Showing posts with label Book Giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Giveaway. Show all posts

Friday, December 7, 2018

Why Should You Read A Dreadful Fairy Book?


A clever sprite knows it's important to understand words when dealing with magical creatures. Shade happens to be a clever sprite. Though she's from a  place in the Merry Forest called Pleasant Hollow, she isn't like the other flashy, boisterous sprites in her village. Shade reads books, and flying makes her stomach feel wobbly. Her father was a book collector, and even though everyone in town said they were a strange family for reading when they could've be merry-making, she never cared. When a firework display goes awry in the forest and burns down her home with all of her precious books, including her book, a very special one her parents gave her before they died, Shade is so dingle-dangle angry she decides to leave Pleasant Hollow to find another home. She sifts through the charred remains of her possessions and finds one book intact. It's a guide to the fairy world by an author named Stinkletoe Radishbottom. Book in hand, Shade sets off on a journey to find a place where she can read as much as she wants for the rest of her life— a place where she'd be a happy sprite in her own book-filled home.

But, as with any journey comes peril, and Shade encounters some tricky characters on her quest to find books. Luckily, with Radishbottom's help, she's able to see truth through lies and finds herself teaming up with a variety of unique characters, who she's never truly certain if they're on her side. Will Shade be able to navigate the befuddling fairy world and find her books? You'll have to fall into this fascinating fairy tale to find out.

 Quentin Q. Quacksworth, Esq.


Narrated by Quentin Q. Quacksworth, Esq., A Dreadful Fairy Book by Jon Etter will whisk you off into a magical world where you'll find goblin markets, troll bridges, and enchanted forests all occupied by host of colorful voices. But, as the narrator would tell you, this is a dreadful fairy book, and readers should beware.



I enjoyed A Dreadful Fairy Book. Shade is smart and funny, and it was easy to relate to her character.  I especially liked her fairy swearing. Here's a line I think is creative (Shade is swindled out of a hotel room at the goblin market).

"All right, you shifty slug-licker! You'll be donkled four ways when I get the law on you."

I also found the references to beloved fairy tale characters entertaining and was happy to learn about a few new ones that I hadn't heard of before. The writing and world building are well done, and it was easy to visualize the different situations Shade found herself involved with on her adventure. I would recommend this book to readers eight and up who love fantasy characters and immersing themselves in a fresh magical world— though there were dreadful parts that I won't mention, but the narrator has given you fair warning about that. 😉

Has anyone else read A Dreadful Fairy Book? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!

~L

This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review & Amberjack Publishing

Enter to win a copy of A Dreadful Fairy Book by Jon Etter!
Ten (10) winners receive:

*A bound galley copy of A Dreadful Fairy Book
Giveaway begins November 13, 2018, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends December , 2018, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Giveaway open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older.
Amberjack Publishing is responsible for prize fulfillment.

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Saturday, September 8, 2018

Drum Roll, Please...

Who won a copy of Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China?
Elizabeth Voradan
Heather Holden
The Armchair Squid

Congratulations! 
Please email us with your mailing address.



Tuesday, June 5, 2018

BOOKS ON TOUR



Books, like people, want to make their way in the world, but it's up to human hands to pass along their stories. We're excited to be a part of The Great American Read tour, and we invite you to visit our BOOK EMPORIUM on Fairday's Blog. A few of our friends may stop by to keep you in line. 😀

Enjoy perusing the books, and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway before you leave. Anything's possible when it comes to story magic!

Written by Lewis Carroll
Publisher’s Synopsis: One adventure follows another in this delightful tale as Alice changes size unexpectedly, attends a tea party given by the March Hare, visits a garden of talking flowers, and acts as witness at the trial of a thief who has stolen some tarts. Along the way, she meets such unforgettable characters as the Mad Hatter, the grinning Cheshire Cat, the tearful Mock Turtle, the hookah-smoking Caterpillar, the autocratic Red Queen, and other fanciful folk.

Alice in Wonderland is one of the world’s most-beloved works of fiction, charming children and adults alike with Alice’s adventures and Carroll’s audacious puns and wordplay — but at the same time it is a clever satire, lampooning Victorian education, literature, and politics. Now this enchanting fantasy, enhanced with all 42 original illustrations by John Tenniel, is ready to charm readers of all ages in this unabridged Evergreen Classics edition.


