Dr. Seuss Sweepstakes

Link to Giveaway: http://bit.ly/VXKmE5
Genre: Children's books
How to enter: Facebook sweepstakes
Entry deadline: March 19
Restrictions: ?

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Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style

10 WINNERS!

Title: Fashion: The Definitive History of Costume and Style
Author: DK Publishing
Blog: Phyrra.net
Link to Giveaway: http://www.phyrra.net/2013/03/la-frock-stars.html
Genre: Educational
How to enter: Rafflecopter on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 3/13/13 at 12:01 am EST
Restrictions: US/Canada

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Parenting With Scripture

Title: Parenting With Scripture
Author: Kara Durbin
Blog: 5 Minutes for Mom
Link to Giveaway: http://www.5minutesformom.com/73082/parenting-with-scripture/
Genre: Christian parenting
How to enter: Rafflecopter form on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 3/8
Restrictions: ?

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Parenting With Scripture

Title: Parenting With Scripture
Author: Kara Durbin
Blog: Reading to Know
Link to Giveaway: http://www.readingtoknow.com/2013/02/parenting-with-scripture-by-kara-durbin.html
Genre: Christian parenting
How to enter: Comment on giveaway post
Entry deadline: Monday, March 4th
Restrictions: ?

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The 4th of July Story and Phoebe the Spy

Title: The 4th of July Story; Phoebe the Spy
Blog: Harrington Harmon
Link to Giveaway: http://www.harringtonharmonies.com/2013/02/free-copywork-for-american-revolution.html
Genre: Children's
How to enter: Rafflecopter form on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 3/3
Restrictions: ?

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Clattering Sparrows

Title: Clattering Sparrows
Author: Marilyn S Land
Blog: Beck Valley Books
Link to Giveaway: http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/signed-book-giveaway-clattering.html
Genre: Biographical fiction / General fiction
How to enter: Rafflecopter form on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 12/12/12 at 11:59pm EST
Restrictions: Open worldwide

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Order of the Dimensions

Title: Order of the Dimensions
Author: Irene Helenowski
Blog: Beck Valley Books
Link to Giveaway: http://beckvalleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/signed-book-give-away-order-of.html
Genre: Fantasy
How to enter: Rafflecopter on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 12/8/12 at 11:59pm EST
Restrictions: Open Worldwide

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12 Days of Christmas

Title: My Fold Out 12 Days of Christmas
Author: Barbi Sido
Blog: waddlee-ah-chaa
Link to Giveaway: http://waddleeahchaa.com/2012/12/03/diy-advent-calendar-muffin-tin-book-of-the-week-giveaway/
Genre: Children's book
How to enter: Rafflecopter on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 12/6/12
Restrictions: US resident

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Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise

Title: Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise
Author: Alicia Richardson
Blog: Mymcbooks's Blog
Link to Giveaway: Blog Tour/Giveaway: Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise. Ends Dec 12th
Genre: Children's Christmas book
How to enter: Comment on giveaway post
Entry deadline: December 12th
Restrictions: US only

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Review: Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise

It’s mixed season in our house.  Looking around, I see a stuffed paper pumpkin, colorful autumn leaves, a handprint turkey… a skiing penguin in a snowstorm.  We returned most of our Thanksgiving books to the library today (Junie B. is still waiting to be read by our 5yo), and checked out 20 Christmas classics.Yep, Christmas is beginning its takeover, and I love it!

When given the opportunity to review Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise, I was in the mood for a lighthearted, festive look at the season.  And that is what we’ve enjoyed…  This book is the perfect intro for families who enjoy a “where’s the elf” Christmas tradition.

Synopsis:

Kirby Puckernut is Santa’s cleverest little elf. While dreaming up marvelous toys for good girls and boys, Kirby has his best idea yet – a real elf in every home, all through the holidays, spreading Christmas Magic! Santa finds the perfect family and allows Kirby to serve as the test elf for the first momentous visit.

From December 1st through Christmas Eve, Kirby travels each night to Els Mere to make toys and bring news to Santa, and returns to the family each morning with notes from Santa and other surprises. 

Fun and adventure are at every turn, but not everything goes as planned… Will Kirby’s idea be a success?

About the Author:

Author Alicia Richardson has created a new Christmas classic with her children’s book, Kirby Puckernut and the Christmas Surprise. 

Alicia Richardson resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and four children. She has always had a flair for storytelling, and has given life to a special little elf named Kirby Puckernut.

