Adventurous friends Lulu and Malek make fantastic discoveries, take care of our planet, and meet new friends as they explore the wonders of the world under the sea. With vibrant illustrations and endearing characters, this fun-to-read rhyming book is sure to be a children’s favorite that they will want to read over and over again! Add this fun-filled and inspiring book to your home or class library! It will be enjoyed by children who love adventure, a good laugh, and want to learn more about the sea and conservation.

*Interview with June Foster*


Just a bit about me. I live in Arizona, but for most of the year, I travel across our beautiful earth as a deckhand and yoga instructor in the yachting industry. I love the serenity of the sea, exploring treasured caves, hiking through lush green forests, immersing myself in different cultures, and meeting new friends. I recently launched an online retail store (www.yachtieinspired.com) that offers conservation and yachtie inspired designs through my Sea Our Love and Silent Whispers Collections. You can also purchase a Personalized Signed Copy of my books on my online store, or please visit junenfoster.com to learn more!

My co-author, Rob Scheer and I have completed two beautifully illustrated, heartfelt children’s books. Rob is the Founder and CEO of Comfort Cases. Since 2013, Comfort Cases set out on a mission to eliminate the use of trash bags and provide children entering the foster system with brand new essential and comfort items. To date, Comfort Cases has positively impacted over 110,000 children, and has recently opened a chapter in the United Kingdom. For each book purchased of Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea, we will donate one book to Comfort Cases.

Connect with the authors: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ instagram ~ goodreads

How did you do research for your book?

JUNE AND ROB: Our two main characters, Lulu and Malek are indeed unlikely friends, but
Africa’s gentle giants and majestic lions are among our favorites, and they were destined to
become best friends. To ensure accuracy, we researched Southern Africa’s wildlife, coastlines,
and species that live beneath the sea. The illustrations are based on the beauty and wonder of this
area. The meerkats, as an example, are timid, yet fiercely protective animals often seen standing
on their rear legs keeping watch. We researched one of the largest birds that could be found in
the area–the osprey, who we named Aren. The beautiful coral reefs located in northern
KwaZulu-Natal of South Africa inspired our story’s under the sea world. Gill Guile illustrated
the animals and settings beautifully.

Where do you write?

ROB: I actually don’t “write.” I “read.” I record my thoughts and ideas into my phone and
then have them transcribed (by someone who can spell much better than me). I will record when
I have time—in my car, outside at our farm or even in bed. Wherever I feel comfortable, and
ideas flow freely.

JUNE: I’ve never been comfortable sitting at a desk. Depending upon where I am, I seek out the
most comfortable couch and prop myself up with a fluffy pillow. With my computer on my lap,
and a cool iced beverage within arm’s reach, I start tapping away. For eight months of the year, I
work at sea as a Chief Stewardess or Deckhand. During these months, finding quiet time is far
and few between, but the deck of the boat, or my bunk bed are my go-to quiet spots. When I’m
home, I’ll write outdoors on a chaise lounge by the community pool, or on my couch in the
apartment. As long as there is a window to see outdoors, and it’s very quiet, I’m in good shape to
write.

Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

JUNE: I love this question! My go-to snacks are cut up apples with peanut butter, celery stalks
with cream cheese, and every now and again, I’ll treat myself to Werther’s Original Chewy
Caramels.

What made you write a book about a sea adventure of a young giraffe and lion?

ROB & JUNE: We were inspired for many reasons! Rob is the CEO and Founder of Comfort
Cases. Comfort Cases’ mission is to eliminate trash bags from the foster care system by
providing backpacks that are filled with comfort and personal care items. We wanted to add a
children’s book to each comfort case and for each book purchased, we donate one to Comfort
Cases. The theme of the story was inspired by our shared love of the sea, quirky sense of humor,
conservation, and keeping our planet green. Despite their differences, we wanted our two
characters, Lulu and Malek to be the best of friends, have fun, take care of others and the planet,
and enjoy the beauty of the world. Our collaboration was a labor of love, and it fills our hearts
knowing our story, filled with humor and friendship, will be read by so many precious children!

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

ROB: What writer doesn’t get writer’s block? As noted above, I record my words and then
transcribe them, so I try to pretend it’s a conversation I’m having—maybe with one of my
children, my husband or someone else. And of course, when the words don’t come, I try not to
get frustrated, but rather just literally “hit pause” and come back to it when my mind is in a better
place.

