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Summer of Magic & Mazes: Rick Riordan Book Giveaway

Lolli — Mon, 21 May 2018 23:51:06 +0000

If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you’ll know that my family and I are huge Rick Riordan fans. I was excited to partner once again with Disney-Hyperion for a giveaway to bring more Rick Riordan goodness to YOU, my readers! Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

Seriously, one of highlights of my career as a blogger was having a one-on-one interview with Rick Riordan last October at the library of Congress. What an amazing person! And what amazing stories.

I love his books just as much as my kids do.

We are all excited about Mr. Riordan’s newest book – The Burning Maze, the third installment of the Trials of Apollo series. This is PERFECT summer reading material…for reading pool-side, in the car on road trips, or when staying cool in the house next to a fan.

We’re equally excited to delve into a new Kane Chronicles companion book, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual, Your Guide to Egyptian Gods & Creatures, Glyphs & Spells and More. I’ve always been fascinated by these types of books, because I tend to want to know EVERYTHING I can about my favorites stories and characters. This book is perfect for your readers who love backstories.

I’m thrilled to be able to share these two new books PLUS 5 additional books with you this month!

Featured Rick Riordan Titles

The Trials of Apollo (Book 3): The Burning Maze (in stores as of May 1st)

The Kane Chronicles: Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual (in stores as of May 1st)

The Kane Chronicles Trilogy (series re-design in stores now!)

ABOUT The Burning Maze: The Trials of Apollo Book #3

In Stores May 1st

The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg. Thanks a lot, Dad.

Friends both familiar and new will emerge in The Burning Maze, Book Three of the New York Times #1 best-selling Trials of Apollo series, a twisty adventure featuring a hapless god who somehow still manages to think he’s red-hot.

More about The Trials of Apollo series:

An Olympian Comes to Earth: The protagonist is nothing less than Apollo himself! Well, actually, he’s a mortal sixteen-year-old trying to earn his way back into Zeus’s favor by restoring five oracles. How will he manage without his godly powers?

A Godly POV: Apollo narrates the adventure; the disparity between his godly assumptions and his disappointing reality is hilarious.
Favorite Demigods Are Back! All of the beloved characters from Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter will aid Apollo in his quest over the course of five books.
New Demigods Are Introduced, including Apollo’s sidekick, a twelve-year-old girl named Meg who is secretive about her past—and is Apollo’s secret weapon.
Viperous Villains will complicate matters for our heroes as they search for the ancient Oracles.

About Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual: The Kane Chronicles Companion

In Stores May 1st

Calling all young magicians of Egypt! If the blood of the pharaohs runs in your veins, you can’t afford to be without this guide to Ancient Egyptian deities and creatures, and Carter and Sadie Kane’s world of magic. Featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters for the bestselling Kane Chronicles trilogy, Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual offers info about Egyptian mythology in laugh-out-loud entries with surprises throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

More about Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual:

Tie-in to Best-Selling Kane Chronicles Trilogy featuring fans’ favorite human, divine, and animal characters.
Offers Info About Egyptian Mythology in laugh-out-loud entries from favorite characters.
Has Surprises Running Throughout, including snarky comments from Sadie Kane and a dastardly plot by an old enemy.

About The Kane Chronicles Trilogy

The Red Pyramid #1 | The Throne of Fire #2 | The Serpent’s Shadow #3

Series first launched in 2011 | New cover designs released April 3, 2018

Fans of Rick Riordan’s Greek & Roman and Norse mythology adventures will love his funny and exciting take on Ancient Egypt in the Kane Chronicles trilogy, now with dynamic new cover artwork and Percy Jackson-Kane Chronicles crossover stories.

Mysteries of Ancient Egypt: Egyptian mythology is more widely studied in school curriculum than ancient Greece. Both familiar and loaded with mystique, ancient Egypt is the perfect backdrop for Rick’s imaginative brand of storytelling. Readers will leap at this real-world portal into the rich fantastical world of ancient myth.

More of the Good Stuff: Rick combines all his fortes–witty, relatable heroes, gods & monsters, prophecies, curses, and non-stop action–in this best-selling hit.

Summer of Magic & Mazes Prize Pack Giveaway

One (1) winner will receive a “Summer of Magic & Mazes” beach tote plus seven Rick Riordan books!

The Trials of Apollo series — with an autographed copy of The Burning Maze!
The Kane Chronicles trilogy – plus new companion book Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual!

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion. This giveaway ends June 4 at 11:59pm ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

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Summer Reading, Brain Drain & the 5-Word Book Review

Lolli — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 10:00:49 +0000

This Summer Reading post is sponsored by Scholastic, but all thoughts are my own. #SummerReading

I found this sign, filled with wonderful quotes about reading, when I was traveling through Denver this summer. Someday I would love to have a bookshelf decorated with quotes like this.

My kids head back to school in 3 weeks, and now more than ever I’m noticing that we’re in the middle of “brain drain” season. There are so many distractions during the summer – along with a lack of structure – and the kids are reading less. Just this weekend, I had to remind the kids to still set aside time each day to delve into a book. Once they get started reading, they love it. I’m jealous. I wish I had more time to read…no one needs to twist my arm to pick up a book and lose an hour or two in a good story. But, alas…there’s work.

