Hi all! It's Cody and I am Miao-ing with delight that KeeKee is back, and Mamma mia I couldn't be happier!!
I bet you are wondering, just who is KeeKee?
The REAL KeeKee is a calico kitty, (Mom and I like that she prefers to refer to herself as "a colorful cat." )
Her real-life pawrents adopted her from a shelter in Seattle, Washington, but she spent four years in Europe! While living in Europe she traveled in her hot air balloon visiting all sorts of places while her pawrents were at work!
The KeeKee in her two catabulous books is "the adventurous calico kitty who travels the world in her hot air balloon. Her first stop was Paris. And now? Mamma Mia! It's Rome, Italy!"
For those of you who are long time readers, you will remember that I reviewed KeeKee's first book: KeeKee's Big Adventures in Paris, France! Well, I am honored to say that KeeKee included a line from my review: "Vibrant, colorful and bursting with PURRsonality!" where it appears on the back cover of her latest book:"KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy"
Once again, Mom and I purred while reading about KeeKee's adventures, (this time in Rome, Italy), because the illustrations done by Casey Uhelski are vibrant, colorful and are just BURSTING with purrsonality! If it is possible, I think the illustrations in KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy are even MORE VIBRANT and possess even MORE amazing details than her first book! (Wait til you see the illustration of the Sistine Chapel and her take on Michelangelo's masterpiece! Mamma mia it's SPLENDIDO!!!!
This time my Mom and I followed KeeKee as she flew in her hot air balloon and landed in the "world-famous Cat Sanctuary" in Rome where she was greeted by a new furiend, Emilia. KeeKee has always wanted to visit the Colosseum, the Pantheon,and the Sistine Chapel, (or as KeeKee calls it, the Sixteenth Chapel MOL!) Emilia knows just the person who can act as KeeKee's tour guide for her latest journey, it's Alfredo, who "knows Rome like the back of his paw."
KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy, enabled me to learn all about Rome and some impawtant history, and the best part? I had FUN while doing so!!! YOU WILL TOO! Mom and I both feel that this book ISN'T just for those who are between the ages of 4 and 7 (as the jacket states), because GROWN UP KIDS and ADULTS can learn from this book too!
As KeeKee's first book had, there is s a Pronunciation Guide & Glossary for Italian words and places that were mentioned in the book!
Examples are:
- Amico Mio (ah-MEE-coe MEE-oh) which means "My friend"
- Benvenuto (ben-veh-NOO-toe) which means "Welcome"
- Grazie mille (GRAHT-see-eh-MEE-leh) which means "A thousand thanks"
- Mangia (MANH-juh) which means and kitties we love, "EAT!"
- Miao (mee-yow) which means....what else? MEOW!
Just to name a few!
So, not only are you and your little ones going to enjoy the story, but you will all learn something at the same time! Heck, MOM learned some Italian words that SHE never knew! Me? I'm kinda suave and "Splendido" so I already knew some of them.
YOU CAN LEARN THESE WORDS TOO and share KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy with her!
ENTER TO WIN: ONE LUCKY PERSON WILL WIN ONE COPY OF KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy and ONE COPY OF KeeKee's Big Adventures in Paris, France, OPEN TO EVERYONE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!! (An appox $35.00 value)....you must be 18 and older to enter.
HOW TO ENTER:leave a comment telling me that you would like to enter and be sure I have a way of contacting you should you be the lucky winner!
EXTRA ENTRY: "like" KeeKee's Big Adventures on Facebook , and or Twitter, tell them Cody from Cat Chat With Caren and Cody sent you, and leave a comment here telling me that you did that.
THE GIVE-AWAY IS OPEN NOW and will end on MONDAY, MARCH 24TH at 5PM EASTERN. The winner will be chosen by www.random.org and will be announced on TUESDAY, MARCH 25TH.
If you can't wait: you can purchase the book here
For more information, visit http://www.keekeesbigadventures.com/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: For Shannon Jones, her love of travel began at a young age. It opened her eyes and ears to the world. As a grown-up, living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with her husband Paul and kitty KeeKee, the idea for KeeKee's Big Adventures was born. After 20 years in the marketing field, Shannon is launched on her new adventures, following her passion for writing and excited to be helping kids in their quest for learning and discovery.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Casey Uhelski graduated with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration. As a little girl, she loved books, doodling, and daydreaming. She's never outgrown these early enthusiasms, and has happily gone on to pursue a career as a children's-book illustrator.
Good luck,
Grazie mille, and
Arrivederci,
Cody
In full disclosure: I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent a copy of KeeKee's Big Adventures in Rome, Italy in exchange for my honest review.
