Easter, Reading, signed books

EASTER BASKET JOY: THREE Book Giveaway

The daffodils are blooming. The bunnies are hopping. Spring is here! So now, in celebration of a new season and new birth and a new book, I’m in the mood for a Easter-y giveaway with not one, not two, but THREE of my books that are perfect for your Easter basket.

Here’s what I’m offering: One winner will receive a three-book bundle that includes one SIGNED copy each of the following: MY TENDER HEART BIBLE (Paraclete Press) , LITTLE EWE (Beaming Books) and BUNNY FINDS EASTER (Zonderkidz).

About the Books:

MY TENDER HEART BIBLE:

With sweet, rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, this sturdy board book features beloved and classic Bible stories for beginner readers. Bestselling author Laura Sassi pairs simple yet creative paraphrasing of Old and New Testament re-tellings with a “Heart Moment” for families to read aloud and pray. Scripture references are noted with each story that tell of God’s redemption plan for even more exploration together!

LITTLE EWE: THE STORY OF ONE LOST SHEEP:

In Little Ewe: The Story of One Lost Sheep, award-winning author Laura Sassi and illustrator Tommy Doyle tell an endearing tale of a distracted sheep and her persistent shepherd, inspired by the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15.

Little Ewe would rather jump on logs and investigate spider webs than follow the shepherd when he calls. But what happens when she gets lost? How will she find her way home? Told in whimsical rhyme, this humorous counting book for our littlest ones is a delightful reminder that, like a loving parent, our Shepherd will find us and care for us, even when we wander from the path.

BUNNY FINDS EASTER:

As Bunny bounces through her day she encounters various items that are connected to Easter including colorful Easter eggs, hot cross buns, an Easter bonnet, lilies and an Easter Egg Hunt. All these are fun, but it’s not until she arrives at church and all rise to sing the good news of Easter that Bunny realizes what it’s really about — Jesus!

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY:

Entering is easy. Just follow my blog and leave a comment. If you want an extra entry, share about the giveaway on your socials and let me know. One winner will receive a three-book bundle that includes one SIGNED copy each of the following: MY TENDER HEART BIBLE (Paraclete Press) , LITTLE EWE (Beaming Books) and BUNNY FINDS EASTER (Zonderkidz). (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident and at least 18 years old to enter.) GIVEAWAY ends Monday, March 27th 11:59 pm. Winner will be announced the next day.

board books, Easter, podcast, review

The BUNNY FINDS EASTER Bunny Hop Continues with… a Review, a Podcast and a BIG Giveaway!

So many fun things to share this week as Bunny hops her way towards Easter. First, be sure to check out this fresh-off-the-press review for BUNNY FINDS EASTER from author Rebecca Gomez. She’s a real stickler for rhyme… and she loved it! (Phew.) And this cute little fella weighed in as well. Isn’t he darling? Here’s the link: https://www.rebeccajgomez.com/2022/03/review-bunny-finds-easter-by-laura.html

Also, last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mel Rosenberg for his “You’ve Got Mel” podcast. Enjoy it and all his other interviews with children’s authors on the New Book Network. Here’s the link: https://newbooksnetwork.com/bunny-finds-easter

Finally, Zonderkidz is sponsoring a 25 book giveaway of BUNNY FINDS EASTER on Goodreads. Be sure to enter. While you are there, please add the book to your “to-read” list. That will help others to discover it. And after you read it, or any of my books, if you could also leave a review, that would be wonderful. Good or bad, every review helps. Thank you! Here’s the link to the giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/340275-bunny-finds-easter

Etc., Picture Books

And the Winner of LITTLE MOLE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT is…

I’m delighted to announce that the winner of last week’s special giveaway,  a brand new copy of LITTLE MOLE’S CHRISTMAS GIFT is…

Melissa D!!

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you today so we can get the book to you.

