Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop


Thanks to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Jen at I Read Banned Books for hosting this blog hop giveaway.  Don't forget to check the Mr. Linky below to connect to the other blogs that are participating in the Giveaway Hop.

My thoughts on Banned and Challenged Books:
Since 1982, the American Library Association has joined in with various booksellers, publishers, and library associations to celebrate the freedom to read.   If you have never looked at some of the lists for banned or challenged books, you may be surprised to find out what is on it.

Go check them out...this post isn't going anywhere.


Banned and Challenged Classics

100 Most Frequently Challenged Books by Decade


Were you surprised that some of your favorites were on that list?  Two of my favorite children's authors - Judy Blume and Katherine Paterson are on the list numerous times.  It almost seems that every book I loved has made it to the Banned or Challenged list at some point.

As part of the Giveaway Hop, I am giving away a Banned or Challenged Book to a lucky reader.  Pick a book under $15 on Amazon, and if your name is selected (remember to fill out the form below), I will send it to you.

Join in on 30 years of celebrating the freedom to read and consider joining in on Banned Books Virtual Read-Out.

Check out this video created by the Association of American Publishers asking acclaimed authors about what Banned Books they are reading:



Rules for the Giveaway:
1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on September 28th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on October 6th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.


Ivy & Bean Day Blog-a-Bration Week 7

And the count down to the 1st Annual International Ivy & Bean Day continues.  This week Chronicle Books is giving away a copy of Ivy & Bean Book 7: What's the Big Idea to one lucky winner and a set of mini-note cards to 3 other winners. Click here to check out the Ivy & Bean official page.

This isn't going to help with Global Warming, but couldn't you just see Ivy & Bean writing secret messages to one another using Invisible Ink?  Thanks to Morgan over in the Kid's Department at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena for the idea.  As we chatted about book 7, science fairs, Ivy & Bean, we couldn't help but think that both Ivy & Bean would love this idea.

Here is a video on how to make Invisible Ink:



Here is a different recipe from Kidzworld.com on how to make invisible ink:

Invisible Ink the Baking Soda Way 
Mix about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of baking soda and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water. Next, write using a Q-tip, toothpick or brush on a piece of paper. Let it dry completely. To read the secret message, paint grape juice concentrate across the paper with a paint brush or a sponge. Don't forget - grape juice stains. Why it works: Grape juice has an acid that reacts with the baking soda. A different color appears wherever the secret message is written.

Other Bloggers celebrating Ivy & Bean Blog-a-Bration:

                     Media Darlings                                  
                     There's A Book                                  
                    In the Pages                                      
                      The O.W.L.                                         
                  Coquette Maman                            
                   Ruth Ayres Writes                           
Watch. Connect. Read.
                 One Page to the Next                    
                 Van Meter Library Voice               
               The Family That Reads Together
                Roundtable Reviews for Kids      
                 Sharpread                                    
                                                               The Children's Book Review    

This week's giveaway will run from September 27th to September 29th.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway by filling in the form at the bottom of the page.

The Winners of this week's giveaways will be entered into the Grand Prize Giveaway.  Thanks Chronicle Books for this great prize pack:


A complete set of Ivy and Bean hardcover books signed by Annie Barrows 

1 set of Ivy and Bean Paper Dolls 

1 Ivy and Bean Button Factory 

1 Ivy and Bean READ Poster signed by Annie Barrows 

Set of Ivy and Bean Silly Bandz · Set of Ivy and Bean stickers 

AND – a super-secret really cool prize we’re working on (stay tuned!) 


Book Review & Blog Tour - Woodrow The White House Mouse

Author: Peter Barnes
Illustrator: Cheryl Barnes
Publisher: Little Patriots Press (republished September 10, 2012)
Source: Copy for Review
Audience: Ages 5 to 7
Fiction * Election/Government * Stories in Rhyme

Description from GoodReads:
Woodrow G. Washingtail is back and ready to get to work as Commander-in-Cheese of the United Mice of America! A follow-up to Woodrow for President, Woodrow, the White House Mouse teaches children about the presidency, as well as the art, architecture and history of the White House. Written and illustrated by the bestselling and award-winning duo, Peter and Cheryl Barnes, Woodrow, the White House Mouse delights and amuses children as they learn about everything from inauguration day and the president’s duties to the Easter egg roll and the East Wing. Perfect for kids 5-8 years old, children will be educated and entertained as President Washingtail and his family work and play in the greatest mouse house of all

My thoughts on the book:
Husband and wife team, Peter and Cheryl Barnes have created a story that seeks to provide younger children with an understanding of the presidential election and life in the White House in their book Woodrow The White House Mouse.  Originally published in 1998 by VSP Books, Woodrow the White House Mouse has been republished through Little Patriots Press in time for the 2012 Presidential Election.

