Q&A- A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean Secrets Of Topsea Blog Tour #DisneyBooks

Q&A- A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean Secrets Of Topsea – Let’s Chat With The Authors

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Recently I was invited to be a part of the Disney Hyperion A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean Blog Tour. Of course I was beyond thrilled and honored to be included. There is nothing that my family loves more than reading. Our house is loaded with books of all types. I am only being introduced to the many titles of the Disney Hyperion Young Adult books. So far I am have been in awe of their line up, along with my tween daughter. So when we were invited to chat with the two authors of A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean, Kir Fox and M. Shelley Coats we seriously could not wait. Questions swirled around in my head as I read the book and of course my tween daughter had  one or two of her own. The interview is below. Hope you enjoy! www.welcometotopsea.com

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This is an interview between Diane Sullivan  and Kir Fox (Kirsten Hubbard) and M. Shelley Coats (Michelle Schusterman).

Diane: Hi! Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Kir Fox (Kirsten Hubbard) and M. Shelley Coats (Michelle Schusterman) are great friends, longtime critique partners, and ardent consumers of the strange and unusual. Kirsten is the author of the middle-grade novels, Watch the Sky and Race the Night (Disney-Hyperion), and the young adult novels, Like Mandarin and Wanderlove (Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s Books). She lives in Los Angeles. Michelle is the author of the middle grade series I Heart Band and The Kat Sinclair Files (Grosset/Penguin), as well as Olive and the Backstage Ghost and Spell & Spindle (Random House Children’s Books), and The Pros of Cons (Scholastic). She lives in New York City.

Diane: What was your inspiration for this book?

We were both obsessed with Louis Sachar’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School as kids (and adults), and had talked off and on about collaborating on a quirky/creepy middle grade stories for years. We were huge fans of the podcast, Welcome to Night Vale when it first came out, and that was when the concept really hit us. The misadventures of a group of fifth graders in a topsy-turvy, sometimes sinister coastal town where nothing is quite what it seems.

Diane: Which character in the book do you relate to the most? Why?

Kir relates the most to Runa, with her wildly creative stories, artwork all over everything, and her occasional head-in-the-clouds demeanor (There’s glitter up there, don’t you know?).

M. Shelley has a special affinity for Quincy, who wants to please everyone and sometimes struggles with anxiety over little things. She can’t bake nearly as well as he can, but would love to give his recipe for upside-down lemon pound cake a try next time she’s in a no-gravity environment.

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Diane: Tell me about your childhood as it relates to writing.

When M. Shelley was in elementary school, she loved writing mysteries. The problem was, she never really solved them. She just kept piling red herrings and twists on her poor characters, often surprising herself along the way. As an adult, she still loves a good ambiguous ending more than anything. Life hardly ever ties up in a neat little bow—why should stories?

Kir loved to draw just as much as she loved to write, and she elaborately illustrated all her stories before she even knew the words. She didn’t illustrate TOPSEA — that was the incredible Rachel Sanson! — but she promises her childhood self she’ll publish a picture book someday.

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Diane: What message would you like children to take away from this story?

Normal is a relative term. And please be very cautious around rubber ducks.

Diane: Were any of the experiences in the book based on your personal experiences?

Kir actually grew up in a coastal town. It wasn’t TOO much like Topsea, but there was a huge feral cat colony living in the rocks at one beach. (And a feral squirrel colony living in the rocks at another.)

M. Shelley was once the new kid in town, just like Davy. Granted, she moved to Dallas, not Topsea, but to her, it felt equally as strange. The school cafeteria served steaks fried like chicken and topped with gravy that was white instead of brown, and kids listened to country music on purpose…how bizarre! She definitely tapped into that feeling when writing about Davy and his reaction to seaweed ketchup and smiling cats.

Diane: What were your favorite books to read as children?

Books by Louis Sachar (Wayside!) and Roald Dahl top both our lists.  M. Shelley always made a beeline for the shelves with Nancy Drew, Fear Street, and Goosebumps, while Kir read every book of scary stories she could get her hands on.

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Diane: What are your greatest successes?

We’re very proud of the fact that, SECRETS OF TOPSEA is a Junior Library Guild pick!

M. Shelley’s alter ego, Michelle Schusterman, has a book coming out July 31st called SPELL & SPINDLE, and it recently received a starred review from Kirkus, who called it “an excellent melding of horror and heart.”

Kir’s alter ego, Kirsten Hubbard, thinks her greatest success was probably finishing her first novel, LIKE MANDARIN — which will soon be tied with finishing the novel she’s currently writing. (How do we finish these things, anyway? We’re amazed every time!)

