Book Review - Neck and Neck by Elise Parsley + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

At the zoo, Leopold the giraffe is king. Everyone adores the gentle giant. He fills visitors with excitement and wonder. In return, he is feed yummy snacks. However, one day, giraffe-shaped balloon tries to overtake Leopold's territory and snacks. How far will Leopold go to prevent his spotlight from being stolen?

The picture book was a fun and delightful read. The story shows how when can compete to win affection (for this story) just by doing the right thing. The storyline at first was a bit hard to decipher at first, especially to young tots I read the story too. However, they liked the drawings and silly antics Leopold did. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**

NECK & NECK

Title: NECK & NECK 

Author: Elise Parsley

Pub. Date: June 5, 2018

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 40

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, TBD

In the first stand-alone picture book from the creator of the bestselling Magnolia Says DON'T! books, a giraffe's self-esteem is tested during a hilarious confrontation between unlikely look-alikes!

Everybody loves Leopold the giraffe. He inspires awe and wonder. His adoring fans gaze and cheer. Best of all, they feed him lots of deeeelicious snacks! But, one day, a shiny, bobble-headed new rival comes in and ruins everything...a giraffe-shaped balloon! Just how far will Leopold go to prove that he's the hero of the zoo? Readers learn that actions speak far louder than looks in this laugh-out-loud face-off from Elise Parsley--the New York Times bestselling creator of If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!

About Elise:

Elise Parsley studied drawing and creative writing at Minnesota State University Moorhead. During college, Elise also volunteered over 1800 hours promoting literacy through an AmeriCorps academic enrichment program. Now she promotes literacy through writing and illustrating children’s books.

Elise is the Illustrator Coordinator for the Dakotas Region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. She spends a lot of her time telling aspiring writers and illustrators to join the SCBWI and get involved with a local critique group or two. Elise and her family live in Beresford, SD.

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive a finished copy of NECK & NECK, US Only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rafflecopter Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba2758/?

Tour Schedule:

Week Two:

6/11/2018- Little Red Reads- Review

6/12/2018- Ginger Mom and the Kindle Quest- Review

6/13/2018- Peaceful Oblivion- Review

6/14/2018- Wonder Struck- Review

6/15/2018- Two points of interest- Review

Book Review - A Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd

Photo Credit - Amazon

A tale of two different sisters who face sibling rivalry but only one pair of sisters get a second chance at life and love. 

Angela and Rose might be sisters but they are completely opposite. Rose is insecure dominant business owner who is dating someone who is constantly cheating on her but she still follows him around. She longs for a husband and children which is everything Angela already has. However, Angela is unhappy in her relationship with her husband, Frederick and feels like her children are taking her for granted. Unlike her businesswoman sister, Angela is a stay at home mom that doesn't even know what her finances look like and relies on her husband to support the family. Angela is submissive to Frederick and she is annoyed she gave up her dream to become a dancer when she married Frederick. Rose believes that Angela allows Frederick to treat her cruelly just like their father treated their mother.

When they received a letter from their estranged Aunt Silvia, the two sisters decide to go visit their aunt. While there, Angela hopes the two of them can repair their strained relationship. However, they learn that not everything they knew about their family is what they should believe and that they are not the only two sisters who couldn't get along.

The novel seemed like it would be an interesting read with very lively characters. However, I found both Angela and Rose to be very annoying and over-the-top. They act very selfish and harsh towards each other but expect the other sister to love them back in return. I also wish the story between Juliana and Silvia was developed a bit more instead of being filled with fluff pieces of Rose and Angela going to the antique store and playing with horses. 

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**