Jolene Adventures of a Junk Food Queen Book Giveaway
ABOUT THE BOOK
Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen
Created by Alexa Palmer and Catharine Kaufman
Illustrated by John Martinez and Hayden Mills
Ages 4-10 | 60 Pages
Publisher: Palmer and Kaufman | ISBN-13: 978-0-615136301
Publisher’s Book Summary: Jolene loves junk food. She loves it so much she wears red licorice in her hair–and pink taffy underwear! The Munch Bunch calls her “The Junk Food Queen.” Then, one night in her dreams, she meets a bunch of cool characters who take her on an incredible, edible journey into a world of juicy fruits, super salads, and yummy smoothies.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon
Bookshop.org
Barnes and Noble
Walmart
MY REVIEW
Jolene is over the top. I’m sorry, but it needs to be said. Forget wearing an edible candy bracelet or necklace. No simple Ring Pops. She has “red licorice in her hair, a pair of jelly bean boots…a belt of potato chip loops” and that’s not even her entire outfit. She shrugs her shoulders at her mom’s suggestions that she eats too much junk food. All the other students at school urge her to clean up her food habits, but she chooses to be friends with Sugar Sam instead. They make quite a pair since Sam has “Candy coated pretzels, lollipops and fudge” stuck in his hair.
Luckily for Jolene and her readers she meets the Cavity Ranger one night in her dreams and he sends her on an adventure that changes her life forever. She meets Madame Fudge, The Bubblegummers, Doctor-Do-Dye, and even the Pizza Police. By the end of her dream she is cured of her cravings and ready to enjoy fruit smoothies, artichoke dip, and salads. Even better, she wants to help others like Sugar Sam to develop their own healthy eating style.
This story is a mix of Scrooge’s visitation from the three spirits of Christmas and the trials of the children in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Just as Violet Beauregarde learned to think twice before popping a piece of gum in her mouth, Jolene learns that there really can be too much of a good thing. Families may read this “sweet” story together and talk it over. Do they really want to eat so much junk food that they grow greasy french fry fingers? Are there friends that they might share healthy snacks with to encourage good habits? For kiddos who are curious about the smoothies that the characters enjoy, there are three recipes shared in the back of the book that they can try. Happy healthy eating!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alexa Palmer resides in Rancho Mirage, California, where she has raised three daughters- Alexandra, Stephanie and Christina. A preschool teacher who has been passionate about writing since the age of 8, Alexa also has a background in performing arts from the University of London and Oxford University. She is a published songwriter formerly studying under the tutelage of the late Buddy Kaye and is excited about launching the musical version she created for Jolene.
https://www.facebook.com/junkfoodjolene
https://www.instagram.com/junkfoodjolene/
https://www.youtube.com/thejunkfoodjolene
Catharine Kaufman is a nationally syndicated food columnist, blogger, author, magazine writer and TV chef. She credits her growing expertise in good nutrition for her survival and recovery from breast cancer and shares that expertise to help keep her family, friends and fans in good health. Writing her columns under the moniker “The Kitchen Shrink,” Catharine dispenses advice on topics that include smart grocery shopping, food facts and folklore, unforgettable dinners on a shoestring, solving cooking disasters and putting the skids on colds, flu and other ailments with healing ‘food chemistry.’Showing off her humorous culinary savvy, Catharine was featured in a “Kitchen Shrink” mini series produced by Time-Warner, which included such segments as Kitchen Play Date with Kids, and Pantry Preparedness. She also did a stint as radio host and sidekick of restaurant reviewer and food guru Merrill Shindler on KLSX, Los Angeles. As a founder and partner of www.FreeRangeClub.com, the healthy gourmet cooking and food safety blog, Catharine has been garnering kudos from foodies around the world for her featured columns on that long-established site.
Through its offbeat humor, Catharine’s well-received children’s book with collaborator Alexa Palmer, “Jolene – Adventures of a Junk Food Queen,” motivated her two daughters and other children to participate in her cooking classes, as well as to acquire healthier eating habits than many of their peers. “Jolene…” has also been endorsed by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and is being sold on Amazon and other outlets. Ever since discovering her inner foodie, Catharine has been in her element, focusing her energy and passion on weaning as many people—but especially children and young adults—off toxic foods and guiding them on a fun journey to healthy living.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Monday, September 19, 2022 The Children’s Book Review A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 The Fairview Review A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 Crafty Moms Share A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Thursday, September 22, 2022 Lisa’s Reading A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Monday, September 26, 2022 Heart to Heart An interview with the authors |
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 icefairy’s Treasure Chest A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Wednesday, September 28, 2022 Me Two Books A Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen book activity |
Thursday, September 29, 2022 Life Is What It’s Called A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Monday, October 3, 2022 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers An article by the authors 5 Tips For Healthy Eating |
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Because I Said So A book review of Jolene: Adventures of a Junk Food Queen |
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 Book Zone Reviews An interview with the authors |
Virtual tour in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Alexa Palmer
