Book description
“For years the evil villain Wintergreen had tried to destroy super crime-stopper, Tomato and his sidekick, Pea, and take over planet Oarg. In a plan gone wrong, Wintergreen traps himself along with his arch-nemesis in a runaway rocket ship that crashes on a strange planet called “EAR-TH”. Now these perennial enemies must learn to work together to survive the dangers on this strange world. Hungry birds, enormous snakes and the giant inhabitants of EAR-TH stand between this brawling bunch of aliens and finding a way home.”
My Review:
Tomato wins an all inclusive space cruise to a fabulous destination ( he he ominous sounding) so he decides to take his best friend Pea and his other two comrades Skew and Poppy. Little did they know, if was merely a ruse, by their arch nemesis Wintergreen and his evil cronies. He he, I love the characters and names from the get go. I love that narrative style, like you see so often in animation which is just what kids like to read. The descriptions are really vivid and the glossary at the back made it so easy to adjust to this new world of Oarg. The author has a great imagination that comes across so well on the page, but what I love more than anything was the use of humour. As mentioned in the reviews prior to mine, the author is 11 years old and the humour is spot on to what kids in that age group would find funny.
Here are my some random lines, just to show you some of the comedy value:
"Wintergreen and Spike wore mustaches and Pye wore glasses that made it look like he had two eyes instead of one." Love it
"Skew replied, "That's great Poppy, but today is not Saturday, so it's not time for his shower."
"The minions at their work terminals must be doing something top secret, because the commander keeps SHUSHING them and won't allow them to communicate with each other" The Smidges take on the goings on in the Library that they landed in on Ear-th. Hilarious...
This was a quick and totally clean read, which as we have discussed so many times that kids love to be entertained and it doesn't take 500 pages to do it. I think this would be great as a read aloud so that the fantastic humour of the book can be demonstrated by the reader to the listeners.
Huge congratulations to the author, and I see there is room for a sequel, he he. Stay tuned for the next adventures of Tomato and Pea.
One final note, I totally agree with MotherDaughterBookReviews in a previous review. I like the cover, it is sharp and eye catching, but I want to know what Tomato and Pea look like. That is certainly the feedback I hear time and again for middle grade books that you must allow the child to visualise the character. I happen to know that the author is quite a fantastic illustrator so I would encourage him in the second edition, to put his wonderful talent to his covers too.
A thoroughly enjoyable story that will sure to entertain. I would recommend to ages 6-8
5 Stars
Tomato wins an all inclusive space cruise to a fabulous destination ( he he ominous sounding) so he decides to take his best friend Pea and his other two comrades Skew and Poppy. Little did they know, if was merely a ruse, by their arch nemesis Wintergreen and his evil cronies. He he, I love the characters and names from the get go. I love that narrative style, like you see so often in animation which is just what kids like to read. The descriptions are really vivid and the glossary at the back made it so easy to adjust to this new world of Oarg. The author has a great imagination that comes across so well on the page, but what I love more than anything was the use of humour. As mentioned in the reviews prior to mine, the author is 11 years old and the humour is spot on to what kids in that age group would find funny.
Here are my some random lines, just to show you some of the comedy value:
"Wintergreen and Spike wore mustaches and Pye wore glasses that made it look like he had two eyes instead of one." Love it
"Skew replied, "That's great Poppy, but today is not Saturday, so it's not time for his shower."
"The minions at their work terminals must be doing something top secret, because the commander keeps SHUSHING them and won't allow them to communicate with each other" The Smidges take on the goings on in the Library that they landed in on Ear-th. Hilarious...
This was a quick and totally clean read, which as we have discussed so many times that kids love to be entertained and it doesn't take 500 pages to do it. I think this would be great as a read aloud so that the fantastic humour of the book can be demonstrated by the reader to the listeners.
Huge congratulations to the author, and I see there is room for a sequel, he he. Stay tuned for the next adventures of Tomato and Pea.
One final note, I totally agree with MotherDaughterBookReviews in a previous review. I like the cover, it is sharp and eye catching, but I want to know what Tomato and Pea look like. That is certainly the feedback I hear time and again for middle grade books that you must allow the child to visualise the character. I happen to know that the author is quite a fantastic illustrator so I would encourage him in the second edition, to put his wonderful talent to his covers too.