Written by L. M. Montgomery
Publisher’s Synopsis: Life is forever changed at Green Gables, a tranquil farm on Canada’s Prince Edward Island, with the arrival of a redheaded chatterbox named Anne. The spirited, precocious 11-year-old orphan finds “scope for imagination” everywhere she looks, transforming the lives of Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, her elderly guardians, with her merry doings and misadventures. Anne — spelled with an “e,” as she gravely informs new acquaintances — builds a world of enchantment around Green Gables and its surrounding woodlands, lakes, and valleys. Thanks to the freckle-faced girl’s imaginative musings, the rustic region’s natural wonders blossom into a fairyland of endless romance. Anne’s inspired prattle, goodwill, and joie de vivre win her a warm circle of friends, just as they have won the hearts of readers around the world.
Since its first appearance in 1908, the novel has led generations of children to laugh and cry — but mostly laugh — along with this beloved story’s vivacious heroine. Now this inexpensive edition, complete and unabridged, introduces new readers to the ageless charm of a fanciful world made real by love and friendship. The inspiration for 2016 PBS movie and the 2017 CBC/Netflix Anne mini-series.
Reprint of a standard edition.
Written by Louisa May Alcott
Publisher’s Synopsis: This American classic is as fresh and meaningful today as it was when it was first written in the 19th century. Largely based on the author’s own childhood, Little Women is a timeless tale of the four young March sisters — Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy — who grow to maturity in their mother’s tender but strong care. As different in their personalities as they are alike in their devotion to each other, the girls vow to support their beloved mother, Marmee, by behaving their best while Father is away, serving as an army chaplain in the Civil War.
Literary-minded tomboy Jo develops a fast friendship with the boy next door, and pretty Meg, the eldest, finds romance; frail and affectionate Beth fills the house with music, and little Amy, the youngest, seeks beauty with all the longing of an artist’s soul. Although poor in material wealth, the family possesses an abundance of love, friendship, and imaginative gifts that captivate readers time and again.
This inexpensive, complete and unabridged edition of this beloved novel is sure to delight a generation of new readers, as well as those reacquainting themselves with its warmth and charm.
Reprint of a standard edition. This classic was the inspiration for the May 2018 PBS three-part adaptation.
Written by Mark Twain
Publisher’s Synopsis: Like most boys, Tom Sawyer would rather play hooky than go to school. But Tom’s lively imagination and thirst for adventure lead him into the most extraordinary situations, from a search for buried treasure to the accidental witness of a murder in a graveyard. All of his exploits — tricking his pals into whitewashing a fence, sharing his medicine with the family cat, disrupting a church service with a pinching insect — are flavored with the humor for which his creator, Mark Twain, is justly famed.
In writing this great American classic, Twain drew upon his own memories of life in a small Missouri town before the Civil War. Since the book’s 1876 publication, generations of readers of all ages have laughed at Tom’s hijinks and taken him into their hearts, along with Huckleberry Finn, Becky Thatcher, Aunt Polly, and other memorable characters. This new Dover Evergreen Classics edition offers a fresh introduction to the lovable scamp and the enduring joys of his escapades.

Reprint of a standard edition.
Written by Jack London
Publisher’s Synopsis: This triumphant tale of survival, the greatest of Jack London’s works, relates the adventures of Buck, half-St. Bernard and half-Scottish sheepdog, who is forced into the brutal life of a sled-dog during the heady days of the Alaska gold rush.
Set in the harsh and unforgiving environment of the Far North, the story follows Buck as he grows daily in strength, savagery, and cunning, adapting to his hostile circumstances by responding to the stirring of his primitive ancestral traits. This unabridged edition offers young readers a fine introduction to the excitement of the classic adventure novel.
Reprint of the Macmillan Company, New York, 1903 edition.
Written by Mary Shelley
Publisher’s Synopsis: With his debut nearly two centuries ago, Dr. Frankenstein’s monster captured the popular imagination and never let go, haunting even those who have never read this classic of horror fiction. This specially adapted children’s edition retains all of the excitement of the original version yet makes the enduring Gothic fable accessible to youngsters.
The brilliant scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein indulges his curiosity about the hidden laws of nature when he happens upon the secret to the animation of lifeless matter. Piecing together the detritus of butcher shops and dissecting rooms, the doctor fashions an eight-foot-tall creature whose loathsome appearance fills even his creator with repulsion. Abandoned by his maker, rejected with fear and disgust by everyone he encounters, the enraged and embittered monster goes on a murderous rampage, determined to destroy Frankenstein by striking at those closest to him.
Since its 1817 publication, this incredible and imaginative fantasy has held generations of readers spellbound. This new, specially abridged edition, enhanced with illustrations by Thea Kliros, will satisfy young readers’ appetites for gripping suspense and ghoulish thrills.
Original abridgment of standard edition.
Written by Argentina Palacio
Publisher’s Synopsis: “Once, there was a man who went crazy from too much reading. He only read books about knighthood; that was the problem.” So begins this charming retelling of Don Quixote de la Mancha, one of the most entertaining books ever written. Young people will delight in the hilarious adventures of the idealistic would-be knight and his “squire,” Sancho Panza, as they set out to right the wrongs of the world. Ms. Palacios, a talented storyteller, captures all the flavor and irony of the original as the two heroes ride forth to conquer evil. Along the way the well-meaning but addled knight-errand mistakes a miserable inn and its keeper for a castle and its lord; imagines an ordinary peasant girl to be the noble lady Dulcinea, perceives windmills as giants to be overcome, and gets enmeshed in other cases of mistaken identity. These, and many more incidents and adventures are retold here in a beguiling, easy-to-read version, enhanced by six new black-and-white illustrations by Thea Kliros. This edition is sure to delight today’s youngsters, just as the original has enchanted countless readers since its publication nearly 400 years ago.
Reprint of The Knight and Squire, Doubleday & Company, inc., Garden City, New York 1979

