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Squashed- Beyond the Book Activity and Giveaway

9/23/2022

 
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Dooney Press. All opinions are my own.
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Book Information

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Written and Illustrated by Meaghan Tosi
Based on a Story by Thomas Tosi
Ages 6-12 | 80 Pages
Publisher: Dooney Press
ISBN-13: 9781954782051
Publisher’s Book Summary: Aah! Dude! It moved!
Can the mysterious shuddering pumpkin the three kids found in the forest be alive? They’re going to find out when they lift it from its resting place and carry it home. But what happens if someone or something comes looking for it?
This evocative graphic novel is spooky yet ultimately gentle and charming. It presents a tale of unfounded fear of those who are different and the similarities we all share. Told in richly stylized full-color artwork from illustrator Meaghan Tosi whose previous work Kirkus Reviews praised as delightful.
Buy Here
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Download Template

Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win an awesome Dooney Press Gift Pack of books and more fun goodies!  Giveaway ends October 7, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:
Dooney Press Gift Pack:
ONE hardcover book "Squashed"
ONE paperback book "Six Thousand Doughnuts"
ONE paperback book "Dweedy: The Imagined Adventures of My Deceased Cat"
ONE DVD of the original family-produced short film "Squashed."
Four (4) winners receive:
ONE paperback book "Squashed"
Squashed Book Giveaway

Children's Book Club- Our NICU Journey & Our Preemie Adventure

9/20/2022

 
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This post contains affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the link.

When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!- Beyond the Book Activity and Giveaway

9/15/2022

 
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Phyllis Schwartz. All opinions are my own.
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Book Information

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When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!
Written by Phyllis Schwartz
Illustrated by Siski Kalla
Ages 4+ | 38 Pages
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
ISBN-13: 9798885280143
Publisher’s Book Summary: When Mom, one day, came home and said, “I think I better get in bed”
It was up to us to get together
As a team so she’d feel better
We came up with all sorts of things to do
Because “when mom feels great then we do too!”​
Buy Here
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Giveaway
​

Enter for a chance to win a copy of When Mom Feels Great, The We Do Too! and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card!
One (1) grand prize winner receives:
- A copy of When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!
- A $50 Barnes and Noble gift card
Four (4) winners receive:
- A copy of When Mom Feels Great, Then We Do Too!
When Mom Feels Great, The We Do Too Book Giveaway

Library Haul- NICU Books

9/9/2022

 
This post contains affiliate links. This which means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. 
​
​Forget the grocery hauls, here is the haul I love the most. Check out what we checked out from the library...books about the NICU!
​
Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. ​

Children's Book Club- Where the Red Fern Grows

8/29/2022

 
This post contains affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the link.

Dressing up the stars: the story of movie costume designer edith head- book review and giveaway

8/25/2022

 
This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey. All opinions are my own. 
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Whether you already knew of costume designer Edith Head or are learning of her story for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of fashion, grit and determination.
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books

Book Information

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Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head
​Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Diana Toledano
Ages 3-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: Beach Lane Books 
ISBN-13: 9781534451056
About the Book: Discover the true story of how a shy miner’s daughter became one of the most legendary costume designers in Hollywood in this inspiring nonfiction picture book biography.
As a child in the small mining town of Searchlight, Nevada, Edith Head had few friends and spent most of her time dressing up her toys and pets and even wild animals using fabric scraps. She always knew she wanted to move somewhere full of people and excitement. She set her sights on Hollywood and talked her way into a job sketching costumes for a movie studio.
Did she know how to draw or sew costumes? No. But that didn’t stop her!
Edith taught herself and tirelessly worked her way up until she was dressing some of the biggest stars of the day, from Audrey Hepburn to Grace Kelly to Ginger Rogers. She became the first woman to head a major Hollywood movie studio costume department and went on to win eight Academy Awards for best costume design—and she defined the style of an era.
Buy it here
Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many job hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies Dressing up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head, Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. Jeanne lives in Northern California.
Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.

