Dinosaur Train Book Giveaway {“Get Caught Reading” Month}

Early literacy is a cause I am passionate about so I am proud to be participating in this Dinosaur Train promotion to help share information about Get Caught Reading month. Get Caught Reading is a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. May is Get Caught Reading month, but the campaign is promoted throughout the year.

Research has proven that early language experience stimulates a child’s brain to grow and reading to children gives them a huge advantage when they start school. Member organizations of the Association of American Publishers (AAP) participate in a variety of ways in Get Caught Reading to encourage people of all ages to enjoy books and magazines and to share that pleasure with the young children in their lives.

Image from GetCaughtReading.org

As part of the Get Caught Reading campaign, Buddy, from Dinosaur Train, is depicted “caught reading” in posters made available to teachers and parents for use in classrooms, libraries and other locations. The “Buddy” poster is available here. Posters are FREE plus a $5.00 charge per set (1 – 12 posters) for shipping and handling! The order form is available here.

In Guess Who, Buddy!, “What’s that dinosaur?” is the question Buddy needs to answer as he plays a guessing game with his friends. Kids can play along with Buddy by reading the playful descriptive text for each hidden character, guessing the dinosaur, then lifting the flap to see if they are right!  A surprise pop-up at the end of the story adds to the charm of this fun book. SRP $10.99. Ages 2 and up.

GIVEAWAY

Guess Who, Buddy! Book

HOW TO ENTER

{Do any or all of the following, leave a separate comment for each you do}

1) Leave a comment telling me what celebrity or character you or your child would like to “get caught reading”

2) Follow @aliciamarie112 on Twitter

3) Follow @hensonparents on Twitter

4) Like Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

5) Like Dinosaur Train on Facebook

6) Share this giveaway on a social network

7) Enter another one of my giveaways {found here}

Giveaway ends May 31, 2012 at 11:59pm Central time. US Only.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. Thoughts about literacy are my own. The other information is courtesy of Dinosaur Train.)

The God Box {Book Review & Giveaway}

I received a copy of The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan to review. This book came out on Tuesday, just in time for Mother’s Day!

About The Book:

After her mother Mary Finlayson dies, her daughter uncovers 10 of her God boxes spanning over 20 years of her life.  The boxes are stuffed with tiny notes written by Mary, asking and praying for everything from the right flooring for her daughter’s new home to a cure for her own blood cancer. Mary’s petitions are presented with love and without expectation. Note by note, author Mary Lou Quinlan unearths insights into her mother’s compassion, faith, and perseverance, and revelations of her innermost thoughts—nostalgic, surprising, and even a bit shocking. And through the journey, the author discovers her own more empathetic, more engaged self—the woman her mother had believed in all along.

My Thoughts:

Though this book is based on a mom’s faith in God, I think that anyone, regardless of their beliefs, would benefit from reading this book. It was an easy read and was split into chapters that could be read in short periods of time. I loved that she tells the story of her mom’s life, and of her own life, using the notes that her mom had written throughout the years. I also enjoyed trying to decipher the handwriting on the assortment of notes that Mary Lou had included in the pages of the book and reading the mom’s heartfelt prayers about everything from small, seemingly “silly” things to life-threatening illnesses.

Reading this book has inspired me to make a God Box of my own. Writing down my day to day prayers would serve as not only a way for me to communicate with God throughout the day but would also help me let go of negative thoughts and worries. Too often I hold on to things without fully giving them over to God and I think that the simple act of putting my concerns into written prayers would let me move past them and not focus on them.

The book also made me think about the memories that I am leaving my children. I’m still in my 20’s but I already have a hard time remembering things that happened only months ago. Leaving bits and pieces of my life behind on scraps of paper would give them an insight into who I was other than “mom” and would share moments of my life that they otherwise might never know.

The God Box Online:

*****
GIVEAWAY:

One reader will win their own copy of The God Box by Mary Lou Quinlan

HOW TO ENTER:

Tell me why you want to read this book {or why you want to win it for a loved one if it’s going to be a gift}

OPTIONAL ENTRY:

For one extra entry you can share this review and giveaway post on the social network of your choosing

{Make sure you leave a separate comment telling me you did so.}

Giveaway ends May 10, 2012 at 11:59pm Central Time. US Only.

(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to review but all thoughts are my own.)

Spring Cleaning Book Giveaway Hop- “365 Games Babies Play”

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer is hosting the “Spring Cleaning Book Giveaway Hop” where over 150 bloggers are spring cleaning their book shelves to offer you all some great books.

