The DMS Wants to Know!

To kick off December, we gave away Monday's Riddle, twirled you into the ballet, and whisked you off on a magical train ride the the North Pole. It's been a whirlwind week, and we want to welcome our new followers for coming along for the ride. One thing we know for sure, the gift of a good story can change a life. :) Today, we want to hear from you! 

The DMS wants to know: What is the most sincere gift you've ever given? 

Week theme: Gifts!

Enter to win!
Giveaway ends December 24th

Enter to win!
Giveaway ends December 30th 

Make time to riddle and rhyme! 
62 original riddles and illustrations  

Fairday's Riddles: Volume I 
Available in all e-book formats
FREE until December 30th
Enter Coupon Code: EP48Z

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The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle brought up regret, and Lizzy's review took us right into story Mick Harte Was Here by Barbara Park. Friday, Jeanne DuPrau stopped by to tell us about her book The City of Ember. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
Do you have any regrets that you would like to let go of?  

Week theme: Regret

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle locked us in, and Lizzy's review of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate gave us a glimpse of life behind bars. Friday, the Character Book Club met over at Read These Books and Use Them! And, it was awesome to find out what Terra, natures spirit, had to say to Anna Green, a young girl from the past. Today, we want to hear from you! 



The DMS wants to know: What are your thoughts about keeping animals in captivity? If you were content in a cage, would you want to escape? 

Week theme: Life in captivity 

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2013 UCONN Children's Book Fair

2013 UCONN Children's Book Fair

We had a great time at the Children's Book Fair this weekend! It was cool to see everyone so excited about books and fascinating to learn about some amazing authors and illustrators. It's always interesting to discover the inspiration behind stories that we love. This week our theme has been inner strength, and it made us think about what stories have made us a little stronger. Today, we'd love to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know:
What story has inspired inner strength for you?

 Here are a few highlights from UCONN Children's Book Fair...

Children's Authors Stephanie Robinson & Ann Martin

It was awesome for the chance to chat with Ann Martin, author of The Baby-sitters Club, and many other stories. Lizzy reviewed her novel Belle Teal, and we were lucky enough for the chance to interview Ms. Martin. If you enjoy her books, you're in luck! We're giving away a signed copy of Belle Teal to thank our readers for stopping by. : )

Enter the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win. Good luck!

The campus was buzzing with creativity and the quiet energy only a room full of books can bring. We saw many new titles that we can't wait to read, and our TBR list grew exponentially!

Children's Authors, Stephanie Robinson & Tui Sutherland

We met with Tui Sutherland, author of the middle grade series Wings of Fire and other children's stories. After listening to Ms. Sutherland talk about the inspirations behind her fantasy stories, we are excited to read her books. If you like stories about dragons and other fantastical creatures, this author is for you!

Book bought: The Menagerie 

Children's Authors Stephanie Robinson, Phoebe Stone, and Jessica Haight

One of the highlights of the day was listening to Phoebe Stone talk about her stories, and how she experienced many of the events that she describes in her books. The tales of her family's travels from England to America during the war really set the scene and held the audience captivated. It was fascinating to learn about her poet parents, and hear a few excerpts from her books. Ms. Stone was an amazing reader, and we can't wait to dive into one of her stories soon.


Book bought: Romeo Blue 

Children's Authors Stephanie Robinson & Nick Bruel

We also had the pleasure of chatting with Nick Bruel, author of the Bad Kitty Books. This author and illustrator is such a cool character, and we enjoyed watching him change Bad Kitty's mood right before our eyes. These books are really fun, and we're looking forward to checking out these colorful stories.

Book bought: Bad Kitty 

Children's Illustrators Jessica Haight & Jonathan Bean

One book we're really looking forward to reading is Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls. This story is part of a series. What drew us to the table was the cover. It's fabulous, and it was really cool to meet the illustrator, Jonathan Bean. The pictures throughout are amazing and they add that brilliant touch of magic that just makes you want to read the book!

Book bought:
Emmy and the Home for Troubled Girls

A great time was had by all, and we look forward to attending the Children's Book Fair next year!

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1) Follow Fairday's Blog!
2) Leave a comment and let us know:

What story has inspired inner strength for you?
3) Fill out the Rafflecopter form below

Book giveaway ends Sunday, December 1st

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The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle creeped in, and Lizzy's review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets caught us in a spiders web. Friday, Margo took us on a tour of The Witches' Supermarket, and today we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: If you could have the abilities of an arachnid or insect, which abilities would you want?

Week theme: Spiders!

  

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The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was frightfully clever, and Lizzy's movie review of Watcher in the Woods gave us the goosebumps. Friday, it was great to chat with Natalie Hyde about her book Saving Armpit. Don't forget the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop is still happening. Stop by the post and enter for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to The Edward Gorey Store, where you'll find all sorts of fascinating books and other peculiarities- giveaway ends October 31st. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: What movie scares you the most? 

Week theme: Fear 

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was gravely mysterious, and Lizzy's review of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman was brought to you by Nobody. : ) Friday, the Character Book Club gathered once more over at Strands of Thought. It was fun to find out what Breeze Brannigan from Just Breeze had to say to Terra from Beware of the White. Don't forget to stop by the Spooktacular Hop for your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to The Edward Gorey Store, where you can check out all sorts of peculiarities. This Spooktacualr Giveaway Hop ends October 31st. This week has been quite a thrill tip-toeing through the graveyard, and today we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know:
Have you ever seen a ghost or other supernatural entity in a cemetery? 

