Mockingbird in Mark Twain's Hat Review

This is an adorable story for any fan of a fun read!  Wynne is the main character in this story, and he is so likable and engaging.  I think what really made the book for me was the adventure Wynne went on and all the characters he met along the way, including Mark Twain himself!

This was such a fun book to read, and I can only suggest that you go grab yourself a copy!

Definite 5 stars from me!

Publisher: Waterside Press, Oct, 2020 Category: Children’s illustrated chapter book Tour dates: May 27-June 30, 2021 ISBN: 978-1949001914 Available in Print and ebook, 138 pages

Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat

 

Excerpt #3

 

Kaia Alexander

 

(Goes with illustration for chapter 3 by Elaina Scott)

 

CH. 3

The Grey Cat

 

Fryday.

     Possum woke us up before the first rays of sunlight struck the church steeple out beyond the woods. “There’s something down there in the bushes!” he said, jumping up and down on the nest.

            We all sat up and peered over the edge. It was hard to make out anything but shadows in the thin light.

            “What did you see, Possum?” asked Mother.

            “Raccoon!” he squealed.

            “There are no coons in this part of the Willem Woods,” said Sissy. “Now go back to sleep.”

            That was when I saw it, too. “What’s that?” I pointed at a ringed tail in the grass.

            My father drew a quick breath. Then he hopped up to a higher branch to take a look. That was when the little girl came, fiery braids swinging as she skipped up the trail to the schoolhouse, and the tail disappeared into the brush.

            “Probably just a squirrel,” said Papa. “No need to worry.”

            The girl sang a beautiful song about an old fisherman wading in the river, and I wanted to learn that song so I could write it into my story. Her voice was lovely and soothing.

            “Wynne, you knock that thought right out of your head,” said Papa, seeing what I was thinking. “We do not sing human songs.”

            “But it’s such a catchy tune,” I said. “Why not just this once?”

            “Because there’s nothing more dirty and rotten than humans!” said Sissy.

            “Nothing except the Grey Cat,” said Earle.

            “Earle!” said Mama.

            “What’s the Grey Cat?” asked Possum, his voice trembling. “Is that what I saw in the bushes?”

            “You saw a raccoon,” said Father. “A big raccoon is what you saw.”

            “But you said it was a squirrel,” I said.

            Just then there was a rustling in the bushes nearby and we all gasped and held our breaths, but it turned out to be a flying squirrel just coming out of the bush and climbing up the Old Oak across the hill. She leaped from one tree to the next, then soared down a few branches to settle on a clutch of acorns. She saw us, gave a little smile, and then nuzzled her mate who appeared from under a mane of leaves.

            “You see? A squirrel,” said Father.

            “What’s the Grey Cat?” I whispered to Earle.

            “I ain’t supposed to say,” he said.

            “An old nonsense tale,” said Mama. “That there was a grizzly old cat in this wood who was blind in one eye, but he was the most terrible hunter of birds that ever lived.”

            “But what if it’s not a nonsense tale?” I asked.

            “Of course it is,” said Mama. “It’s just a tale the old folks of the wood told to keep us in the nest at night.”

            Father sat us down. “Maybe it is and maybe it’s not.”

            We trumpeted all at once.

            “Either way,” he went on, “it’s why you always have to look before you land. And never go near the porches of humans. They are dangerous places filled with dogs and cats and alligators and other terrible creatures. So long as you stay far, far away from any humans, you will have avoided the greatest of troubles.”

            My mother sighed. “It’s true, but you best add to your list of avoidances all beavers and raccoons. And foxes, too.”

            My father whistled and nodded in agreement. “Raccoons and foxes might make a meal of you, but beavers are simply the scum of the wood. Stupid as logs, and good for nothin’. And dirty. We don’t associate with beavers.”

            “But why?” I started to ask, but the words got garbled in my throat. I knew they wouldn’t answer me anyway. Instructions like these were meant to be taken and not questioned.

            I took my faded photograph of Mark Twain, rolled it up and slid it under my wing. My dreams were looking far too lofty today, so I thought it best to get some sleep. Maybe I would see new possibilities in the morning.

 

Sundy.

