Walnut Cup

Elliot's Park #3

by Patrick Carman

Get ready for the World Squirrel Soccer championship with Elliot and his zany friends in the newly release paperback verison of HAUNTED HIKE by bestselling author Patrick Carman!

The Walnut Cup, the only American stop on the World Squirrel Soccer League tour, is taking place in Elliot's park this year! Teams are arriving from around the globe and excitement's running high. But when nut-crazy Pistachio steals the game ball (a perfectly round walnut), it's up to Elliot and the rest of the gang to get it back. Only trouble is, Pistachio is hiding out on an island in the middle of the pond and Wilma the goose has got her eye on the ball.

Genres: Childrens

80 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 28, 2011

About the author

I have been a lifelong writer and storyteller. Salem, Oregon is where I spent my formative years and I graduated from Willamette University. After college, I spent a decade living in Portland, Oregon where I worked in advertising, game design, and technology.

I've written young adult and children's books for Scholastic, Little Brown Books For Young Readers and Katherine Tegen Books/ HarperCollins Publishers.

I've been fortunate enough to have had some bestselling series work: The Land of Elyon, Atherton, Elliot’s Park, 39 Clues, and Skeleton Creek. Here's a fun note...the books have been translated into approximately two dozen languages. Currently I'm developing a few new-media projects. Check out DARK EDEN to experience this type of cross-platform project.

When I'm not writing or creating a story, I spend my free time supporting literacy campaigns and community organizations, fly fishing, playing basketball and tennis, doing crosswords, watching movies, dabbling in video games, reading (lots), and (more than anything else) spending time with my wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Join Elliot and his friends in the wonderful world of Elliot's Park, based on Pioneer Park in Walla Walla, Washington. In this book, the third in the series, Elliot and his friends are hosting the Walnut Cup, the Squirrel world cup of soccer. These tales were originally created by Patrick for his daughter while they visited the real park. There is a great cast of characters including Chip the larger-than-average squirrel with a chipped front tooth. You will also meet Crash, the only flying squirrel in the park, Elliot the book worm with glasses who loves collared shirts, wide ties and solving problems, and many, many others. Even Mister Nibbles from the first book, Saving Mister Nibbles, makes an appearance, along with soccer teams from Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France, Japan and Spain.

This is a great story about making mistakes, and then learning from them and helping to fix them. Pistachio is a nut addict and a bit of a nut, and even though a perfectly round walnut is needed for the teams to play, he cannot help himself from taking the game nut and trying to eat it. Crash swoops in from the skies and knocks him over, and the game nut goes into the pond. Pistachio knows he has made a mistake, and it is affecting not only himself but also others. He attempts to recover the nut even though it means jousting with a giant mean swan. That's when the adventures really begin. This is a great book for the whole family.

These books are aimed at a younger audience than his other works, yet it will captivate children of all ages. The artwork by James is excellent. I was a little concerned when the illustrator had changed, but the transition appears seamless. And as an added bonus there are exercises at the end of the book, to create fun for a family or class. In this book they include:
o Elliot's High-Energy Apple Surprise
o Chip's Super-Helpful Soccer Tips!
o Show Your Colors! Soccer Ball Decoration to Support Your Team.

The book concludes with a preview chapter of the next book, A Windy Tale. Pick up this book either for the young soccer fans in your life or just as a fun story to share.

[Hillvan]

460L