Have you ever wished you could go away on your parent’s business trip or hide in their suitcase to explore a new city all on your own? Well, Katie and Steven sure have! They wonder why they always have to stay home when Mommy or Daddy travel for work. Once their favorite yellow teddy, Tootsie, comes up with the idea to stow himself away for Daddy’s trip to Washington, DC, Katie and Steven realize that they’ll be able to travel along, too—but just not in the way they first imagine!

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*Interview with Karen & Kathy Honaker*

Kathy and Karen grew up in the Chicago suburbs and moved to Virginia as teenagers. They enjoyed many family vacations, which began their love of travel. They both reside in Virginia with their families and continue to instill a love of travel with their own children. This is their first children’s book written together, about a favorite childhood memory that they always wanted to share with others to enjoy. They hope to inspire a sense of adventure in you!

connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~  instagram  ~ goodreads

What is the significance of the title?

“Traveling Tootsie” comes from a special childhood memory about a little yellow teddy bear we had named, Tootsie. We named him Tootsie, because we used to hide him in our dad’s shoe when he traveled on business trips. We would stick him way down in the place for your toes, which in our family, we called our “tootsies” so he became, Traveling Tootsie.  This was the first book we have written so it introduces the main character, and we hope to write more books about Traveling Tootsie’s adventures!

Do you have another profession besides writing?

Yes, we both do. Kathy originally wanted to be an elementary school teacher but found herself in the accounting world and uses her skills to do lots of training. Karen is an Occupational Therapist and is currently working as a health educator with children.

What is your writing schedule?

Since we both are very busy with work and families our writing schedule was whenever we could actually find time to meet and concentrate! It was nice to take breaks from our busy lives and spend time together in person and even over Facetime.

What is your favorite quote?

We have many, but one recently resonated strongly with us: “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” (Mason Cooley) This was one of the reasons we wrote “Traveling Tootsie” so that children and families could explore Washington, DC, even if they can’t travel there themselves.

What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?

Our favorite children’s book author is Virginia Lee Burton.  We thought about her a lot as we were writing the story, choosing the illustrator, and how we imagined the final pages of the book would look like. We love how the pictures in two of our favorites (“The Little House” and “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel”) can still tell the story even if a child is too young to read all the words.  We wanted to capture that same concept in our book.  It would have been amazing to consult with her while writing “Traveling Tootsie.”

*Review*

Traveling Tootsie is a charming adventure story!

The illustrations are beautiful. I absolutely loved the fact that they looked like they were drawn with crayon or colored with water color paints. I feel like this is more relatable for younger children versus some digitally created artwork (not saying one is better than the other!).

My kids got a huge kick out of Katie and Steven playing “airport” as that is a game they play often, complete with TSA! It’s always fun to see child characters in books doing things that your children often do as well.

Tootsie goes on this magical adventure to Washington D.C. visiting several historic landmarks. This is a fun way to introduce children to these places. My child had a lot of fun reading this book and checking out the illustrations, then comparing them to his memory from when he visited a few years ago.

Traveling Tootsie is both fantastical and educational, the best books are.

I gave Traveling Tootsie five stars.

Title:  Traveling Tootsie 

Author: Karen and Kathy Honaker

Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  38 pages

Genre:  Children’s Picture Book

Publisher:  Mascot Books

Release date:   Nov, 2022

Content Rating:  G – Suitable for everyone

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Enter to win a signed copy of Traveling Tootsie by Karen and Kathy Honaker.

One (1) winner will receive a signed copy of Traveling Tootsie by Karen and Kathy Honaker. (US Only)

*Click on the link to be taken to the entry form*

Traveling Tootsie by Karen and Kathy Honaker Book Tour Giveaway