Thank everyone who took the time to comment. And thank you to Glenys for writing the book and to Beaming Books for publishing it and providing today’s winning copy. Happy reading and writing, and remember that signs of hope are everywhere. Blessings all!

Etc.

And the winner of Noelle’s book is…

I’m delighted to announce that the winner of this week’s special giveaway,  a signed copy of HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE PURPOSE: THE SIX-STEP JOURNEY TO GOD’ BEST by Rev. Noelle Kirchner, M. Div. is…

Ginny N.!!!

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you today so Noelle can get the book to you.

Thank you, Noelle for writing this thoughtful study in the first place, and for providing the winning copy! 

Happy reading all!

Etc., Picture Books

And the winner of EL AMOR ES BONDADOSO is…

I’m delighted to announce that the winner of last week’s special giveaway,  a brand new copy of EL AMOR ES BONDADOSO (Vida Editorial, 2019) written by Laura Sassi and illustrated by Lison Chaperon is…

Pamela H!!

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you shortly so we can get the book to you.

Thank everyone who took the time to comment. Happy reading and writing, and keep spreading love and kindness!

Etc., Miscellaneous

And the Winner of LITTLE MOLE FINDS HOPE is…

I’m delighted to announce that the winner of last week’s special giveaway,  a brand new copy of LITTLE MOLE FINDS HOPE is…

Debbie A!!

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you today so we can get the book to you.

Thank everyone who took the time to comment. And thank you to Glenys for writing the book and to Beaming Books for publishing it and providing today’s winning copy. Happy reading and writing, and remember that signs of hope are everywhere. Blessings all!

Etc.

And the Winner is…

I’m delighted to announce that the winner of last week’s special giveaway, a brand new copy of Amy Hout’s picture book, GOD’S PROTECTION COVERS ME, published by Beaming Books, and illustrated by David Creighton-Pester is…

Annette!!!!!

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you so we can get the book to you.

Thanks again, Amy, for stopping by to chat about the book and for providing the winning copy.  Happy reading, all!

faith, Guest Blog, Inspiration

HAPPY WORLD KINDNESS DAY!

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Did you know that today is WORLD KINDNESS DAY?  But where does this gift of kindness and love begin? It begins in our hearts — and in the hearts of our children. And it’s never too early nor late to nurture it. One easy way to do that is to let children brainstorm concrete ways that they can show kindness each day.
So today, in celebration of World Kindness Day (and really every day should be kindness day), I’m over at Noelle Kirchner’s blog with a special LOVE IS KIND guest post sharing a list of ways to be kind from kids from across the country! My wish is that their heartwarming ideas will jumpstart a nice conversation with your own children!
So grab that cup of coffee and head on over. I’ll make it easy for you.  Here’s the link.

Oh, and there’s a GIVEAWAY for one brand new copy of LOVE IS KIND!

Etc.

And the winner is…

20180409_154659 (2)I’m delighted to announce that the winner of last week’s special giveaway, a fresh off the press two-book bundle of Glenys Nellist’s adorable new board books, GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL and GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL, illustrated by Estelle Corke and published by Zonderkidz,  is…

Jennifer S.!!!!!

Congratulations!  I will be in touch with you today so we can get the book to you.

Thanks again, Glenys, for sharing your five fun facts about your newest books. I’d also like to thank Zonderkidz for providing the winning book bundle.  Happy Friday, all!

author spotlight, Guest Blog, Picture Books, Reading

GUEST POST: FIVE Fun FACTS about TWO FUN NEW BOOKS from Best-Selling Author GLENYS NELLIST! (AND A GIVEAWAY!)