Diane: Any hints about the future (what you’re working on, and/or another Topsea book in the making)?

Something BIG is coming to Topsea — and to bookstores in early 2019. Keep your eye on the tides…

Diane: Thank you for sharing Topsea with us! We loved it!

Thank you!

I absolutely loved interviewing both authors. It was great to hear their inside thoughts about the book, where they are heading and the inside scoop. I have the highest respect for authors and their gift of bringing an imaginary world right into our mind and heart. Secrets of Topsea is a book you can enjoy with your child. It’s something they can read alone or you can co-read and chat about. I love reading some of the books my tween reads to generate conversations about life. 

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So, what’s the book all about? Here we go, without any spoilers!

There’s a new kid in the town of Topsea who has a lot to learn about his surroundings. He thinks things are strange but that is only the beginning. His mom tries to convince him that it’s all normal and that he will get used to life on the coast. But when Davy attends his first day of class at Topsea School and finds his locker is at the bottom of the pool he’s not sure what to think. He also doesn’t understand why no one can remember his name and everyone thinks everything is so normal!

Topsea is definitely the strangest place you’ll ever visit and for Davy, live. In this town, the coves are bottomless and the pier has no end in sight. There’s a high tide and a low tide and a vanishing tide. Dogs are a myth, but mermaids are totally real. Seaweed is the main ingredient in every meal. Watch out, it might just start chewing you back!

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Davy is curious to find out more about Topsea and sets out on an investigation reading newspaper articles, stories, surveys, notifications, and more, follow Davy and the rest of Ms. Grimalkin’s fifth grade class through the weird world of Topsea. By the way, there are rubber ducks, but please do not make eye contact with them! 

Does Topsea sound like a place you would like to visit? We loved it there and you will, too! Enjoy the time you spend reading A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean- Secrets Of Topsea! You can find out more about A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean- Secrets of Topsea and purchase it at your local bookstore or here (Click here): https://www.amazon.com/Friendly-Almost-Always-Secrets-TopseaDianeDisneySMMCDisclosure: Diane Sullivan was invited by Disney-Hyperion to be part of the A Friendly Town That’s Almost Always By The Ocean. We are honored to be a part of this Blog Tour. All opinions are honest and do not represent the views of the parent company represented. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com or @3decades3kids across all social media networks. 

Lost In Space Now Streaming on Netflix

Lost In Space Now Streaming on Netflix

By Diane Sullivan 

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A million years ago when I was a small child there was one show I absolutely loved. I had my own tv (which was a pretty cool thing back then) and everyone in my house gathered around it to watch my favorite show, Lost In Space! I was obsessed with the robot and spent many a day repeating the famous line, “Danger, Will Robinson”. My kids just about laughed their butts off when they saw the trailer for Lost In Space and heard the line I have carried into my adult life and their childhood. I have told them many a time, Danger Will Robinson when something dangerous was coming! Of course they have had no clue all of these years except knowing that the line came from an old show Mommy used to watch a long time ago called Lost In Space…..

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So, current state, I am sitting in the living room with a television ten times the size of the one I originally watched the show on and we are streaming the Netflix Original Series, Lost in Space! And YES, My favorite LINE of all time happened in the very first episode! I may or may not have shed a tiny tear to hear those words on my tv and have my teen and tween on the sides of me. THIS is really a dream come true! 

As a true fan of the original series I can say honestly that I LOVE the new show! I love the new robot and I love that Dr. Smith is a woman (although that did take me a second to relate to). My kids can’t believe their eyes about just how good Lost In Space is! Did they think I was lying to them all these years??! Yes, it’s a bit different but the same if not better with the reimagining that has taken place from the original 1960’s series. As a note, this is my eleven year old daughter’s first experience with Science-fiction and she is fully hooked! What a proud mom moment in my life! 

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So, what’s it all about ? You can check it out here. I’m only on episode three but I HAD to share my thoughts on it asap! Yes, we will be streaming all ten episodes TODAY!! The pizza has already arrived and we are settled in for the ultimate viewing party! Thank goodness there was a half a day of school today, maybe in honor of Lost In Space!?

So here we go, for those of you that are wondering what Lost In Space is all about. The show is set thirty years in the future, colonization in space is now a reality, and the Robinson family is among those tested and selected to make a new life for themselves in a better world. But when the new colonists find themselves abruptly torn off course en route to their new home they must forge new alliances and work together to survive in a dangerous alien environment, lightyears from their original destination.

