The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard by Shelley Larkin and Michael John Sullivan | Giveaway, Author Interview, Review
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
The Lizard Who Loves a Blizzard by Shelley Larkin, Michael Sullivan
Published by Magic Everywhere Inc. on 09/07/2021
Genres: Animals, Children's Picture Book, Fiction, Children's
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 36
Larry the Lizard shows us all that big hearts can live in the smallest of the small.
Larry the Lizard has always dreamed of snow. The only problem is, he lives in Australia. Find out what happens when a lizard gets a very silly idea... and it finally comes true.
Join Larry and his friends as they skid, skate, slide and have an adventure in this wonderful ride. Authors Shelley Larkin & Michael John Sullivan share this adorable rhyming story with children from 2 to 92, including 16 full-color illustrations by renowned Cuban artist, Yanaisy Puentes Cruz.
Source: iRead Book Tours, Received from the author or publisher for review.
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Purchase Links for The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard
Waterstones The Book Depository
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My thoughts on The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard
Larry the Lizard wants snow for Christmas. Christmas snow is a pretty common wish for kids and adults alike. The problem is that Larry lives in Australia. It never snows there in December as that’s their summer season.
So the premise of this sweet book is: Never quit wishing and dreaming. Wishes can come true. While snow is unlikely, and many would say, impossible, there is always hope. Nothing can take hope from your heart.
The illustrations add so much to this delightful tale. Kudos to Cuban artist, Yanaisy Puentes Cruz. While the book does have some rhymes, I wouldn’t consider it a rhyming book. My youngest grandsons found it enjoyable and easy to read, which is all you can ask for from a children’s book.
I recommend The Lizard Who Loves a Blizzard to readers of all ages, as well as libraries, schools, daycares, and homes.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About Michael Sullivan
Michael Sullivan is the co-creator of The Lizard Who Loves a Blizzard, Nick Knitley and The SockKids. He is also co-developing three other animation series, including the Dr. Neverme and Dinomike projects.
Sullivan has written several children’s books, including a Digimon series book with HarperCollins Publishing. In addition, Michael has written five novels, receiving awards and best-selling status.
His first book, Necessary Heartbreak, was published by Simon & Schuster and was named by the prestigious Library Journal as one of the best books in 2010.
Sullivan previously advocated for the homeless, drawing off of his own experience of riding the New York City trains at night for one winter. He has written articles about the plight for CNN.com, The Washington Post website, The Huffington Post, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Patch.com.
Before he took up living among his animated characters, Michael worked for ESPN, Rival.com, Scout.com, and The Sporting News, covering high school and college basketball.
He is a former board member of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
About Shelley Larkin
Shelley Larkin is the co-creator of The Lizard Who Loves a Blizzard, Nick Knitley and The SockKids, and is co-developing other animation series with Michael, including the Dr. Neverme and Dinomike projects.
Shelley is involved in all aspects of the animation ventures, including marketing and promotions, and merchandising of books, videos, and other products.
One of Shelley’s passions is the Destination Imagination (DI) worldwide learning program for kids K-12, where she served as Director in the greater Sacramento area. Focused on creative problem-solving techniques, hundreds of thousands of children are served by the program each year, supported by thousands of volunteers. Shelley was presented with the DI Spirit of Discovery Award in recognition of her outstanding commitment and devotion to the global program.
Michael and Shelley’s initial collaboration was co-authoring a children’s short story, “The Sock Kids Stand Up Against Bullying”, a nationally distributed book developed in concert with Destination Imagination. This story creates awareness of an important life lesson for children and shows how The SockKids can deliver these messages through animation and books.
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An Interview with Shelley Larkin, Author
Q: How do you research your book?
A: I like to make sure that I dot my i’s and cross my t’s. I feel it is important to maintain credibility for what you capture in your stories. Using the internet, books, and articles, I find various resources. I also like to seek out Subject Matter Experts on my topic. I ask questions and conduct fact-checking.
Q: Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
A: The longer I am a visitor on this planet, the longer I see, watch, and observe. I am consciously in awe of what we call life. I am passionate about so many issues. I love children and I love the importance of trying to teach lessons of love and kindness to them. Often when I think about a storyline, I am brought back to the idea of making sure I send that message in my works. I don’t think you can ever hear it too much.
Q: How do you come up with your characters?
A: I love this part and I love to create how they will look. I am a visual person and for me, it’s all about the presentation and the details. I want all the characters to be unique to the story and differ from one project to the next. I think it is important to create induvial character personalities so that the reader can begin to develop a relationship with them and find those they can identify with. Watching the vision come to life is one of the most rewarding aspects for me as a writer.
Q: Can you share some of your favorite inspirational quotes about writing?
A: We need inspiration from time to time and sometimes something pops out at you that hits a nerve that gives you just the right inspiration to jump the hurdle. I like these.
“A writer is working when he’s staring out of the window.” ~ Burton Rascoe
“Just write every day of your life. Read intensely. Then see what happens. Most of my friends who are put on that diet have very pleasant careers.” ~ Ray Bradbury
“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver
“There is no rule on how to write. Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly: sometimes it’s like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: I would like to be remembered for my kindness, for showing up, for giving second chances, for loving selflessly, acknowledging that I am human and that I did not always do and say the right things but it was never my intention to set out purposely to hurt someone’s feelings. For me, it really is all about the love.
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Purchase The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard online from a local book store.
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Easy Amazon Links
The Lizard Who Loves a Bliz...Shop on Amazon Paperback 
The Lizard Who Loves a Bliz...Shop on Amazon Kindle
For International buyers, the US link should open to your home country’s Amazon page. Please let me know if it doesn’t.
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Giveaway!
Enter to win a signed copy of The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard (one winner/USA only) (ends Feb 7)
The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard Book Tour Giveaway
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Full Tour Schedule:
Jan 4 –Cover Lover Book Review
Jan 5 –Rockin’ Book Reviews
Jan 6 – Locks, Hooks and Books
Jan 7 – Booking with Janelle
Jan 7 – Bound 4 Escape
Jan 7 – Splashes of Joy
Jan 10 –My Bookish Bliss
Jan 11 – Sandra’s Book Club
Jan 11 –Pick a Good Book
Jan 12 – Jazzy Book Reviews
Jan 12 – @twilight_reader
Jan 13 – Books, Tea, Healthy Me
Jan 13 –The Phantom Paragrapher
Jan 14 –Kam’s Place
Jan 18 – She Just Loves Books
Jan 19 – Gina Rae Mitchell
Jan 20 – Deborah-Zenha Adams
Jan 20 – Westveil Publishing
Jan 21 – Writer with Wanderlust
Jan 24 – Reading is My Passion
Jan 24 – Sefina Hawke’s Books
Jan 25 – The Adventure of a Traveler’s Wife
Jan 26 – Triquetra Reviews
Jan 26 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest
Jan 27 – The Momma Spot
Jan 28 – Pause for Tales
Jan 28 – I’m Into Books
Jan 31 – Books for Books
Jan 31 – Lisa’s Reading
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Book Title: The Lizard Who Loves A Blizzard by Shelley Larkin and Michael John Sullivan
Category: Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 36 pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Magic Everywhere Inc.
Release date: September 2021
Format available: Print- softback, ebook
Tour dates: January 4 to January 31, 2022
Content Rating: Rated G. Suitable for everyone
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Thanks so much for linking up at the 25 and Done Link Party 2. Shared onto Fb, Pn, and Tw!
This sounds an adorable book and I loved the author Q&A too!