I asked my kids what their favorite summer read was, along with a 5-word “book review” about why they loved it. Here are a few of the books that they mentioned:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief – “He always makes me laugh.”
Gabby Duran and the Unsittables – “Gabby is fun and interesting!”
Merlin: The Lost Years – “Well-written, interesting, good books.”

What books have your kids enjoyed this summer? I challenge you to ask them to share their own 5-word book review (it’s more challenging than you’d think!).

5 Tips For Making Reading a Priority

I believe that EVERY season is reading season. There’s no bad time to encourage kids to read, but it’s even more important to read during the summer, when the kids don’t have the structure of school. Check out this video from Scholastic’s Maggie McGuire, who shares 5 easy tips for making reading a priority, like setting a weekly minutes goal, reserving special time to read together as a family, and celebrating reading accomplishments. Summer may be just about over – or your kids may be back to school already – but it’s not too late to get your kids reading.

It’s Not Too Late To Join The Summer of Reading!

If you’ve been following my #SummerReading posts the past few months, you’ll remember that Scholastic has joined together with ENERGIZER® to power the 2015 Summer Reading Challenge and encourage families to discover the power and joy of reading together. It’s not too late to take part! Now through September 4, visit Scholastic.com/Summer.

Check out some of the fun resources you can enjoy with Scholastic:

Unlock Original Short Stories from favorite Scholastic authors!
Find Parenting Resources including Summer Reading printables, activity sheets, booklists and more!
Play the Innovation Machine Game – a fun and creative writing game and contest!
Visit “Videos in the Stacks” to receive reading tips for parents from Scholastic’s Maggie McGuire!

About the Energizer Instant Win Game

Energizer® and Scholastic are partnering on the “Power the Possibilities” campaign, giving parents tools to help their children unlock their talents, fuel their ambitions and be ready for future success. To participate in the Energizer Instant Win Game for a chance to win one of thousands of prizes that will power discovery and learning, simply buy specially marked packages of Energizer® brand batteries and scratch.

Prizes include a family trip to New York City, a Scholastic Study Corner Makeover, a tablet with Scholastic apps, a library of Scholastic books and more! Everyone who plays can also download free digital stories for their family.

Connect with Scholastic and Energizer Online

Learn more about the Energizer® Instant Win Game

Follow @Scholastic on Twitter

Like the Energizer® Bunny on Facebook

#SummerReading

Where Will Reading Take You? #SummerReading

Lolli — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 16:05:46 +0000

This Summer Reading post and giveaway are sponsored by Scholastic, but all thoughts are my own.

This summer has taken us ALL over the place, from Maryland to Florida to Utah to Colorado….and lots of places in between. We’ve had a bunch of adventures, and we’ve taken our books along with us for even more adventures…of a different kind. Even when we’re resting our bodies after summer-time adventures like hikes and hands-on museums and water parks, we can keep our minds active by reading good books.

My oldest son doesn’t go anywhere without his book – he even brings it along to museums (“just in case,” he says). And, yes, we’ve brought our Energizer Bunny® in the car everywhere we’ve gone. Here are just a few places that I’ve caught my kids reading the past few weeks…

Where have you caught your kids reading this summer?

About The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge & ENERGIZER® Partnership

Earlier this summer, I told you about the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge and all of the amazing resources that are available for parents and kids to enjoy reading this summer. As a quick recap, the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is a free online reading program dedicated to stopping the “summer slide” by encouraging kids to read throughout the summer months when school is out. This year’s challenge theme is “Power Up & Read,” powered by ENERGIZER®.

ENERGIZER® has joined Scholastic this summer to *power* the Summer Reading Challenge and encourage families to find innovative ways to discover the power and joy of reading. Parents can sign up kids through September 4, 2015 (so even if the summer is half over, it’s not too late to enjoy the summer reading program!

Introducing #MondayMinutesGoal

To encourage and help young readers log as many minutes as possible through the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge AND to break the world record for summer reading, Scholastic is setting special weekly goals. Every Monday they’re announcing a #MondayMinutesGoal, the number of minutes for kids to read together in one week (by the following Monday).

It’s easy to participate! All you have to do is read (independently or together) and then…

Have your child log his/her minutes on the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge website or on a paper log/piece of paper (check out my post for printables)
Take a picture of him/her proudly displaying their minutes
Share it on social using #MondayMinutesGoal and #SummerReading!

Find Out More

Sign up for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Find more Scholastic Resources to keep your kids reading all summer long.
Learn more about the Energizer® Instant Win Game
Follow @Scholastic on Twitter
Like the Energizer® Bunny on Facebook
#SummerReading

Innovation Book Packet GIVEAWAY

One winner from will receive the INNOVATION BOOK PACKET, a collection of Scholastic titles showcasing wonderful fiction and nonfiction books for kids to get lost in a great story about the world of science, STEM and inventions. US addresses only, please. Prizing provided by Scholastic.