In this story, Woodrow G. Washingtail has been elected president of the mice of this nation.  He and his family co-exist in the White House.  The story follows Woodrow from the inauguration to daily activities to special events.  Additionally, there is some information about signing a bill into law and also the various departments of the government.  Children are also given an inside peek into the rooms of the White House through the mouse family and their activities.  

 At the end of the book, there are several pages of resources for parents and teachers about the Presidency, the White House, and fun facts.  Young children will enjoy the look at the life of a President from the eyes of a mouse.

Look for Woodrow The White House Mouse at your local library.

For more information about Peter and Cheryl Barnes: website


 Thank you to TLC for organizing the blog tour.  Here is a link to all of the stops: Woodrow The White House Mouse Blog Tour
 

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - Island: A Story of the Galápagos

Author/Illustrator: Jason Chin
Publisher: Roaring Book Press/Macmillan (September 18, 2012)
Source: Personal Copy
Audience: Grades 2nd to 5th
Habitats * Evolution * Ecology * Nonfiction

Description from Publisher's Website:
Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos Islands almost 200 years ago, only to discover a land filled with plants and animals that could not be found anywhere else on earth. How did they come to inhabit the island? How long will they remain?

Thoroughly researched and filled with intricate and beautiful paintings, this extraordinary book by Award-winning author and artist Jason Chin is an epic saga of the life of an island—born of fire, rising to greatness, its decline, and finally the emergence of life on new islands.

My thoughts on this book:  

In my "It's Monday!" post, I mentioned to stop by and check out this post to see what book was a "WOW" for me.  Here it is: Island: A Story of the Galápagos by Jason Chin.   This  is Chin's third book that he has written and illustrated.  His first book Redwoods shared the story of the California Redwood Forest.  Next came Coral Reefs, and now Island.  With each book, Chin puts his own twist into the story.  With Island, Chin starts with the Birth - Six Million Years Ago.     


With the "eruption of a volcano, an island is born".  - I love the colors and texture in this illustration.

Through a number of eruptions, and then the arrival of a seed, and the arrival of living creatures the evolution of this island moves forward. 

I love how Chin moves from full page illustrations to smaller size ones and to even mid-size or half-page pictures.  Each picture works to tell the story of this island over millions of years.

The combination of text and illustrations made this book just come alive for me.  I just wanted to share it with others as I read it.  Actually, I did share it with my bookseller friends while I was reading it in the store.  I told them that this was one book that was coming home with me.

Part of what amazed me with this story was how the shrinking or growth of the island influenced the presence of wildlife or the changes in types of living creatures. Until eventually, there is no island. 

Currently, there are 15 islands which will again grow and evolve over time. 

If you pick up Island (and I hope you do), I encourage you to find his other titles as well.  Look for all of Chin's books at your local library or pick up a copy for your favorite classroom or school library.  Don't forget to shop Indie if you are able.  

For more information about Jason Chin:  website | facebook | twitter


Don't forget to link up your nonfiction picture book reviews:

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (40)


It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

September has been filled with wonderful author events on the weekends which has been a mixed blessing.  On the one hand, I love meeting authors and talking books with other book lovers.  On the other hand, no time for reading.

This weekend Bridge to Books worked with Barnes & Noble in Glendale to host the YA Rising Stars Event.  I got to hang with Jesse Andrews, Kathy McCullough, Lissa Price, Sherry Shahan, Ann Stampler, Lisa M. Stasse, Carol Tanzman, and Allen Zadoff. 


Can I count this as part of my "What are you reading?"  :-)

Here are some of the things that jumped out over the past week:

From the stack of picture books this week, I only have two that I want to share.


The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewart; Illustrated by David Small

And one more that you will have to wait until Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday to find out what book was a WOW for me!

So what are you reading?