Sunday, May 6, 2012

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop


It's Children's Book Week! In celebration of all things children's literature, I am featuring children's books at my library branch and participating in this giveaway hop. As always, I am grateful to our wonderful hosts: KidLitFrenzyClassic Children's BooksMymcbooks, and the extraordinary Kathy @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer!

Children's Book Week is the national celebration of books and reading for youth.

Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!

Administered by Every Child A Reader and sponsored by the Children's Book Council, Children's Book Week celebrates the transformative power of literacy.

This information was gathered from Children's Book Week's Website, which you can visit for more about the history and various events occuring this year.

I absolutely adore children's books. I have my very own five year old that rules my house that I get to share my books with. Yes, MY books. When my daughter graced Earth and my life with her presence, I already had a lovely collection of children's books from my own childhood and later years waiting for her. I'm a bibliophile, so it's only gotten worse. Let's just say that a wall in the playroom consists of almost nothing but picture books and easy readers. (I don't share pictures of my books because I'm only one book binge away from hoarders when it comes to kid lit. I take that back - it's neat and organized, just excessive.)

I did not stay with those books long as a small child, as my over-active brain needed more advanced reading. While I was at that stage, my favorite books were the Serendipity books by Stephen Cosgrove, which had beautiful illustrations by Robin James and lovely morality lessons. When I would get done reading the books, I would have to draw the illustrations. (Maybe they played a role in my great love of art!) I had the full collection when I was a child, but I sadly lost them all in a flood back in the 1990s. I have managed to acquire probably 60% of the series, but, unfortunately, many are out of print and quite expensive in good condition. It will be done, though. If you are interested in learning more about the series in general, Stephen Cosgrove has the entire catalog listed on his website.

One of my favorites in the series is Wheedle on the Needle. I have no idea what it was about that big, orange creature, but I fell madly and head-over-heels in love with him.

Wheedle is a very grumpy sasquatch, and with Seattle’s growth, finding a quiet place to sleep is close to impossible. When he heads for the top of the Space Needle and unleashes a never-ending rainfall, everyone stays indoors, and the city is quiet once again. Now, it's the Seattleites who are grumpy — who wants to stay inside all the time? Is there a solution that makes everyone happy? A national bestseller, this beloved picture book had much of its Seattle-centric storyline stripped from later editions. This glorious hardcover keepsake edition brings back the book’s original charm, inviting a new generation of readers to delight in the Wheedle’s adventures.

When I lost this book, I was completely devastated. It was among the first to reenter my collection and is well-loved in my home. When my mother went to Seattle a few years ago, I demanded that she go to the Space Needle to find the Wheedle for me. And would you know it, she did! She thought that she was going to give it to my daughter, but I stole it as soon as she moved on to the next toy. (Yes, he is in my room where he will STAY.)

Since I have subjected you to my long ramblings about children's books, Stephen Cosgrove, Serendipity, and other nonsense leaking from my brain, I suppose I should get to the GIVEAWAY portion of this post. I am offering up a copy of Wheedle on the Needle or any other children's book that you are interested in for  less than $12US (though I hope you choose Wheedle or another book in the series).

Giveaway Requirements
  • Be thirteen (13) years old, have parental consent, or lie about it. (Please don't do that.)
  • Live somewhere that can get shipments from Amazon or the Book Depository for free.
  • Be Awesome.
  • Following is NOT required, but it is always appreciated. Your options are on my sidebar, but I will tell you that I am yet to figure out Linky.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
I hope you enjoyed your visit to Bibliophilia, Please and wish you well as you travel to the other stops on the Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop! If you would like to enter my OTHER GIVEAWAYS before you leave, you are more than welcome to do so. *hugs*

15 comments:

  1. Can I enter to win a book for my kids?? They would be tickled to win a book in the mail.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for the giveaway :D even if i'm already fifteen, i still read Children's books, i just love them! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are AWESOME! And just so you know, MG and YA are technically considered "children's books". ;-)

      Delete
  3. Thanks for the giveaway! When my middle grader loves a book, he always insists I read it too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thanks you a lot, its great to see this celebration perhaps kids ( and older ^^;;) won't think reading is stupid anymore

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love you...you are so funny!
    Thanks for the amazing giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Following you on Twitter! Have a fab day! Renee

    http://motherdaughterbookreviews.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, I absolutely love Serendipity- the illustrations are beautiful. This is a great giveaway- I would love to read about Wheedle! Thanks for the giveaway! I am participating in the hop as well (#60 ~ Fairday's Blog!) Have a great night : ) ~ Jess

    ReplyDelete
  8. Never heard of this series, looks darling!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. i completely forgot about the serendipity books! i loved those growing up and still think about the wheedle on the needle when i see the lights flashing on the tops of buildings at night : ) so glad you reminded me about them! I need to look for my collection!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Awesome contest! And can you believe I've never heard of this book?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PS I tried to friend you on Goodreads, but I'm not sure I knew the answer :(

      Delete
  12. Thanks for the giveaway! ;)

    ReplyDelete

You are going to put words in my box?! *squeezes you* Now I shall stalk YOUR blog!