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Many Types of Families
Pesky Penguins follows two adopted sisters who get whisked away by a magical beam of light to all sorts of places after they wish for different things. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Becky and Sonya’s adventures were originally written as short-story drafts with the intention of making a picture book series about the girls. I decided against that model after publishing The Dee Lanson Series, which is for middle-grade readers. I love writing chapter books! So, I tossed around the idea of combining the adventures into the fantasy novel now known as Pesky Penguins and went with it!
What was your inspiration for their characters’ interactions and backstories?
At first, I imagined Becky and Sonya as friends and neighbors, but I felt the story would have greater depth if they were sisters. Being one of three sisters, I know how important and strong the bonds can be. Also, there are many types of families, so I wanted to show that adopted siblings can have a strong connection even if they come from different backgrounds.
Family, responsibility, and helping others are virtues that are highlighted throughout the story. Why are these important to telling the story?
Becky and Sonya are presented with a challenge when the baby penguin follows them home. They feel sad for Petey because he is separated from his family. The strong bonds within their own family fuel their desire to return Petey to his, even though they would love to have him for a pet. They assume the role of caregiver while they figure out what to do. It is a great learning experience for them and for the reader also.
Will this novel be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I would love for The Adventures of Becky and Sonya to become a series, but at the moment it is a stand-alone book. The future of The Adventures of Becky and Sonya is yet to be decided!
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Amazon
Two adopted sisters, Becky and Sonya, get a big surprise when a beam of light transports them to Antarctica! They are surrounded by penguins as their adventure begins! When a baby penguin follows them home, they see just how fun and wacky life can be. Their attempts to get him back to his penguin family don’t go as expected; they never know where the light beam will take them next. Join Becky and Sonya on their exciting, magical journey!
Pesky Penguins is a heartwarming story of the importance of family, developing responsibility, and helping others.
Janice Laakko is the award-winning author of “Gloppy”, the first book in “The Dee Lanson Series”
Pesky Penguins
Pesky Penguins follows two sisters, Becky and Sonya, who get whisked away by a magical beam of light to all sorts of places after they wish for different things. It starts with them landing in Antarctica, where they meet a group of smelly penguins and end up bringing a baby penguin, Petey, back home by accident. From there, things just get wilder. They try to return Petey, but instead end up in castles, deserts, water parks, forests, and even on the moon. Through all these adventures, the sisters learn about friendship, courage, and what it means to care for someone, even if that someone is a mischievous penguin who never sits still.
I loved how imaginative this children’s book was. It felt like being a kid again, playing pretend and not worrying about anything making perfect sense. The writing has a lot of warmth, and you can tell the author really understands the way kids think, how every moment can turn from ordinary to magical in an instant. The story keeps moving, and I never got bored. There were parts where I laughed because Becky and Sonya get into such funny situations, and other times I just felt my heart melt a little, especially when they tried so hard to get Petey home. The relationship between the sisters feels real, with their teasing, teamwork, and love for each other shining through.
The story keeps a fun rhythm, with the magical “beam of light” showing up again and again to whisk the girls away. That little pattern actually makes it easy for kids to follow and gets them excited to see where the light will take Becky and Sonya next. The writing is simple and clear, perfect for younger readers who want to dive right into the adventure. It’s a story that keeps things light and full of heart, reminding you that imagination doesn’t need to be complicated to be magical.
I’d recommend Pesky Penguins to kids around 7 to 10 years old, or to parents who love reading whimsical adventure stories with their children. It’s perfect for bedtime reading because each chapter feels like a mini adventure. It’s sweet, simple, and full of lessons about kindness, family, and letting go when the time comes. Plus, who doesn’t love a story with a pesky little penguin?
Pages: 53 | ASIN : B0FRH86V82
The Value of True Friendship and Forgiveness
Gloppy follows a fifth-grade girl who becomes rivals with a new girl at school; friends and school staff work to help the girls overcome their differences. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
The inspiration for Gloppy came from watching interactions between elementary-age students. Mistake-making, teasing, and pranking are common experiences for kids.
I wanted to write a book with believable characters whom readers can identify with. As kids follow the main character’s journey, I hope that they will enjoy the story and develop some helpful strategies for dealing with their own problems.
Dee thinks she has everything figured out when she starts school, only to discover she does not. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Dee is highly intelligent and competitive, but that doesn’t make her immune to social challenges. She makes a big mistake and learns that there are unpleasant consequences for her behavior. As she navigates through the subsequent difficulties, she learns about the value of true friendship and forgiveness. These are some of the ideals I hoped to convey.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
There are several themes showcased in Gloppy:
- How to build and keep friendships.
- The importance of making amends to those one has hurt.
- The power of forgiveness.
- Learning to accept guidance from parents and teachers.
- Dispelling the notion that intelligent kids have no problems.
- To balance life with a generous dose of humor.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The sequel to Gloppy, called Addition Problems, is already available! Dee’s family is having an addition built, and crazy things start happening! Plus, there is a mystery unfolding; can the reader figure it out? Dee has some interesting and funny experiences in this wild, upside-down summer!
Also, I am now working on Book 3 in the series!
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads
Meanwhile, the fifth-graders are competing in girls vs. boys kickball and softball games. Each team is determined to outscore the other. Things become pretty wild both on and off the field! At home, Dee mixes it up with her little brother, Joey. Will there be any peace?
Gloppy is a heartwarming tale of friendships and forgiveness that will stick with a reader long after the last page has been turned.
Gloppy
Eleven-year-old Dee Lanson has just begun her last year of elementary school. Greeting the new year, Dee looks forward to spending time with her friends and friendly sports competitions between the boys and girls of the fifth grade. But when new girl Samantha seems to be spending more time with Dee’s closest friends, Sue and Ronnie, than she is, Dee begins to feel the deadly stirrings of jealousy deep within her heart. Finding the perfect opportunity to vent her frustrations, Dee takes it upon herself to teach Samantha a lesson she’ll never forget. But when events spiral out of control, Dee finds that there is much more to her rival than she ever thought possible. With the guidance of teacher Ms. Hersh, school counselor Mr. Kent, and Dee’s parents, Dee and Samantha both learn more about each other and themselves as they work towards a solution to solve a problem that can only be described as “gloppy.”
A wonderful slice-of-life story that covers the last year of elementary school, Dee’s coming-of-age adventure is a lighthearted tale that explores the host of new emotions that come with being eleven. Although Dee and Samantha are the indisputable stars of the show, there is also a rich supporting cast of fellow students and teachers. I liked the vibrant personalities of the students, ranging from stalwart Sue to practical joker Pete. I also liked the interactions between Dee’s parents and the fact that there was more to Ms. Hersh than met the eye. Dee is easy to identify with, as she struggles to understand the complex emotions roiling within her. The only detraction I really had was that I wish Dee was a little nicer to her kid brother, but arguments between siblings are normal, and their parents were good mediators.
A tale of friendship and solving problems brought on by overwrought emotions, Gloppy by Janice Laakko is a lighthearted journey through the fifth grade. Gloppy has a joyful tone, excellent storytelling, and a satisfying conclusion, and it’s the perfect choice for readers eight and above who love a solid school-year adventure full of discovery, mischief, and fun.
Pages: 129 | ASIN : B09BW479M9
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