Review sponsored* by J.J. Pips Publishing
The Children’s Book Review | November 13, 2018
The Extraordinary Journey of J.J. Pips
Written by J.J. Pips
Illustrated by Chris Hopkins
Age Range: 9 and up
Paperback: 55 pages
Publisher: J.J. Pips Publishing (July 10, 2018)
ISBN: 978-0998234311
What to expect: Historical Fiction, Dogs, Anthropomorphism
Set in the countryside south of London in the fall of 1903, Arty and J.J. Pips find themselves in a perilous situation. Getting out of it will require some courage and resourcefulness.
Absent-minded Arty and inventive-minded J.J. Pips are two well-mannered, charming dogs that have been adopted by a pair of human bakers known quite simply as the Bakers. Thanks to their anthropomorphic qualities, the dogs, along with an array of other animals (including Victoria, a Persian cat), help run the Bakers’ bakery. When Arty and J.J. Pips come across an article about New York City, and upon deciding that it is surely the land of opportunity, they devise a plan to travel there to earn money to pay off the Bakers’ debts. However, this plan takes backstage when J.J. Pips discovers that Arty has been kidnapped, and a chain of events takes place that is risky and trying.
The author, quite cleverly, takes these characters out of their comfort zones and ultimately leads them (and the readers) to an unlikely, yet fortuitous, position that might just get them a little closer to their original goal of reaching New York. However, this will surely only take place in book two or three, since the excitement and adventure are being carefully plotted to keep the pages turning. The descriptions easily take readers to a different time period, and there is also a decent splattering of adages throughout that one would do well to take in:
‘Protect yourself from other people’s bad manners by a conspicuous display of your own good ones.’
Plucky young readers, who enjoy interesting characters, historical settings, and a splash of illustrations spread between chapters, will surely enjoy this adventure-filled tale.
Available Here
About the Creator
J.J. Israel, owner of J.J. Pips Doggie Products created and published, “The Extraordinary Journey of J.J. Pips” as a way of introducing the charming character J.J. Pips. The intention of J.J. Pips is to share with others love, friendship and good-will; the most important aspects of life.
https://jjpips.com/ | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
About the Illustrator
The career of Chris Hopkins spans over three decades encompassing many genres including high profile illustration for film, entertainment sports, publishing and the corporate world including theme art for three Superbowls and marquee art for the film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He has created work for the US government with works displayed in the White House during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations and a commission from the Obama White House. Many of his paintings are in the permanent collection of the Pentagon. Hopkins has painted works for the Air Force from assignments to Afghanistan, Thailand and Central America. He has created museum exhibits that celebrate the human, spirit painting bodies of work that narrate and recognize the N.W. Coast First Nations People, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Japanese American Internment.
Hopkins has taught at the Art Center and was resident artist at the Masterpiece Christian Arts Foundation. He has been awarded with gold and silver medals from SILA and a Life Achievement Award from Air Brush Action Magazine, and was a finalist for a Grammy Award in the category of Music packaging design.
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. J.J. Pips Publishing sponsored* this non-biased review of “The Extraordinary Journey of J.J. Pips.” Learn more about getting a book review …