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Lost in Space stars Toby Stephens (Black Sails, Die Another Day) as John Robinson, and Molly Parker (House of Cards, Deadwood) as Maureen Robinson. As the Robinson kids, Taylor Russell (Falling Skies) is the strong-willed and confident Judy, Mina Sundwall  (Maggie’s Plan, Freeheld) is the quick-witted and definitive middle-child Penny, and Max Jenkins  (Sense8, Betrayal) is the curious and sensitive Will Robinson. Stranded along with the Robinsons are two outsiders who find themselves thrown together by circumstance and a mutual knack for deception, the unsettlingly charismatic Dr. Smith played by Parker Posey (Café Society, Mascots, A Mighty Wind) and the inadvertently charming Don West, played by Ignacio Serricchio (Bones, The Wedding Ringer). The series is produced by Legendary Television and written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (Dracula Untold, The Last Witch Hunter). Zack Estrin (Prison Break) serves as showrunner.

Disclosure: All opinions are that of Diane Sullivan and do not represent the views of the parent company represented. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com or @3decades3kids across all social media networks. Pictures provided by Netflix media.

National Pet Day With Little Live Pets From Moose Toys!

Happy National Pet Day With Little Live Pets from Moose Toys! 

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Is there anything better than having a pet? I can remember back to my own childhood and the special bond I had with my kitten and puppy. It was priceless and they were there for me to hear all my problems, play with, listen to music with and even catch my tears as I got a little older and had some break ups. They were a big part of my life and I don’t think I would be the same person if it wasn’t for having pets while growing up. My favorite cat was a Siamese that I begged and begged and begged and begged my parents for. One of our neighbors was a breeder and said I could have one for free if I could get my parents to agree. So, finally after weeks of tears my parents caved and my kitty became a part of my life. As for my puppy, I had to wait a bit longer. Hubby gave me a Dalmatian puppy when we were dating! A DALMATIAN PUPPY!!! If I wasn’t already in love with him, that sure would have sealed the deal! That sweet puppy was my best friend! 

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Anyway, that was my pet story. As for my kids, they did not have to work as hard to get a pet. When hubby and I got married we got a tiny little puppy right away, so when my first son was born he already had a built in pet. As the years went by we gathered up two puppies, two birds and a cat! We really had a full house going on! I would not have it any other way. There is nothing in the world like a pet.

Of course some people are not as into pets as our family has been throughout the years. As of right now we only have one cat, Sugar! We got him at a shelter one year ago and he certainly has filled our house and hearts with love. His funny ways make us all laugh and he communicates with us and lets everyone know what he wants and when he wants it. 

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So today we celebrate National Pet Day! In addition to our kitty, we do have a bunch of Little Live Pets thanks to Moose Toys! Recently Moose Toys sent us a surprise box in the mail. We were SO excited to find some great Little Live Pets inside. Little Live Pets definitely can trick you into thinking you have the real thing! They are super cute, fun and can even offer you the companionship of owning a real pet! Emily was beyond thrilled to open up the package. We didn’t have a clue about Lil’ Cutie Pups. Tp say Little Live Pets Lil’ Cutie Pups are adorable is just an understatement! We were both laughing and calling the puppies to come our way! They were just SO cute! In addition to watching them run and scamper in every direction, they also will carry their little play ball! It’s like having a palm sized puppy! 

In addition to the pups, we received the newest season of birds, Little Live Pets Birds Secret Keepers, which can record sweet, personalized messages! How cute is that? The little bird will keep your secret until you unlock it with the key provided. 

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Little Live Pets are the perfect solution for people who don’t want real pets or the clean up that comes with them. They are also just perfect for anyone who wants the most adorable little animals scampering around their house. I think they also make a great gift!

Please check out our unboxing video to see how adorable Little Live Pets really are and our reaction to their cuteness! Watch below or click here: https://3decades3kidsLittleLivePets

These cutie pies  come to life in the palm of your hand, so kids truly connect with them. PS- Parents will love them, too! Little Live Pets can help kids with learning the importance of nurturing and caring for a real pet. You can check out everything about Little Live Pets here. interactive range of toys that look, act and feel just like having a real pet, make them the perfect first pet for kids.

