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My very first book--inspired by Boot Camp--hits shelves this week. And...technically...it's speculative fiction. After all, it asks the eternal "what if"?
What if Z decided to go first in the alphabet?
AlphaOops: The Day Z Went First is now live and in color! Ask for it at a bookstore near you! Ask for it...and then buy ten copies! Put it face-out on the table by the door! Post your 5-star review on Amazon! (Help a girl out!)
Also, check out the newly-launched official website: http://www.alphaoops.com Play games. Read the cast list. Learn about the slightly twisted author. (Oh, wait...she's ME...)
I'm making quite a few appearances and doing quite a few signings...some are for AlphaOops and some are for the Elemental anthology. Either way, most are pretty close to home (TN).
You can always look for updates on my website: http://www.aletheakontis.com (they're listed under "2006 International Whirlwind Tour")
I'll post them here for your viewing convenience:
August 9, 4:00 pm Davis-Kidd, Nashville TN (AlphaOops)
August 11-13 ConGlomeration Louisville, KY
September 1-4 Dragon*Con Atlanta, GA
September 9, 11:00 am Davis-Kidd, Memphis TN (AlphaOops)
September 12, 10:00 am Smyrna Public Library 400 Enon Springs Rd. West, Smyrna, TN (AlphaOops - storytime)
September 28, 6:00 pm Davis-Kidd, Nashville TN (The Escapist Fiction Book Club features Elemental)
As it happens, I even have a little boy who will shortly be in your target audience. Well, I don't nkow how shortly...I'd guess another 4 years in reality (what age would you pinpoint it?), but close enough and I will definitely support my fellow boot-camper!
[This message has been edited by Christine (edited July 30, 2006).]
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“Thousands of dollars for chemistry degree and what has Dad got to show for it? An alphabet book that doesn’t even go from A to Z!” —Alethea’s Dad
They both actually took quite a bit of time coming up with quotes, and then each sent me three or four different ones to choose from. I'm going to have to post the rest on my blog - they're too precious not to have around.
It's reassuring to know that I come by my insanity and sense of humor honestly.
Hey, Mama Christine! The target age for AlphaOops is technically 4-8, but it's so colorful and makes such a great read-aloud that I would happily recommend it to parents of younger children. Bob Kolar did SUCH a fantastic job with the artwork...even *I* see something new every time I read the book. (Keep your eye on Mr. Acorn, and the clever little guy at the bottom.)
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Ohmygosh, I just got in the Kirkus Review. I just have to gush... I'm still beaming.
ALPHAOOPS! The Day Z Went First
Author: Kontis, Alethea
Review Date: AUGUST 01, 2006 Publisher:Candlewick Pages: 56 Price (hardback): $16.99 Publication Date: 9/1/2006 0:00:00 ISBN: 0-7636-2728-3 ISBN (hardback): 0-7636-2728-3 Category: CHILDREN'S A hysterical take on what might happen if the letters of the alphabet mixed things up a bit. When A tries to start off the show, Z storms the stage with zebra, tired of always being last. So, the letters decide to try it differently. Z Y X W, all is going well until P jumps in, not wanting to be always in the middle. P O N, but then H staggers out, wanting to keep his same spot in the line-up. At that point, it becomes a free-for-all, and the giggles are sure to start. V takes his turn, but then tries to take another so he can say something else that starts with V. Z does not respond kindly to this nonsense: "Ooh, V is for violence." Without their usual order, the letters have trouble determining if all of them have had a turn, but find U in the nick of time: "U's been in the bathroom since P took over." A ends the show spectacularly and earns an apology from Z for his pushiness. Kolar's illustrations suit the zaniness of the text perfectly. Difficult as it is to imagine, the letters have facial expressions and personalities. A ruled line at the bottom of the spread helps readers keep track of the out-of-order letters. A must for preschool and elementary classrooms. (Picture book. 3-8)
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AND I just got my copy of RoF today...haven't read yet, but was excited anyway. So many congratulations!
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I went to B & N today to buy your book, and--are you sitting down?--it was sold out. They've re-ordered, said for me to call back next week.
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Just found the book - it is SO cute! Congratulations again. I am recommending it to a friend who just got her advance for her first two YA novels - her previous published works are board books for toddlers, so I'm sure she'll love AlphaOops!
Posts: 61 | Registered: Jun 2006
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I haven't seen it yet, but I've read some rave reviews and it looks like one of the best children's books of the year. I think you've struck gold there, thieftess. Congratulations!!!
I'm constantly bowled over by the reviews. OSC's threw me for a loop, and Booklist called it "An alphabet book with attitude" -- which is just COOL.
Sometimes it's so surreal it feels like somebody else's book. Good thing somebody wrote one that's so fun to read out loud.
Next week I'm going to give a talk to a Brownie Troop about the process of the AlphaOops's production and all the stages it went through. They're getting their Writing Badge.
We SO didn't have a Writing Badge when *I* was in the Brownies. If they had, I might have stayed in more than one year.
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