Alysson Foti Bourque will release her newest book of the award-winning Alycat series, Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday on March 17, 2020. The launch party for Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday will take place at 2:00 p.m. June 13th (original date was March 22nd - postponed due to Coronavirus) at The Little Gym of Lafayette. This book is the fourth installment of the Alycat series. In Tournament Tuesday, Bourque, a lawyer turned children’s author, encourages readers to rely on hard work and perseverance, rather than luck, to achieve their goals. When Alycat’s brother, Bugsy, realizes that he doesn’t have his lucky ball at the golf tournament, he relies on his past training and practice to achieve his goals.
Bourque won the Mom’s Choice Award for all of her Alycat books, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day, Alycat and the Monday Blues, Alycat and the Friendship Friday and recently, Alycat and the Tournament Tuesday. She is also the recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Digital Award from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), a New York Big Book Award winner, a finalist of the Best Book Award and a Louisiana Book Festival and Southern Festival of Books Featured Author. Bourque has written original songs for the Alycat series that can be found on iTunes, Apple Music, and YouTube and her stories can be read along with the Shark Tank featured app, Novel Effect.
Bourque practiced law for six years before releasing her first book, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day. After deciding to put her law license on hold for a year in 2015, she never dreamed her title would change from Assistant Attorney General to award-winning author of the Alycat series. After trading in trial notebooks for children’s book, she couldn’t be happier.
“I never dreamed that my calendar would be filled with author visits, Alycat appearances, and philanthropy opportunities.It sure beats court appearances and trials dates. At the end of the day, I know that I did my best to put a smile on people’s faces and maybe made a difference in a child’s life. And, that is good enough for me,” said Bourque.
In her pursuit of success in the children’s book industry, Bourque has tried to push the bar every year with each new Alycat book release. From songs on iTunes to a brand new Alycat mascot, Bourque has set out to spread a love for reading by incorporating help from the community and the talents of her own family members.
“I am so honored and humbled that the community helped me to raise enough money to get a new, improved Alycat mascot to take to author visits. For each donation made, the donor received an Alycat book and recognition in the new book release. The new Alycat mascot attends all of my events and guarantees to put a smile on your face. She is so loved.”
“I am grateful for my family who have helped me compose a new song for the series, the Alycat Shuffle, which has its very own line dance. Numerous dancers, including the Teurlings Cheerleaders and Lafayette Dazzlers, have presented the Alycat shuffle to audiences at events such as the UL football game. Without the help of so many people, this wouldn’t be possible. I hope that I am making them proud and my family proud.”
Bourque sees books as a simple way to teach kids about life and problem-solving skills and hopes that parents use her books as teaching tools that all readers can relate to. Each book has received glowing reviews from major publications such as Kirkus Reviews, Midwest Book Review, and, most recently, Booklife Reviews. Recently, Bourque has has been invited to include her series in the 2020 Academy Award Oscars winner gift bags.
"This sweet and beautifully illustrated story will capture young cat fanciers and parents who want to teach their children about self-reliance. Great for fans of Stan and Jan Berenstain, Janette Sebring Lowrey." - BookLife Reviews
Alysson Foti Bourque earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern University Law Center. After practicing law for six years, she traded in writing trial briefs for writing children’s books. She enjoys public speaking opportunities at schools, conferences, and festivals nationwide. She hopes to inspire people of all ages to follow their dreams and believe in themselves. Currently, she resides in Sunset, Louisiana with her husband and two children.
Watch Author Aly on KidLit Pick of the Week at 8:30 on Thursday mornings on News 15. For more information, visit www.alycatseries.com.
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