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Lil’ Cutie Pups (SRP: $14.99 (Sold Separately) / Ages: 5+ / Available at Major Retailers)
Say hello to the Lil’ Cutie Pups, the latest members of the Little Live Pets family! These little dogs are the cutest pups around. Lil’ Cutie Pups are full of life and love to show off their own personalities as they scamper about, beg and play with their ball!  After all that fun, they need to rest so you’ll even hear them falling asleep. Lil’ Cutie Pups interact with you and respond to your touch! Pat them and these Cutie Pups will sing for you! But don’t just pick one – there are 4 Lil’ Cutie Pups to take home, plus a Puppy Play-case to take your Lil’ Cuties with you wherever you go! Lil Cutie Pups RUBY & PLAYSET: $24.99.

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Little Live Pets Bird S7 Cage (SRP: $19.99 / Ages: 5+ / Available at Major Retailers)

Little Live Pets Secret Songbirds are the cool pet friends that move, feel and sound so REAL! They have flown back to say hello and now they can keep your secret.  Insert the key and tell them your secret. They will keep it locked in their heart. Only the keeper of the key can hear it!  Keep your Secret Songbird in its cage at night or carry it around. It’s the perfect home for your special bird! Your pet bird makes over 30 real bird noises. Little Live Pets Bird S7 Single Pack – SRP: $9:99

Disclosure: Sample products provided by Moose Toys. All opinions are honest and my own. They do not represent the views of the parent company represented within this post. Contact me at Diane@3decades3kids.net or @3decades3kids across all social media networks. 

Disney Hyperion Charlie & Frog Blog Tour!

Disney Hyperion Charlie & Frog Blog Tour!Charlie and Frog_blog tour banner

Reading has always been one of my great loves. Is there anything better than being whisked away into a magical world inside your own head created by words on a page? Proudly I can say that I have passed that same love of print onto my own three children. Now that my youngest daughter has hit the tween years we are constantly in search of something interesting to read. I say we because I usually read along, too. Maybe it’s from spending over twenty years as a classroom teacher maybe it’s just because I love to read any book I can get my hands on.

As much as my daughter loves her online fun she cannot wait to see what books are newly out on the shelves. She loves to visit the bookstores and browse the shelves in search of the perfect read! If she had it her way she would leave the store with a towering pile of books so I have to limit her to three (okay, maybe four, or five?).  Recently I have partnered with Disney-Hyperion to review some of there young adult books. My daughter could not be any happier than she is right now with the news. 

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Our latest read is Charlie & Frog A Mystery by Karen Kane. I have to say up front that we are just entering the Disney-Hyperion young adult world of books. I’m amazed at the incredible assortment of good books there are to choose from. So, sit back and come along with us as we create a book list you can choose from with your own tween at home. 

Now, please do not worry about spoilers here. I won’t be giving you the details of the book but I will get you enough information that you can make a clear choice on if the book is something you want to read. Let’s face it, there’s something for everyone. This book just happens to be right up our alley in this family. Charlie & Frog: A Mystery captured my interest form the cover alone. It’s hard for me to resist a mystery, so I knew that my daughter would be caught immediately, too! As soon as I showed it to her she grabbed it up and wanted to start reading. 

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Although Karen Kane is a new author, she seems to have a piece of her heart included in this story. Karen is a sign language interpreter at Gallaudet University. This is her first novel. The beginning and end papers of the book include the American Sign Language alphabet. Each chapter features hand sign illustrations by Deaf illustrator Carlisle Robinson. This can help the readers become familiar with American Sign Language and even practice it. I know that before Emily and I even began to read the book we both practiced signing our names and words to each other. It gave us a little background on the story and really allowed us to be immersed in the lives of the characters we were about to meet within the pages of this new book.

The book centers around Charlie Tickler (love the name) and his friend Francine Castle as we know as Frog, and so forms the team, Charlie & Frog! Frog works inside the Flying Hands Cafe and happens to be deaf. She is a whiz at sign language but would much rather be a detective than stuck working at the cafe. Charlie is a kid who wishes had parents that would spend more time with him, actually any time with him would be nice at this point. Charlie’s parents are constantly traveling the world helping animals while he is left home with his TV watching grandparents. They seem to have a serious daily routine going on and Charlie definitely does not fit into it. 

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Although Charlie wants more attention from his parents they leave him once again to fly away to South Africa while he is left home with his grandparents and the cleaning lady, none of them that really want him there. Charlie decides to adventure out the little town, Castle-On-The-Hudson where he is given a mysterious message  in sign language from a terrified woman he meets at the library. This where the fun begins. Did I mention that Charlie does not know anything about sign language, well maybe just a few signs, but not many? There is hope though, Frog is an expert in sign language and ready to help solve this case when the woman disappears! Charlie needs to learn sign language so he can help solve the mystery and solve each clue left behind. 

