CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 25, 2009 — A part of growing up for a child is learning just who they are and what their "true colors" may be. In his new children's book, "Zingo: What is My Color and Flavor" (published by AuthorHouse), Joe Starr tells the story of a confused jelly bean named Zingo. Upon accidentally falling into a trash bin and being transported out of the candy factory, Zingo begins a journey to find out his true color and flavor. Starr writes:
He heard a moo, moo sound. "What is that?" Zingo whispered to himself quietly. It was big and moved slowly toward Zingo.
"Well, well, who are you?" asked Daisy the cow.
"I know," replied Zingo. "I am a jelly bean and my name is Zingo!"
"I am a cow, and my name is Daisy. Moo! Moo!"
"I know who you are now," Zingo said. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Yes, you can," Daisy replied.
"I don't know what color or flavor I am. Can you tell me?"
"No, I can't. I am sorry," replied Daisy the cow with a big sigh. "Cows can't see colors."
"Oh, what am I to do? I'm lost. No color, no flavor."
Daisy wagged her tail. "Go ask the meadow flowers blooming in the field over there," she said. "Maybe they can help you."
Zingo braves many dangerous situations as he travels out of the candy factory into the hustle and bustle of city life and later to a farm in the country far from home. It is after encountering a cow named Daisy, a patch of flowers, and a little girl named Katelyn, that Zingo realizes who he is. The sun melts away his plain top coat to reveal a beautiful red, strawberry jelly bean. His jelly bean friends come looking for Zingo, and upon finding their red strawberry friend, they all returned together back to the candy factory. Starr writes:
"Listen, what is it?" Zingo said. They heard voices in the distance calling out, "Zingooo, Zingooo, we smell strawberry."
"Here, over here!" Zingo yelled out. Hugs! Hugs! And more hugs! Everyone was joyous and happy. At long last, they were all together again.
"We missed you," said the jelly beans to Zingo. "We are family and true friends. But also, you are the only strawberry jelly bean in our group! Yay! Yay!" they all cheered.
"Zingo: What is My Color and Flavor" is a fun, creative, and beautifully illustrated book that is sure to encourage all children to discover their true colors.
About the Author: Joe Starr was born in the city of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada, and attended St. Patrick's College in Ottawa. Joe and his loving wife have two children and five grandchildren. Starr previously managed several retail chain stores including jewelry, coin, and antique shops in the Calgary, Alberta, area. His hobbies include writing, coin and stamp collecting, travel, antique shopping, and perusing local auctions in search of treasures.
AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher for emerging, self-published authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com.
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Kristy Ketterman
Tel: 888-728-8467 ext. 5224
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: Email
(When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)
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