Fun at Gramma’s (Scoochie and Skiddles Book #1) by Tom Tracy | Book Review & Giveaway!
“I’m delighted to announce that this review has been shared by Twinkl! For even more great recommendations, make sure to visit their TBR blog“
Book Details
Scoochie & Skiddles in Fun at Gramma's by Tom Tracy
Series: Scoochie and Skiddles #1
Published by Mirror Publishing on 10/15/2021
Genres: Adoption, Children's Picture Book, Multi-Generational, Children's, Family Life
Format: Paperback
Pages: 28
Scoochie and Skiddles are cousins who learn important life lessons through their amazing adventures together.
In Fun at Gramma's, Scoochie and Skiddles discover that the best times are created through creativity, imagination, and the joy of family.
Scoochie and Skiddles turn an ordinary day into something magical and exciting.
When the day ends, Scoochie must find a positive way to manage her feelings of disappointment and Gramma helps in only that special way that a Gramma can.
Join them on their adventure to "the best day ever".
Source: Received from the author or publisher for review.
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Purchase Links for Scoochie and Skiddles Book #1
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My thoughts on Scoochie and Skiddles in Fun at Gramma’s
Wow! This book is fabulous. It is easily going on my list of top children’s books of the year.
I was fascinated by the story from the opening page. This delightful children’s book packs a lot of love, caring, and acceptance into a few short pages.
The tale of the two girls visiting each other at Gramma’s house brings back memories of my own time spent at my grandmother’s house with various cousins. I also smiled when reading about the blanket fort. Building a blanket fort is one of the first things my grandchildren do when they visit. I love the bit of history about each blanket used to create the castle of their dreams.
The book touches on many diverse topics, including gay parents, mixed-race cultures, joy, sadness, and anger. The reader can delve as deep as they wish in discussing these topics. Children of early-reading ages will enjoy the cadence and flow of the story. Readers of all ages will love the bright, colorful illustrations by Dustin James. Each picture practically tells a story of its own.
Naturally, I loved the part where Gramma rescues Scoochie from her temper tantrum with a story of treasure boxes. Every grandma wants to soothe the troubled spirit of her little ones.
I read the book several times over the last few days, and I found a new detail every time that made me smile, reflect on the past or ponder what these two wonderful girls will do in the next book. The possibilities are endless.
Please consider purchasing a copy for yourself or as a gift. You don’t want to miss the antics of this remarkable family!
I received a digital copy of the book from the author to review. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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About Tom Tracy
Tom Tracy has wanted to write children's stories for more than 30 years, yet just never found the right inspiration. As a result, that dream was never pursued, that is until his daughter's influence on him.
One day, he found himself mesmerized by the zestful nature of his daughter and niece's engagement of their family and their surrounding environment. That moment provided clarity of vision. The children in Tom's life would serve as the inspiration for a series of books that celebrate childhood and childhood discovery of and interaction with the world.
The main characters are based on Tom's oldest daughter and his niece, who serve as muses for Scoochie & Skiddles. It is an honor to tell their stories through the book series.
Tom is a NJ Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked with at-risk youth and individuals living with mental illness for most of his career.
Through his work, he has truly come to appreciate the value of sharing one's lived experience with others through personal narratives. Everyone has a story to tell from which someone else can benefit. It is his hope that telling his family's story will provide meaning and value to others.
As a gay man who did not come out until the age of 30, Tom also understands the importance of creating a mirror for others. Now more than ever, it is so important for people to be able to see themselves in print, in media, at work, and in everyday life. Everyone has a part to play in creating beacons for hope and acceptance. Scoochie & Skiddles have both been raised to be the embodiment of inclusivity and equity.
Tom lives in Southern New Jersey with his husband, Elliott, their two adopted daughters, two dogs, and a cat. In their family, Elliott is referred to as "Daddy," whereas Tom is referred to as "Odie." Odie is a take on the letters O and D, which stand for "Other Daddy."
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More about Tom Tracy and Scoochie & Skiddles
Have you ever found yourself observing the most ridiculous playful antics of kids and thought; ‘Someone should write a book about this?’ Gay dad Tom Tracy found himself thinking that repeatedly, whenever his daughter and her cousin were playing together. “Their energy, imagination, and exuberance for life are the makings of pure entertainment.”
So, Tom wrote “Scoochie and Skiddles,” his first book in what will be a series of stories that capture childhood fascination and discovery while, at times, addressing topics that can be challenging to talk about.
Tom recalls that his interest in writing stories for children began when he was in high school. “In fact, I still have some of those initial short stories that I wrote as I dreamed of being an author.” However, he always felt his stories fell flat because he did not have the proper inspiration.
Then, five years ago, Tom and his husband Elliott adopted their first daughter. As her personality began to form, it was clear that she was going to be an inquisitive child who would have an insatiable appetite for experiencing all the world had to offer. When coupled with the unbridled zest of her cousin, Tom said the two produce a whirlwind of hysterical escapades in “blink and you’ll miss it” fashion. Suddenly, Tom found himself looking at the inspiration he had been seeking for over 30 years.
As Tom listened to their conversations and watched the kids engage with each other and the world around them, he realized that not only were they learning about life, but if you listened closely enough, they were also reminding adults of important and often forgotten lessons too; like sometimes the simplest answer is the one that makes the most sense; sometimes whatever “it” is, we don’t need to make it bigger than it needs to be; most importantly, always find time to play, to laugh, to move around and to tell the ones we care about how much we love them. Now, perhaps more than ever, Tom said it feels like those messages are important to be told.