Week theme: Cemeteries

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The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle took us into a cave, and Lizzy's review of The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau was a trip into the light. Friday, it was awesome to chat with Cynthia DeFelice about her stellar stories, Signal and The Ghost of Fossil Glen. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: Have you ever explored a cave?

Week theme: Caves 

Christian Gottlieb Kratzenstein, Orpheus and Eurydice, 1806

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle had us seeing double, and Lizzy's review of Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix was twice the mystery. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we brought you a few look-alikes, and Friday, it was awesome to hear from Margaret Peterson Haddix! Today, we want to hear from you!


The DMS wants to know: Have you ever met your double?

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours!

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was a sweet treat, and Lizzy's review of Gingersnap by Patricia Reilly Giff took us into a unique bakery. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we told you about two tantalizing bites we'd like to try, and Friday, the Character Book Club met over at our friend Beverly's blog. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
What is your favorite treat from the bakery? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours!

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle contacted the spirits, and Lizzy's review of The Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice told us about a spooky encounter. Thursday on Top of the Heap, Fairday's mom, Pru, popped by to tell us her supernatural story, and Friday, we were enchanted by Cornelia Funke, who told us a little more about her story Inkheart. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
Have you ever communicated with the spirits?

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours! 

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle put the pieces of the puzzle into place and Lizzy's review of Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper brought us into the mind of Melody and her struggles to be heard. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we shared a puzzle for you to solve, and Friday, Margo shared Daughter of Earth: A Roman Myth retold and illustrated by Gerald McDermott.  Today, we want to hear from you!

 

The DMS wants to know: 

What is the best puzzle you have ever solved (it can be physical, emotional, or something that simply stumped you)?  Or is there a puzzle you are still hoping to figure out?

You tell us yours and we will tell you ours!

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle brought us into the community, and Lizzy's review of Saving Armpit by Natalie Hyde told us about a group of kids out to save their town. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we spotlighted two inspiring community efforts, and Friday, we were excited to chat with Michael Rothman and learn a little more about his story Heirs of Prophecy. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
What community effort have you heard about that inspires you?

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours!

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was another brick in the wall, and Lizzy's review of The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang told us about a young girl determined to put one up. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we brought up two famous walls in history, and Friday, we were excited to tell you about the enchanting book nook, Linda's Story Time. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
Have you ever put up a wall? If so, what was its purpose?

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours!

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle revealed the circle, and Lizzy's review of Signal by Cynthia DeFelice brought us on a mysterious adventure into the crops. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we shared a few cool shots of these enigmas with you, and Friday, the Character Book Club met once again over at our friend Millie's blog. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
Who or what do you think is responsible for the unclaimed crop circles? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours!

The DMS Wants to Know!

A glasssmith at work at The New York Renaissance Faire

Monday's Riddle gave us the smithy code, and Lizzy's review of Heirs of Prophecy by Michael A. Rothman took us into another world with the Riverton family. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we showed you a day in life of a farrier, and Friday, Dan Gutman stopped by to tell us about his story The Million Dollar Shot. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS Wants to Know: 
What is a skilled trade or craft that you find fascinating? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours! 

You can see glasssmiths (or they are also called gaffers- interesting!) glass blowing at The New York Renaissance Faire. It's seriously amazing. 

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was a walk on the beach, and Lizzy's review of Olive’s Ocean by Kevin Henkes cast us into mysterious waters. Thursday on Top of the Heap we told you about a remote beach on a far away island, and Friday, Margo brought out The Real Mother Goose to share a few of her favorite rhymes. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS wants to know: 
If you could spend a day on any beach in the world, which one would you choose? 

We told you ours. Now, let's hear yours! 

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle was cryptic, and Lizzy's review of The Klipfish Code by Mary Casanova cracked the code. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we told you about two interesting types of code, and Friday, it was awesome to chat with Timothy Davis about his ocean adventure Sea Cutter: Book 1 in The Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe. Stop by the post and enter to win a copy of this exciting middle grade book- giveaway ends Sunday, August 4th. Today, we want to hear from you!

The DMS Wants to Know: 
Have you ever sent anyone a message in secret code? What type of code did you use?

We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours! 

The DMS Wants to Know!

You took a chance on Monday's Riddle, and Lizzy's review of The Million Dollar Shot by Dan Gutman set the scene for a risky adventure. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we shouted out to those who rise to the occasion, and Friday, it was great to hear from Joan Hiatt Harlow and find out more about her stories Thunder from the Sea and Joshua's Song. Today, we hope you'll take a chance and share your thoughts with us!

The DMS wants to know: 
What chance have you taken that's made a difference in your life?

We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours!

Scene from Pan's Labyrinth 

The DMS Wants to Know!

Monday's Riddle swept us out to sea, and Lizzy's review of Sea Cutter: Book 1 in The Chronicles of Nathaniel Childe by Timothy Davis was an ocean adventure. Thursday on Top of the Heap, we enjoyed sharing our ghostly boat stories with you, and Friday, Randi Barrow drifted by to tell us about the story behind her story, Finding Zasha. Today, we'd love to hear from you!

The DMS Wants to Know: 
What type of boat would you like to sail away into the sunset on?

We'll tell you ours, if you tell us yours! 

Capt. Rich Haight going out fishing on the Baboo in Cape Cod