when she came to tell me yet another owie, I was close to responding out of exasperation, but at the last second decided to try a bit of humor instead. So I asked, “Should we just wrap you up in bubble wrap?” and the expression on her face was priceless. Without missing a beat, she replied, “No!” Yet at that moment I knew a story had been born.
The message of Bubble Wrap Girl- that we have what it takes within us to do hard and great things- is one that is close to my heart. And I wanted to write the book in order to encourage my kids, and kids everywhere (old and young alike) that they could do hard and great things, no matter what bumps and bruises they experience in life.
What is your favorite part about writing/being an author?
My favorite part about writing in general is hearing from readers when something I have written has connected to their life. In regards to writing Bubble Wrap Girl, my favorite part of being an author is sharing my book with others, whether at a school visit, book signing, or through a friend, and hearing someone say that they love it.
Just this week, I heard from a friend of mine in Ohio who had given the book to someone she knows with stage four cancer who is struggling with how to talk about it with her grandkids. Hearing something like that fills my heart because it’s exactly why I wrote the book.
Similarly, it’s pure joy to see a kid’s face light up and get the message when I talk with them about how we all get hurt at times in life, but how we each also have what it takes within us to bounce back, keep on going, and do great things.
Sometimes, that great thing may be trying a new activity. Sometimes it may mean standing up to a bully or doing what’s right, rather than easy. And sometimes it will mean believing in yourself enough to let your light shine, not giving in when others try to subdue it.
This is a message we can all relate to, and need to be reminded of throughout our lives because we all have people in our lives who try to put us down, and we all get hurt once in awhile. But we also all have what it takes within us to do hard and great things, and that is a message that I love sharing with others.
Was there anyone or anything that influenced you to become a writer?
I’ve loved to write ever since I was little and can remember specific teachers in my life that fostered my love of writing. In college, I started journaling, which helped me find my voice. As a pastor, I not only write sermons regularly, but I also started writing a column in our local newspaper. As I heard from people that those articles were meaningful to them, I started to see myself as a writer more than I had before and embraced that identity.
What is your favorite genre to read and why?
I am an avid reader, and I enjoy lots of different books. The main thing I look for is books that are well-written- ones in which there is depth to the characters and plot and where the author doesn’t use fifty words to say what they could in twenty. I love the way fictional stories can transport us to another place, and how they can even give us insight into ourselves and help us gain a deeper sense of appreciation for others and the world we live in, simply by inviting us into another person’s story.
In a way, it’s easier for me to list my favorite authors instead of specific genres. I enjoy the work of nonfiction authors Barbara Brown Taylor and Malcolm Gladwell. I love the fictional work of Jan Karon and Mary Alice Monroe. And I have also always loved children’s literature because children’s books have a way of packaging universal truths in ways that can inspire and speak to all of us.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes- I’ve wanted to write a book for more years than I can remember. I just never knew exactly what form that would take. Even when I thought of writing a children’s book, I didn’t know what the theme would be until the idea for Bubble Wrap Girl came to me. I am currently working on a book related to being a mom, wife, and women in ministry and also write for several different publications. My goal in my writing is to inspire and empower others of all ages to be the person they were created to be.
My Review:
I give this book 5/5 stars
I received this book from the author thru Lien Public relations.
I absolutely loved this book! I liked how relatable the characters in this book are. Many kids and adults alike can relate to Izzy getting hurt while having fun. Parents can also relate to how Izzy’s parents feel in wanting to protect their children from getting hurt. I thought the idea of the book was very cute. That if you always worry about not getting hurt you don’t learn to fall and pick yourself up again. I ended up reading this book to a kindergarten class that I work with who also loved the book. Many of the students in the class could relate to the book as well. I asked the students what the lesson in the story was and many said that its okay that you’re clumsy and get hurt, the important thing is that you can pick yourself back up again.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone in any age group.
Be sure to enjoy the other blogs on this tour
Tour Schedule: (click the links below to be directed to the blogs)
The Picture Book Review May 15
Darcy Bell Myers- featured in On LienPublicRelations May 23
Tonja Drecker May 27
Kids Bookshelf June 1
Living in a World of Book Quotes June 15
About Kari van Wakeren
Kari van Wakeren is a wife, mom, Lutheran pastor, and author of the children’s book, Bubble Wrap Girl, as well as several articles published in Definite Woman and Gather magazines. Bubble Wrap Girl celebrates resilience and the courage to try new things and was nominated for a 2017 NEMBA award. Kari enjoys sharing the message that we all have what it takes within us to do hard and great things with audiences of all ages. She lives in central Minnesota with her family and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Luther Seminary.
Living in a World of Book Quotes 