I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the IT'S NOT PILATES! by
Desislava Chevallier & Stefana Argirova Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Desislava
Chevallier & Stefana Argirova (Illustrator)
Pub. Date: November 12, 2024
Publisher: Bookfox
Press
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 32
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Indigo, BAM, Powell’s, Bookshop, Blackwell’s
Andrea LOVES Pilates. Unfortunately, her forest friends do not share her passion. When she organizes a Pilates class for the animals in the forest, not a single animal shows up. Can Andrea think of a way to convince her forest friends to join her?
Reviews:
"A fun introduction to Pilates motions." - Kirkus
Reviews
"Fun and delightfully illustrated picture book capturing the
challenge of getting friends to try something outside of their comfort
zone." - BlueInk Reviews
"Darling introduction to Pilates moves for young readers." - ⚡️ BookLife Review
Interview:
For the readers: can you tell us a bit about
your book and the characters?
“It’s Not Pilates!” is a playful story about a
sports-loving girl who wants to teach a Pilates class for animals. When no one
shows up, she takes matters into her own hands! The book is light, fun, and is
sure to make the little readers laugh, while trying new movements.
What are you working on now?
I am taking a Pilates and yoga certification for children
and have been visiting school classrooms to read “It’s Not Pilates!” and to
dance some Pilates and yoga moves. And let me tell you – children are born with
a natural instinct to wiggle, move and laugh. It gives me so much joy to
witness the smiles, the curiosity and the presence of the kids in the moment. I
also started drafting the ideas for the sequel of “It’s Not Pilates!”
Were any of the characters in the book
inspired by people from your real life?
My daughter Andrea is the inspiration behind the book,
she is also its main character – spunky, mischievous and determined. And what a
better place to practice mindful movement than nature with all its curious
creatures!
Who was your favorite character to write?
What about your least favorite?
Each character brought in so much sugar and spice to the
story, I enjoyed developing each one of them. My favorite one was the main
character, because she experienced the most evolution throughout the story –
from being enthusiastic, to being in a situation where her feelings are hurt,
then figuring things out in a creative way.
What is your favorite passages/scenes in your
book?
My personal favorite is when the sloth is trying to lick
an elbow. I have a childhood memory of reading in a book that the average human
doesn’t have long enough tongue or flexibility to actually lick an elbow and I
kept prompting the adults in my life to try and that always brought smiles.
The kids’ favorite moment of the book is when the fox
does “criss cross apple sauce”, usually that’s the moment when even the most
skeptical little reader is willing to at least try “criss cross”.
What kind of research did you have to do for
the story?
I am a certified Pilates instructor and I was actively
teaching adults prior to the pandemic. The book was written based on my formal Pilates
education, a few years of teaching practice, as well as personal experience of
introducing Pilates moves to my kids.
Lighting Round Questions
What are you reading right now? Or what do
you have on your TBR that you are dying to read?
Kidlit – “The Girl Who Figured it Out” by Minda Dentler –
a book about a strong girl and real-life superhero
Fiction (for grown-ups) – “By Any Other Name” by Jodi
Picoult – her books always give me an emotional catharsis
Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook?
Instagram all the way
Favorite Superhero?
I believe in real-life superheroes, so Minda Dentler, the
first female wheelchair athlete to compete in the world’s toughest triathlon
Favorite TV show?
“Friends” and “How I Met Your Mother”
Sweet or Salty?
Sweet, bonus points if it’s chocolate
Any phobias?
Can’t look at live fish without getting nauseous (but
sushi ok!), so snorkeling and scuba diving are a hard no for me
Songs you can’t get enough of right now?
“I’m Still Standing”, the version by Taron Egerton
Movies you are most looking forward to?
“The Rosie Project” based on Graeme Simsion’s novel
Additional Questions/Answers I can provide:
Tell me about yourself and your background?
I am a Pilates and yoga enthusiast, a book lover and a
mom of two. I’m passionate about sparking children’s curiosity for movement and
helping parents and caregivers introduce joyful, every day activities into
their kids’ lives.
I was born and raised in Bulgaria and came to New York
for undergrad and MBA. I have a corporate job, but always carve out time for
creative ventures!
What’s the most surprising thing you learned
while writing your book?
I learned that when you have an idea and you keep feeding
it, the idea will take a life on its own and will take you places.
Do you want to leave any message for your
readers?
To my little readers – discover at least one book every
week, find a few minutes to move each day, and don’t be afraid to try something
new – you might end up liking it!
About Desislava Chevallier:
Desislava is
a management consultant, a Pilates instructor, and a health coach advocate. Her
love for children, books and Pilates led her to a creative venture. She is on a
mission to spark children’s curiosity in movement. Desislava lives with her
husband and two kids in New Jersey.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Freelance
illustrator and graphic designer based in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Giveaway Details:
3 winners
will receive a finished copy of IT'S NOT PILATES!, US Only.
Ends February 4th, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
|
1/6/2025 |
IG Post |
|
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1/7/2025 |
Book Review Virginia Lee Blog |
Excerpt/IG Post |
|
1/8/2025 |
Two Chicks on Books |
Excerpt/IG Post |
|
1/9/2025 |
Daily Waffle |
Excerpt |
|
1/10/2025 |
Edith's Little Free Library |
IG Post/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
|
1/11/2025 |
@callistoscalling |
IG Post |
Week Two:
|
1/12/2025 |
Fire and Ice Reads |
Excerpt/IG Post |
|
1/13/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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|
1/14/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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|
1/15/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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|
1/16/2025 |
@evergirl200 |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
|
1/17/2025 |
@mjreadsmagic |
Review/IG Post |
|
1/18/2025 |
Excerpt |
Week Three:
|
1/19/2025 |
GryffindorBookishNerd |
IG Review |
|
1/20/2025 |
Rajiv's reviews |
Review/IG Post |
|
1/21/2025 |
jlreadstoperpetuity |
IG Review |
|
1/22/2025 |
@enjoyingbooksagain |
IG Review |
|
1/23/2025 |
@enthuse_reader |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
|
1/24/2025 |
A Blue Box Full of Books |
IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post |
|
1/25/2025 |
rolo_the_book_lover- |
IG Review/TikTok Post |
Week Four:
|
1/26/2025 |
The Momma Spot |
Review |
|
1/27/2025 |
Deal sharing aunt |
Review |
|
1/28/2025 |
Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's |
Review/IG Post |
|
1/29/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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1/30/2025 |
Review/IG Post |
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|
1/31/2025 |
Country Mamas With Kids |
Review/IG Post |
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