Just Like My Papa - by Toni Buzzeo - Book Tour

Just Like My Papa

by Toni Buzzeo

Just Like My Papa, by Toni Buzzeo, is the perfect book to read this Father's Day. With beautiful illustrations done by Mike Wohnoutka, you and your child are taken to the African safari. There you will meet Kito, a lion cub who clearly idolizes his Papa, the king. This story is one that many father/child relationships can identify with. Kito wants to be right there by his Papa's side doing everything he does, even the things he's not quite ready for. It's a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations to take you away.

I really enjoyed reading this book with my daughter and husband. We all sat down together and my husband read it aloud. As the story went on my daughter cuddled up even closer to her daddy. I could tell by her reactions that she was understanding the tale and showing her love and adoration for her daddy while he read. This book will be treasured by my husband as he retells it to my daughter and looks forward to sharing it with my my son when he gets a little bigger. 

Toni Buzzeo is a fabulous author who knows about books! She very kindly shared with me her suggestions for some great summer reading for you and your children. To me, there is nothing better then cuddling up after a long day in the sun and sharing a story. I know I will be looking into some of these titles this summer!

And be sure to visit the next stop on Toni's book tour, One Book at a Time. 

From Toni:

Summer reading! When I was a kid, summer was all about reading, whether lying under a tree or snuggled next to Grandma, I devoured stacks and stacks of books each summer. And I was lucky enough to come from a devoted library-using family, so it was an absolutely free summer pastime.

To cultivate the reading habit in our little ones, all we have to do is give them plenty of opportunity to explore books and set aside time to share books with them in a relaxed setting, whether at the beach or on a porch swing with a glass of lemonade. Here are some titles to look for next time you go to the library or bookstore.

*Just Like My Papa by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka (Hyperion 2013)
My latest book will take you and your child to the African savanna where Papa Lion is busy protecting the pride and being king while little cub Kito is busy emulating his Papa. With gorgeous illustrations and a lyrical text, it makes a perfect read aloud—especially for Father’s Day.

You might also enjoy these companion picture book titles that feature fathers and/or big cats:

*Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue, illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski (Houghton Mifflin, 2012)
*It’s a Firefly Night by Dianne Ochiltree, illustrated by Betsy Snyder (Blue Apple Books, 2013)
*Saturday is Dadurday by Robin Pulver, illustrated by R.W. Alley (Walker, 2013)
*Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (Candlewick, 2009)


*Stay Close to Mama by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka (Hyperion, 2012)
Little Twiga is very curious and eager to explore his wide savanna world. Mama, on the other hand, is eager to keep him close and safe. Following closely behind her baby, Mama witnesses several close calls in this beautifully illustrated book with a refrain that is fun for young listeners to chime in on.

You might also enjoy these companion picture book titles that feature mothers and/or life on the savanna:

*Llama Llama Mad at Mama by Anna Dewdney (Viking, 2007)
*Water Hole Waiting by Jane Kurtz and Christopher Kurtz, illustrated by Lee Christiansen (Greenwillow, 2002)
*Chirchir is Singing by Kelly Cunnane, illustrated by Jude Daly (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011)
*Jubela by Cristina Kessler, illustrated by JoEllen McAllister Stammen (Simon & Schuster, 2001)

*One Cool Friend by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by David Small (Dial, 2012)
When Elliot, a proper young boy, and his gentle but distracted father go to the aquarium on Family Fun Day, Elliot brings home a penguin because he thought his father said that he could. With delightful graphic illustrations and plenty of humor, this book begs to be re-read.

You might also enjoy these companion picture book titles that feature misunderstandings, offbeat adventures, and/or interesting illustration styles:

*When Dinosaurs Came with Everything by Elise Broach, illustrated by David Small (Atheneum, 2007)
*The Kindhearted Crocodile by Lucia Panzieri , illustrated by AntonGionata Ferrari (Holiday House, 2013)
*Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (Knopf, 2012)
*Ish by Peter H. Reynolds (Candlewick, 2004)