Charlie & Frog: A Mystery is a great young adult book. It’s great for both girls and boys and has the reader tying to solve the mystery along side the main characters. The book touches on friendship, working together, growing up and helping others. My daughter enjoyed the book and we had plenty to discuss throughout the events taking place throughout the story. There were many times where I would say, “What would you do?”. This book is great as a read alone or a shared read with family or friends. It also opens up young adults to the world of Sign Language. This is definitely a book your children will love to read.

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You can enjoy  Charlie & Frog: A Mystery by Karen Kane (Disney-Hyperion; On Sale: April 10, 2018). The book is available at your favorite book store or online at (click here : https:Charlie-Frog-

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 Disclosure: Diane Sullivan was invited by Disney-Hyperion to be part of the Charlie & Frog: A Mystery Blog Tour. We are honored to be a part of this Blog Tour. All opinions are honest and do not represent the views of the parent company represented. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com or @3decades3kids across all social media networks. 

Chuck E Cheese’s Get 50 Free Points! #INeedAFunBreak

 

Chuck E Cheese’s Get 50 Free Points When You Say, “I Need A Fun Break”! ($5 required purchase)

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Calling all kids! Who wants to have fun and who needs a break? Calling all parents! Who needs a break? Who wants something for free? We have you covered at your local Chuck E Cheese’s. From now through May 6th all you have to do is say, “I need a FUN BREAK” when you order at Chuck E Cheese and you will get a printed coupon good for 50 tickets ($5.00 purchase required). I’m not sure about you, but I was pretty excited about this fun deal! In addition you can still get the 50 free tickets even if you are using a coupon for one of their great deals! 

Recently we were invited to Chuck E Cheese to check out this fab perk ourselves! I put in my order and said, I want a Fun Break and like magic, there it was- a voucher for 50 tickets! Emily was pretty thrilled to have an extra 50 tickets to go prize fun shopping at the end of our visit.

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Let me tell you about our visit! We haven’t been to Chuck E Cheese in over a year. For the most part everything was the same and great as usual. There were a ton of games to choose from that catered to all age levels. There was a section for basically toddlers and preschool and then the rest was for everyone. Of course there is a birthday section with tables and more tables set up for birthday parties! We have had our share of birthday parties at Chuck E Cheese. If you are thinking of planning one, do it! They make the birthday boy or girl feel like they are a celebrity and they let the parents just chill and take pictures and just enjoy the party! You can even choose from a variety of birthday cakes that include Chuck E Cheese, Hello Kitty, Barbie, Batman and more! So if a themed cake is what you want they have it right there for you. PS- The cakes were supercute! There is also a ticket blaster machine where the birthday child can grab some extra tickets while having the time of their life!

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We visited on Sunday. I am happy to say it was not overcrowded. We had plenty of space and did not have to wait for the games. If you have never visited a Chuck E Cheese they are all about kids having fun and also about safety. On the way in your children will be stamped with a number and the parents will also be stamped with the same number. On the way out everyone is checked with a black light for matching numbers. Bravo, Chuck E Cheese! Awesome idea! 

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Chuck E Cheese also serves a variety of foods including pizzas and a great salad bar. We ordered the newest item on the menu, the stuffed crust pizza! The crust is stuffed with mozzarella cheese and was SO delish! Our pizza with pepperoni and pineapple, so good! In addition to the salad bar they make the cotton candy right on site in front of you. My daughter thought that was so much fun and so did I! There is a drink bar so you can make you own choices when it comes to soft drinks or iced tea. You can put in your order and  it will be delivered to your table via a number you leave there.

chuck9 chuck8So our day at Chuck E Cheese was filled with laughs, fun and just spending time together. It was great to see all the kids unplugged and just playing their favorite games! We will definitely be back soon, Chuck E Cheese! Thank you for an incredible day! Check out more about Chuck E Cheese here—> https://www.chuckecheese.com/

If you live near a Chuck E Cheese you should definitely head over there and play with the kids for a few hours! There will definitely be a lot of fun involved. Please don’t forget to say, “I want a FUN BREAK” when you visit so you can collect your 50 tickets for free! Emily had a fun time choosing her prizes at the end and those 50 tickets sure came in handy!

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Disclosure: Media Invite provided. All opinions are honest and do not reflect the views of the parent company represented. Contact me at 3decades3kids@gmail.com or @3decades3kids across all social media networks.