The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-Tastic Gracie LaRoo!

By Marsha Qualey and Kristyna Litten

Gracie LaRoo is a synchronized swimming pig extraordinaire! Follow Gracie as she shoots for the gold medal; uses her dazzling moves in a Piggywood movie; visits her old school and shows her former coach just how hard synchronized swimming can be; and captivates a cruise ship audience with her signature spins. This easy-to-read, beautifully illustrated chapter book by seasoned author Marsha Qualey will make new readers squeal with delight as they learn about the marvelous, the amazing, the pig-tastic Gracie LaRoo!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Mar 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781515830115

Marsha Qualey

Marsha Qualey is the author of many books for readers young and old. When she’s not writing she likes to read, take walks by the river, ski in the winter, garden in the summer, and play with her cats all year ‘round. Like Bumble B., she has very good friends who make life fun.   Marsha has four grown-up children and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband in Wisconsin.

Book preview

Cover

Gracie and the Water Sprites

I just hope I can be the kind of synchronized swimmer my team needs!

Name: Gracie LaRoo

Team: Water Sprites

Claim to Fame: Being the youngest pig to join a world-renowned synchronized swimming team!

Signature Move: 
When Pigs Fly Spin

Likes: Purple, clip-on tail bows, mud baths, newly mown hay smell

Dislikes: Too much attention, doing laundry, scary movies

Chapter 1

A BIG SPLASH

Gracie LaRoo was in the air. She held her breath and began the spin.

Once around.

Twice around.

One of the Pig Jubilee banners fluttered over the pool. Gracie tilted her head ever so slightly…

Gracie let out a long, bubbly moan underwater.

She had failed again.

When she couldn’t hold her breath another moment, she kicked her way to the surface, where the other members of the team waited.

Jini, the captain of the Water Sprites, said, You never miss four times in a row! What’s wrong?

Gracie said, I was distracted by a banner.

Su said, A banner? I know this is your first time in a world competition, Gracie, but champions don’t get distracted by banners.

Champions have to concentrate, said Martha. We need you at your best, Gracie. We know you can do it!

Silvia checked the clock. "That’s all

Reviews for The Marvelous, Amazing, Pig-Tastic Gracie LaRoo!

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is billed as a beginning chapter book, but it almost like four stories with the same main character. This is a Gracie LaRoo book, an adorable pig, who is part of a synchronized swim team. In the book she learns lessons in self-confidence, teamwork, being herself and being a good role model. The illustrations are adorable. The storylines are good and teach some good lessons. They are simple enough for younger children with just the right amount of detail. There was also some humour throughout the book. A great book for class and school libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.