“The ‘Scoochie and Skiddles‘ stories convey those important messages in a child-friendly way. The first story, ‘Fun at Gramma’s,’ is a celebration of the joy of family, and sets the tone for the girls’ uplifting perspectives,” he said. “The second book in the series, which is in development, recounts Scoochie’s adoption experience by her two dads.”
Tom and his husband Elliott have been married for nearly a decade. Their family consists of two daughters who were brought to them through adoption. Both girls are of different races to Tom and Elliott. As such, it is important to the dads to ensure that the girls can see themselves and families like theirs reflected back to them in the community, at school, in the media, and in print.
Through the creation of the ‘Scoochie & Skiddles’ series, Tom hopes to provide for his family, as well as other families, an opportunity to see themselves in print while honoring and celebrating diversity. “Ensuring that the books represent gay dads, adoptive families, and mixed-race families in an easy-to-read way is important for expanding diversity in literary content within the children’s illustrated book genre,”
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Giveaway!
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Amazon Easy Link
Scoochie & Skiddles: Fun at...Shop on Amazon
Paperback
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Signed, Numbered Copies, Coloring Pages, & Merchadise Available
Tom Tracy is offering a limited number of author-signed and numbered copies available through direct purchase from the author’s website (Merchandise Page). The cost is the same as the book’s cost on Amazon and includes shipping (US only). Signed and numbered copies can only be purchased directly from the author.
The website also offers coloring pages and don’t miss the merchandise page. You’ll find many great items to go along with the book. Again, these will make treasured gifts for little loved ones.
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[…] Fun at Gramma’s (Scoochie and Skiddles Book #1) by Tom Tracy […]
[…] Fun at Gramma’s (Scoochie and Skiddles Book #1) by Tom Tracy […]
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[…] puts out a list of books to consider reading for World Book Day. They featured my review of Scoochie & Skiddles: Fun at Gramma’s on their TRB list. I am super proud of that review so I was pleased for author Tom Tracy & […]
This is an excellent book review; congratulations to Tom for following his dream!
Thank you, Wanda. Watch for my review with a giveaway & promotion of book 2 coming in March!
This sounds like such a positive story, Gina – I love the diversity of the family and the uplifting messages! Fab review x
Thank you, Kate. I’m overjoyed with how much the diversity of our family is having an impact on other families. Please visit my website if you’d like to sign up for updates and notifications of my next book anticipated in Spring 2022 (www.scoochieandskiddles.com).
This book sounds amazing!! I love how the girls have fun with grandma. And, man, those illustrations are super awesome!! You have an adorable family Tom.
Thank you so much. The girls are indeed pretty incredible and they keep us all on our toes. 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book. Please visit my website if you’d like to sign up for updates and notifications of my next book anticipated in Spring 2022 (www.scoochieandskiddles.com).
This sounds like a really lovely, positive book to read with children, and one that brings back happy family memories for the adults too. Great post.
Thank you. I certainly hope it resonates with all kids and grandparents alike. Who doesn’t have fond memories of blanket forts?! 😉 Please visit my website if you’d like to sign up for updates and notifications of my next book anticipated in Spring 2022 (www.scoochieandskiddles.com).
Great review, Gina! This book looks super cute! I’m always looking to find children’s books that have good morals and diverse set of characters/stories, so this sounds perfect for me. I’m also a huge fan of that art style.
Thank you, Jenny. Choosing the illustrator was an incredibly important task, as it needed to be someone who could help bring the story to life while honoring the diversity of characters. I am super thrilled with the end product. I hope you enjoy the story as well; it is getting a lot traction and love in the “diversity” space. Please visit my website if you’d like to sign up for updates and notifications of my next book anticipated in Spring 2022 (www.scoochieandskiddles.com).
What a great review, I will always remember going to my grandparents as a child such fond memories
I’m so glad it evokes that memory for you. I have so many fond memories of playing at my grandmother’s house and it warms my heart to see my daughter creating her own memories with her grandparents. Please visit my website if you’d like to sign up for updates and notifications of my next book anticipated in Spring 2022 (www.scoochieandskiddles.com).
Sounds like a wonderful book! As someone with major diversity in their family- Greek, Mexican, Filipino, Hungarian and closeted folks who are confused but shouldn’t be-I admire your array of characters and hope you’re a big success! Will it be available in ebook format too?
Eve, thank you. I love the diversity of your family. Thank you for sharing that. I wish I could reach out and embrace those in your family who are closet and give them a big “it’s OK” hug on your behalf. To your question about ebook availability. I will probably be doing a second release in 2022, which will include an ebook at that time. Please visit my website if you’d like to sign up for updates and notifications of my next book anticipated in Spring 2022 (www.scoochieandskiddles.com).
[…] Scoochie and Skiddles in Fun at Gramma’s is a wonderful book that everyone should read. Visit my review to learn more and enter the raffle to win a signed copy from the author, Tom Tracy. […]
Thank you so much for this review, Gina. I am so happy that it resonated with you and has brought you such joy. It has been a humble privilege to tell this story and I hope your followers enjoy it with the same enthusiasm as you.