Blog Tour: Treasured/God Gave Us Love/God Gave Us Christmas

Treasured/God Gave Us Love/ God Gave Us Christmas

by Leigh McLeroy/Lisa Tawn Bergren

All three books are wonderful gift books, just in time for Christmas. Treasured will guide you in discovering evidence in your own life of God’s attentive love. And the “God Gave Us” series are wonderful books for children that teach them about the many types of love and the meaning of Christmas. These books will encourage you to draw near to the Savior during the Christmas season, reminding you that Christ’s birth is the reason we celebrate!

Here’s a summary:

Treasured: 
Cigar boxes. Refrigerator doors. Scrapbooks and sock drawers and top shelves. These are the places we store our treasures–the keepsakes that tell the story of whom and what we’ve loved, how we’ve lived, and what matters most to us.
God is a collector, too, whose treasures are tucked securely into the pages of his book: a golden bell here, an olive leaf there, a scarlet thread, a blood-stained cloth, a few grains of barley. Each of these saved artifacts reveals a facet of his heart and tells the story of a Father whose most precious possession is…us.
In Treasured, Leigh McLeroy considers tangible reminders of God’s active presence and guides us in discovering evidence in our own lives of his attentive love.

Treasured Knowing God by the Things He Keeps

Product Details

* Hardcover: 224 pages
* Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (September 15, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1400074819
* ISBN-13: 978-1400074815




 My Review

I love the way Leigh McLeroy begins her book with open accounts of honesty and sincere realness in sharing with the readers her journey of drawing closer to God's own heart. This book is like a manual in discovering God's treasures in His memory box of love for us. The book begins with A Fig Leaf and Leigh tells of shame and sin with "I know this dog better than I wish I did." She gives the reader inspiration in Fresh Olive Sprig that "hope really does float after all!" Leigh speaks of injustice, "I have no Teflon Coating to repel life's hurts." The book goes on to speak of the harsh realities of playground politics and I love how the author describes what she has discovered in warm tones, that we're not so different after all.

About half way through the book Leigh shares with us her sister's battle with cancer. I especially love her choice of action-packed words in describing the last enemy to be destroyed and that is death. Leigh goes on to say, "I hate cancer. It's an enemy with no manners, no mercy and no predictable pattern of attack... take that, cancer. You're an awful bully but you cannot win."

Leigh McLeroy ties up her journey of drawing closer to God by speaking of the grand architect, of knowing her shepherd's voice and believing with full assurance of His love for her. So what tokens or keepsakes would you collect in your treasure box that would forever remind you of God's love for you? I hope you will consider the book for renewed hope and inspiration. I love the book. 5+ stars!

Treasured


God Gave Us Love

As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.
In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because…

“Anytime we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”

God Gave Us Christmas (God Gave Us...)




Product Details

* Reading level: Ages 4-8
* Hardcover: 40 pages
* Publisher: WaterBrook Press (September 15, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1400074479
* ISBN-13: 978-1400074471

About the Author

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the award-winning author of nearly thirty titles, totaling more than 1.5 million books in print. She writes in a broad range of genres, from adult fiction to devotional. God Gave Us Love follows in Lisa’s classic tradition of the best-selling God Gave Us You. She makes her home in Colorado, with her husband, Tim, and their children, Olivia, Emma, and Jack.

My Review- God Gave Us Love

God Gave Us Love is the newest addition to the polar bear series by Lisa Tawn Bergren.
This tender relationship between Grandpa Bear and Little Cub is sure to warm your heart. This sweet tale begins with a fishing adventure but it was inconclusive because I felt they needed to catch a fish! The Little Cub becomes irritable when the otters chase away the fish. Grandpa reminds her that "... God wants us to show everyone his love."

This timeless message on unconditional love has lots of words said about God (for a children's book) but not so much on a story plot, action, problem type stuff. Little Cub has lots of questions about how do we really know God loves us and her very wise Grandpa does his best to respond with answers that reflect biblical truths: God always hopes for the best in us; He's always with us; He sent His Son to save us. I loved the pictures by Laura J. Bryant, especially the family of polar bears "group hug". Lisa Tawn Bergen does a good job explaining that God is love and we can see His love expressed in so many different ways, especially with family. I give this book 5 stars!

