Dolly Parton's Imagination Library {Check it Out!}

My boys have both been fortunate enough to be able to benefit from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library when it became available in our area a little less than a year ago. Our local United Way sponsors this wonderful program which gives children from birth a new book every MONTH until their 5th birthday for free. That adds up to a lot of books. You can start at any time as long as your child or grandchild resides in the sponsored area and is under the age of five. It is open to every single child, regardless of need. There are no income requirements!
Background (from website): In 1996, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee. Dolly wanted to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could insure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.

So she decided to mail a brand new, age appropriate book each month to every child under 5 in Sevier County. With the arrival of every child’s first book, the classic The Little Engine That Could ™, every child could now experience the joy of finding their very own book in their mail box. These moments continue each month until the child turns 5—and in their very last month in the program they receive Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come.

This morning I was looking at all the wonderful books that my boys have had a chance to read because of this program. Except for the starter book that every child receives (The Little Engine that Could) I hadn't heard of any of them. Many have become favorites in our house like the two shown below. There are different age groups with appropriate reading for each and new books are selected each year. Even if you have more the one child who participates in the program you won't get duplicates unless you have twins. The arrive at different times of the month so it is so much fun to find a brand new book in our mailbox.

Gobble-Gobble Crash, A Barnyard Counting Bash

Kitty Up!

Because I hadn't heard of the program until someone at work told me about it, I thought you might not have either. Please take a look at the affliate search page and see if this program is available in your area. Keep checking back periodically if you don't find your zip code. I just discovered my sister is now eligible in her area and she wasn't when I signed up! You can register online and trust me, you won't be disappointed by the book selection!

Please let me know if you join based on this post or participate currently. I'd love to know your opinion of this program!

Dr. Hippo Series {Giveaway} Event - Katie Caught a Cold

The Hippocratic Press was started by Dr. Charlotte Cowan, a pediatrician who recognized the need for children and their parents to understand what is happening during illness and how it is treated in easy terms for both. Dr Hippo's mission is to write age-appropriate stories for sick children that entertain, educate and reassure both parent and child and to provide guides for parents which answer common questions, offering advice about when to call or visit the doctor and how to comfort the child at home.
To kick off this event I'd like to introduce you to the wonderful book, Katie Caught a Cold. My 2 1/2 year old son Lucian really enjoyed this book. He seemed to follow what was happening and enjoyed pointing out that there was "snot" on Katie's tissue and that they were using a thermometer to check her temperature. He certainly could relate given he just recently got over a cold himself. I can appreciate the tone in which the author writes, using terms of endearment like cutie and the wonderful guide included in the back about the treatment of colds and when to call the doctor.
Synopsis: Katie is happily skating with her friends when she begins to sneeze. She soon develops a bad cold. Will she be better in time for the Ice Show? Her mother takes excellent care of Katie at home, checking in with their pediatrician, Dr. Hippo, when Katie starts blowing “green stuff” into her tissue. Won’t she need antibiotics? Katie needs to get better—and fast!

This book can be purchased on Amazon (where it also gets glowing reviews) for only $14 and it qualifies for super saver shipping!

The Hippocratic Press would like to give one of my readers a personalized hardcover copy of Katie Caught a Cold.

Win it: Visit the Hippocratic Press and tell me another book besides Katie Caught a Cold that interests you!

Want more entries? (What kind of question is that? Of course!) After answering my question do any of the following and leave a comment telling me what you did. Each is worth one entry unless otherwise noted. Your comment is your entry so please leave the appropriate number of comments for each extra entry.

-Sign up to receive Dr. Hippos Top Ten Tips to Keep Kids Healthy
-Follow my blog publicly
-Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email
-Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway -
-Fave me on Technorati
-Add my current button to your blog
-Blog about this contest and link back here (3 entries)
-Buy a book from & come back tell me what you bought! (5 entries)

This contest will end on 5/22/09 at 11:59 pm CST. U.S residents only. The winner will be drawn via random.org and contacted the next day. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you if it is not available in your profile. The winner will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner.

I will be featuring one book a week from the Dr. Hippos Series so come back next week for a chance to win another one of these fantastic books! Be sure to enter to win The Moose with Loose Poops at my other giveaway. Ends 5/29.

The Priceless Gift! Frecklebox Review and Giveaway!

I love gifts that are special and unique, don't you? There is nothing like giving a thoughtful gift to a child. Something that you know they don't already have. Something that shows you thought of them and only them when you picked it out. Something they can keep forever. Frecklebox can help you achieve that with their wide selection of personalized gifts.

Frecklebox has books and from my previous post you know that I am a bit addicted to buying books for my boys. I especially love personalized books and while I may get lucky and find something in a store for Warren, you can bet I won’t be finding anything with Lucian unless I custom order.

The books at Frecklebox have such bright and vivid colors and the child’s name literally jumps off the page. The quality is amazing and you would think they mass produced each creation.

My favorite part of the ordering process was being able to see exactly what the book would look like with my son’s name. I don’t have to guess how the letters will display on the page, I can see it for myself before making my purchase.

We chose the My Name is... book for both of the boys. I just love all colorful images and since Lucian and I loved making letters in the snow this winter it seemed like the perfect fit for him. Lucian knows all of his letters by sight and is just now learning what letters make up his name. This will be a fun learning tool!

