Purpose of this Blog...

You may have noticed that not all books are equal in capturing children's imaginations and in cultivating those innocent, tender souls. My goal is to help you find the ones that do!
(Painting by Mary Cassatt: "Mrs Cassatt Reading to her Grandchildren" -1888)




Monday, February 25, 2013

A Pet Store (& Giveaway!) for Curious Kids

Visit a pet store without ever leaving your home! Look what I've got as a GiveawayThe Animal Store Alphabet Book, by Susan Bearman (signed by the illustrator, Rebecca Hamlin).  If you've got a young animal-lover in your house, they will definitely appreciate this book. Giveaway closed 3/27/13 WINNER: Theresa Marhoefer


Book-ended between the poetic opening and closing verses are pages full of unique and exciting pets, pictured within chunky alphabet letters, described in rhyme, and framed by fascinating facts!

Welcome to the Animal Store
Where this is what you'll see
The "who-knew zoo" just down the street
With pets from A-Z...

When looking for some things to do 
Next ho-hum afternoon
The animals all hope that you'll
Come back and visit soon.

I love this book - the illustrations and rhymes make science fun - who can resist?  And I've got a signed hardcover copy of the book and a cute "Animal Store Alphabet Coloring Book" to give away to one lucky reader - leave a comment here on my blog for a chance to win them both - winner revealed on Wednesday, February 27! (If you have trouble leaving a comment here, you're welcome to leave one on my Facebook post.) 


The book is based on author Susan Bearman's husband's pet shop, "The Animal Store", in Lincolnwood, IL.  One day Susan asked him for a list of animals in his store and discovered he had one for every letter of the alphabet. A picture book was born - but who to do the arwork?  Sister-in-law Rebecca Hamlin did the wonderful illustrations: 28 30"x30" paintings that now hang on loan at the Hope Institute Learning Academy in Chicago (an innovative public elementary school that serves typically-abled students, as well as a community of children with autism).

Pets as everyday as a Kitten and as exotic as a Nile Monitor are to be found in this alphabet book. I think the page with Hedgehog is especially cute...



Watch the book trailer below (and remember to leave a comment - here or on my Facebook page - to enter the Giveaway - winner revealed on Wednesday, March 27).  If you'd like to order the book for your child, it's available here.

13 comments:

  1. How sweet! We especially love coloring pages from books, so this looks like great fun!

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  2. My children would just love this! Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  3. Looks like such a cute book! My girls just tried fried crickets at the Discovery Science Center - this book would be perfect to read this week. :)

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    1. Just put the names through list randomizer (http://www.random.org/lists/) - you won, Theresa!

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  4. how cute! thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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  5. My kids look forward to the pet store~! we have to get our bunny food there, and we end up staying for at least an hour each time..trying NOT to take home another one! LOL

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  6. How cute! My kids would love this book. :)

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  7. Cute cute!! I love the pictures!

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  8. WINNER: Theresa Marhoefer - Congratulations!

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  9. I have seen video and it is Interesting post! Pet memorial

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