God Gave Us Love (God Gave Us...)

God Gave Us Christmas: 

As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?” Mama’s answer only leads to more questions like “Is God more important than Santa?” So she and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how he gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas and discovers that… Jesus is the best present of all. This enchanting tale provides the perfect opportunity to help young children celebrate the true meaning of Christmas and to discover how very much God loves them.

Product Details

* Reading level: Baby-Preschool
* Hardcover: 40 pages
* Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 10, 2006)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1400071755
* ISBN-13: 978-1400071753

My Review

I love reading this sweet book by Lisa Tawn Bergren to my Grandson because it has a sweet charm about it and I am amazed by David Hohn's polar bear detailed expressions! The tender relationship between Mama Polar Bear and Little Cub teaches young hearts about the true meaning of Christmas yet keeping the balance with popular traditions in celebration with Santa. Strong questions are posed by the author and tenderly answered in showing young and old alike the beauty of God's presence that surrounds us everywhere. You will want to cozy around a warm fire and read this book aloud to your children and grandchildren while you anticipate the arrival of Christmas this year! 5+ stars!

God Gave Us Christmas (God Gave Us...)

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. You can purchase books at:
http://www.randomhouse.com

All 3 books have great messages with wonderful, sensitive presentations. I love this blog tour as we kick off this year Holiday season of Christmas with its true meaning of God's love for us!

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Books Bought #3

I look forward to Books Bought on the weekend because I have the opportunity to share with you what I purchased for one of my Grandson's. If you would like to learn more about Books Bought, please visit our hostess:

http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com

Here is what I purchased:



Little Polar Bear Mini Pop-Up (Hardcover)

Product Description

The first book in Hans de Beer's best-selling series featuring Lars, the Little Polar Bear, is now available in a charming three-dimensional edition that will delight children meeting Lars for the first time, and enchant all his loyal fans. The full-size Little Polar Bear: A Pop-Up Book was named a Pick of the Lists by American Bookseller, which said, "Hans de Beer has created a perfect marriage between his text and pop-ups.... The story is beautifully complemented by the simple yet imaginative pop-ups, which show the movement of the adventure and help enhance the excitement".


About the Author

Hans de Beer was born in Muiden, a small town near Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. He studied illustration at the Rietveld Academy of Art in Amsterdam. Hans de Beer's Little Polar Bear books enjoy great international success. They have been published in 18 Countries.

Product Details

* Reading level: Ages 4-8
* Hardcover: 16 pages
* Publisher: North-South (September 1, 1997)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 155858711X
* ISBN-13: 978-1558587113

In this three-dimensional edition of the first book in Hans de Beer’s best-selling series, Lars is swept away from the safety of his home at the North Pole and has an exciting adventure in the tropics. This pop-up book will delight children who meet Lars for the first time and enchant all his royal fans.

My Review:

Little Lars who is a little polar bear and his father who is a large polar bear are going on an adventure together. This will be their first hunting trip. Together they live in the North Pole where everything is covered with ice and snow. The two of them make a pile of snow for sleeping on like a bed. During the night, the ice begins to crack and a piece of ice breaks off. Little Lars is on it all by himself!

He clings to a bobbing barrel floating by. Then he meets Harry Hippo. Lars climbs on Harry’s back and soon meets friendly animals of the jungle! Marcus the Eagle gets a birds eye view of the edge of the sea and summons Samson the whale to help escort the polar bear friend out of the tropics and back onto the ocean. Soon Lars is reunited with his Father! I highly recommend this children's book to you. 5+ stars!

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Related articles by Zemanta

• Help Our Polar Bears! (thepetitionsite.com)

The Real Mother Goose Piano Book

“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

My friend Marilyn has the best drawings and the coolest site. If you want to, visit:

http://www.the toymaker.com

So, I wanted to share this book with you because I love it so. What attracted me the most was the colors of the cover with the 'lil piano and especially Mother Goose herself!