A thoroughly enjoyable story that will sure to entertain. I would recommend to ages 6-8
5 Stars
So Where Can you buy it, hurrahhh
Amazon Canada http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1491201061
Amazon US http://amzn.com/1491201061
Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1491201061
Createspace https://www.createspace.com/4378065
Not so serious Bio –
Eleven-year-old Erik plans to eventually take over the world. Right now he's a bit too young, so he is spending time as a sixth grade student, book review blogger and hopeful writer.
Where Can You Find Erik
Twitter https://twitter.com/ThisKid_Erik
Blog Tour Dates
September 8th
http://thiskidreviewsbooks.com/ - Cover reveal and announce blog tour
September 9th
Michelle Isenhoff’s blog http://michelleisenhoff.com/ - Book review
September 10
KidLit Reviews http://kid-lit-reviews.com/ - Book review
September 11th
Mother Daughter Book Reviews http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com/ - Book review
The Story Readig Ape http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/ - Guest post by me (Erik)
September 12th
Catherine Johnson’s Blog http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/ - Book review
September 13th
Julie Grasso’s Blog http://www.whenigrowupiwannawriteakidsbook.blogspot.com.au/ - Book review
By Word of Beth http://www.bethstilborn.com/ - Book review and giveaway
September 14th
Diane Tulloch’s blog http://thepatientdreamer.com/ - Book review
September 15th
Picture Books Help Kids Soar http://viviankirkfield.com/ - Book review
September 16th
Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog http://susannahill.blogspot.com/ - Interview - Q&A with Commenters and giveaway
September 17th
Reading with Rhythm http://readingwithrhythm.wordpress.com/ - Book Review
September 18th
Julie Rowan-Zoch’s blog http://julierowanzoch.wordpress.com/ - Interview
September 19th
Dr. Nana Plum’s (AKA Dr. Niamh Clune) http://ontheplumtree.wordpress.com/ - Book Review in rhyme :D
September 20th
S.W. Lothian’s blog http://swlothian.com/ - Book review
AWESOME! Thanks for agreeing to be in the tour Ms. Grasso! I am happy you thought the story was funny! Thank you for the comment about the cover too. That is something I will keep in mind for the future. Thank you again! :D
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud to know you Erik and huge congrats on your achievement.
DeleteNice review Julie. Ms. Grasso. I liked the cover and like the idea of picturing the characters in my mind from the author's descriptions. This works great with Erik's book, so I think his cover is spot-on. One of my favorite humor lines is "How's the stew, Skew?"
ReplyDeleteLOL Sue, I love that line too. Erik has done an awesome job. We can't wait for the further adventures.
DeleteThanks for the review Julie. I too, love the cover and can't wait to read about Tomato & Pea. Best of luck Erik!
ReplyDeletePaul R. Hewlett
Thanks so much for stopping by Paul, I think you will love this one. Cheers Julie
DeleteWell, look at this... two of our favorite bloggers in one post! The blogger and the author of the book. We have been following Erik's tour much like we did your last tour, Julie, and it has been so much fun! We are all cheering for his new release ~ which we adore! Have a great week and welcome back from vacation.
ReplyDeleteHurrah, we love it when you stop by. We are so impressed by Erik, he is one very talented 11 year old, apart from the other one we know who also writes fabulous books, ( or maybe she is 10, he he, either way, still incredible what they have achieved)
Delete:) We are quite proud of both of them.
DeleteInspiring, amazing kiddos.
~Christine :)
There are so many great lines in this book - it's so funny! Great review Julie and who knew there would be such controversy about a cover?! lol The cover aside, there is brilliance in those pages! The more I think about it, the more I think Erik may indeed take over the world one day. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL Renee, you and I are controversy magnets, and we do often agree on covers. Erik has done a fine job, hats off to him.
DeleteThe Tomato and the Pea sounds so funny I just know kids will love it. I hope I win a copy. I am so PROUD of Erik for I have known him for several years now in the blogging world and he has given me advice for my grandson reading pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI Love the cover of this book and I am off right now to look at it on Amazon. I may just buy it and then you can take me off your give away list. How ever I would Love love love a signed copy.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Erik has done a fabulous job. Your grandson will love it.
DeleteGreat review -- this blog tour is so much fun! I'm so proud of Erik and all he's done already in his life.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by Beth, it was a very funny book, I loved it.
DeleteLove the presentation of this review. Erik has done an amazing job. I found myself often chuckling away while reading his book, even though I am not used to reading space stories.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there were so many laugh out loud moments in this book, Erik did a great job.
DeleteSuper review! Thanks so much for helping spread the word about this incredible new author!
ReplyDelete