This post is brought to you by the creators of Fairday's Blog in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Dover Books. Happy reading!

BOOK GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a set of 7 titles from the Great American Read list, as well as the Five Great English Novels Boxed Set!
Two (2) grand prize winners receive:
A set of 7 titles from The Great American Read list:
Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain
The Call of the Wild, by Jack London
The Story of Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
Adventures of Don Quixote, by Argentina Palacio
A Five Great English Novels Boxed Set
Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens
Wuthering Heights, by Emily Brontë
Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
The Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad
Value: $51+
Three (3) runner-up winners receive:
A set of 7 titles from The Great American Read list (as above)
Value: $33+
Giveaway begins May 23, 2017, at 12:01 A.M. PST and ends June 22, 2017, at 11:59 P.M. PST.
Giveaway open to residents of Canada and the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older.
Prizes provided by Dover Books
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Tuesday, March 27, 2018

It's Good To Be Library Bound!


"The novel builds to an exciting climax that takes magic in stride and suggests that further mysteries await the DMS trio."-Publishers Weekly 

"This paranormal mystery will be of interest to young readers looking for something spooky but not violent or scary." -Booklist

"[The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow] moves briskly and includes magic, action, and suspense." -SLJ

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
Publish date: 12/1/15
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Illustrator: Roman Muradov
Ages: 9-12
Grade Level: 4-7
Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book
Limited Edition Library Bound


Eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow is less than thrilled that her family is moving thousands of miles from civilization to the quiet country town of Ashpot, Connecticut, where she’s absolutely certain she’ll die of boredom. 

As if leaving Manhattan and her best friend, Lizzy, the only other member of the elite Detective Mystery Squad, weren’t bad enough, Fairday is stuck living in the infamous Begonia House, a creepy old Victorian with dark passageways, a gigantic dead willow tree, and a mysterious past. 

Before she can even unpack, strange music coming from behind a padlocked door leads Fairday up a spiral staircase and into a secret room, where she finds an ancient mirror, a brass key, and a curious portrait of a red-haired lady. 

These seemingly unrelated items prove to be the first in a series of clues that takes Fairday, the visiting Lizzy, and their new squad member, Marcus, on an amazing adventure.


Can the members of the Detective Mystery Squad piece together the puzzle before it’s too late? Or will whatever’s causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?



“Remember, young lady, you have to think beyond what you know to be real. You have to see with your mind as well as your eyes.” The old man pulled his glasses down to the end of his nose and looked at her. “Be careful, Miss Morrow. Please be very careful.” 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson

Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson are co-authors of the Fairday Morrow series. They met freshman year of high school in English class, where they discovered they liked the same books. Their friendship grew, and over the years they went on to work as servers together, go to the same college for a short time, and they even became roommates for a while. Many books were discussed, but none were ever written. Now, after the release of their first middle grade novel, The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, Stephanie and Jess are continuing to build suspense in book 2: Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library

If you're interested in engaging readers with tips on crafting stories, host an event with Stephanie and Jess. The authors discuss their journey collaborating on a mystery series in a Google Slides presentation or conduct writing workshops to inspire creative thinking. The workshops focus on using visualization to inspire writing; older students get to be the editor. 😮
Camp Summerset, Summer Reading Group, NY
To learn more about booking an event with Stephanie and Jess, visit their website: fairdaysfiles.com


The next case in the DMS files is open! Catch the book buzz in Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library.

The Detective Mystery Squad tries to stop a bookworm from eating words in stories. The mystery unwinds as three young sleuths uncover a world where books are alive and legends guard a library that doesn't exist.



