Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Blog Birthday: Giveback-Giveaway #1



Hard to believe that we've been blogging for SEVEN years!

This year we'd like to celebrate by giving back to our readers with a Giveback-Giveaway every day for seven days.

We'll choose a random winner from the comments each day and send them the featured book of the day. The books we've chosen are all new(ish) books that celebrate books and reading. (As we were choosing books, we realize that we need to update our Books About Books and Reading list in the sidebar. Are any of your favorites missing from our list?)

Thanks for stopping by to help us celebrate 7 years!

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Blog Birthday Giveback-Giveaway #1 -- OPEN THIS LITTLE BOOK

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Open This Little Book from Chronicle last week.  I was immediately drawn to it and noticed that it was illustrated by one of my favorite illustrators, Suzy Lee.  The author is Jesse Klausmeier and this is her first picture book.  What a treat it is!

This is a book that reminds me of so many books I love, but one that is unique on its own. It reminds me a little bit of Press Here because I can see kids having the same gleeful reaction to this one as they do to Press Here.  And it is a great one to add to my collection of books about books and reading.

When you open this book, you see that the inside pages are smaller than the cover. They are smaller because they are actually a book inside the book. The surprises every time you turn a page, continue. I can't even explain the design but I recommend you open it up because, as I said, it will make you gleeful :-)

Somehow Jessie Klausmeier and Suzy Lee have told a story about the power of reading and books in the simplest, most joyful way I've seen.  It is a simple, yet powerful message. But the details are far from simple. Even the end pages share a message.  It is a colorful book and the design is as important as any other part of the book.   Every time I open the book to reread it, I notice something I missed before. Like I said, a real treat.

Young children are going to love this one. It is definitely a great gift book because it is one parents and children can enjoy together over and over.  And it is perfect for EVERY the classroom and library. I can't wait to share it with my 4th graders.

There aren't many books that meet the needs of so many readers. The flap inside the book says of this author/illustrator team, "Together they have created a book of startling imagination that is not only an entertaining and interactive read for the very youngest reader, but also a stunning showcase of design that will delight even the most sophisticated book enthusiast." They certainly got that right in my opinion. It is not often that a book can do so many things in such a perfect way.

I love when I read a great book early in the new year. This is already one of my favorite books of 2013 and I am sure it will remain on my list of favorites forever.

Comment below for a chance to win this great new picture book!

36 comments:

  1. Congratulations and Happy Birthday---


    Please enter us in your give away contest.
    OPEN THIS LITTLE BOOK sounds delightfully special.

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  2. Wow, 7 years and still going strong! I have trouble keeping up my blog. Wish I was as disciplined as you two.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Congrats on 7 awesome years! I would love to share this book with my students.

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  4. This book sounds adorable. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. I saw Colby commenting on this book a few weeks ago - so fun!

    Congrats on 7 years! I love reading your blog. Makes me feel like I'm having a conversation with you both daily despite only seeing you two times a year. :)

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  6. Hooray for 7 years! I am always excited when I check my blogroll and see a new posting. I know that I will learn something new that will help me with my teaching!

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  7. Congratulations on seven years! Year of Reading is the blog I recommend when people ask me how I lean about new books! Thanks so much for this very special gift you bring to us so faithfully every day! Happy 2013!

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  8. Happy blog birthday! I love your blog and get lots of ideas from it! Your giveaway book looks great!

    How about The Lonely Book by Kate Bernheimer, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, and It's a Book! by Lane Smith to add to your Books about Books list. I don't think I saw those titles on it.

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    1. Perfect titles! (So perfect, in fact, that one is scheduled to make an appearance later in the week!)

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  9. Congratulations on your seven years of blogging. Please enter me in your contest.

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  10. Congratulations on the first 7 years - looking forward to celebrating more anniversaries!

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  11. Thanks for introducing me to yet another wonderful book. I look forward to many more years of your posts.

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  12. After actively blogging for two plus years, I can understand the commitment and work needed to make seven years. It's a great milestone. Congratulations! I would love a copy of this new title. How about Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates, Otto The Book Bear by Katie Cleminson, The Reader by Amy Hest or Miss Smith's Incredible Story Book by Michael Garlnad?

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    1. Thanks for the titles to add to our list!

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  13. I have only recently found your blog, so will have lots of fun mining the archives for other fun books! Please enter me for a chance to win this one!

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  14. I have learned so much since this blog and following you on twitter! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  15. Heidi says:
    Happy New Year and happy blogday to both of you! It's so nice when people celebrate their own occasion by gifting others. : ) A big hit in our house is "I Could Pee on This and Other Poems by Cats" [Francesco Marciuliano], which has our 10yo and all the cat owners he keeps reciting to yowling with laughter. Maybe not quite classroom appropriate, however.

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    1. I've got this book on reserve -- looks like a hoot!

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  16. Congratulations and thank you for the opportunity to win a great book too!
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  17. Happy blog birthday! What an intriguing review...

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  18. Congratulations! 85% of my classroom and professional books are based on this blog!

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  19. This looks like a great new book. Thanks for sharing the title!

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  20. Happy Blog Birthday! Seven years is quite an accomplishment! I would love to share this book with my students!

    Read with Me ABC

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  21. Omigosh, this book sounds fabulous! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  22. Happy Blog Birthday! Your blog is my go-to for classroom and professional book suggestions. Thank you!

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  23. Happy blog birthday! I have learned a lot from your blog...thanks!

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  24. Wow! Seven years of sharing books and information on reading, thank you for that. What a fun book, I will have to check it out (if I don't win it :-) )

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  25. Happy Birthday! Thank you for all you have shared in this space--great books, great insight/ideas, great resources, great poetry and GREAT FUN!

    Have you read the picture book Goodbye Old Year, Hello New Year by Frank Modell? We discovered it at our library years ago, and have made it a traditional read every new year. We also enjoy his valentines book featuring the same duo--One Zillion Valentines.

    Will be on the lookout for Open this Little Book. Happy New Year!

    Sincerely, Lisa
    www.stepsandstaircases.tumblr.com

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  26. Anonymous5:50 PM

    I love your blog! Only problem is that my Amazon bill is going up since I subscribed to your blog! Congratulations on 7 years.

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  27. So sorry I missed your birthday yesterday, but let me say belatedly happy blog birthday!! It hardly seems like it can be 7 years, but I know I've been learning from you both for much longer than that. Congratulations ladies!

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  28. Happy blog birthday--my library blog celebrated its 6th birthday in November (I just added it up and it's 1556 posts!) Where does the time go? Now that my daughter is teaching, I've been passing along your posts. Keep up the good work!

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  29. Congratulations on your blog birthday! I love your blog and it is one of two that I always recommend to others.

    For your booklist, how about:
    Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
    We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems
    How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills
    Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don't) by Barbara Bottner
    A Bedtime Story by Mem Fox
    Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies by Carolyn Crimi
    A Story for Bear by Dennis Haseley

    I keep a list on Pinterest of books about books and reading. I will be adding to my list as I work my way through your list. Thanks!

    Can't wait to check out the book you mentioned in this post.

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  30. Congratulations on seven great years! I am so proud to have Open This Little Book kick off this celebratory week. Cheers!

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  31. You have an awesome site! Happy birthday! This book sounds awesome!

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  32. Anonymous10:51 PM

    No need to enter me in the giveaway. I was just stopping by to offer my congratulations. Seven years! WOW! Look at how many people you've inspired (including me) in that time! Educators and parents get so many ideas from this blog and therefore spread the joy of reading to their children. What a powerful thing you two have been doing!

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  33. Happy birthday, dear. Seven years!! Wow!

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