For my giveaway I am offering a book for parents and grandparents called “365 Games Babies Play”. The book looks like it’s brand new. It had great activity ideas for children birth through fifteen months but now my kids are too old for it.

Here’s a link to the book on Amazon (mine is a different edition though) where you can find more information and read reviews.

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment telling me why you want to win.

OPTIONAL ENTRY:

Share this giveaway on a social network and leave the link in the comments below.

Giveaway ends on March 25, 2012 at 11:59pm CST. US only.

(Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. The book is from my bookshelf.)

Find more participating blogs over at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop

Welcome to the Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A WriterJinky is Reading.

I am giving away a copy of Diary Of A Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson. I just started reading this book but have enjoyed the first couple of chapters. I will have a full review of it when I’m done reading it :)

Here’s some information about the book, taken from Amazon.com: “In Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, Marla takes her readers for a hilarious romp through her days as an L.A. matchmaker and her daily struggles to keep her self-esteem from imploding in a town where looks are everything and money talks. From juggling the demands her out-of-touch clients to trying her best to meet the capricious demands of an insensitive boss to the ups and downs of her own marriage to a Latin husband who doesn’t think that she is ‘domestic’ enough, Marla writes with charm and self-effacement about the universal struggles that all women face in their lives. Readers will laugh, cringe, and cry as they journey with her through outrageous stories about the indignities of dating in Los Angeles, dealing with overblown egos, vicariously hobnobbing with celebrities, and navigating the wannabe-land of Beverly Hills. In a city where perfection is almost a prerequisite, even Marla can’t help but run for the Botox every once in a while.”

Want to win a copy for yourself?

Leave a comment telling me why you want to win this

Extra entries can be earned by doing any or all of the following and leaving a separate comment for the ones you do:

1) Share this giveaway on a social network

2) Follow Marla on Twitter

3) Follow me on Twitter

4) Subscribe to this blog via RSS or email {look in upper right hand corner}

***

Giveaway ends March 5, 2012 at 11:59pm Central time. US only.

(Disclosure: I received a copy for review but all thoughts are my own.)

***

Find more book giveaways here.

{Giveaway} Romancing The Books Blog Hop

Romancing The Book Blog Hop

Welcome to the Romancing The Books Giveaway Hop with Delighted Reader and Livre D’ Amour! A bunch of bloggers have come together with a common goal– to offer lots of romance books to our readers! :)

When I think of romance novels my very favorite author is Nora Roberts. Nora has written close to 200 books and has been on the New York Times best seller list over 150 times. Those numbers amaze me! Each one of her books I have read is hard to put down and the characters in her books really come to life with her descriptions of them and the words she writes.

GIVEAWAY:

One reader will win the Nora Roberts paperback book of their choice

(from amazon.com)

HOW TO ENTER:

(Do any or all of the following, leave a comment for each)

1) Tell me which Nora Roberts book you would love to read

2) Follow me on Twitter

3) Like Making Time For Mommy on Facebook

4) Follow me on Pinterest

5) Share this giveaway on a social network

6) Enter another one of my giveaways {found here}

Giveaway ends February 14, 2012 at 11:59pm Central time. US only.

(Disclosure: All thoughts are my own. This giveaway isn’t associated with Facebook in any way.)


Autographed Copy Of ‘The Attitude Girl’ {Young Adult Book Giveaway Hop}

This giveaway hop  is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Down The Rabbit Hole. Almost 250 bloggers are offering giveaways for young adult books.
MY GIVEAWAY:
A signed copy of the award winning book, The Attitude Girl, by Mila Bernadkin.
***
Jam packed with emotional conflict, trials and tribulations, romance, and humor, The Attitude Girl follows outspoken, materialistic 17-year-old Vicky on her rocky road to becoming an adult as she struggles with bullying, financial setbacks, idealism, loss and forgiveness along the way. Her attitude is her rock! Author Ludmila “Mila” Bernadkin draws on her experience as a teacher, mother and advanced graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature to create this compelling, award-winning story, which identifies with the tremulous world of confusing emotions and mixed messages of “maturity” today’s teens live in as they feel their way through the process of becoming young adults.
:::
Review coming soon!
:::
GIVEAWAY:
(Do any or all of the following, leave a comment for each you do)
1) Tell me who you want to win this book for
2) Share this giveaway on a social network
3) Enter another one of my giveaways (found here)
***
Giveaway ends January 31, 2012 at 11:59pm Central time. US Only.
***
(Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review.)
***
Find more young adult book giveaways here!

Fantastic Flight {Children’s Picture Book Giveaway}

Fantastic Flight

Written by Barbara Bockman

Illustrated by Jack Foster

{REVIEW BY PAMELA OF MOM DOES REVIEWS}

Let your imagination take you away!