When I read this story for the first time to Lucian he was immediately drawn to the bright park picture. He was also thrilled about the moon! While we spelled out the letters of his name on the the pages, he was very excited that it was his name in the clouds, stones in sand, flowers in dirt, etc. He really got into the story and when we got to the park I said, L-U-C-I-A-N spells? His answer? PARK! While we still have some work to do, I know that he will get lots of practice with this book.

Frecklebox also has some amazing choices for other great gift ideas, perfect for any budget. I also received a puzzle sample and I was very much impressed by the quality. At only $12.95 and with lots of great designs choose from, I think I have another gift for Lucian's 3rd birthday later this summer. Yep, you guessed it. A park puzzle! Frecklebox also has personalized stickers, coloring books, growth charts, posters and more!

Frecklebox wants to give one of my readers their choice of any item from their site!

Win it: Visit Frecklebox and tell me what personalized gift you would choose if you won. Who would it be for?

Want more entries? (Trust me, you really, really do!)

After answering my question do any of the following and leave a comment telling me what you did. Your comment is your entry so please leave the appropriate number of comments for each extra entry.
-Make a suggestion of another design or product you'd like to see on Frecklebox (1 entry)

- Subscribe to Frecklebox's blog! (1 entry)

-Follow my blog publicly (1 entry)

-Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email (1 entry)
-Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (1 entry)
-Fave me on Technorati (1 entry)

-Add my current button to your blog (2 entries)

-Blog about this contest and link back here (3 entries)

-Make any purchase from Frecklebox & come back tell me what you bought! (10 entries)

This contest will end on 4/30/09 at 11:59 pm CST. U.S and Canada residents only. The winner will be drawn via random.org and contacted the next day. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you if it is not available in your profile. The winner will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner.

Happy Easter! Munch Munch, Peter Rabbit Book Giveaway

Do you have anything fun planned for Easter? My favorite part of our Easter tradition is the Easter Egg Hunt at my mother's house. I can't wait to see Lucian really hunting for eggs. Last year he was only 19 months and not really old enough to fully understand. This year should be a blast. He loves looking for things and I know he will certainly enjoy all the goodies inside the plastic eggs and in his Easter basket. I also think Warren, while a little young to fully grasp the concept, will love to pick up eggs and put them in a basket. Filling buckets/baskets/jars (you name it) and emptying them is a favorite activity of his.

I wanted to have an Easter giveaway to say Happy Easter!!! Given the popularity of my previous giveaway for Skippyjon Jones Shape Up, I decided to choose another book, this time with an Easter theme. Munch Munch, Peter Rabbit (Peter Rabbit Seedlings) by Beatrix Potter is a colorful larger sized board book. According to Amazon, Munch, munch, crunch, crunch. Where’s Peter Rabbit? That’s what all of his friends want to know in this Seedlings™ lift-the-flap board book. Is he nibbling on some lettuce behind the garden gate? Is that him crunching a carrot behind Mr. MacGregor’s old boot? With extra large flaps and big, bold art, this latest Seedlings™ book is a perfect snack-time companion.

Win it:
Tell me your favorite Easter tradition.

Want more entries?
After answering my question do any of the following and leave a comment telling me what you did. Your comment is your entry so please leave the appropriate number of comments for each extra entry.
-Follow my blog publicly (1 entry)
-Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email (1 entry)

-Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway (2 entries)

-Fave me on Technorati (2 entries)
-Add my button to your blog *must be my current button! (2 entries)
-Blog about this contest and link back here (3 entries)

This contest will end on 4/13/09 at 11:59 pm CST. U.S residents only. The winner will be drawn via random.org and contacted the next day. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you if it is not available in your profile. The winner will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner.

Skippyjon Jones Board Book Giveaway

I've heard the first step to overcoming an addiction is to openly admit it. "Hi, my name is Emilie and I'm a book addict!" Wow, that feels good to get off my chest. I don't have to hide it anymore.

Seriously, I do have a lot of books for my kids. I should take my boys to the library and check out books to read new ones but I don't. I take the even easier (and more expensive) route of buying them.

With two boys so close in age there really hasn't been much of a need to get my youngest toys and they are starting to clutter the house. We do buy a couple special for him but we try to limit it. Our older son needs toys because they have to grow with him. But what do you buy the younger son who doesn't need any more toys? Books. A lot of books. Never mind that his older brother has also always been a huge fan of books and we already had a nice collection built. But who would say, "Oh no, not another book?" I know as the reader of these books, I do appreciate something new and different to read. But is it necessary? They still have their favorites and while it is nice to discover a new favorite it still becomes a hassle to keep them organized.

Perhaps I did buy a few too many books for Warren for his first birthday, as my mother so kindly pointed out. Therefore, I'd like to give away one of the many adorable books I bought for him. He won't even know he didn't receive it. Trust me.

I'm giving away the board book, Skippyjon Jones Shape Up. You can read a review over at Amazon and decide if this would be a hit in your house. It looks like a winner to me!

Win it:
To enter simply tell me your child's favorite book OR the book you most enjoy to read to your child or a loved one.

Want more entries?
After answering my question do any of the following and leave a comment telling me what you did. Your comment is your entry.

-Follow my blog publicly (1 entry)
-Subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email (1 entry)

-Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveway (2 entries)
-Add my button to your blog (2 entries)
-Blog about this contest and link back here (3 entries)

This contest will end on 3/17/09 at 11:59 pm CST. U.S. residents only. The winner will be drawn via random.org and contacted the next day. Please be sure to leave me a way to contact you if it is not available in your profile. The winner will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner.