Book reviews are a great way for self-publishing authors to gain exposure. After all, how can someone buy your book if he or she doesn’t know it exists? Paired with other elements of your book promotion strategy, requesting reviews is a great way to get people talking about what you’ve written.
When we read good reviews, we definitely like to share them. It gives the author a few (permanent) moments of fame and allows us to let the community know about a great book. Here’s this week’s book review, courtesy of Midwest Book Review:
Super Mia and the Good Luck Duo – Rescued Is the New Black
by Marie-Yolaine Williams (author)
Richa Kinra (illustrator)
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 9781478771579
Synopsis*:
Are black cats really bad luck? Are black dogs scarier than other dogs? When Baggins, a champion racing dog, is injured during a race, his owner callously dumps him in a wooded area. There, Baggins meets Evader, a black cat, and the two become fast friends. When the duo are captured by County Animal Services, Baggins discovers that he and Evader have little chance of being adopted because of their black fur. When the shelter’s manager takes a special interest in them, it looks like their luck may finally change for the better. Will Baggins and Evader find their forever home?
Critique:
Another outstanding collaboration by author Marie-Yolaine Williams and illustrator Richa Kinra, “Super Mia and the Good Luck Duo – Rescued Is the New Black” is another in their outstanding ‘Shelter Dog Series’ and very highly recommended for the picture book collections of families, elementary schools, and community libraries. For personal reading lists it should also be noted that “Super Mia and the Good Luck Duo – Rescued Is the New Black” is available in a paperback edition as well (9781478771579, $9.95)
[ reviewed on the Children’s Bookwatch of Midwest Book Review ]
Here’s what some other reviewers are saying:
Five stars all the way! We love this book! I’d say it’s for a 6-9 year old (if your 6 year old is a strong reader).
It’s so amazing to see that the hero who saves the day in the story is a person in a wheelchair. That is something we have never seen in a children’s book and I have to say it’s a breath of fresh air. What a wonderful message for children about inclusiveness! Heroes come in all different forms and it’s long overdue that we communicate this to children. It’s a great conversation starter about disability and illness too (the hero Mia has MS and explains she has good days and bad days – on bad days she needs her wheelchair). I don’t want to give away the ending but we love how it ends!
We learned about black dog syndrome, superstition (which has a negative impact on black cats and their chances at adoption), and the country of Greece. I also love that the author walked us through what happens when an animal is dumped somewhere from the animal’s point of view. I hope this makes people think twice before they discard a pet like thrash. It’s great that some of the proceeds are going to animal rescue.
The interview at the end (the author interviews her rescue dogs and they answer questions like what is your favorite movie or book etc.) really made us laugh.
I strongly recommend this book. It’s well written and a great story. More books like this please. This is part of a series, we have the first book already (we loved that one too) and can’t wait for the next one!
– Amazon Reviewer Amazon Customer
This is an enchanting story, and Mia is its princess! What an excellent book for all. I dearly love the title: “Super Mia and the Good Luck Duo, Rescued is the New Black”. Baggins was a greyhound who broke his leg racing. After the vet said he could race no longer, the owner dropped him off in some woods and left him (something he does often). A cat offered to help Baggins. When County Animal Services captured Baggins, Evader came out of hiding to be with him. It only gets better and better from here.Both Baggins and Evader have black fur. Marie-Yolaine Williams did a very good deed for cats and dogs by letting Evader announce,”we have a very slim chance of being adopted.” Ms. Williams correctly informs her readers. When Baggins asked why, he replied “Because we have black fur. People are scared of black dogs and think that black cats are bad luck”. My Grandma had that incorrect superstition.
I worked in a Humane Society who stopped adopting out black cats for several days before Halloween to protect them. I fostered and adopted two beauties, my two black cats that I love more than life itself. I won’t give away the ending of the story. It is excellent!
Thank you Marie-Yolaine Williams and Word Slinger for giving me a book to read in exchange for my honest review.
– Amazon Reviewer C M Anderson
Thanks for reading! Keep up with the latest in the world of indie and self-published books by watching this space every Saturday!
Self Publishing Advisor
Self Publishing Advisor 