Friday, February 12, 2010

THE LIGHTHOUSE OF MR. TINFISH: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
THE LIGHTHOUSE
OF MR. TINFISH

BY CHRIS WARDLE

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Mr. Tinfish the penguin lives with his family in an old oil drum at the edge of the sea, which he likes to think of as his barrel-lighthouse. Unfortunately since the time of the people the climate has been subject to sudden changes and a rapid rise in sea level creates problems, not only for the barrel-lighthouse, but for all of the animals and birds who are part of the colony. Luckily Mr. Vinegar the Walrus enjoys feeling important during a good crisis, and enlists the help of Mr. Choli and Mr. Ginger, the cats.

Mr. Choli is the head detective of the colony, although his laziness usually gets the better of him as, being a cat, sleeping and eating roast fish are his main priorities. Luckily his companions, including Mrs. Cat-biscuit the goat, and his sidekick Mr. Ginger with his ever-rumbling tummy, are there to assist in his haphazard expeditions to help the colony whenever there is a problem.

The sea level is not the only environmental problem facing the colony, and an expedition party is dispatched to investigate the drying river, led by Mr. Choli, who after all has his own magnifying glass and pipe to help him appear more detective-ish. The exploits of the companions continue with secret tunnels and a sea voyage to Volcano Island. As the adventures unfold, it turns out that being the keeper of a barrel-lighthouse is quite a useful innovation for penguin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Chris Wardle holds a bachelor’s degree in physical geography as well as a Master’s degree for water supply in developing countries from Cranfield University in the UK.

Over the last ten years Chris has travelled extensively in developing countries working on charity projects in poor communities. He has been able to draw on his numerous experiences to inspire his creative works, particularly living for long periods in communities with different cultures in Africa and Asia.


An orphaned kitten in Northern Uganda was the inspiration for Mr. Choli’s character in the Tinfish series. He now lives in the UK with Chris’s family (via a few months with a foster family in France to organize his European passport).


MY REVIEW:

What an interesting book that really deals with a serious issue but does it through the use of some odd little characters and their many adventures. All of them unite to try and find out what is happening where they live. With important and relevant information about animals and the environment, author Chris Wardle presents it in a fun way and makes it easy to understand for children. He does it with respect to children's intelligence and that is one thing that makes it interesting to adults as well. It isn't a "baby book".

The book is fun to read and really good to read to younger children around kindergarten age. Older children can read it on their own but again, story reading together might spark some wonderful and thought provoking discussion with your older child about environmental issues. There aren't many pictures so that is why I believe a person reading to the younger child can bring the story alive for them in the use of their voice and tone. They will love Mr. Tinfish as he is an adorable character. I know I did as well! Kudos to Chris Wardle for this lovely and important children's story!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE LIGHTHOUSE OF MR. TINFISH


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO JAIME AND MY GOOD
FRIENDS IN AUSTRALIA, AND AT
PUMP UP YOUR BOOK TOURS, I
HAVE TWO COPIES OF THIS
LOVELY BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!



--U.S., CANADA, AND AUSTRALIAN
RESIDENTS ONLY

--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
HOW TO ENTER

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT THIS BOOK'S DESCRIPTION OR REVIEW ABOVE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK BY VISITING HIS WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY:
COMMENT ON IF YOU ARE A NETWORKED BLOGS FOLLOWER...LOOKING FOR #50!!!

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON IF YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG AND HOW YOU DO IT. IF YOU DON'T, CHECK OUT GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT IN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN AS I AM SO CLOSE TO #600... AND #600 WILL WIN A PRIZE AS WELL AS ONE OTHER GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT LOYAL FOLLOWER FROM THE 600!


GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 6 PM, EST,
FEBRUARY 27 FOR THIS BOOK!


14 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm # 600!

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm interested to read the book to see how it is done. A serious topic, but for a young audience.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Chris Wardle said...

Hello,

Thank you for such a positive review. I'm really glad you were so entertained by The Lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish and hope that you get as much pleasure from the sequel, Mr. Choli's River Trip. The third book in the series, Mr. Vinegar and the Frozen Sea, is planned for release in the next few months, so I will share a copy with you when it comes out.
I've enjoyed following the comments for the 'give-away'. There are clearly some dedicated readers who are also cat-lovers in your readership.

Linda Kish said...

I think this sounds like a really fun book. Hope I win it.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

The artwork on the website is wonderful.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower / rss subscriber

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

skkorman said...

My granddaughter loves books about animals, and she might learn something at the same time!

Sheila
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

skkorman said...

The orphaned kitten that was the inspiration for Mr. Choli's character now lives with the author's family in the UK.

Sheila
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

JoanneR said...

Am a follower and would love to win the book!
joannereynolds at sbcglobal dot net

traveler said...

I am intrigued with this unique and wonderful book. thanks for this chance. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway. I think this one looks very interesting.

Anonymous said...

I love stories involving animals. This book looks different from others I've read and I would love to get this one into my hot little hands!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I found it interesting that the author used to live in Cameroon.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect. I also subscribe via Google Reader.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

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