The Real Mother Goose Piano Book (Hardcover)

Illustrated by Blanche Fisher Wright

This is a great Nursery Rhyme/Mother Goose book! The illustrations are of an old-world quality that will make anyone smile. The rhymes are a delightful mix of popular nursery songs. It is a true classic book especially with the toy piano embedded in the front cover plus Mother Goose herself. Inside the picture book you will learn how to play these songs that are numbered for easy fingers to play:

Mary’s Lamb
Black Sheep
Humpty Dumpty
Hot Cross Buns
Sing A Song of Sixpence
Cat and the Fiddle
Three Blind Mice
Jack and Jill
Hickory Dickory Dock

Product Details

* Hardcover
* Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Company (June 1987)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 0028995074
* ISBN-13: 978-0028995076

Every time we remember to say "thank you," we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Friday 56

I stopped by a blog called Starting Fresh and was most intrigued by a new game.

http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/11/friday-56-week-21.html I know I'm just a bit late on joining in since this is Monday but this game seemed fun to me!

The rules are quite simple and I decided to play along. I grabbed the closest book near me and turned to page 56 finding the fifth sentence and here is what I read aloud:

"The name you are given becomes the spoken definition of who you are, which ultimately affects your life every time someone calls or addresses you."

What Women Don't Know (and men don't tell you) by Michelle McKinney Hammond and Joel A. Brooks Jr.

Want to play along?

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog

http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com
and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends at

http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com

* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Books Bought #2

William Frazier Elementary school was having a Holiday Boutique sale on Friday. So I went over to the multipurpose room and set up my table to sell Barefoot Books. I also left my home early that day to stop by a local bookstore. I found a copy of Amazing Anthony Ant, Lift The Flaps hardcover book written by Lorna & Graham Philpot! Are you familiar with the book? Apparently the book is out of print so I was extremely pleased with my find and purchased the book right away. What a treasure for my Grandsons!

Product Details

* Hardcover
* Publisher: Random House (Merchandising) (March 1994)
* ISBN-10: 0679858989
* ISBN-13: 978-0679858980

* My Review: Amazing Anthony Ant

Amazing Anthony Ant is a very clever, imaginative book. First, inside the cover, you'll find verses with music notes in the melody line to the tune of 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home'. Then you can try to guess what's under the flaps, which is an exercise in imagination and rhyming. Each colorful page with gorgeous illustrations includes a maze and a search for Anthony Ant. This is repeated from 1 to 10 ants, so it's a counting book as well. The book can be used as a science project with your own ant hill as well. I recommend this book for all ages. I hope this book gets published again. For now, you can check it out of your library.

* Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There is no doubt about it: Anthony is one antic ant. And his creators have made sure that young readers will be kept similarly busy. This entertaining book offers a familiar song to sing ("The ants came marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah . . . "); four flaps to lift on each spread (revealing different endings to the corresponding stanza); a sequence of underground mazes to follow; and the Waldo-esque challenge to find Anthony in each picture. It is Anthony, rather than the traditional "little one," who stops marching during the song, and the authors have devised some kid-pleasing reasons why he does. Marching "five by five," he stops to "go for a drive"; "visit a hive"; "jiggle and jive"; or "take a dive." Behind the flaps, amusing illustrations show Anthony engaged in the specified activities. Also diverting are the minute particulars worked into the mazes, which are packed with tiny, bustling ants--and plenty of puns and plays on words. A paper-over-board format and sturdy pages will help this volume withstand repeated flap-lifting by eager little hands. Ages 5-8.


Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Blog Tour and Book Review: Colonel Trash Truck by Kathleen Crawley

Thank you, Pump Up Your Blog Promotion for providing Colonel Trash Truck for review.





Product Description

Colonel Trash Truck is a likable, fun-loving hero who is extremely focused on his mission to win the garbage war. He sees the natural world as a beautiful gift that we all need to appreciate and protect. Colonel Trash Truck believes that cleaning up trash and recycling is something that we all must do, and he wants nothing more than to have kids join him in his quest. Read along to find out how he convinces kids to help clean up our world!

My Review:

I love the way the book opens with an exciting description of the main character Colonel Trash Truck and what his purpose is. The author provides a list of waste from leaves to lids. The Colonel's desire to make our world stay green is a noble one indeed.

