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When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East follows a friendly snake and his pals who set off together to tour famous landmarks along the eastern coast of the United States. What inspired you to write this children’s book?
Peter Cotton is a retired MUSC Professor living on Dewees Island in South Carolina, writing books for young children about Fred the snake and his friends. Peter grew up in England where the first tale was conceived long ago as a bedtime story for his then-young children about how (not) to cross the road.
When they had their kids, they asked what happened to “Fred-Fred?” (They called him that because he was temporarily divided in an accident). Peter teamed up with a special illustrator (Canadian Bonnie Lemaire) and published the first book When Fred the Snake Got Squished and Mended. Together they now have a series of nine popular award-winning books, having fun in rhyme with Jungle Jim, Perdy, and Jack and several animal friends. They go to school, welcome Jungle Jim, try camping, visit the beach, tour Charleston, and recently have been exploring the sights of the USA. Peter’s books have received numerous 5-star reviews (some mention comparisons with Hillaire Belloc, Roald Dahl, and Lewis Carroll) and 5 Mom’s Choice gold awards. Peter enjoys presenting Fred at schools and libraries.
When not busy with Fred’s adventures, Peter travels widely to lecture, to enjoy his family, and to play golf. He reflects on life, and on his career at www.petercottontales.com/blog, and in his published memoirs The Tunnel at the End of the Light.
Peter says that he was not named after a rabbit.
The artwork in your book is fantastic. What was the collaboration process like with illustrator Bonnie Lemaire?
Easy, she is terrific. Not only draws my ideas but enhances them
What draws you to write books for young readers?
I like writing, having almost a thousand medical papers and 10 textbooks, can’t stop once retired! Grandkids like them, especially Perdy and Jack who feature in the last few books
Can we look forward to seeing Book 8 in this series soon? Where will it take readers?
Books 8 and 9 are published covering USA Central and West See details at www.petercottontales.com/books.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Amazon
Hold on tight, and go along on their ride.
When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East (Fred the Snake Series Book 7)
When Fred The Snake and Friends Explore USA East, book seven in the Fred and Snake series by Peter B. Cotton, takes young readers on a playful, rhyming adventure across some of the most famous cities and landmarks on the eastern side of the United States. Fred, the friendly snake, and his pals board a plane and set out on a whirlwind tour that includes Washington D.C., New York City, Niagara Falls, Chicago, New Orleans, Orlando, and more. Along the way, they marvel at skyscrapers, visit museums, try new foods, and even dream of space travel. The book blends geography, adventure, and humor, making learning about new places feel like an exciting game.
Right off the bat, the book’s rhyming style is fun and bouncy. It keeps the energy up, making it a great read-aloud story. Lines like “Past the Statue of Liberty, it welcomes all who come to visit” introduce history in a way that feels light and engaging. The rhythm gives the book a sing-song quality, though, at times, it leans a little too heavily on keeping the rhyme scheme intact rather than deepening the descriptions. While this makes it easy to follow, I sometimes wished for a bit more storytelling beyond the playful tour guide format.
The illustrations by Bonnie Lemaire are another highlight. They are bright, cheerful, and full of movement, capturing the joy of adventure. Whether it’s Jim flying low under the Charleston bridge or the gang looking up at the towering Freedom Tower in New York, the art makes each location feel alive. One of my favorite moments was the scene at Niagara Falls, where the characters admire the waterfall from a balloon—it’s whimsical and visually exciting. The colorful, cartoonish style fits the tone perfectly and will keep kids engaged.
One thing I really appreciated was the way the book slips in fun facts without making it feel like a textbook. When the story mentions the Freedom Tower’s height of 1,776 feet and why that number is important, it’s an important little history lesson wrapped in an adventure. Similarly, the quick stop at Kitty Hawk to acknowledge the Wright brothers adds a nod to aviation history.
When Fred the Snake and Friends Explore USA-East is a great pick for young kids who love adventure and silly characters. It’s perfect for early readers, especially those who enjoy rhyming books with lively illustrations. Parents and teachers looking for a light introduction to U.S. geography will find it useful, though older kids might want something with a bit more detail. If you’ve got a little traveler at home or a child who loves Fred’s previous adventures, this book is a delightful journey worth taking.
Pages: 48 | ASIN : B09XVL9N5K
LITERARY TITAN 