Book Review

Themes: real-life story, careers, determination

How does a young, shy girl living near a mine in Nevada become an Oscar winning costume designer? Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head is a biographical picture book that beautifully answers this question.  Edith spent her early life making costumes for her stuffed animals, pets, and friends.
After attending college and becoming a teacher, her passion for movies landed her a job in the costume department of a movie studio. She couldn't draw, and her early career was wrought with mistakes and failures. But she never gave up. She became a well-respected, highly sought after designer winning 8 Oscars for her work.  Whether you already knew of costume designer Edith Head or are learning of her story for the first time, this inspiring true story is a celebration of fashion, grit and determination.

Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head!
Five (5) winners receive:
     A set of five copies of Dressing Up the Stars: The Story of Movie Costume Designer Edith Head
Dressing Up the Stars: Book Giveaway

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law- Author interview and Giveaway

8/16/2022

 
This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Amy Flanagan. All opinions are my own.
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It’s an opportunity to be silly, and carefree, even for just a little while. I wanted to provide that experience for young readers too.
~Amy Flanagan, author of Mrs. R Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law

Book Information

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Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
Written by Amy Flanagan
Illustrated by Jon Davis
Ages 5+ | 90 Pages

Publisher: Whitefox
ISBN-13: 9781915036094
About the Book: Mrs. R Snugglesworth is 70 pounds of low-to-the-ground PRECIOUS. She is the Best at Finding Slightly-Used Sandwiches and the Best at Loving Ham—and now she’s looking for her next big challenge. To her surprise, she finds it at the local Bark Park, when she discovers a passion for the law. Dog law, that is.
In two wags of a tail, she enrolls at Wagsworth Legal Academy, eager to become a lawyer. Turns out, it’s not that easy learning to be the Best at Law School. But when Mrs. R. learns that her friend Pitter-Patter needs help, she can’t wait to take on her first case. Only one small issue: she hasn’t quite finished her law degree. Some dogs might consider this a problem, but not Mrs. R! After all, Pitter-Patter needs a lawyer, and she is ALMOST a lawyer. Which everyone knows is practically as good as being a lawyer, right?
She’ll just juggle her law classes, naps, walks, power naps, chasing tennis balls, snacks, naps, and work on Pitter-Patter’s case at the same time! What could possibly go wrong?
Buy it here

Author Interview

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I'm excited to share my interview with Amy Flanagan. She is an Instructional Designer and children’s author living with her family in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. She began writing Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law in early 2021 to stay busy during the long pandemic winter. She wanted to create something that would make kids (and adults) laugh out loud. She is already working on the second book in the “Mrs. R.” series. Like you, she wonders what the ‘R’ stands for.
Visit her online at https://www.mrsrsnugglesworth.com/.

Where did you get the inspiration for the character Mrs. R. Snugglesworth?
You will not be surprised to learn that we have a female, yellow English lab. She is delightfully stocky and we have entertained ourselves through the years imagining what she is thinking. Despite her size, she considers herself a lap dog. One morning several years ago, she was snugglier than usual, and my husband remarked “Aren’t you a Mrs. Snugglesworth this morning?” This struck me as funny, and I made a point to share it with our kids so we could add it to the long list of nicknames we had for the dog. (Sweet Pea, Baked Potato. . . etc). When I shared the new nickname with my daughter, who was 8 or 9, she informed me that the dog’s name was actually “Mrs. R. Snugglesworth” and she was also my daughter’s new attorney. (Previously, her fish had been her attorney). 
Meanwhile, I had been toying with the idea of writing a book for years. I had a few false starts on books for adults before I realized that I was probably better suited to writing something for kids.  I had the perfect idea right in front of me. . .and that was that!

