Check Out My Newest Guest Post By Author Kristina Tanso PLUS Check Out Her New Book Milo and His Magic Skateboard & Enter A Giveaway!

This month, my children’s book, Milo and His Magic Skateboard hits the shelves. Based on the real-life travels of Milo and me, the book I wrote and created showcases some of the most iconic places in Europe, and – for those with a keen eye for details—some of my favourite country-specific delicacies delivered through a variety of “Easter eggs”. The subtle nod to food in this book playfully introduces children to different cuisines, and is paramount to the authenticity of Milo’s and my experiences. So, in the spirit of celebrating our appetites for travel and food, I’m sharing 3 reasons food plays a big role in our lives.

1. Food is a story told through flavours

Taste the signature dish of a region, and its flavour profile can tell you the personality of its people and culture. Just like words in a book guiding readers into another world whilst evoking a plethora of emotions, food – through thoughtful selection and composition of ingredients – invite diners on a foray through their palettes. Food tells a multi-dimensional story no other medium can achieve quite so fully. Its ingredients tell a tale of origins: seasonal delights that thrive at specific times of the year, such as the coveted Alba white truffle, which tells the story of the symbiotic relationship between land, climate and crop. Ingredients are carefully weaved together by people who shape the personality of a cuisine through their skills, creativity and traditions. The finished dish pays homage to the person who stands behind the stove – the relationship they have to each ingredient based on how they choose to use them and the individual’s personality and flair through their interpretation of the dish.

2. Food as an Expression of Love

When someone asked me what my love language was the other day, the first thing that came to my mind was “food.” Not the mere ingesting of food, of course, but the thoughtfulness that goes into creating a meal for me. Cooking for someone, I believe, is one of the most special things one can do for another person. It is an experience marked by openness: opening one’s sacred space to another person; while the other person keeps an open mind as they await the meal they are to be served. It is an act of trust—trust that the guest will handle the host’s vulnerability with kindness, and trust that the host will present something nourishing and delicious. Most of all, it is an experience of love: love for the ingredients, for flavours, and for creation. The act of creating something bears a beautiful weight, and to carefully craft something for another person is a weight that deserves to be carried willingly – pun somewhat intended.

3. Food Brings People Together

One of my favourite things to do in Italy is wander through different areas with Milo in tow, and discover restaurants that punctuate the paths we walk. I love observing the energy that emanates from each restaurant, whether it’s a chic Michelin-starred place or a hole in the wall trattoria that has been passed through the hands of one family member to the next. The one thing all these places share in common is the convivial nature evidenced by the cacophony of laughter, clinking of glasses, the inevitable burst of song, and once in a while, a joyful bark from a little dog who has just caught sight (or smell) of prosciutto. I love seeing the way food anchors people’s attention, gently coaxing everyone to pause, be present, and interact with each other. Share a meal with an acquaintance, and you will end the meal as friends. That is the magic of food, and why I never turn down an invitation to dine with people when I am in a new place—especially when Milo is invited.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Milo and His Magic Skateboard

Written by Kristina Tanso

Illustrated by Sofie Engstrom Von Alten

Ages 4+ | 36 Pages

Publisher: Life Unfiltered Books | ISBN-13: 9781738414000

Publisher’s Book Summary: Join Milo – an adorable French Bulldog – as he embarks on his very first adventure! Simply by clapping his little paws together and jumping on his magic skateboard, Milo takes flight and explores Europe! This fun, heart-warming adventure will charm children and adults alike, while exploring different iconic places and cultures!

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~ BOOKSHOP.ORG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristina Tanso is an animal lover whose life changed the day she rescued Milo from the streets of Hong Kong in May 2019. Milo and His Magic Skateboard is inspired by the real-life adventures the duo have had since: prompted by Kristina’s affinity for travel, and Milo’s curious personality. Kristina is also the author of the critically acclaimed psychological thriller, Bad Things (2023); and is a producer on Searching/or Chinook, a documentary about the future survival of the last remaining Southern resident orcas, starring Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones).

An advocate for mental health and spiritual well-being, Kristina’s articles on the topic are regularly featured on Medium. Outside of writing, Kristina works at the University of Oxford, and serves as a guest professor at a university in Asia.

You can learn more about Kristina and her work at www.kristinatanso.com.

NOW TO THE GIVEAWAY!

Enter the giveaway for the chance to win a signed hardcover copy of Milo and His Magic Skateboard and a customized sketch of Milo!

Milo and His Magic Skateboard: Book Giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

This post is sponsored by Kristina Tanso. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.