I love the contrast of the fight between the litterbugs and the Colonel Trash Truck.
The story line moves along quite well... ka runch, ka runch, ka runch! The Colonel is the leader, the commando of the community of trash trucks. The illustrations by Manuel Conde are bright and bold in primary colors.

This clear message of teaching children to be clean, organized, throwing trash away... reduce, reuse, recycle is a good educational children's book to have in your library. I embrace the Colonel's vision to keep America beautiful. Colonel Trash Truck willingly provides this service to benefit my grand children's future and yours as well!

I liked the book because of the subject matter, you can talk with your children about this important message. Both of my Grandson's love to play with trucks so this book is great for them. I rate The Colonel 4 stars because the overall feel of the book is a bit too masculine for me as well as the illustrations. What disappointed me was the choice of a few words for a children's book that I didn't feel were necessary but that's just my opinion and perspective. Overall, reading ka runch, ka runch, ka runch will definitely bring a smile to little boys faces!

Product Details

* Reading level: Ages 4-8
* Hardcover: 24 pages
* Publisher: Big Tent Books (May 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1601310331
* ISBN-13: 978-1601310330

About the Author:

Kathleen Crawley has been an advertising executive for over fifteen years. She resides with her husband Ronald Thomson in Redondo Beach, California. She is a native Californian having graduated from UCLA with a B.A in sociology. Colonel Trash Truck is her first book. About writing for children, Kathy says, “I have a number of books I want to write for kids because I think children are fascinating. They are open, creative, and interested in everything; they bring out the kid in me.”

You can visit Kathleen online at
http://www.coloneltrashtruck.com

Interview with Kathleen Crowley’s book Colonel Trash Truck

http://bookexcerpts.wordpress.com


You can buy Colonel Trash Truck at Amazon.com
Colonel Trash Truck

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Review: Little Toot and the Lighthouse by Hardie Gramatky

Editorial Review
Synopsis:

Toot! Toot! Everybody's favorite little tugboat is back in five new formats to celebrate his 60th anniversary!

It's a brand-new adventure for Little Toot as he and Big Toot set off on a fun-filled trip to the coast of Maine. But when Little Toot goes exploring and gets lost, how will he find his way back?

Product Details

* Reading level: Baby-Preschool
* Paperback: 32 pages
* Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (October 25, 1999)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 0448420708
* ISBN-13: 978-0448420707

My Review:

Little Toot and the Lighthouse based on the character created by Hardie Gramatky is an all time favorite book with my Grandson! I bought the 2002 Edition with the story concept by Linda Gramatky-Smith and illustrated by Mark Weber. The original book in 1999 by Linda's father Hardie who was an ex-Disney artist, is full of creative expression. My 19-month-old Grandson doesn't know the difference and in fact is learning to be gentle with the paper pages if that goal is at all possible to achieve at this stage. He loves to look upon Little Toot's face, pointing to the tug boat as I read to him aloud.

The story begins at the New York Harbor with Little Toot excitedly riding the big waves and watching the big boats and ocean liners come into the harbor. But every so often he wonders what it would be like beyond the breakwater. Sometimes one imagines all sorts of adventures beyond where we are. Have you ever felt that way?

The book goes on to tell about Little Toot, a tug boat, and his father and the trip they take together to Maine to visit some friends. All along the way, Toot's father explains to him that to find his way back, he must remember the landmarks that he sees on the way up. He receives good counsel here that proves to be valuable information later on in the story.

Together Big and Little Toot pass by the beaches of Connecticut and Rhode Island and after sometime arrive at Nubble Light, Maine's grand lighthouse! As the story unfolds Little Toot meets a new friend Bob, a small row boat, and together they go far away from their parents to play on the beach. Night approaches and they both forget how to get back home but soon the main character, Little Toot, is determined to conquer and solve his problem by remembering the landmarks.

Soon after rounding the buoy, they reach the familiar lighthouse. Don't you just love these little "aha moments"?! Then Little Toot leads the way back home. The two little boats are warmly received by Big Toot with "Thank goodness you're okay... You should always tell me before you take off like that." Then Little Toot leads the way back home to the harbor because he remembers all the familiar landmarks and he knows the way!