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Today I’m delighted to feature the wonderful Glenys Nellist as my guest. Glenys is the author 12 fabulous books – including her best-selling LOVE LETTERS FROM GOD series with five books out and more on the way.  She’s also the author of the adorable SNUGGLE TIME series.  Last December, she was here for an interview to celebrate the release of her clever and gorgeous ‘TWAS THE EVENING OF CHRISTMAS, a heart-warming Christmas tale told to the cadence of Clement C. Moore’s famous poem. And today we’re here to celebrate the release of two darling rhyming board books that celebrate the special bonds between and mothers/children and fathers/children. With simple rhyming text and sweet illustrations, these are sure to be a perennial hit.  And now, as a fun way of introducing the books, here’s Glenys with FIVE FUN FACTS about the books. (And be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post!) Take it away, Glenys!

FIVE Fun Facts About GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL & GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL

by Glenys Nellist

FUN FACT #1: They Weren’t my Idea!

That’s right—you did read that correctly… GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL and GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL were not my idea! Almost three years ago I pitched a new children’s book manuscript to my editor and anxiously awaited her response. When it came, it went something like this:  

Hi Glenys, thanks for submitting your new book proposal. Unfortunately, it’s not a good fit for us at the moment. However… I am looking for new titles featuring mommies & daddies. If you have any ideas for those sorts of books, I’ll be happy to take a look.

Any author would be crazy not to give their editor what they are looking for… and the books were born! Now, whenever my editor and I meet for lunch, I always ask her this five-word question: What are you looking for? Then I come home and try to write it.

FUN FACT #2: Why the Mommy Cover Has a Heart-Shaped ‘O’…

Take a peek at the cover of GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL…

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Can you guess why the ‘O’ is heart-shaped? It’s because in England, where I’m from, and where I’ll shortly be marketing the book, we don’t say Mom. Instead, we say Mum. So the marketing team at Zonderkidz decided to shape the ‘O’ so that it could also be seen as a ‘U’. Aren’t they clever?

FUN FACT #3: The Books Can Be Used in a Fun Guessing Game

One of my favorite things to do as an author is to visit schools and read to children. With these books, I’ve found a wonderful guessing game that children LOVE to participate in. Before showing them the pictures, I read each poem and they have to guess the animal. Listen carefully, I tell them. The clues are in the words. 

Try it with your little one. Read this poem and have them guess the daddy animal. (Answer below)

Come and meet my daddy

He stands up nice and tall.

And even though he’s on one leg,

I’ve never see him fall.

Every time I wobble,

He helps me stand up straight.

God made Daddy special—

He’s really, really great!

FUN FACT #4: The Illustrations are Better Than I Imagined

It’s a very scary thing for an author to hand their manuscript over and trust that the illustrator will be a good fit. I needn’t have worried at all with these books!  Estelle Corke did a FABULOUS job, especially with Daddy Skunk, which is my favorite part of the daddy book! 20170621_161622.jpg

FUN FACT #5: There Might Be a Grandma and Grandpa Version in the Wings…

Sshh… don’t tell anyone, but I already have GOD MADE GRANDMA SPECIAL and GOD MADE GRANDPA SPECIAL written in my head! Depending on sales of the mommy and daddy books, then I’m hoping that Grandma and Grandpa will be joining them on the shelves… fingers crossed for that!

Thank you, Glenys, for those five fun facts.  And best wishes for your continued success! 

AUTHOR PHOTOBIO: Coordinator of Children’s Ministry for the West Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church. Zondervan children’s book author of twelve titles, including two popular series: Love Letters from God and Snuggle Time. Glenys is a writer with a passion for God, her family, and children’s ministry. Find out more about Glenys and her books here:

 

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!!

If you’d like a chance to win a FREE  two-book bundle that includes one copy each of GOD MADE MOMMY SPECIAL and GOD MADE DADDY SPECIAL both written by Glenys Nellist and illustrated by Estelle Corke, let me know in a comment below. (NOTE: Must be U.S. resident with a street address (as opposed to a P.O. Box and at least 18 years old to enter.) The giveaway ends Monday, 5/21/18 at 12:01 am EST. The winner will be announced that day!

Finally… the answer to the poem in FUN FACT #3 is:  Daddy Flamingo!