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Children’s Book Giveaway: Miss Nelson Is Missing

November 30, 2011 By 57 Comments

“The kids in room 207 were misbehaving again.” So begins the tale of a mischievous class…and their very creative teacher.

miss nelson is missing Childrens Book Giveaway: Miss Nelson Is Missing miss nelson has a field day Childrens Book Giveaway: Miss Nelson Is Missing

Written by Harry Allard and James Marshall, Miss Nelson is Missing is a hilarious and colorful story – with the perfect combination of mystery and humor. The worst-behaved class in school is in for a surprise when their kind teacher Miss Nelson goes missing…and is replaced by the wicked Miss Viola Swamp! Who is the woman in black? And what happened to the students’ beloved teacher? You’ll love to watch your child’s expression as he/she discovers the truth.

miss nelson is missing class 207 Childrens Book Giveaway: Miss Nelson Is Missing miss viola swamp Childrens Book Giveaway: Miss Nelson Is Missing miss swamp Childrens Book Giveaway: Miss Nelson Is Missing

Equally wonderful to read-aloud is the sequel: Miss Nelson Has a Field Day. The illustrations are super fun and the ending has a twist that will keep kids guessing until the final page.

If you can get a copy of either book with the accompanying CD, do. If not, be sure to use your own “voices.” These books are meant for entertainment.

WIN IT! One winner will receive both books in the series – Miss Nelson is Missing and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Wednesday, December 7 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for providing copies of the books – for review and for this giveaway.  

*UPDATE* The winner is #22 Brandy. Congratulations!

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we ride in a time machine every night

October 20, 2011 By 42 Comments
barefoot walk sisters we ride in a time machine every night

modern day prairie girls - always barefoot

I lay back on the queen size mattress, sandwiched between a lanky 5-year-old and a squishy 2-year-old. My right arm encircles my expanding belly.

Kayla hands me the book, her finger hooked at our spot.

We hold our breaths and jump in the time machine. I let the words roll off my tongue, creating pictures in our imaginations. The girls listen in rapt wonder.

Liv usually falls asleep about halfway through the second chapter. Kayla stays awake, always begging for “another one” when the chapter ends. On most nights, we read for about an hour.

For the past few months, we’ve been wrapped up in farm life – droughts and fires, sunbonnets and grasshoppers, the frying of doughnuts and the churning of butter. Tim usually listens in, caught up in the history and suspense. “This is great American literature,” he remarked without sarcasm, when we first began the series.

This week, we’ll begin the 6th book of the The Complete Little House Nine-Book Set Little House series. It seems fitting to be reading them now – as we blaze these trails, carving out a new contented life in the deserts of Arizona.

Do you read chapter books aloud to your children? Have you read the Little House series?

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Children’s Book Giveaway: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

July 31, 2011 By 31 Comments

philippe petit by mordecai gerstein Childrens Book Giveaway: The Man Who Walked Between the TowersAuthor and Illustrator Mordecai Gerstein is a favorite in our house. His winning formula? Striking artwork, lyrical prose, and true stories!

“The Man Who Walked Between the Towers” is a creative re-telling of Philippe Petit’s unauthorized walk on a wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. Gerstein is a master writer, carefully choosing his words to maximize their potency. Awarded a Caldecott Medal in 2004, the dramatic narrative is sure to thrill the minds and imaginations of little ones.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers“ ($6.99) by Mordecai Gerstein! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Macmillan for providing two books – one for review and one for this giveaway.  

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Let’s talk about libraries, shall we?

July 24, 2011 By 28 Comments

This afternoon, we skipped through the revolving door of the Gail Borden Public Library in a suburb near Chicago. The girls and I are enamored by libraries – and our eyes sparkled in this one.

gail borden library shelves Lets talk about libraries, shall we?

The entrance was grandly themed like the renaissance with costumes to try on, an old-time kitchen with pretend food, a blacksmith shop, and more. A child’s imagination is bound to come alive in such a place.

play food at gail borden public library Lets talk about libraries, shall we? play area gail borden public library Lets talk about libraries, shall we?

The children’s area was equally entrancing with visual book displays aplenty, a play area, a puppet theater, and a free craft area. In addition to books, the library offers toys, games, and dozens of puppets for check-out.

making a craft gail borden public library Lets talk about libraries, shall we? wands at gail borden public library Lets talk about libraries, shall we? teen area gail borden public library Lets talk about libraries, shall we?

