Books

How I Learned to Love The Walrus, Kindle ebook by Beth Orsoff

How dedicated am I to finding new posts for the World Wide Walrus Web? Dedicated enough to download a self-professed “Chick Lit” eBook to my Kindle, that’s how. And not just download it, but to read it too? In fact, I really enjoyed it. Now, you don’t come across a romantic comedy set in a walrus sanctuary everyday (and if you’re reading this, Jennifer Aniston/Sandra Bullock you may want to contact Ms. Orsoff and option this story right about now…) so I suppose a little information about how the story is in order.

Here’s a synposis from Beth Orsoff’s website:

When Los Angeles publicist Sydney Green convinces her boss to let her produce a documentary for the Save the Walrus Foundation, the only one Sydney Green is interested in saving is herself. The walruses are merely a means to improving her career and her love life, and not necessarily in that order. Sydney would’ve killed the project the second she learned she’d be the one having to spend a month in rural Alaska if it had been for any other client. But for rising star and sometimes boyfriend Blake McKinley, no sacrifice is ever too great.

Yet a funny thing happens on the way to the Arctic. A gregarious walrus pup, a cantankerous scientist, an Australian sex goddess, a Star Wars obsessed six-year-old, and friends and nemeses both past and present rock Sydney Green’s well-ordered world. Soon Sydney must choose between doing what’s easy and doing what’s right

I enjoyed this ebook, it’s a great fun read for your next flight or beach trip when you need some escapist storytelling, and of course, you want your story to include a liberal helping of walrus! I must admit that the main walrus fact I took away from reading this book is that, um, walrus don’t smell very good. Like not good at all. OK, they smell really bad. So bad in fact, that I want to go to a walrus sanctuary like the one in the book and check it out for myself.

Beth Orsoff’s website is at http://www.bethorsoff.com and she has a facebook page as well. I should point out that I emailed Beth about doing this posting, and not only did she link to the World Wide Walrus Web from her Facebook page, but she sent me a very friendly reply. Makes me feel good about spending my three bucks on her book!

Here’s a link to buy the ebook on Amazon.com
How I Learned to Love the Walrus (an Arctic Romantic Comedy)

Here’s a link to a nice interview on ebookhighlights.com: Beth Orsoff on Walruses and love matters

The Delightful “Where’s Walrus?”

You may have heard of or seen this book, since it’s been plugged quite a bit online. Allow me to introduce you to “Where’s Walrus?” a delightful picture-only book by Stephen Savage. In this brightly-colored book, a walrus escapes from a City zoo to experience life in the big city – he eludes the zookeeper by donning various disguises and hats and inserting himself into scenes you may find familiar – including a subtle shout-out to Edward Hopper which I assume is intentional. I won’t tell you how Walrus’s adventure ends except to say that he returns to the zoo, triumphant! Mr. Savage’s illustrations are fun and simplistic in the best possible way – with bright colors and simple shapes that almost make the book feel like it could have been created with cut paper or on one of those felt boards. It’s a great style and perfect for this short, wordless adventure. This is one of those great books that a small child will pick up over and over and find new things in the illustrations each time. This book deserves all the accolades that it’s been getting.

EDIT: And yes, I bought the book at full price! Proof is above. This ain’t no payola-driven walrus blog!

The Author, Stephen Savage, follows us on Twitter (@walrusweb) – you can check him out on Twitter here @savageartist. A promotional “trailer” made the rounds on the Web when the book was released – it’s worth watching, so check it out right here!

I love this book. I grew up in New Jersey, and since my Dad was a student and later a professor at Columbia University we spent a great deal of time in the City. Of the things that I still strongly associate with New York City, the books of Ezra Jack Keats, particularly “Hi, Cat!” “Where’s Walrus?” reminds me of this book.

Pick up a copy of this delightful book for the small child in your life. They will love it. Here’s the link on Amazon, and for good measure – here’s a link to The Cat as well.

Buy Where’s Walrus? on Amazon.com
Buy Hi, Cat (Picture Books) on Amazon.com

Little Walrus Warning

This delightful little book is from the Smithsonian’s “Oceanic Collection”. There are books for all kinds of species like green sea turtles, etc. My girlfriend’s very young niece apparently saw this book at the Smithsonian gift shop, or some bookstore (they live in Northern VA) and though of me, since she knew I lied walruses. This book showed up out of the blue. It’s a small little book directed at kids, but it was perfect for my son’s first book report. It tells the story of Little Walrus, and how he makes his last trip with his mother before taking his own place in the herd. It’s a fun little book for a young child who is just learning to appreciate the walrus!

Here’s the link to the book on Amazon – throw it in with your next purchase: http://amzn.com/1568992726