What a darling story full of important messages and a delight for any toddler to see the illustrations of this cute, adorable little tug boat with his happy face and his balls of smoke puffed out of his candy-stick smokestack. A great book for the little ones! 5+ stars!

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Faith and Fangs Blog Tour: Touched by a Vampire by Beth Felker Jones

What do you need to know about vampires? You may think that you don’t need to be educated about the vampire trends in media—especially the Twilight Saga—but your family is being bombarded with messages from books (Twilight, Wuthering Bites) to television (Vampire Diaries, True Blood) to movies (New Moon releases on November 20).

One of the most popular vampire outlets is the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. The second book New Moon is being made into a movie that hits theaters in November.

Special thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah for the invitation to participate in a blog tour for Touched by a Vampire: Discovering Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga by Beth Felker Jones and Thirsty by Tracey Bateman, an excellent Christian alternative to the mainstream vampire novels. I'm so glad I said yes to Touched by a Vampire because not having read any of the twilight book series, I wanted to learn about the attraction that my high school piano students have with these books. Being Greek and being a YaYa, that's Greek for Grandma, I have always loved family. It's the best thing there is in all the world. I am aware that Mormons study family trees. So, I was very interested in what Beth had to say about the Vampire series and her answer to Mormon's regarding the Christian family.

* My Review:

Beth Felker Jones does a superb job of dissolving the illusion and deception of what love is not and lays a clear foundation for the reader of what is truth and light that can be found in God's love through Jesus Christ. The book made me think hard about my own impressions of those I've known who have never experienced belonging to a family and what perhaps is different in their perspective of what makes for a family unit.

I enjoyed watching the story unfold as the author gives a loud warning, which I am sure is the author's intent for Bella, the main character, who finds herself so deeply attracted to the Vampire Family that seems to care for one another. One of the main lessons in Beth's book is that stereotypes can cause harm. This destruction can happen when the hope for true love is fading over the horizon of their longings and young folks decide that something is better than nothing. Especially in today's hard times, young people need to know that:

* all families can be disappointing
* parents fail to be consistent
* Children fail to love their parents
* all families make mistakes

Shattering the hopes of a "Prince Charming" and "If only I had" attitude that young folks so often have, the author of Touched by a Vampire goes on to say that messy, imperfect, normal families have the freedom, to be honest and real with one another. We love each other because we are limited and broken and human. You don't have to be glittering and immortal in order to know happiness and love.

When we put all our hope in other things, in romantic love, a fairytale marriage or even our own interests- that hope is sure to disappoint. One thing I am sure of, Jesus will never disappoint. If you are a bible study teacher or know of a young person who is searching for truth, pick up a copy of this great book! I loved it and give it 5+ stars.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog

About This Book:

EXAMINING TWILIGHT THROUGH A BIBLICAL LENS

People around the world are asking the same question, enraptured with Edward and Bella’s forbidden romance in the Twilight Saga, a four-book serial phenomenon written by Stephenie Meyer. The bestsellers tell the story of a regular girl’s relationship with a vampire who has chosen to follow his “good” side. But the Saga isn’t just another fantasy–it’s teaching girls about love, sex, and purpose. With 48 million copies in print and a succession of upcoming blockbuster films, now is the time to ask the important question: Can vampires teach us about God’s plan for love?

Touched by a Vampire is the first book to investigate the themes of the Twilight Saga from a Biblical perspective. Some Christian readers have praised moral principles illustrated in the story, such as premarital sexual abstinence, which align with Meyer’s Mormon beliefs. But ultimately, Beth Felker Jones examines whether the story’s redemptive qualities outshine its darkness.

Cautionary, thoughtful, and challenging, Touched by a Vampire is written for Twilight fans, parents, teachers, and pop culture enthusiasts. It includes an overview of the series for those unfamiliar with the storyline and a discussion guide for small groups.

About the Author

Beth Felker Jones is Assistant Professor of Theology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. She is the author of The Marks of His Wounds: Gender Politics and Bodily Resurrection, as well as numerous articles and reviews. Beth is a mother and a pastor’s wife.

