Olive is searching for her missing dog Ginger, but the dog has fallen into a hole and is trapped. Along comes Zen, a homeless dog who helps free Ginger. Together, they make their way back to Olive.
This book is perfect for teaching young readers how to trust, make new friends, get out in nature, explore and investigate the world around them and learn about the best doctors, sunshine, diet, fresh air, fresh water, a goodnight's rest, and exercise.
Print Length: 24 Pages
Genre: Children's
ISBN-13: 979-8616441805
Publisher: Independent
Zinger in The Woods is available to purchase at Amazon.com. You can also add this to your reading list on GoodReads.com.
About the Authors
Zinger In The Woods was retold by, husband and wife authors, Mark and Tiesha Becker. The former elementary school teachers decided to write a book after fostering three malnourished puppies. Zinger In the Woods reflects the lessons they learned from being parents, doggie parents, and teachers for over thirty years.
You can discover more about M.T. Becker on their website: www.live-grow-sustain.com
WOW: Zinger in The Woods is such a darling book, can you tell me about how you both were inspired to write it?
M.T. Becker: We were inspired to write Zinger In The Woods when we were fostering three malnourished puppies four years ago. We were sitting outside watching Olive, Pax, and Zen, run around playing with Ginger, our first rescue baby, and Tiesha said, Babe, we are going to write a book about these dogs. But, we didn’t start writing the book until a year and half later.
WOW: They say the best ideas stay with you; they appear organically and are hard to ignore. I love that you didn't rush this idea. What’s it like working as co-authors?
M.T. Becker: The two of us decided to work as one once we both failed as individual entrepreneurs. Since then, we sold fresh pressed juice at farmers’ markets. We sold our plant fertilizer at farmers’ markets. We had a cleaning business together. So co-authoring seemed like a no brainer, right?
Wrong!! It was a totally different experience. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses on a totally new level. Both of us think we know what is best, so we had to learn to compromise our “know it all” personalities. Our co-author journey was an amazing experience because it wasn’t about Zinger In The Woods. It was about us becoming one, and our book is proof of that manifestation.
WOW: You two have tried it all! I think it's great that you kept trying new things until you found the right joint venture. Are any of your characters based on real people or animals?
M.T. Becker: Yes, the book is based on the lives of our two rescue fur babies, Ginger and Zen.
WOW: So that's how the name Zinger came about, Ginger and Zen! How long did it take you to bring the book to life?
M.T. Becker: It took us from December, 2018 to April, 2021 to bring the English, bilingual, and audio editions of Zinger In The Woods to life. That’s roughly two and a half years on a book that started off as a ten page short story. Who knew, LOL!
WOW: I take comfort in knowing these stats and I think our readers will too. Sometimes we need to stop worrying about how long book writing can take and just let it take as long as it needs. Can you tell us about your experience with finding the right illustrator and narrators?
M.T. Becker: Great questions! Our fantastic illustrator, Peter Fasolino, we found on Guru. And, our amazing narrators, Chelsea Ryan Mccurdy and Steve Mccurdy, a father and daughter team, we found them on Fivver. So, we are sooo thankful for the internet's ability to shrink the world, and for the incredibly talented people who live in it!
WOW: How fitting that your narrators are a father and daughter team. The audiobook is so great! Are middle-grade books going to be your sole focus, or do you have plans to branch out?
M.T. Becker: Actually, our first book, Fresh Pressed Yoga, was written for adults. It’s a health and wellness eBook that combines the benefits of yoga and fresh pressed juice. So as far as branching out, we might switch genres, but we will always write books for both children and adults.
WOW: The common theme of health and wellness is so important for young and old. How do you feel about the importance of life lessons in stories for kids?
M.T. Becker: We believe it is vital to have life lessons in our stories. Children are unable to understand their emotions and make good decisions if they aren’t given the tools and opportunities to learn and grow. Also, as former educators, we know how important it is for children to think for themselves and be able to solve real life problems. So, that is what we write about.
WOW: My favourite children's books are the one with life lessons. Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts on writing, Zinger in The Woods is a wonderful story!
----- Blog Tour Dates
May 10th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning with coffee than a muffin? Join us on the WOW blog today and celebrate the launch of M.T. Becker's book Zinger in The Woods. You can read an interview with the authors and enter to win a copy of the book too.
May 11th @ Jill Sheet's Blog
Visit Jill's blog today to read a guest post on Having Writers Block by the authors of Zinger in The Woods, M. T. Becker.
May 12th @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa today as she interviews M. T. Becker, authors of Zinger in The Woods.
May 13th @ Editor-911
Visit Margo's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M.T. Becker.
May 17th @ AJ Kormon
Visit AJ Kormon's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post about Education by authors M. T. Becker.
May 19th @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog today to see her spotlight and review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.
May 20th @ Literary Quicksand
Visit Jolissa's blog today to see her giveaway and review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.
May 26th @ Beverley A Baird
Visit Beverley's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M. T. Becker.
May 28th @ It's Alanna Jean
Visit Alanna's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Relationships by authors M. T. Becker.
June 1st @ World of My Imagination
Visit Nicole's blog today for her giveaway and review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Being Enough by authors M. T. Becker.
June 2nd @ Beverley A Baird
Visit Beverley's blog today to see a guest post on Social Issues by authors M. T. Becker.
June 4th @ Author Anthony Avina
Visit Anthony's blog today to see his review of Zinger in The Woods and interview with authors M. T. Becker.
June 5th The Good Book Nook
Visit Polly's Instagram page today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.
June 6th @ Shoe's Seeds & Stories
Visit Linda's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.
June 7th @ Leslie's Voice
Visit Leslie's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.
June 8th @ The Burgeoning Bookshelf
Visit Veronica's blog today to read her review of M. T. Becker's book Zinger in The Woods.
June 9th @ Carole Writes
Visit Carole's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M. T. Becker.
June 10th @ Reading Girl Reviews
Visit Gina's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods by authors M. T. Becker.
June 11th @ Chapters Through Life
Visit Danielle's blog today to see her spotlight and review of the book Zinger in The Woods by M. T. Becker.
June 12th @ Lisa's Reading
Visit Lisa's blog today to see her spotlight and giveaway of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Growing Food by authors M. T. Becker.
June 13th @ Teatime and Books
Visit Janet's blog today to read her review of Zinger in The Woods and a guest post on Education by authors M. T. Becker.
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****
Enter to win a copy of Zinger in the Woods by MT Becker! Enter the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway ends May 23rd at 11:59pm PST. We have one print copy to give away, and three Audible audiobooks! Winners will be announced the next day on the Rafflecopter widget and we will follow up via email. Thank you, and good luck!
9 comments:
Kelly, thanks for conducting the interview!
MT: I loved hearing about your collaboration in so many different businesses. I work with my husband as well creatively in graphic design and it IS a huge challenge and lesson in compromise, but it's satisfying when the project is done and out in the world. ;) You've created a delightful book with wonderful illustrations. I love books that come from true stories. I work in cat rescue and started to write about some of my adventures. Good luck on your tour! It looks like a great one! :)
WoW, do we have to say Thank You to The Muffin for a wonderful book launch! Let's Go Zinger In The Woods!!!
Thanks Angela for the love and support, and we can't wait to read one of your adventure stories.
This looks like such a good book .
What a great book with many lessons for children M.T. Becker. Wishing you continued success.
Looks like a good book!
Looks so good
Sounds like a cute book :) Great interview!
My granddaughter would love this books, she always likes the books I pick for her. Each of my grandkids (I have 4 with #5 on the way!) get new books for Christmas every year, I love to gift them books and they love getting them!
vikki.billings@yahoo.com
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