Barbara Bockman, my writing mentor, friend and wonderfully creative author, has graciously allowed me to review and giveaway a signed copy of her new picture book. Fantastic Flight is just that, a fantastically, fun adventure with a homesick Jessica and her Grandpa. Jessica is visiting her grandparent’s beach house, but is really ready to go home. Grandpa takes her on an outing she will never forget. Their magical journey takes them to Cloud 9 , to a helpful pelican, a butterfly in need of directions and to the unfriendly birds who pops their balloon. Fantastic Flight is action packed; you never want to stop turning the colorful pages! It was so much fun, my 9 year old son loved reading it to me! His only question was when does Jessica come back for another fantastic flight with Grandma this time.

My son and I have read it at least three times. We are still trying to figure out which part is our favorite, since we loved the whole thing! Justin decided he loved the part where the unfriendly birds pop their balloon. Of course, boys like those parts. My favorite part is where Jessica helps the butterfly find her way to Mexico and get her tiny suitcase and map back after a crash with the Pelican’s banner.

I would recommend this book for children ages 4 to 8.

The artwork is fantastic, just like the flight! Jack Foster is very talented. I think he captured Barbara’s story just perfectly. I love the characters’ facial expressions, the action effects and the little details like the water squishing out of their shoes.

Mom Does Reviews gives Fantastic Flight 5 out of 5 Fantastic Stars! Don’t miss this one. Great picture book for your little one, loved one or grandchildren.

If you can’t wait to win this giveaway, you can buy Fantastic Flight right here.

The giveaway starts 1/21 and ends 1/29. Open to US only.

Enter via Rafflecopter over at Mom Does Reviews!

November Giveaway Hop {For Book Lovers}


Welcome to The November Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A WriterTristi Pinkston! 200 fabulous blogs are each hosting a giveaway for something a reader, author or blogger would enjoy so make sure to check out the list of blogs at the bottom of this post to see all of the giveaways being offered.

For my giveaway there will be 2 books given away, each with a different winner. These are the books I am giving away:

Book Choice #1: The Silent Girl by Tess Gerritsen

“No one takes readers to the dark side and back with more razor-sharp jolts and sheer suspense than the storytelling master behind Ice Cold and The Keepsake. When New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen has a tale to tell, put yourself in her expert hands—and prepare for the shocks and thrills that are certain to follow.

Every crime scene tells a story. Some keep you awake at night. Others haunt your dreams. The grisly display homicide cop Jane Rizzoli finds in Boston’s Chinatown will do both.

In the murky shadows of an alley lies a female’s severed hand. On the tenement rooftop above is the corpse belonging to that hand, a red-haired woman dressed all in black, her head nearly severed. Two strands of silver hair—not human—cling to her body. They are Rizzoli’s only clues, but they’re enough for her and medical examiner Maura Isles to make the startling discovery: that this violent death had a chilling prequel.

Nineteen years earlier, a horrifying murder-suicide in a Chinatown restaurant left five people dead. But one woman connected to that massacre is still alive: a mysterious martial arts master who knows a secret she dares not tell, a secret that lives and breathes in the shadows of Chinatown. A secret that may not even be human. Now she’s the target of someone, or something, deeply and relentlessly evil.

Cracking a crime resonating with bone-chilling echoes of an ancient Chinese legend, Rizzoli and Isles must outwit an unseen enemy with centuries of cunning—and a swift, avenging blade.

***


Book Choice #2: The Portrait by Hazel Statham

“Severely injured at the battle of Salamanca, Edward Thurston, the new Earl of Sinclair, returns home to his beloved Fly Hall. Determined not to present his prospective bride with the wreck he believes himself to have become, he decides to end his betrothal, unaware that Lady Jennifer, for vastly differing reasons, has reached the selfsame decision.

Throughout the campaigns, Edward was often seen relying greatly on a miniature he carried, and it is to this token he clings upon his return. Will he eventually find happiness with the girl in the portrait, or will he remain firm in his resolve not to wed? Reason dictates one course, his heart another.”

GIVEAWAY

One reader will win The Silent Girl and one reader will win The Portrait.

Both books are hardcover.

HOW TO ENTER

Mandatory Entry:

1) Tell me which book you would like

Optional Entries:

Subscribe to my blog via email or RSS (look in upper right corner of site)

Enter another one of my giveaways (can be found here)

Giveaway ends on November 11, 2011 at 11:59pm EST. US Only.

(Disclosure: I received these books for free but was not compensated to share about them on my blog.)

Want more chances to win??

Check out the other participating blogs below!