What was your writing process like for Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law?
In my day job, I’m an Instructional Designer for mainframe software products. Prior to that, I was a technical writer in the same space — so I knew how to write. But I certainly didn’t know how to write a children’s book. I started with an online class via one of our local community colleges. While the class was ongoing, I began writing the book — typically between 30-90 minutes most evenings. After about four months, I felt what I had was solid enough to share — I recruited friends and family to review the story. I also had a friend of a friend who had been a children’s book editor at one of the big publishing houses before becoming an agent, and she
generously provided feedback too. After collecting all of the feedback, I effectively rewrote the entire book. I used the same methodology — working on it for an hour or so in the evenings. Not surprisingly, 4 months later I had a much stronger story. I originally planned to pursue a traditional publisher, but after doing my research, determined that hybrid publishing was the best route for me. I ultimately decided on Whitefox Publishing in the UK, who connected me with all the other players in the process — structural editing, copy editing, cover design, illustration, proofreading, etc. (All of which I continued doing, an hour at a time, evening after evening.) :)

What is your favorite part about writing books for kids?
It’s an opportunity to be silly, and carefree, even for just a little while. I wanted to provide that experience for young readers too. That said, it was also very important for me to write something that would be entertaining for adults too. Some of the books my kids loved as children. . .were very tough on mom and dad.:)

What are you working on now?
I’ve outlined the second “Mrs. R” book and have plot lines for others in the works. I wrote the story so it could become a series, if there’s enough audience interest. 

What is your favorite book?
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr.  Sometimes though, I just need a light read —then I turn to an Agatha Raisin.

Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law, and a $50 gift card to bookshop.org*.

One (1) grand prize winner receives:
An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
A $50 Bookshop.org or typebooks.ca gift card*

Four (4) winners receive:
An autographed copy of Mrs. R. Snugglesworth, Attorney-at-Law
​

Mrs. R. Snugglesworth: Book Giveaway

Library Haul- Back to School Books

8/12/2022

 
This post contains affiliate links. This which means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. 
​
​Forget the grocery hauls, here is the haul I love the most. Check out what we checked out from the library!
Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. ​

The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey- Book REview and Giveaway

7/18/2022

 
This post is in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Purple Butterfly Press. All opinions are my own. 
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I'm always looking for wonderful children's books that can help parents talk to their children about difficult subjects, and The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey is one!
~Ali Dunn, Me Two Books

Book Information

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The Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey
Written by Pat Black-Gould
Illustrated by Katya Royz
Ages 8+ | 40 Pages
Publisher: Purple Butterfly Press 
ISBN-13: 9781955119207
Publisher’s Synopsis: A Star of David necklace or a rosary?

In 1939 Poland, a young girl is asked to give up one of these and accept the other without understanding why. However, what she must part with happens to be her most prized possession—a precious gift given to her by her father before he died.
The child’s mother then teaches the girl a “game” to prepare her for what is to come. As the Nazis invade the country, the mother is forced to make a heartbreaking sacrifice.
Buy it here
Pat Black-Gould, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an author. Her short stories have appeared in several literary journals and anthologies.
Pat’s writing explores topics such as compassion, tolerance, and diversity. She continues to examine these themes in her upcoming novel, Limbo of the Moon, written with her co-writer, Steve Hardiman.

Book Review

Themes: Holocaust, religious freedom, empathy, compassion, bravery

I'm always looking for wonderful children's books that can help parents talk to their children about difficult subjects, and The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey is one! This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of a young Jewish girl. At her mother's urging, she removes her Star of David necklace and replaces it with a rosary of crystal beads. She moves into a Catholic school in order to survive the Holocaust. Written from the girl's point of view, this book is a must read for people of all ages. From Mama who sacrifices herself so her daughter may live, to Sister Teresa who shows religious tolerance and love to the scared Lalka, the characters in this picture book are examples of compassion and empathy. 

Following the reading of this book, use the included question/ study guides to start a meaningful and important conversation with your children about the Holocaust and how this horrible event in history in important to discuss today. 

Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey!
Four (4) winners receive:
A signed copy of The Crystal Beads, Lalka's Journey
Giveaway ends August 11, 2022, at 11:59 P.M. MT

The Crystal Beads: Book Giveaway

Library Haul- Graphic Novels

7/5/2022

 
This post contains affiliate links. This which means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. 

​Forget the grocery hauls, here is the haul I love the most. Check out what we checked out from the library!
Clicking on the book above takes you to an affiliate links. This means Me Two Books may earn a small commission should you make a purchase using the links. ​
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