Illustrator:  Don Seegmiller
Physical Description:  Hardcover, 40 pages
Recommended Age: Children of all ages…
Price:  $17.95 for the book; Elf with book is $39.95
For More Info: http://www.kirbypuckernut.com/
On Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/puckernut?fref=ts

5yo Esmé’s Review:

• The book is about a little elf that changed the lives of one family.  It is great!  My favorite part is where Mr. Harborsen said that they could see if Izzie had a good day or not just by looking at her nails [after receiving a gift of Mood Polish from Kirby].

What Mom Liked:

• Tradition builder.  As previously mentioned, this is the perfect book to start a “where’s the elf” tradition.  It gives a magical background and provides some fun ideas to include in such a tradition.  And fun traditions are one of our kids’ favorite parts of Christmas!
• Quality appearance. This hardback book is colorfully and attractively illustrated, nicely laid out to appeal all book lovers.  It’s got the sparkle that appeals to girls like Esmé without being feminine.
• Interesting storyline.  The book is a nice read-aloud:  long enough for substance and fast-moving enough to read through in one sitting.  Humor is appropriately interspersed throughout.
• Variety of characters. The kids in the family include a 13yo girl, a 10yo boy, a preschooler, and a lovable Mocha dog:  a nice mix that most children will be able to relate to. 
• Family values.  I also appreciate the solid family structure the book portrays.  And the ultimate elf magic is not so much the tiny tree that turns into a huge, beautiful, white-flocked Christmas tree, as it is the sense of forgiveness, love, family ties that emerge in spite of adversity – dad’s broken leg, kids sick with flu and all.

While most Christmas favorites in our house have a nativity theme rather than a Santa theme, Esmé and I have enjoyed the fun and magic in this book and are thrilled to include it in our Christmas collection.

Those who’ve followed this blog know we have a special interest in parts of Africa, most recently having worked in Mozambique for an organization that is building churches and schools.  We sponsor a child in Kenya, and I love the fact that for every book sold, $1 will be donated to Kenya Keys, an organization that provides educational and leadership opportunities for youth in Kenya.  There is a craving, a desperate self-sacrificing of even food, by many Africans for learning and education that we take for granted over here.  One of author Alicia Richardson’s family traditions is supporting Kenya Keys – and I’d love to see more of us make a holiday tradition of giving…


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Disclaimer: Thanks to the author and MediaGuests for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are our own.
More stops on the review tour:

November 27th, 2012 - Winning Readings
November 28th, 2012 - Must Read Faster
November 29th, 2012 - Simply Stacie
December 1st, 2012 - The Friendly Book Nook
December 1st, 2012 - Callista's Ramblings
December 3rd, 2012 - Readathon
December 4th, 2012 - 4 The Love of Books

The Sparkle Box

Title: The Sparkle Box
Author: Jill Hardie
Blog: Joy in Our Journey
Link to Giveaway: http://www.joyinourjourney.com/1/post/2012/10/the-sparkle-box-review-and-giveaway.html
Genre: Children's Christmas
How to enter: Rafflecopter on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 11/6
Restrictions: US AND international readers welcome
 
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A Confident Heart

Title: A Confident Heart
Author: Renee Swope
Blog: Renee Swope
Link to Giveaway: http://reneeswope.com/2012/10/when-you-feel-like-youre-not-enough/Genre: Christian nonfiction
How to enter: Comment on giveaway post
Entry deadline: ?
Restrictions: ?

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Educate the Home Educator

Title: Educate the Home Educator Crash Course ebook
Author: Angie McFarren
Blog: H.O.P.E. Home School Consulting
Link to Giveaway: http://hopehomeschoolconsulting.com/blog/product-giveaway-the-educate-the-home-educator-crash-course/
Genre: Parenting/homeschooling - ebook
How to enter: Rafflecoptor on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 10/11/12
Restrictions: ?

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I Say, You Say

Title: I Say, You Say series
Author: Blog: Classic Children's Books
Link to Giveaway: http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com/2012/09/series-review-i-say-you-say-by-tad.html
Genre: Children's book (toddlers/preschoolers)
How to enter: Rafflecopter on giveaway post
Entry deadline: 10/7
Restrictions: ?

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The Last Egret

Title: The Last Egret  (The Adventures of Charlie Pierce series)
Author: Harvey Oyer III
Blog: Facebook giveaway
Link to Giveaway: https://www.facebook.com/CharliePierceBooks/app_162850930432266
Genre: Children's book, adventure, historical; ages 6-11
How to enter:  "Like" the Charlie Pierce Facebook page and enter name and email address in form (link takes you directly there with guided instructions)
Entry deadline: October 9th at 4:00pm
Restrictions: US residents only

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