While you're here, check out what's happening on Fairday's Blog. Fairday and Lizzy are bookworms who can't get enough to read. They love sharing their thoughts about books they like and engaging readers with creative posts.
Stay for a spell and take a look around!

View Book Reviews

Fairday and Lizzy love to discuss books, and they invite you to join in the reading fun. Lizzy's review focuses on middle grade and Fairday reviews children's picture books her little sister, Margo, picks to share.







Click to read articles

Fairday's Story Album is packed with articles about writing, reading, and collaborating on books. If you're working on a manuscript or publishing a book, stop by this page to find out what it takes to bring a story to life.





Click to view riddles
Fairday pretty much thinks in rhyme, and on Mondays she writes a rhyming riddle that clues readers in on the theme for the week. If you're in the mood to tease your brain or love working out word puzzles, give it a try!  







Click for contest details
Drawing is a wonderful tool to inspire writing, and the next DMS drawing contest is on! Students can send in a drawing of a scene or character from The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow or Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library, and they'll be entered to win an awesome mystery prize pack.






Click to visit an enchanted forest
If you want to relax and let your mind wander take a walk in a literary forest. Follow the links through the post to keep on track. Watch out for tricky cats and sipping snakes. You'll need to keep your wits about you to find the right path through the trees!









Click to view drawings
If you'd rather contemplate the magic of twisted lines, stop by to check out Jessica Haight's illustrations. Featuring: original sketches for The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow and Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library, plus other inconceivable tangents of endless imagination. Enjoy the whimsy!

Monday, April 10, 2017

Spring Break and Ways to Win!

Spring Break is here and we'll be away for the week! We'll still be stopping in to blogs and catching up with all of you. While we're gone we thought we'd leave you with some ways you can win. Have a lovely week!


Catch Fairday in the Wild

Snap a photo of Fairday in the wild. If you see her in a bookstore, shop, or at someone's house, simply take a photo and share it via social media (or email the picture to haightjess@gmail.com).

Winner of our last "Fairday in the Wild" Contest

Make sure to tag us! For each share you will be entered to win a $50 Visa Gift Card. Contest is open internationally and runs until 5/5/17. Happy character spotting!



Drawing Contest

The drawing contest is wrapping up soon. Draw a scene or character from The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow and you'll be entered to win a cool prize pack. Don't miss your chance! For more information see the Drawing Contest Rules. Contest ends 4/30/17.

Winner of the last drawing contest: Mario C. 


Wednesday, October 14, 2015

A Monster's Delight...


Thanks to I Am A Reader for hosting the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop. We're giving away a signed hardcover edition of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, which creeps onto bookshelves everywhere December 1st. To celebrate, we're also giving away a $100 gift card to an independent bookstore of the winner's choice to those who pre-order the book. 

Happy reading! 
~DMS


"I bid you hello! I'm Mystrella, your webby hostess, and I'm here to show you around the monster fair. The gates are open, and there are tricks and treats to be found at every turn. So stick with me, and you're sure to find a thrill."

Mystrella: Now, here's a dear friend of mine. Pumpkin's always happy to show people around her neighborhood. If you're looking to check out a few bone chilling addresses, take a trip to Halloween Town. You won't be sorry you did, if you make it back that is."

Great Pumpkin: Well me lovelies, I hear yeh wish ta court some monsters. Being the season of scare, I'm cookin' up a twist, servin' yeh the inside scoop. Grab yer wits and come on a trip inta me neighborhood. La ti da! 


Click here to go to Halloween Town
Mystrella: Ah, it's Ferry Blackwell. He's sure to be stirring up trouble. Let's stop in to see what's cooking.

Ferry Blackwell: Mistress Mystrella! A delicious sight! Come, dine with me tonight. I've some little candies that'll make you shudder, a pinch of this and a tad of butter. No? Too shy? Such a pity. If your friends have the time, I've a story that's witty.



Click here to read Ferry Blackwell's story- if you dare. Mwahahaha.


Mystrella: Watch out! I see the gypsy, Eldrich. Keep your heads, and be careful what you wish for.

Eldrich: Hello dearies. So nice to see you, and you're just in time for the Faerie Market. You'll need a banana and your imagination to proceed. If you're lacking, I can provide, at a price of course! Now gaze into my crystal ball and transport yourself into the magic.


Click here to visit the Faerie Market 


Mystrella: I've had a frightfully good time showing you around the monster fair, and if we've entertained you at all, please share the fun with a friend. :)

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Enter the rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a signed hardcover edition of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow. Contest open to all. Ends on October 31st.

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