I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug - A Review and a Giveaway

Age Range: 4 - 8 years old

Hardcover: 32 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK -

I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful and comforting bedtime book that imagines all the wonderful ways a child might give and receive a hug.

Whether it’s a big bear, gasp for air, knock over a chair hug or a wet and drippy, slimy, slippy fish hug, children will giggle their way through all the imaginative examples. Cooney’s sweet and simple rhymes encourage playful interaction between parent and child and ultimately help them wind down before they snuggle into bed and drift off to sleep.

I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug is a sweet loving bedtime story book that is also sure to become a Valentine’s Day favorite for little ones who enjoy celebrating a day full of hugs and kisses from loved ones.

Retail - $16.99

My Thoughts:

I read this book to my 3 and 8 year old daughters for their bedtime story. I expected it to be cute. But I never imagined the reaction that I would get from my daughters. Or the giggles that would ensue during and after the story. Oh my word, it was so precious.

The story follows a little boy and his teddy bear getting ready for bed, and along the way they discover lots of different ways to give a hug.  Hug like a dog.  Hug like a cat.  Hug like a fish.  The illustrations are cute and cuddly.  The dialog is a cute sing-song type of prose.

As we would read about each type of hug, my 3 year old would giggle and point at the illustrations.  I was surprised just how much she enjoyed.  After we finished reading, my 8 year old insisted that we act out each type of hug ourselves.  Their favorite was the wiggly giggly bug hug which involved lots of tickles and laughter.  

Super cute bedtime story which can lead to lots of super cute hugs with your little ones.

****

About the Author: Caroline B. Cooney was born in New York, grew up in Connecticut, and now lives in South Carolina. Caroline is the author of 90 Young Adult novels in many genres, and her books have sold over fifteen million copies. I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug is her first picture book. It’s based on a verse she wrote for her own children, Louisa, Sayre and Harold, who are grown now.

About the Illustrator: Tim Warnes has been illustrating children's books for twenty years. He lives in Dorset, England, with his wife, children's illustrator Jane Chapman, and their two sons. When he's not drawing little critters, Tim loves to write, watch birds and play his banjo.  Visit Tim at www.ChapmanandWarnes.com

Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it creates products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 14. Zonderkidz is also publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader’s Version) Bible translation, the third grade reading level edition of the NIV. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Zondervan is a world-leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, as part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, MI. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.

Social – Corner:

Official Website (to purchase the book) -  Zondervan

Facebook -  Zonderkidz

Twitter -  Zonderkidz

GIVEAWAY: On February 11th, I will choose one reader to receive their own copy of this adorable book.  Just leave a comment on this review or on the Facebook post.  Residents of the continental U.S. only.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

#bearhug   #flyby

When We Last Spoke - A Review and a Giveaway

When We Last Spoke - A Fireside Novel -  by Marci Henna

About When We Last Spoke (from the back cover):

            "Humor, heartbreak, and triumph are served with whipped cream and lots of local nuts in this heartwarming tale of family, friendship, and forgiveness in Fireside, Texas.

Meet Juliet Cranbourne, local radio personality and owner of a whimsical kitchen gadget store, and her sister Evangeline, a fruit tree geneticist who works for Oregon State University.

When a rift due to their orphaned past affects their sisterhood, Juliet convinces Evangeline to come home for Christmas and choose headstones to honor grandparents Walt

(a tenderhearted, good looking rancher) and Ruby (a blue-ribbon fiddler, fabulous cook, and expert in the art of making family feel loved).  As they cruise through Fireside in Ruby's

Thunderbird, Juliet hopes that healing memories will somehow smooth rough roads ahead.

Does the tremendous love that marked Walt and Ruby's lives still have the power to renew their sisterhood and help them find their place in the world?"

Page count: 232

Softcover

Retail price: $11.38

About the author:

            Marci Henna was born in Austin, Texas and lived as a child in Kenya, East Africa with the Wakamba tribe where her parents managed a medical research station. She later moved to the Hill Country ranch which has been in the family since the 1800's and currently lives in Austin.

My Thoughts:

I rarely find time to read, and when I do, it is usually non-fiction.  Ways to do better at "this" or ways to better understand  "that".  It is rare indeed that I find the time to read fiction just for the satisfaction of reading a good story.  But when I read the description of this book, I was intrigued and decided that I would like to read and review this book.  Maybe it was my southern roots, my love of all things Texas, or that my grandmother was also named Ruby.  Whatever the reason, I needed to read this book.  And so I did.  

And it was so much better than I even expected.  I read way too late into the night, because every time I hit the end of a chapter, I just had to know what happened next.  I immediately identified with Juliet and fell in love with her grandparents.  Everyone deserves a grandmother and grandfather like Juliet had, but unfortunately too few grandparents fit the bill.  The southern girl in me is about ready to pack up and leave New York to head for Fireside Texas.  

So what are some of the highlights?  
1. Family. Families should love each other...family should stick together, no matter what.  A person can't truly learn to be themselves, if they are afraid that the ones they love may walk away.  

2. Forgive.  We have to be willing to forgive, even if the offender isn't sorry.  We can't truly grasp our future, if we are still stuck in the pain of our past.

3. Memories. On our lowest and darkest days, a pleasant memory from the past can serve as the sunshine lighting our path, giving us the strength to press on. 