Product Details

* Paperback: 192 pages
* Publisher: Multnomah Books (October 6, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1601422784
* ISBN-13: 978-1601422781

C.S. Lewis wrote:

"It is not an abstraction called Humanity that is to be saved. It is you... your soul, and, in some sense yet to be understood, even your body, that was made for the high and holy place. All that you are... every fold and crease of your individuality was devised from all eternity to fit God as a glove fits a hand. All that intimate particularity which you can hardly grasp yourself, much less communicate to your fellow creatures, is no mystery to Him. He made those ins and outs that He might fill them."

Touched by a Vampire: Discovering the Hidden Messages in the Twilight Saga

Touched by a Vampire by Beth Felker Jones was provided for review by Multnomah Books.

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Books Bought #1

Dear Book Readers,

I thought I would kick off new beginnings with "Books Bought", a weekly post that I learned about from Cindy's Love of Books blog. Here's what she has to say about it:



"Books Bought" is a weekly meme that is hosted on Cindy's Love of Books.

http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com

This is a super easy meme and anyone can take part. All you need to do is grab this logo and write your post on your blog and then link back to me letting me know you took part.

With this meme, all you have to do is list the books you recently bought. Simple as that."

I like the idea of book buying because shopping for books for my two Grandson's is a weekly outing for me to our local book store by our library called The Bottom Shelf. I love reading children's books as many of you know and it is so contagious being a Grandma to shop, shop, shop for her precious grandchildren!

So, I stopped by the Bottom Shelf this past Friday and here is what I found:



* Little Toot and the Lighthouse

Based on the character created by Hardie Gramatky
Weekly Reader Editor's Choice

* Jody's Beans

author- Malachy Doyle, illustrator- Judith Allibone
Candlewick Press

* The Nutcracker

retold by Rita Balducci, illustrated by Barbara Lanza
Golden Books

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Book Giveaway: The Nutcracker and the Mouse King/ The Christmas Magic

Image via Wikipedia

It seems a very nice lady, and a busy one at that, is offering a fantastic giveaway at her blog, Brimful Curiosities... Join in the fun and stop by her site:


http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com

Each Christmas we get out our Nutcracker doll and our Nutcracker mug for hot chocolate and reminisce about the time when our daughter danced in the Nutcracker. Yes, one of our daughters majored in dance at Cal Arts. Her Father and I and Grandma, too watched Anna gracefully flow across the stage in her ballet shoes, adorned in elegant costumes. what a fantastic holiday treat!

Of course, being a piano teacher, the added bonus to the story is hearing such beautiful music as the Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairies. Seeing Tchaikovsky's ballet performed live with your daughter in the cast play, is truly a very rewarding moment. We are so very proud of our daughter's accomplishments as she continues with dance and film production with her career.

Here are the two book giveaways that Brimful curiosities have selected for her giveaway that will end November 30, 2009. Good luck to everyone!



1. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

"Tchaikovsky's ballet is based on a story written in 1816 by E.T.A. Hoffman called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. Our review copy features exquisite illustrations by Gail de Marcken...Hoffman's story is amazingly detailed, especially his descriptions of Toyland."

2. The Christmas Magic by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Jon J. Muth

"Bestselling author Lauren Thompson poetically describes Santa's preparations and the magic of his journey in her newest book, The Christmas Magic. There's so much to do and Santa, in his bunny slippers, gets to work by trimming his beard, feeding the reindeer, polishing the sleigh bells and checking the big book of children's names. Finally, the magical night arrives and Santa sets off flying up into the glorious, bluish, snow-filled sky."

* Movie Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI6XkJdI5lo

To enter the contest, stop by Brimful Curiosities and leave a comment on her blog post. Hope to see you there!


http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD

Dreaming of the 1960's: Day Is Done by Peter Yarrow

Yesterday at the Farmer's Market my Grandson came running up to me with the hugest grin that radiated loud and clear the message, "Oh, I know you... you're the one who loves me and gives me applesauce!" As I bent down and scooped him up in my arms, the song Day is Done ran through my mind. You see, Grandma was dreaming of the '60s and her Grandson is only 19 months. The bridge that we share... endless love for one another, comforting hugs is a very special bond between a Grandma and her Grandson!



