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Doonsey Returns picture book delivers fun and kid-sized lessons in ecology

8/13/2017

4 Comments

 
I'm a giant fan of great children's books that tackle kid-sized issues like the environment and respect for marine life. Author/Illustrator Rhonda Paglia has drawn me in as she covers both topics AND has young readers giggling in her latest picture book, Doonsey Returns: the Great Rescue.


​About the Book
Title: Doonsey Returns: The Great Rescue | Author/Illustrator: Rhonda Paglia | Publication Date: July 2017 | Publisher: Angels Landing Publishing ​ | Pages: 32 |
​Recommended Ages: 
3-8
*Amazon US  *  Barnes & Noble *
Cat's Kid Lit Book Review - Doonsey Returns - catmichaelswriter.com

Young Soferton needs help fast.  She's come to the shore to play with her Beach Buddy friends, mysterious sand critters that come to life on ocean winds ...

BUT 

...her pals are missing!  She sends a message to Doonsey, a wise friend who happens to be a red talking crab with green googly eyes, in hopes he can locate them.  

Will Doonsey get her message in time and help Soferton find the Beach Buddies?  And what’s all the excitement happening farther down the beach?  Doonsey and Soferton are off to investigate and lend a helping hand.



My Review
Cat's Kid Lit Book Review - Doonsey Returns - catmichaelswriter.com
The author also creates colorful, bright images in a folk-art style that bring the story to life with details of all things beachy.  Paglia's illustrations fill the pages and add depth to the story.  I especially love her treatment of the sea turtle hatch, with its kid-friendly language about the environment and drawings of babies “boiling” up from their nest.

Speech bubbles for dialogue also move the story along in addition to traditional text page placement.  Sometimes, illustrated characters are super-imposed on actual beach photographs, giving readers a strong sense of place.  Children will feel as if they’re at the beach alongside Doonsey and Soferton, rescuing Beach Buddies and baby sea turtles.  
​

Doonsey, Soferton and the Beach Buddies from the first Doonsey book star in this story that is easily read as a standalone tale.  Soferton kicks off the action, but Doonsey is the real star.  He hurries to Soferton’s aid to hunt for the Beach Buddies, Paglia’s sand creatures that are pure creative pleasures and come to life briefly before blowing away on sea breezes.  In the second half of the book, Doonsey and Soferton rescue sea turtle hatchlings and help fragile babies make their way to the ocean.

The e-book version I read had an easy-to-use fixed layout that made the illustrations pop. Oh, and I must mention the goofy knock-knock jokes Doonsey likes to tell.  Kids will love them, and you'll grin, too!

What Parents, Teachers Will Like
Doonsey Returns encourages children to use their imagination by crafting their own beach buddies from natural elements found along the shore.  Photographs of sea buddies created by other children will motivate and guide them.
​
The story also shows that littering is harmful to marine life. This can lead to rich discussions about how young readers can be part of the solution. 

Paglia draws on her years in the classroom to craft an even richer literacy experience by adding extension activities after the story.  Her kid-friendly definitions and sea turtle facts at the end of the book cement learning.  

My Recommendation
Five meows
I highly recommend this funny, imaginative picture book for pre-school through early primary grades.  It helps children understand how their actions can impact the environment as they enjoy a good tale.  A gotta-read for lovers of the sea and knock-knock jokes!
Kid Lit Book Review - catmichaelswriter.com

​
​Meet the Author/Ilustrator
Picture
​Rhonda Paglia, or Grammy Pags as she is often called, is a retired elementary school teacher turned author/illustrator of tales for children and non-fiction for kids and grown-ups. She has received many awards for her 11 books and is a member of SCBWI, Penn Writers, and West PA authors. 

​Rhonda and her husband live in Hermitage, PA.  They have three adult children, five grandchildren, a pup named Bella, and a wondrous, kid-friendly garden with gnomes. 

Website  |  Facebook |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Blog  |  Email  | Pinterest

Disclosure: I completely enjoyed this story and voluntarily provided my honest review of an advance reader copy of "Doonsey Returns" by Rhonda Paglia.


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4 Comments
Rhonda L. Paglia link
8/24/2017 09:30:40 pm

Hi Ms. Cat,

Thank you so much for the wonderful review and for sharing Doonsey's newest story, "Doonsey Returns, the Great Rescue, Part 2." Wow - you made the seaside gang and their sandy pals feel like super stars! Thank you!

Doonsey hopes kids will have fun creating their own Beach Buddies and Nature Buddies. He also hopes kids will learn that they can help protect loggerhead turtles and other sea creatures by keeping the beach litter free.

Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your summer!
Love from Rhonda Paglia (aka Grammy Pags), Doonsey and friends

Reply
Cat Michaels link
8/25/2017 08:45:33 pm

I had THE best time with Doonsey and his friends. Next time we're at the beach, I am so hunting for the Beach Buddies! Sweet T and Billy love how Doonsey helped the loggerhead hatchlings and got rid of beach litter.

All the best with on your writing journey, Rhonda! Can't wait to read your next charming tale!

Reply
Rosie Russell link
8/25/2017 02:34:35 pm

What a lovely review for Author/Illustrator: Rhonda Paglia's new book, "Doonsey Returns: The Great Rescue."

I love this story! It's filled with fun illustrations, jokes, and learning!

Awesome job Rhonda! Congratulations on your new book!

Thanks always Cat for sharing your awesome reviews!

Rosie

Reply
Cat Michaels link
8/25/2017 08:47:05 pm

Rosie, Rhonda certainly penned a charming tale, delightful characters in a story with rich learning for young readers. Thank YOU for being a reader and stopping by the blog.

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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
      • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Meet Cat
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Contact Cat