Social Corner:

Facebook 

Twitter 

GoodReads 

         FiresideTexas.com 

Would you like to purchase the book?                                                                             

            Softcover    

            Kindle 

*****Marci will be giving away a FREE Kindle          

version from Feb. 20-24 on Amazon.*****

   Trailer on YouTube (Movie now in production)

GIVEAWAY: On February 9th, I will choose one reader to receive their own copy of this fantastic book.  Just leave a comment on this review or on the Facebook post.  Residents of the continental U.S. only.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

#whenwelastspoke   #flyby 

The Beginner's Bible - Timeless Children's Stories - A Review and a Giveaway

About the Book:

The Beginner’s Bible® has been a favorite with young children and their parents since its release in 1989 with over 25 million products sold. Now it’s redesigned with fresh new art that will excite children for many more years to come. Full of faith and fun, The Beginner’s Bible is a wonderful gift for any child. The easy-to-read text and bright, full-color illustrations on every page make it a perfect way to introduce young children to the stories and characters of the Bible. With new vibrant three-dimensional art and compelling text, more than 90 Bible stories come to life. Kids ages 6 and under will enjoy the fun illustrations of Noah helping the elephant onto the ark, Jonah praying inside the fish, and more, as they discover The Beginner’s Bible just like millions of children before. The Beginner’s Bible was named the 2006 Retailers Choice Award winner in Children’s Nonfiction.

Social Corner:

The Beginner's Bible - Official Website                      Amazon - Available for purchase

Facebook                                                                      Twitter

Now Updated with New Artwork

My Thoughts:

I am delighted to receive this revised Beginner's Bible for review. I am thankful to be able to add this book to my children's collection. Many people will recognize the cover at first sight.  The Beginner's Bible has been a childhood favorite for almost 30 years.  

The book is designed for children 6 and under and the creators/publishers have kept this in mind.  The cover is hard cardboard.  The pages, although not cardboard, are thicker and glossier than standard book print.  

The illustrations are captivating, not only with the vibrant colors, but also the facial expressions.  Both the humans and animals have such intriguing expressions, ranging from surprise to joy to disgust.  I enjoyed flipping through the pages and glancing at many of the illustrations.  

The illustrations are geared to the younger audience in terms of content as well.  While there are several pictures depicting the plagues on Egypt, such as flies swarming,there is no picture for the plague of the firstborn son in each Egyptian family dying.  For the crucifixion of Jesus, the picture only shows Jesus' body below the waist and Mary's hands are covering his nail-driven feet. 

The amount of topics and Bible passages covered is impressive. There are more than 90 stories, split evenly between the Old and New Testament.  Each story states where the passage is located in the Bible.  The 23rd Psalm is a must-see.   A read through of this Beginner's Bible would be a wonderful introduction to many of the most well-known events of the Bible for the preschool and younger elementary ages.

GIVEAWAY: On January 7th, I will choose one reader to receive their own copy of this fantastic children's book.  Just leave a comment on this review or on the Facebook post.  Residents of the continental U.S. only.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

#TheBeginnersBible                #FlyBy

Amy Grant Tennessee Christmas CD Review and Giveaway

I have loved listening to Amy Grant for decades.  So I was super excited when I learned that she had a new album out...and a Christmas one at that.  Yay!  I have been listening to the CD in my car on my way here, there, and everywhere.  There is nothing like beautiful Christmas songs to help boost my Christmas spirit.

The album contains some familiar songs that Amy has given her own style to, as well as some Amy Grant originals.  

My Thoughts:

This CD track list is meant to cover the breadth of emotions people feel around Christmas time...from joy and eager anticipation, to loneliness and sadness.  Some of the songs are uplifting, and some are a tad bit of a "downer."  But that is what Amy intended.  She wanted to reach out to everyone during Christmas time, and meet her fans right where they are, no matter what they might be feeling.  The songs are very mellow and low-key, a little guitar here, a little piano there.  I can almost imagine Amy Grant sitting on a bar stool in a little cafe, playing the guitar and signing while customers sip on tea.  This would be a good CD at the end of a very stressful day, when you just want to put your feet up and close your eyes and the let music carry you away.  Or perfect for at a dinner party, when you want to have background music but don't want your guests to have to shout over the carols.  

Did I enjoy it?  Well, I am listening to it right now as I type this review.  :)

Have a listen for yourself with “To Be Together” on Youtube.

Would you like to purchase the CD on iTunes?

Track List

1. Tennessee Christmas (4:27)
2. To Be Together (4:10)
3. Christmas For You And Me (3:03)
4. Melancholy Christmas (3:02)
5. December (3:29)
6. White Christmas (2:23)
7. Joy To The World (3:08)
8. I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm (3:24)
9. Baby, It’s Cold Outside [feat. Vince Gill] (3:14)
10. Christmas Don’t Be Late (3:16)
11. Still Can’t Sleep (3:11)
12. Another Merry Christmas (2:22)
13. O Come, All Ye Faithful (3:07)

Album length: 13 tracks: 42 minutes, 16 seconds

GIVEAWAY: On December 9, I will choose one reader to receive their own copy of this CD.  Just leave a comment on this review or on the Facebook post.  Residents of the continental U.S. only.

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

BONUS:

All Amy Grant fans are being asked to upload videos of themselves surprising loved ones for the holidays to social media.  Use the hashtag #TNChristmasSurprise.  Those chosen will be part of a compilation video that Amy Grant will share on her large social media outlets!