There was also a section specifically for Job Hunting, a cozy fireside reading room for adults, glass-encased study carrels, an ultra-cool teen zone, and an on-site cafe. Truly a reader’s paradise!

AND the library hosts picnics on their lawn! Families bring their own dinners. The library provides beverages, dessert, and entertainment. Superb!

It was pretty close to being perfect. My dream library, however, also has (1) a slide to enter the kids’ area, (2) a costumed staff – dressed as storybook characters!, (3) a multilingual area for kids – with second language classes!, and (4) Kindle books for check-out.

What is the best library you have ever been to? What programs does your neighborhood library offer? What would your DREAM library be like?

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Children’s Book Giveaway: What Charlie Heard

July 11, 2011 By 33 Comments

I stumbled upon Mordecai Gerstein’s books quite by accident at the library several years ago.

what charlie heard1 Childrens Book Giveaway: What Charlie Heard

We pulled “What Charlie Heard” off the shelf, got in the car, and…listened (it came with an audio CD  - read by the author himself!). I knew from the get-go that it was a treasure. The lyrical book chronicles the life of musician and Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Ives. Written to be read aloud, the true story abounds with positive messages about pursuing passion, persevering in spite of opposition, and opening our ears to the music all around us.

charles ives 4th of july Childrens Book Giveaway: What Charlie Heard

I’d love to see more children’s books like this – books that creatively record the lives of famous authors, musicians, scientists, and artists. I hope Mordecai Gerstein keeps writing them. He’s a master storyteller.

charles ives playing the piano Childrens Book Giveaway: What Charlie Heard

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of the book at your local library or – better yet – from an online bookstore. If you can get a copy with the audio, that’s even better.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of What Charlie Heard ($13.26) by Mordecai Gerstein! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, July 18 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

* Thanks to Macmillan for providing two books – one for review and one for this giveaway.  

*UPDATE* The winner is #17 Susan Varney. Congratulations!

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Children’s Book Giveaway: Bats at the Library

July 1, 2011 By 68 Comments

Many of our favorite children’s books are from authors who have passed away – words written in a different time. Goodnight Moon. Green Eggs & Ham. Bread & Jam for Frances.

bats at the library cover Childrens Book Giveaway: Bats at the Library

Author Brian Lies, however, has managed to write and illustrate a text that has all of the characteristics of a classic. Bats at the Library is a tale of grand creativity – a librarian leaves a window open and the bats swoop in for an evening of literacy.

The graceful text is a delight to read aloud and the darkly-colored paintings have plentiful detail to make the reader want to linger on each page.

bat telling a story Childrens Book Giveaway: Bats at the Library little red riding hood bat1 Childrens Book Giveaway: Bats at the Library peter rabbit bat1 Childrens Book Giveaway: Bats at the Library

Because it was published in 2008, it looks like this story missed the chance to win a Caldecott Medal (a shame!), but it still deserves a winning chance to be on your bookshelf.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of Bats at the Library ($10.88) by Brian Lies! To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, July 8 at 11:59 p.m. All generic comments like “Enter me!” or “Love it” will be disqualified. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

*UPDATE* The winner is #6 Christine Jensen. Congratulations!

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Creative Awakening

May 11, 2011 By 31 Comments

drawing with colored pencils Creative AwakeningTwo nights ago, I wrote a children’s book.

I was struck by inspiration as I put my 2-year-old to bed…the words danced across my mind in sudden symmetry. As soon as she succumbed to sleep, I tip-toed out and sat down at my laptop, fingertips firing. Tim raised an eyebrow at me. “I’m writing a children’s book,” I said non-chalantly. And I did.

It needs some editing, but it’s actually pretty decent for a first draft. I’ve been repeating the lines out loud for the past few days. That’s a good sign – lyrical lines, easy to memorize.

Now, I have to find an illustrator. Most great children’s books have great artists behind them, don’t you agree?

I also came up with the BEST business idea yesterday. My 4-year-old has been talking about it ever since – she and I are both starry-eyed about it. You should have heard us at the dinner table tonight!

P.S. I think I’m going to stick with the “Metropolitan Mama” name, but there’s going to be a fresh design – plus new tabs and focuses. Can’t wait.

Have you ever written, published, or dreamed of writing a children’s book?

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