The Potato Chip Champ - Review and Interview

Book Details

Title: The Potato Chip Champ
Written By: Maria Dismondy
Illustrated By: Dawn Beacon
Category: Children’s Picture Book
Publication Date: February 2013
Illustrations: Full Color
Pages: 32
Size: 8 ½ x 11
Format: soft cover
Retail Price: $10.95
Ages: 5-9 years old
ISBN: 978-0-9848558-1-0
Awards: Mom’s Choice Gold

 

My Review 

To have a generous heart and learn the ability to understand and share the feelings of another is a noble character quality to possess.  Champ (the bully), who happens to like potato chips immensely, embarks on a journey of self discovery and personal growth when he meets Walter Norbert Whipplemoore, whom he immediately dislikes, rags on and definitely competes with him at baseball. Only thing is that all the other kids are friends with Walter and love his caring ways. Soon the coach announces the doings of a school fundraiser with the winner receiving a truckload of potato chips for the reward. Through an unfortunate accident Champ learns who the real champ is in the warm conclusion of the story, and embracing a fun, new friendship.  The story moves at a quick pace with great, engaging illustrations and a fantastic lesson for young people to understand and emulate.

5/5 stars! Highly recommend! You'll be glad you purchased this one.

The Potato Chip Champ

Interview with Maria Dismondy

 

Tell us a bit about your book and where it’s available.

The Potato Chip Champ is about a boy who has everything and always wants more. He doesn’t understand why everyone likes Walter, the boy who doesn’t have much other than an old broken down bike. The story illustrates empathy and kindness. Lessons that are always needed!

The Potato Chip Champ along with my other titles are available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and at Indiebound. You can request that they be ordered at your local bookstore to help save on shipping costs!

 

What was the inspiration for your book?

After researching bullying for years, I have found that there is a lack of empathy. Empathy is a learned behavior. Being able to put yourself in the shoes of someone else is an important character trait to have. I am dedicated to making a difference in the world by putting meaningful children’s literature in the hands of kiddos across the globe!

 What was your aim for this book? What did you want readers to think and feel when reading it?

I want children to make connections to the characters. There’s always a Champ and a Walter. I also wanted readers to put themselves in the characters shoes and be empathetic.

Do you have any other books currently available?

Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun: Have the Courage to Be Who You Are

Pink Tiara Cookies for Three

The Juice Box Bully co-written with Bob Sornson

 What will you be working on next?

 

I am currently seeking a literary agent and/or a new publisher. I want to share my books with an even greater audience and I think working with a strong team will help. I have a new book that I will be publishing and I am getting ready to start writing another!

 How did you originally get into writing?

I was a classroom teacher for over a decade and I saw, firsthand, what kind of books children needed and wanted. So I decided to write one! I was always a writer. Since Kindergarten, I have written 19 completed diaries.

 What do you enjoy most about being a writer?

Visiting schools for assemblies and working with the students. I love spreading my messages to large groups. I also get to visit schools out of state via Skype. They are called Virtual Visits and are a lot of fun as well!

 What do you find hardest about being a writer?

 

Promoting my books. It’s hard to self-promote but I try to look at the bigger picture---my messages make a difference. It’s not about selling books, it’s about spreading positive messages.

Who or what would you count as your main influence?

My own children and the students I taught.

 What do you enjoy reading? 

 

I like books about living a powerful life. I really enjoy easy reads, otherwise known as chick lit! Finally, I also like a book with a story that will make me cry. I love the emotion that comes out of novels written by authors like Nicolas Sparks.

 Who is your favorite author?

Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Piccoult.

 What would be your ideal writer’s haven for creating your book? Would you have a desk in a quiet cabin somewhere or an iPad on the beach?

I have a spot. It’s at the end of our dock on the lake. I wrote out there a few times but I write on my computer now and it’s hard to see the screen out in the sun! We just built a new home office that I am loving!

Thank you, Maria, for this wonderful interview!

 Media Information

 In today’s society, bullying is a growing epidemic. Passionate
about making a change, in 2008 Maria Dismondy wrote Spaghetti
In A Hot Dog Bun. Since then, Maria has published two other
children’s titles and sold close to 100,000 books.

She is a national presenter, has been featured in local papers, has
appeared in television and radio interviews and her books have
received countless positive reviews. Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun
is being adapted into a children’s musical by a successful New York
playwright. Testimonials, reviews, interviews, and news coverage
are available on mariadismondy.com under Seen & Heard.

Maria’s blog, Be the Difference, boasts more than 3,500 unique
visitors and is a way to connect with readers on a near-daily basis.
She shares parenting tips, educational activities and uplifting
adages, in addition to information about her books.

Find more about Maria, and her blog, at mariadismondy.com

About The Author

Nationally recognized author
Maria Dismondy is dedicated to
inspiring and empowering children.

She has authored four children’s
books, each with its own unique
positive message, and made over
150 speaking appearances.

Maria holds an M.A. in education,
and served as an elementary
school teacher and reading
interventionist for ten years before
transitioning into her current role
as author, blogger and professional
speaker.

Maria lives in southeast Michigan
with her husband, Dave, and their
daughters, Ruby and Leah.

Title: Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun

Written By: Maria Dismondy
Illustrated By: Kim Shaw
Category: Children’s Picture Book
Publication Date: August 2008
Illustrations: Full Color
Pages: 32
Size: 9x9

Format: soft cover & hardcover
Retail Price: $9.95
Ages: 5-9 years old
ISBN:978-193391630-9
Awards: Eric Hoffer & Mom’s Choice
Gold


Contact Information

Maria Dismondy
248.302.1800
maria@mariadismondy.com
mariadismondy.com

Best wishes and much continued success to Maria Dismondy!






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis