Gina Rae Mitchell

Review: The Traveling Trunk series by Missy Tarantino is a set of five delightful books teaching children and adults about the customs of other countries. Travel to these countries is via a magical trunk belonging to Carla’s retired flight attendant grandmother. Isn’t this a fun, unique theme for these books? “Jeopardy James,” says the best way to learn about anything is to start with a children’s book!

   

Author: Missy Tarantino

Publisher: Honeybee Publishing; LLC

Genres: Children’s Chapter Books, Children’s Fantasy Books

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Synopsis and edition information is from Goodreads and Amazon.

Click on any picture, highlighted title, or shop now button to travel to the Amazon page.

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Carla’s Adventure in Guatemala: Book One of the Traveling Trunk Series

Imagine being able to explore different cultures simply by opening a trunk. When Carla is transported to Guatemala, she meets Matias, who invites her to join his family in celebrating Dia de Los Muertos. She learns about the significance of this festival and gains a new friend in the process. Carla’s Adventure in Guatemala is the first book in the Traveling Trunk series.
Explore the beautiful culture of Guatemala in this easy-to-read chapter book.

My review: The Traveling Trunk Series by Missy Tarantino – Carla’s Adventure in Guatemala: Book 1

Carla’s Adventure in Guatemala kicks off the series with a BOOM! Join Carla on her rainy day adventure to Guatemala via a bit of magic. You will learn a bit about the customs and culture there. 

This short book  (approximately 86 pages) will captivate children from toddlers to teens, as well as adults. It is well written, and the illustrations are excellent. Kudos to the author for such an imaginative tale.

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Carla’s Adventure in Thailand: Book Two of the Traveling Trunk Series

A three-headed elephant? Carla is off on another adventure with the Traveling Trunk. Carla learns to let go of things that are bothering her and makes another great friend. Join Carla as she learns about Thailand and the beautiful festival called Loy Krathong.

My review: The Traveling Trunk Series by Missy Tarantino – Carla’s Adventure in Thailand: Book Two

Carla’s Adventure in Thailand is book 2 of the Traveling Trunk series visits Thailand. The author packs so many details & customs into a few short pages; it’s impressive. This trip, Carla learns about using tuk-tuks for travel, Thai food, the Loy Krathong celebration, and so much more.

Carla’s Adventure in Thailand will start young & old on their learning adventure.

Instructions are included at the end of the book to make your own Krathong.

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Carla’s Adventure in Sweden: Book Three in The Traveling Trunk Series

Carla is dancing like a frog! When Carla’s best friend is gone for a month, Carla takes her own mini-vacation to Sweden and learns about the Midsummer Festival. Join Carla and the Traveling Trunk as she meets Olivia and Nils for one of Sweden’s most popular holidays.

My review: The Traveling Trunk Series by Missy Tarantino – Carla’s Adventure in Sweden: Book Three

Carla’s Adventure in Sweden is book 3 in the Traveling Trunk series. Carla magically travels to Sweden, where she learns about the Midsummer Festival along with many other traditions. On each of her travels, she collects a small souvenir to take back home. Missy Tarantino has such a descriptive way with words. She makes this short book a joy to read while learning about a new country.

I love the part of this series where we learn to make an item we read about in the book. This time it’s a woven Midsummer wreath.

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Carla’s Adventure in Mexico: Book Four of the Traveling Trunk Series

Put on your sombrero! Carla is off on another adventure with the traveling trunk. This time she takes her best friend, Willow, to Mexico. They learn all about Mexico’s Independence Day in this easy to read chapter book.

My review: The Traveling Trunk Series by Missy Tarantino – Carla’s Adventure in Mexico: Book Four

Carla’s Adventure in Mexico is Book 4 in the series. Each one I read becomes my new favorite. This time Carla takes best friend Willow along for the magical trip to Mexico where they learn about Mexico’s Independence Day celebration. Once again, learning about another country’s customs, food, and history is fun with Carla.
I like the way the author works in the correct pronunciation of Mexican words.

