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Author
Patrick Shannon
Publisher
Outskirts Press

2 Review Copies Left

Nearly true tales of a really cool parrot

"Viva Cisco" is a trilogy of funny stories for kids at the Age 10-13 reading level. All three tales unfold in a land called Topopootl, which lies in a hidden valley deep in the heart of Mexico. Because of its seclusion, the inhabitants have created a society without the benefit of human contact, and they don't seem to have missed out on anything important in the absence of that dubious blessing. In fact, they probably have more pure merriment and boisterous excitement than any human community could ever conceive. Much of the credit for that, though, must be laid at the feet of Topopootl's most..uh.. stimulating citizen, one Cisco las Verde Arara del Gucigalpa. Aka, Cisco the Parrot.

His is an ego burning brightly, and his quest is for nothing less than becoming the most notable dude in all Topopootl. In "Am I Famous Yet?", he wends his fractured way from being the Answer Man in Topopootl's public library, through a very public failure in "Show Biz", a humiliating defeat in Anything Goes Wrestling (at the hands of two little cockroaches), a "Mayday"; attempt at a high-altitude record for Parrots and, finally, to opening a very weird business; The Word Man-whose motto is, "Learn a big word and impress your friends.- The reader is sure to be spellbound as Cisco makes the sale of one of his Deluxe models: the word, "extracurricular" - a big impresser.

In "Cisco-PI", he combines the skills of Inspector Clouseau and Barney Fife in tackling Topopootl's first and only crime wave, a rash of burglaries. In a dazzling display of illogical thinking, he manages to accuse some innocent youngsters of being members of a crime family, and he fingers none other than Topopootl's President as their Godfather. Even by Cisco standards, it is a stunning blunder.

But he musters his will, applies his nimble brain to some very mysterious clues, and actually solves the case. The burglaries, it turns out, were all the work of Harry the Pack Rat, who traveled down from North America to put together a "Mexican Collection." That, in fact, is his plea as he is brought before the citizens of Topopootl "It wasn't stealing. It was collecting."

In this, the second book of the trilogy, Cisco is redeemed and achieves his coveted recognition, which serves to make him a worthy leader in the daring adventure that follows.

"Cisco and the Secret Room", Book Three, has Cisco leading four of his pals on a very dangerous mission to retrieve ancient evidence of Topopootl's origins. In a secret room in the heart of a mysterious pyramid, they discover the story of how Topopootl came into existence and who saved it from extinction.

As they read the inscriptions on the walls of the remarkable chamber, a tale unfolds of the Aztecs and Spaniards making the land unlivable for its non-human inhabitants; of a desperate expedition to find a place of refuge and peace; of the founding of Topopootl; of the threat of its extinction by a human invasion; finally, of the remarkable army of little skunks who save the day-and Topopootl-only by employing their secret weapon: El Gordo.

Reviews

Viva Cisco is a parrot who lives in the valley of Topopootl (sorry, do not know how to say Topopootl). This parrot has a rather large ego and a desire for fame. Unfortunately, his job is at the Topopootl Public Library as The Answer Man. Now, there is nothing wrong with working in a library. I think it would be a wonderful place to be employed. Most every library is quiet, friendly, comfortable and full of books anyone can read. I think Cisco agreed with all of that until his office was moved to the basement where no one could find him. Many of the questions Cisco receives he responses to with really dumb answers, being more concerned about his own sanity than helping the caller. Eventually he goes off to find better attention getting employment.

In the second of three stories, Cisco decides to become a private eye (PI), to solve the growing numbers of burglaries in his village. Topopootl is which usually very peaceful with those that live there generally not wanting for anything. The villagers are scared. Cisco plays PI in order to catch the rat stealing from his village. Along the way he is helped by two friends who are more dimwitted than dead light bulbs or fireflies that have lost their rear-ends. If this were a movie, story two would be partly slap-stick. In the end Cisco was never needed as a PI. The dirty little rat stealing from the villagers was merely a ”collector” from Mexico.

The final story has Cisco and his friends taking on the task of finding Topopootl’s history. The ancient writings, telling the story of the animal’s problems with humans, are uncovered along with an unexpected discovering involving all the skunks. Turns out the skunks in Topopootl are not the little stinkers their biology has us believing.

Mr. Shannon has written very imaginative stories, vividly. At times, he writes a tremendous amount of dialogue in a row which keeps the story moving quickly, but who is speaking can be confusing if not closely paying attention, because of the same quickness. I personally did not like the stories and there is no reason for that except personal preference. Mr. Shannon is a good story teller and he has a vivid imagination. I normally love those two things in a movie and especially in a book. I even like stories with talking animals in a suspended world. There was something that threw me which I find hard to explain. For that reason, check this book of three stories out and decide for yourself.

Received from readthebook.com, courtesy of the author

Reviewed on 04/28/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Suzanne Morris

This book contains three short stories about the life of Cisco the parrot and all his animal friend of Topopootl. ….. The first story introduces us to Cisco and his gift of words, how he has finally got the job that he thought was perfect for him, the Answer Man at the library, he found himself unhappy. Thinking that the job lacked fame and fortune, he set out to find another line of work. Trying to find his place in the community of Topopootl seemed to be more difficult than he first expected. In fact, wrestling, flamenco dancing, and even soaring high in the sky was much more difficult that he originally thought it would be, but with the help of his friends, he may find the fame he had always wanted in a way that is much more his speed. … Cisco and his friends return in the second story to solve a very interesting mystery of Topopootl’s crime wave that had most of the town nervous and worried about leaving their homes. ….. In the third story Cisco and his friends want to find the true, original reason and meaning for their favored celebration, the Fiesta of Little Flowers and to discover why it is made so special for the skunks. The Word Man really is best at being the Answer Man, he goes to the strangest lengths to solve the mysteries that he finds himself in.

The back of the book is marked as “Nearly true tales of a really cool parrot”, not sure about the nearly true, but the really cool parrot is accurate. While reading this story (out loud to my kids) we discovered that while at first the names were awkward, the fun was just beginning. The crazy antics of Cisco and his assurance that he was on the right track only made it easier to laugh at him when he fell on his face or in the water. While this is mostly just a fun book to read with the kids, it also make a good point (if a little subtle) that you should be ok with yourself as you are and not want to be like others, because it sometimes just doesn’t matter what you want. If you can’t fly high in the sky, you can’t fly that high.

Reviewed on 12/28/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Debbie Berry

“Viva Cisco”, by Patrick Shannon is a charming, imaginative book that offers young readers 3 charming stories that will spark their imaginations. Creating a magical world of Topopootl where animals reign and a fun lovable Parrot strives for fame. In the first story we are introduced to Cisco who is seeking his fame. Determined to outshine all others Cisco falls short and finally decieds to do what he is good at. In the second book Cisco once again ends up in over his feathered head while trying his hand at becoming a P.I.

In the third charming story Cisco seeks the answer to the long sought over question that has plagued the city.

Each story is brilliantly created. Guaranteed to delight the reader. The perfect story book that combines whit and fantasy. With short chapters and fun sittings that will captive young readers. “Viva Cisco”, by Patrick Shannon will make the perfect gift for young readers.

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Viva Cisco

Reviews

Reviewed on 04/28/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Suzanne Morris

Reviewed on 12/28/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Debbie Berry

Reviewed on 12/21/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Angela Simmons

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