Book Review: Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
Jack and his younger sister Lilly have lost their father, and all that remains of him is his old black trunk. More than anything, Jack wants to explore what’s inside, but his mother holds the key…until the day Lilly finds it. Soon both she and Jack are plunged into a magical world where they must work together with the animal inhabitants to bring back the light, by calling on the Breath of All Good Things.
Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk by M. M. Allen is an action-packed middle grade novel that will intrigue kids of all ages!
I also really enjoyed the animal characters of Wishapick. They came alive in my mind! I fell in love with Winston, Miss Bailey, and the Tummalums, and was properly terrified by the
About Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk
Darkness. Utter blackness. Was this why his mother had refused to let Jack unlock his father’s old trunk? It had been two years since his dad had died, and all Jack could think about was examining whatever treasures were stored inside the beloved trunk. But when he finally lifted the lid, he didn’t just fall in—he fell through it into a pit of rattlesnakes!
Trying to recall his mother’s stories about “the Breath of All Good Things”—anything to shed light on his current situation—Jack wishes he’d paid better attention rather than mock the tales as childish myths…and that he’d waited to enter the trunk with his sister, Lilly, so they could at least face this together.
Like L. Frank Baum’s Oz and C. S. Lewis’s Narnia, M. M. Allen brings to life the fantastical world of Wishapick—a land of courageous animals ruled by a cruel rattlesnake king who has condemned the villagers to live without light. Chosen as the reluctant hero to save the villagers, Jack must face terrifying creatures and overwhelming odds if he wants to help his new friends—and return home himself.
“… a breathy and fantastical storytelling style, imaginations will flourish and the tale will be enjoyed by kids ages 8-12 who enjoy the genre of fantasy.”—The Children’s Book Review
Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk is available on Amazon.
Fun Stuff
Wishapick Soundtrack
Be sure to check out the companion music CD, Wishapick, for purchase or download from DeborahWynne.com
Book Club Questions
Get to the heart of Wishapick by downloading this set of book club questions: Wishapick by M. M. Allen: Book Club Questions
About M. M. Allen
M. M. Allen, author of the acclaimed children’s picture book Let’s Play Ball, is the mother of two adult children and aunt to twenty-three nieces and nephews, including ten great-nieces and great-nephews. MM is a former teacher and university lecturer. She has also worked extensively in marketing and communications with varied businesses and non-profits. MM lives in a picturesque northern California town where she enjoys writing, tending to her rose garden, and caring for her West Highland terrier, Pip.
About Deborah Wynne
Composer and lyricist Deborah Wynne created a companion CD of songs to accompany Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk. Wynne’s primary talents lie in choral singing, stage musicals, and composing. Her musical projects include the 2013 album Strands of Gold and 2007 musical Moment of Truth. She is an active singer and composer in Santa Barbara, California, where she lives with her husband and their two shelties, Sparkle and Gracie.
Wishapick and iPod Nano Giveaway
Enter to win an autographed copy of Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk written by acclaimed author M. M. Allen; plus an Apple iPod Nano to listen to your downloaded copy of the Wishapick: Tickety Boo and the Black Trunk soundtrack composed by the talented Deborah Wynne!
Giveaway begins November 5, 2015, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends December 31, 2015, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Wishapick Tour Dates
Thursday November 5 2015
The Children’s Book Review
Tour Kick-Off & Giveaway
Friday November 6 2015
The Review Wire
Book Excerpt & Soundtrack Clip
Tuesday November 17 2015
Suz Reviews
Creating Mood in a Story with Music
Monday November 23 2015
On Starships & Dragonwings
5 Things About the World of Wishapick
Tuesday November 24 2015
Valerie’s Reviews
Book Excerpt & Soundtrack Clip
Tuesday November 27 2015
Batch of Books
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Saturday December 5 2015
The Fairview Review
Wishapick Book Review
Thursday December 10 2015
Inspired by Savannah
Wishapick Book Review
Wednesday December 23 2015
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Sunday December 27 2015
Little Miss History
Author Interview with M. M. Allen
Crystal,
Thank you for a wonderful review. I appreciate your time and dedication. With every good wish for many blessings in 2016 for you and your family.
Tickety Boo –
MM Allen