This is a great picture book that teaches children to be creative no matter what. I really enjoyed the story and the illustrations of Alycat as well as they are colorful and vibrant. The story follows our main cat, Alycat who wakes up with the dreaded Monday Blues. She thinks nothing will go right with her day, but when her mother gives her advice to stay positive, Alycat will find that you can find inspiration in many places. Alycat will then find a song and a partner to get over the Monday blues and save the day! Between the illustrations, the story, and characters I think everyone will enjoy Alycat and the Monday Blues. Everyone can relate to the Monday blues at one point or another and how things can often change in an instant.
Alycat wakes up with the dreaded Monday Blues and is certain that nothing will go right. But when a mishap sends her astray, she discovers that helping a friend will help her discover her own hidden talent—curing her Monday Blues.
Interview
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
I have two young children who give me a tremendous amount of material for my stories. My writing is a collective reflection of their experiences and my childhood memories. Having three ducks, a cat, and a dog helps trigger the imagination also!
There are many children’s books out there. What makes yours different?
The Alycat series is a week-based series that highlights a different adventure during each day of the week. In every book, Alycat is faced with a predicament that she must learn how to resolve. My books are written as a resource for learning, problem-solving, and to trigger the imagination in kids. The Alycat series is different from most books as each individual book has an add-on to complement the story. Thursday Dessert Day had a recipe that readers could make at home after the story while Monday Blues has an original song featured in the book with the lyrics at the end of the story.
What do you want children to learn/take from your books?
I want young children to use each book as a tool to help them creatively solve their own problems and learn how to cope with tough situations. By incorporating imagination, kindness, and creativity into their daily lives, they will have the skills to conquer the world!
What advice would you give budding writers?
Research as much as you can online. There are many forums out there that provide guidance for new writers. Also, read as much as you can! You can learn a lot from other author’s writing styles. Work hard and keep at it. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?
Of course, that would be Alycat. As a child, my friends and family called me “Alycat” because it was a play on my name and I loved cats. Alycat represents all of us who are inquisitive, tenacious, playful, loving, adventurous and love to daydream.
Have any bad habits?
I hold my pencil so incredibly wrong that you would swear I am still in elementary school. I also fidget way too much.
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?
I want readers to remember me as the author who tried to spread kindness and a love for reading at every book reading/signing. I want young readers to remember me as the “author who smiled a lot, enjoyed reading, and made them smile”.
Alysson Foti Bourque is the author of the Rhyme or ReasonTravel series, and the multi-award winning Alycat series. Alysson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a law degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. She believes that there is an Alycat in all of us, encouraging our imaginations to guide us through new opportunities and adventures.
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