Day Is Done [With CD (Audio)] (Hardcover)
By Yarrow, Peter, Sweet, Melissa
$16.95

Product Details
ISBN-10: 140274806X
ISBN-13: 9781402748066
Published: Sterling, 10/01/2009
Pages: 24
Language: English

Recommended Reading Level Minimum Age: 5
Maximum Age: 5
Minimum Grade Level: Kindergarten
Maximum Grade Level: Kindergarten

Description

Peter Yarrow follows the blockbuster success of "Puff, the Magic Dragon" with a picture book version of his beautiful song, "Day Is Done." As night falls, animal and human parents everywhere tenderly tuck their children into bed. In the darkness, each child--raccoon, doe, rabbit, field mouse, and a little boy--wonders: "Will I be safe? Will you be there for me?" And every mommy and daddy respond with the comforting words of Yarrow's refrain: "I am here." Caldecott Honor-winning artist Melissa Sweet has created gorgeous images that celebrate the loving bond between parent and child, as well as the connection between all creatures of the earth.
Peter Paul & Mary (& Friends) - Day Is Done

About the Author

Peter Yarrow is a member of the iconic ’60’s folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary. Along with Lenny Lipton, he is the author of the beloved song and now hit book Puff, the Magic Dragon. In addition to extensive touring and performing, Peter is active in Operation Respect, an organization that promotes anti-bullying awareness in schools across the country.

Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than 40 children’s books, including the 2008 Caldecott Honor winner A River of Words, which was also listed as a New York Times Top Ten Children’s Book of the Year. The New York Times Book Review listed Carmine: A Little More Red (Houghton Mifflin, 2005)—which she both wrote and illustrated—among its Ten Best Illustrated Books of the Year, and The Boy Who Drew Birds (Houghton Mifflin, 2004) was a New York Public Library Best Book for 2004.

Kiwi Magazine Review:

When the day is done, all will be well. Peter Yarrow croons a lovely tune from father to son, proclaiming that the end of the day brings resolution to the problems of the day. The illustrations are sweet and upbeat, to counter the sad tone of the song. This book just feels like a great big hug after a trying day.

Midwest Book Review: 

"Day Is Done" is a sensitively illustrated children's book and three-song CD of the famous song by the same title written by Peter Yarrow. Poignant lyrics, soothing paintings of animal parent and child figures and nighttime scenes make "Day Is Done" a beautiful, classic bedtime book to share between parent and child. In addition to the title song as sung originally by Peter, Paul, and Mary in the 60's, the accompanying CD includes the songs "I know Where I'm Going" and "Dona Dona Dona" recorded by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary, folk singers trio of 60's and more recent fame) and his daughter, Bethany Yarrow, a combination American/African/Caribbean style folk singer who performs with Rufus Cappadocia as Bethany and Rufus. This past month saw the death of Mary Travers, performer in the original trio. It is wonderful to see the continuing legacy of this creative group in this new format. "Day Is Done" will be beloved by a whole new generation of parents and children, fathers and sons, and is appropriate for children age 3-7.

* Gazette.net reports on the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington's 40th book festival- story by Karen Schafer:
http://www.gazette.net/stories

With the book festival celebrating its fourth decade, inviting a 1960s icon to be the keynote speaker at the book festival's Patron's Party seemed mandatory. But before Peter Yarrow can discuss his newest children's books, he wants to talk about the recent death of his singing partner Mary Travis.

"I am still in the mourning process," he says, explaining that he grieves not only for Travis but also for "the innocence of another time. Now we have a terrible reality."

For some five minutes, Yarrow recalls how soldiers going to Vietnam used the trio's song "Leaving on a Jet Plane" as their anthem, and "Puff the Magic Dragon" was about "yearning and not marijuana."

But it's not all about the olden days for the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter. He is also proud that his books and CDs for children have become bestsellers.

"What folk singer in the last decade has sold a million CDs?" he asks.

He has a point. Following the success of his children's storybook and musical CD "Puff the Magic Dragon," he made "Day is Done" into an illustrated children's book.

Warmest Regards,
~ LadyD