JUNE: I often get writer’s block. My most proven method to overcome writer’s block is to take
a long hike, preferably in the pines. I push away any concerns or “to-do’s” and just focus on the
sights, smells, and textures of the forest. I often find inspiration during these walks. My novel,
The Girl and the Golden Leaf was inspired by a hike many years ago.

What is your favorite genre to read? What about that genre draws you?

ROB: I find myself not drawn to a genre. For example, my favorite book is the Count of Monte
Cristo but you most likely will find a James Patterson or Steven King in my hands. I do try to
read a book before I see a move since I do feel most movies give no justice to book.

JUNE: I thoroughly enjoy non-fiction that highlights an obscure person who, by a feat of
bravery and determination, overcame all odds and obstacles, and whereby this person not only
changed the course of his or her life for the better, but also many others who faced the same
tragedy or circumstance. Equally, I’m keen to read historical fiction that focuses on an obscure
person who at the time may have been hidden in the background or perhaps mentioned with a
“one-sentence” line, but through the story, this person is now the main character. While all
aspects are not true to life in a novel, it provides an insight into the person’s life, circumstance,
and surroundings. For fun, I love reading fantasy.

Who did you have in mind as you wrote the book?

ROB: First and foremost, my children. They LOVE to read and always have. We’ve done our
best to provide them with great books to entertain them as well as expand their minds. But also, I
was thinking of the hundreds of thousands of youths in foster care who don’t have access to
books like “Lulu & Malek.” When I was in foster care, and even after I aged out, I was lucky
enough to have access to libraries, where I spent countless hours reading. Books open your mind
to what can be.

JUNE: Rob Scheer, the CEO and Founder of Comfort Cases was in my mind. I was virtually
introduced to Rob many years ago by a mutual friend who gave me a copy of Rob’s book, A
Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time. After reading his heart wrenching, yet
inspirational story, and learning more about Rob and Comfort Cases, I reached out to him. You
see, when Rob was 12 years old, he entered foster care with only a trash bag holding his few
personal belongings. Many years later when he became a foster parent, his first four children
arrived with trash bags. His mission, through Comfort Cases, is to eliminate trash bags from the
foster care system. Comfort Cases are backpacks filled with comfort and personal care items for
youth entering the foster care system. Since 2013, over 200,000 cases have been distributed. I wanted to help by providing a children’s book for each comfort case for young children. I reached out to Rob, and together we wrote Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea! For each book purchased, we donate one to Comfort Cases. The theme of the story was inspired by our shared love of the sea, humor, conservation, and keeping our planet green. Each child is precious, and the thought of our story being read by children fills our hearts with immense happiness.

*Review*

Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea is a cute story with friendship, adventure, and taking care of our planet.

The illustrations are adorable, bright, and humorous. The colors really pop off the page and my kids couldn’t help but laugh to see how Lulu and Malek made their way around – it’s not every day you see a giraffe take flight with an osprey. Plus the gull poop was just too much!

I felt like the writing was a little clunky; I didn’t catch all the rhymes and it was a bit difficult for me to read aloud the first couple times.

I love how the authors and illustrated important lessons into the story. Pollution not only effects the wildlife, but us too; it was just nice to see this incorporated in a child friendly way, as it is never too early to learn to clean up.

Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea makes a great bedtime story! The friends have this all day adventure then head home for bed.

I rated Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea four stars.

Book Details:

Title:  Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea!

Author: June Foster and Rob Scheer

Category:  Children’s Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 32 pages

Genre:  Children’s Book

Publisher:  Hubble & Hattie

Release date:   August 23, 2022

Content Rating:  G.  The book is designed for children between 3-7 years of age.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM
Indigo ~ AbeBooks ~ IndieBound
add to Goodreads

Scroll down for information on the giveaway!

Enter to a signed copy of Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea by June Foster and Rob Scheer.

One (1) winner will receive a signed copy of Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea by June Foster and Rob Scheer, as well as a $100 American Express Gift Card. (US Only)

Giveaway ends February 3rd, 2023.

*Click the link below to be taken to the entry form.*

Lulu and Malek Sail Off to Sea! Book Tour Giveaway

Thank you so much June Foster, Robert Scheer, and iREAD Book Tours for the opportunity to participate in this amazing tour!

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