At the end of this book, we get a delicious cookie recipe!

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Carla’s Adventure in South Korea: Book Five of the Traveling Trunk Series

When Carla is stuck in the middle of a boring grown-up party, the traveling trunk saves the day. Carla finds herself in South Korea on the most special day of the year, Children’s Day! She rides roller coasters, eats street food, and learns a new game. Life is never boring when you can travel to new places and make friends along the way.

My review: The Traveling Trunk Series by Missy Tarantino – Carla’s Adventure in South Korea: Book Five

Carla’s Adventure in South Korea, Book 5 in the Traveling Trunk series, takes us to South Korea. We follow Carla as she learns about Children’s Day in S. Korea. There are a lot of traditions packed into the story. It’s so entertaining; you don’t even realize you are learning.

The illustrations fit the story well. The dialogue is tight yet descriptive.
The bonus at the end teaches you to make your own Korean Sogo drum.

 

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Carla's Adventure in Guatem...Shop on AmazonCarla's Adventure in Thaila...Shop on AmazonCarla's Adventure in Sweden...Shop on AmazonCarla's Adventure in Mexico...Shop on AmazonCarla's Adventure in South ...Shop on Amazon

Click any of the above “Shop now” images to visit the Amazon page for the book.

At the time of this review, all the books in this series are available in the Kindle Unlimited program.

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An interview with Missy Tarantino, author of Carla’s adventure series

 

Melissa Tarantino is a full-time elementary school teacher. She works with children who are just learning to speak English. Her first children’s book, Carla’s Adventure in Guatemala, was inspired by her students. She wanted to teach students about different cultures around the world.

Her debut novel, Leap of Faith, however, is for adults. It follows a year in the life of Mary Beth, who is looking to change her life by taking a new leap every month.

When she is not teaching or writing, you’ll find her in a race car, built by her husband.

 

How long have you been writing? I began writing in 2016. My first book is an adult novel titled Leap of Faith. Every year I choose an activity that puts me outside my comfort zone, so I can experience what it’s like to be in my students’ shoes. That year I decided to try and write a novel. I was hooked!

What inspired you to write in this genre? I teach students who are learning English. I wanted to represent their cultures in a positive light that would teach others about different places in the world. 

Which genre would your story belong in if your life was fictionalized in a book? Action/Adventure! My husband and I are amateur race car drivers, too.

Do you have a set writing schedule? No. I work full time, and so I have to fit it in where I can.

Do you need silence to write, or can you work in any environment? I like to have a very quiet area in order to write. When I get stuck, I go for a long walk in my town and listen and look around me for inspiration.

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Comments are greatly appreciated. Don’t forget to leave a comment at the bottom of this review.

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If you could set up your perfect writing scenario, what would it involve? I’d love to have a mountain retreat with a giant window that overlooks a lake and a mountain. Let’s add a deck to that scenario!

What is your most unusual writing quirk? I usually have a cat in my lap (not by choice) while I write.

Were you an avid reader growing up? YES! I grew up an hour from the nearest town and didn’t have television. When we would go to town, we would fill a grocery bag with books to last us a week. My cousin and I would reenact books like Little House on the Prairie and Little Women.

If you could form the ultimate writers’ group, which authors past or present would you invite to join you? I would love to have Gary Paulson, Gary Soto, Jerry Spinelli, Harper Lee, Beverly Cleary, and Luisa May Alcott in my writing group.

Do you snack while writing and if so, what is your favorite snack? My favorite is Wintergreen mints. 

 

Author’s contact info:

Website     Facebook     Amazon     Goodreads

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No matter where you acquire the books you read, please leave a review. Amazon and Goodreads are the most popular places, and you don’t have to own the book to review it. A review doesn’t have to be fancy or in-depth, a simple “Thumbs up. I liked this book.” will help the author immensely.

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But don’t worry, as Carla goes on more fabulous adventures, I’ll cover them here.

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