Children's Book Review And Give-Away! A Friend For Macaroni by Terri DelNegro

It is not the norm to begin a book review with an author's bio, but in this case it is a most appropriate way to begin.

Copyright Terri DelNegro

During author Terri DelNegros' childhood, her mother was a photographer. Terri grew up in the camera's eye, posing for photos and even taking a "shot" (pun intended), at taking photos herself. The OLD way. Back in the days when photos were taken with REAL cameras, that required REAL FILM. Photos weren't shared then on social media, there WAS no social media. Photos didn't instantly appear (ok, I know about Polaroids, but those don't count). Back in the day, photos were created in what was called a dark room. For those unfamiliar, that was a room that, yes, was DARK and contained trays and trays of smelly chemicals. (I know this first hand, because in High School I took a photography class where we  developed our own photos. It always felt like magic to me watching a photo appear from beneath the chemicals).

Back to Terri... her first household pet that she considered to be HERS was her black cat, "Pepper." Terri, way ahead of her time used to "stage" moments with Pepper, using various props and took photos. Those photos were her first attempt at capturing animals in HUMAN situations. (Those reading who are bloggers can totally relate! We all know it is often NOT an easy task!) Today, Terri's studio, Pepper Kitt Studios,  is named in honor of her first cat.

"Pepper Takes a Seat"

Copyright Terri DelNegro

A few years later, for a school project, Terri created a book called "Animal Thoughts." She took her collection of photos and tried to imagine what the animals were thinking and added captions....(can you say those had to be the first memes EVER!!??)

From Terri DelNegro's website:

"I had forgotten about these early efforts until after I finished work on “A Friend for Macaroni”. I suddenly realized the book's style was similar to things I had created decades earlier. You just never know what influences from your childhood will resurface later in your lifetime." 

"When you unleash your imagination, who knows what wonders you'll find?

It is no surprise  that Terri's darling book:

is chock full of some of the most endearing, colorful, LIFE-LIKE and creative photos I have had the pleasure of viewing in a children's book. It is a PURR delight!! The text, narrated by Macaroni himself, is engaging, intriguing and will be sure to captivate not only the little ones, but the adults who have the pleasure of experiencing A Friend For Macaroni .

Macaroni is a simply purrfect,  ADORABLE ginger tabby who reminds me of our friends (Sammy,  Eric and Flynn).

Macaroni lives with Hannah, a little girl who loves him to the moon and back, and sings to him every night while cuddled under the warmth of her "fuzzy blanket."  Macaroni is an indoor cat who spends the day, as most cats do, sitting by the window watching "animals romping and playing." Oh how he wished he could go outside and make friends with them!

One day in autumn Macaroni's wish came true. A brisk breeze blew the door open and off he ran! Hannah was beside herself as she watched him run away and screamed, pleading with him to come back. Macaroni, thinking that he must "be in terrible trouble", just kept running.

Macaroni's  quest for "friendship and fun" had just begun, but "along the way, he finds that things aren't always as they seem."

Copyright Terri DelNegro

Some of the new "friends" that Macaroni meets are a bird, an owl, chipmunk and a fawn (just to name a few!) Each photo that features Macaroni's new "friends" is taken to appear as if Macaroni is REALLY sitting in the photo with that animal. The photos are so LIFE-LIKE and so professionally created, that if I didn't know there is no way Macaroni would be sitting and chatting with a raccoon who offered him an apple, I would believe they were REAL. They are THAT GOOD.

 "Will he ever find that one true friend

 he so desperately seeks?"

The answer is YES, and as is usually the case, that friend happens to be NOT in "his own backyard", but in his OWN HOUSE....his TRUE FRIEND is Hannah. Hannah, the one who loves him more than any of his new "friends." ever could!


Many of my readers will leave comments saying they don't have little ones in their homes to gift a children's book to. PAY IT FORWARD. A Friend for Macaroni by Terri DelNego, is one of the most charming and delightful books I have read, (and those of you who have been reading my blog for some time KNOW that  I have read MANY!!) Gift it to your local library, a pediatrician's office, a children's ward in the hospital, your local elementary school, a nephew, niece, a woman's shelter. GIVE THE GIFT OF READING to a little one whether you have a child in your household or not.

NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN! 
 Although A Friend For Macaroni  is certainly a "children's book",  Terri mentioned that she  did sell a copy to someone for her mother who has Alzheimer's, one to a special needs counselor who will use it to talk about feelings and  another copy to a lady who works at a home for seniors.

Terri's thinking is (and I couldn't agree more),  that because it is illustrated with photos, it appeals to a bigger audience than typical children's books. 

Copyright Terri DelNegro

A Friend for Macaroni is the size of a normal picture book,  which makes it ideal for bedtime reading. It has a few lessons that can be learned through the conversation that will surely arise while reading this delightful book. It is soft cover, which is probably my ONLY criticism. A book that contains as many delightful photos as this book, should be  in hardcover form. The photos are much too precious and beautifully created to be in soft cover form, but that is just my opinion. (My husband just paged through the book because I was sitting here raving about it, and he says it is too short to be in hardcover form. Purchase a copy for yourself and let me know what you think!!)

What a joy it was for me to see efforts from Terri's childhood come to fruition in this engaging and captivating book, purchase a copy, (it is available on Amazon),  and experience Macaroni's adventure for yourself!

IF YOU VISIT TERRI'S WEBSITE there is a "FUN STUFF" section where one can join their little ones and help them "unleash THEIR imagination" with some fun activities!  When the children complete the activities, they can submit them to Terri and they just might be featured on her site!

GIVE-AWAY!!!
Terri has generously offered one of my readers who resides in the U.S. the chance to win a copy of A Friend For Macaroni. DO NOT PASS THIS BY!! As I said above, PAY IT FORWARD and give the gift of reading to a little one who doesn't have to be YOUR child or in YOUR family. Entering is easy! Simply enter on the Rafflecopter below, (there is only ONE MANDATORY ENTRY REQUIREMENT) and GOOD LUCK!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway







In full disclosure, I was not compensated for this review/give-away. I was sent a copy of A Friend For Macaroni by Terri DelNegro in exchange for my always honest review.

Terri's current cat "Buckley"
who bears a huge resemblance
to her first cat "Pepper"

Copyright Terri DelNegro