The INNOVATION BOOK PACKET includes:

The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Extreme Science Careers
Extreme Experiments
Plus Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge materials including reading logs, pledges, bookmarks, and more!

This giveaway will close at 11:59pm ET on August 9, 2015. US addresses only. Good luck!

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Summer Reading List: Patriotic Picture Books

Lolli — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 05:00:26 +0000

Summer time is for reading, whether you’re a kid off school for a few months or an adult with a little relaxation time next to the pool. We’re always looking for recommended reading lists for summer reading, and although my kids are a little bigger now, there’s still something special to me about picture books.

We used to have a tradition of gathering holiday and seasonal themed books from the library or the used book store to enjoy as a family. We loved our read aloud time together each day! As a tribute to those younger days, and in celebration of Independence Day coming up so soon, I made a collection of 10 fun 4th of July picture books.

From educational books to craft books to fun stories with bright pictures, these patriotic books will delight kids and teach them a few things about this wonderful country that we live in!

Note: Amazon links are used within this post.

11 Fun and Educational Patriotic Picture Books for the 4th of July

The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh and Marie Nonnast

Two-time Newbery Honor author, Alice Dalgliesh, makes history come alive in this accessible story of America’s birthday. It’s a great read-aloud book that teaches kids about the history of our great land.

I Pledge Allegiance by Bill Martin Jr.

“I led a pigeon to the flag” . . . “and to the wee puppet” . . . “one nation, and a vegetable” . . . What was that again? Children in the United States have been reciting the Pledge of Allegiance since 1892 — and for about that long, they’ve found its big words confusing. Now, beloved children’s book author Bill Martin Jr (BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR, WHAT DO YOU SEE?), fellow literacy expert Michael Sampson, and Caldecott Honor-winning artist Chris Raschka give America’s children a hand, and explain this patriotic poem once and for all. A new paperback edition offers notes and suggested activities to help parents and teachers make this book even more interesting to and fun for children.

Independence Day Crafts by Mary Berendes, Jean Eick, and Kathleen Petelinsek

Step-by-step instructions with full-color illustrations introduce Independence Day crafts, including July 4th wavers, glitter stars, and flag fans.

America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates and Chris Gall

From his unique perspective as the great, great grandnephew of “America the Beautiful” writer, Katharine Lee Bates, Chris Gall transforms this beloved patriotic song into monumental works of art–from purple mountain majesties to gleaming alabaster cities. Honoring his ancestry and national pride, Gall pairs the beautiful lyrics with striking illustrations of notable American images such as Pike’s Peak, the Tuskgee Airmen, and firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero.

Happy 4th of July, Jenny Sweeney! by Leslie Kimmelman and Nancy Cote

It’s the 4th of July and all over town, people are getting ready. Jenny Sweeney gives her dog, Rags, a bath. All the preparations lead up to the big parade and a night of bright fireworks. It’s a great day. “Happy Birthday, USA!”

A Is for America Paperback by Tanya Lee Stone

Little ones will love learning American history in Tanya Lee Stone’s latest alphabet book. Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to Thomas Jefferson and Harriet Tubman!

What Is the 4th of July? by Elaine Landau

Celebrate our nation’s birthday! Learn about the 4th of July and its symbols and traditions in this fun and easy-to-read book. Enjoy a hands-on activity, too!

F Is for Flag (Reading Railroad) by Wendy Cheyette Lewison

F Is for Flag shows in simple terms how one flag can mean many things: a symbol of unity, a sign of welcome, and a reminder that-in good times and in bad-everyone in our country is part of one great big family.

America: A Patriotic Primer by Lynne Cheney

America: A Patriotic Primer is a succinct history of the United States, an ABC of the principles on which this country was founded, and a book for children and families to pore over, discuss, and cherish.

A is for America,
the land that we love.
B is for the Birthday
of this country of ours….

Fourth of July Cheer: A Rhyming Picture Book for Children about the Fourth of July by Dee Smith

July 4th is here! Buster the Dog and his family are getting ready for the big event with a trips to the beach, barbacues, parades and much more Fourth of July fun. Buster and his family are also especially excited to see tonight’s July 4th firework display! Join Buster in celebrating this special day with lots of friends, family and of course cheer! This book is a short rhyming story that makes for a quick, fun and joyful and festive read during any story time.

The Story of America’s Birthday by Patricia A. Pingry

This little board book for children uses only 200 words that convey the story of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and the freedom that was the result. It tells why we celebrate July 4th as America’s Birthday.

For more fun patriotic entertainment ideas visit a few of my favorite bloggers:

Patriotic Board Games by In Our Spare Time
Best Family Movies to Watch on the 4th of July by Our Family World
Summer Reading Across the US by Pretty Opinionated
Outdoor Games to Play at Your 4th of July BBQ by Mom Does it All
Games for Canadians by Gaggle of Gamers
Top 10 US History Movies by Upstate Ramblings
Popular Patriotic Songs for 4th of July Parties by Mom on the Side
Patriotic Movies to Enjoy at Home by Day by Day in Our World