            None of us slept for a week for trembling in fear over the Grey Cat. The crows had left us for now to invade the corn fields, but we were not relieved because in our minds there lurked this new terror. We each took turns watching the dark patches of shadows on the forest floor around the crepe myrtle tree. That was the week Earle learned to fly. He hopped all the way to the top of our tree and swept his wings open and glided right over to the Old Oak.

            “Just like a flyin’ squirrel!” cheered Sissy.

            “Oh boy! You’re a real mockingbird now!” said Possum.

            I held Mother’s wing and cheered for him. Even Father cheered. By the end of the day, Earle could turn circles in the sky over our tree, dive to earth and lift off again.

            “That boy is a real natural,” said Papa.

            “He takes after you,” said Mama, and snuggled against his feathers.

            I lifted one of my wings in the moonlight and looked at the underside where the flight feathers should have been and vowed to stop plucking them.

 

Description Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat

Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat, is an adventure story full of animals that talk. Wynne is a precocious mockingbird born in the rural south in the late 1800s. His whole family are singers, but at four days old, he wants to be a novelist just like his hero, Mark Twain. When crows attack his nest, he’s swept away on an epic adventure along the Mississippi River. Wynne learns to read and write, makes new friends in surprising places, and is mentored by Mark Twain himself. Full of delightful quotes from Mark Twain, this novel for children ages 8-12 shines with important lessons of character, perseverance, love, and the importance of friendship. Praise Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat “We LOVE this book! As we finish each chapter, we can’t wait to find out what happens next! I am ordering another few copies as gifts for my daughter’s friends.”- Yaron, Amazon “With ‘The Mockingbird in Mark Twain's Hat’, Kaia Alexander is at the top of her formidable writing talents. She has mastered historical fiction, screenwriting and with this, a timeless children's story. This is a delightful adventure featuring unforgettable animal characters that will become embedded in the heart of every reader. Whether you read this to a little one or gift it to a child to read, this is an ideal book that entertains and enthralls with every page while evoking a period and piece of literary history. I believe that Mark Twain himself would approve! Kaia not only brings her beloved animals to life, but she evokes the universal yearning to uniquely express oneself, like the protagonist of the story, Wynne. Above and beyond a simple children's story, Kaia weaves in thematic layers that remind me of myth and legend. I guarantee that the characters and story will stick with you forever and inspire children to be themselves, challenge themselves, and learn to write! They may even become interested in Mr. Twain himself, just like Wynne. Or maybe, the kinds of songs that Wynne learns to sing, and that they can learn to sing their own.”-Stuart Volkow, Amazon “Like all Kaia Alexander's books, it's a page turner and you can't put it down! A delightful adventure with twists and surprises. Love the characters and the illustrations. This is a great gift book for children as well as adults and sure to become a classic! ”- S. Peck, Amazon About Kaia Alexander Kaia Alexander is an award-winning novelist, filmmaker, and writing coach, as well as founder of the Entertainment Business League, who can be found surfing her native California coastline. Website: https://kaiaalexander.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThisisKaia Buy Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat Amazon Barnes&Noble IndieBound Giveaway Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat by Kaia Alexander This giveaway is for 1 print copy to 3 winners. It is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ends on July 1, 2021,midnight pacific time. a Rafflecopter giveaway Follow Mockingbird in Mark Twain’s Hat by Kaia Alexander Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus May 27 Kickoff & Guest Post Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus May 28 Review Michelle Reading Authors Network May 31 Review Lu Ann Rockin' Book Reviews June 1 Review & Guest Post Shiloh Amazon June 2 Review Alicis Amazon June 4 Review Cheryl's Book Nook June 10 Review & Excerpt Shanna Amazon June 11 Review Sal Bound 4 Escape June 14 Guest Review Amanda My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews June 15 Review & Interview Anastasia Living in a Bookworld June 16 Guest Review & Excerpt Chrissy Reads a LOT June 18 Review & Excerpt Betsy H. Goodreads June 23 Review All Things Jill-Elizabeth June 25 Review & Excerpt Katy Celtic Lady’s Reviews June 28 Guest Review DTChantel Amazon June 29 Review Michelle I Read Kid's Books June 30 Review a Rafflecopter giveaway