Cooper and Me and the Military Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Cooper and Me and the Military is…Kim!  Congratulations!  

Many thanks to all who entered.

Pippin

Author: Xaviére Devos

Genre: Children

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 10

Type: Picture Book

Time Period: Modern

Main Characters: Pippin

My Review:  I just finished reading a book to my four-year-old son and had to put up a review.  Pippin has everything a kitten could ever want.  Of course, his mama might not always want to wait for him, and his papa may need to wait until later to do something with Pippin, but they do love him.  Pippin’s only concern is that he can’t purr.  Who will teach him?  How can he learn this important cat skill?  

My overall opinion:  This is a sweet story that children will enjoy listening to and will remind all mamas and papas everywhere to slow down to “kitten” time in our crazy rushed world.

This post was written by Jennifer.

Cooper and Me and the Military Givaway Reminder

Don’t forget to enter the Cooper and Me and the Military giveaway.  It ends in just a few days.  Go here to see the giveaway post.

Cooper & Me And The Military Review and Giveaway

Author: Monique and Alexa Peters

Genre: Children

My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 9

Type: Picture book

Time Period: Modern

Main Characters: Cooper and Trooper

My Review:  Cooper and Me and The Military is a wonderful children’s book.  With rhyming text, fun pictures, and an interesting story, it is the perfect book to hold children’s attention.  I read it to my little brother, and he enjoyed it very much and carries it with him everywhere.  It tells of a boy and girl (and their dog) who send a special gift to their parents who are overseas.

My overall opinion:  A very interesting book that I would highly recommend for young children.

For a mandatory entry you must leave a comment on this post.  The extra entries detailed below do not have to be completed in order to enter, but they will increase your chances of winning.  Giveaway ends February 29, 2012.  This means you can no longer enter.  This contest is open to residents of Canada and the U.S.A. only.

1. Subscribe to this blog.  (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
2. Subscribe to my writing blog.  (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
3. Like this blog’s Facebook page.
4. Like the Cooper and Me page on Facebook.
5. Share the link to this giveaway on Facebook.
6. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter.
7. Post about this giveaway on your blog/website.  When you comment for this extra entry, include the link.

Put this button on your blog/website to spread the word about this giveaway.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Black Cloud

Author:  Patricia Hermes

Genre:  Tween fiction

My rating on a 1-10 scale:  10

Type:  Fiction

Time Period:  1950′s

Main Characters:  Black Cloud (horse), Annie

My Review:  Told first person from the horse’s point of view, this book chronicles the life of a mustang, Black Cloud, from his birth and growth.  Frolicking with other colts and fillies his age, facing the herd bully, and becoming as tough as possible are only some of the activities he enjoys.  But when a strange, silvery bird (an airplane) from the sky chases them into a box canyon, trapping them, will Black Cloud find a good home?  Or will he be killed?

My overall opinion:  This book clearly details the terrible things that were done to mustangs in the mid-1900′s.  We are introduced to Wild-Horse Annie, as a child.  I think this book is a very good read.  Includes an appendix about the mustang breed and Wild-Horse Annie at the back.

Cooper & Me:Winter Adventure – Review and a Giveaway!

Cooper & Me: Winter Adventure is the heartwarming story about two dogs – Cooper and Bella.  When Cooper and Bella stray too far into the winter forest they become lost and frightened.  Will they be able to make their way home in time.  With lively illustrations and fun, rhyming text this book will be a winner with your kindergartners.

Giveaway details:  Put up one comment for each extra entry.  For the mandatory entry post a comment telling one thing you love about winter.  Giveaway ends December 16th, 2011.  This means you can no longer enter.  I will post the winner and e-mail him/her soon after.  Sorry, contest open to residents of Canada and the United States of America only.

1. Subscribe to this blog.  (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
2. Subscribe to my horse blog.  (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
3. Like this blog’s Facebook page.
4. E-mail me a guest post.  If I publish it, you will receive an extra entry.
5. Like the Cooper and Me page on Facebook.
6. Share the link to this giveaway on Facebook.
7. Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter.
8. Post about this giveaway on your blog/website.  When you comment for this extra entry, include the link.

Special offer from the friends of Cooper & Me:

Make any purchase of $25 or more at CooperandMe.com and get FREE SHIPPING now through December 15.

MUST USE THIS CODE @ Check Out:  COOPERBLOG

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Who is Alfie?

One of my three-year-old’s favourite series is one about a little boy his age and the little boy’s sister – Alfie and Annie-Rose.  Alfie is about three years old and has all the joys and sorrows of any little boy his age.  Shirley Hughes is British so of course her books reflect this in their language which is fun.

In Alfie Gets in First Alfie races ahead of Mum and gets in the door first with a disastrous result which is finally solved by Alfie himself but not before the whole neighbourhood gets involved trying to help.

Alfie’s 1-2-3 is a number book (obviously) which does just a little bit of adding in addition to counting.

One of our very favourite Alfie books is Alfie’s Feet.  Alfie needs new rain boots so he can splash in puddles – what little boy can’t relate?  The new boots are wonderful but not quite right.  See if you can figure out before Alfie does what is wrong with them.

Alfie Weather is a collection of stories about Alfie and his family in different kinds of weather.  Interestingly right in the middle of the book is Mum tells Alfie the story of the Fall of Man while they are on a country explore.  This one is a bit longer than others so make sure you have time for it.

Our library doesn’t have all of Shirley Hughes’ books – she wrote a lot.  We read what they have, and when we find any at resale shops or used book stores we buy them.  Shirley Hughes also wrote other series but Alfie is the one we love.

Rabbits and Raindrops

Jennifer is the newest guest blogger on this blog.  She will be reviewing children’s books.

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My children and I love to cuddle together with a good book. I grew up surrounded by books, good books and delight in giving my children the same experience. When they were all still little I started to keep a list of books we enjoyed – for our own reference and to share with others.

Jim Arnosky is a favourite author. His books feature gorgeous, realistic artwork of nature. They are “scientific” without seeming to be. For example, did you know that raindrops are actually round in shape? Read “Rabbits and Raindrops” and you will learn that.

The pictures in Mr. Arnosky’s books will hold the attention of your toddlers until they are old enough to appreciate the story. That makes these books a bonus for busy moms with an age spread – one book to satisfy everyone. Here is a partial listing of his books.

ALL NIGHT NEAR THE WATER

COME OUT, MUSKRATS

DEER AT THE BROOK

EVERY AUTUMN COMES THE BEAR

OTTERS UNDER WATER

RABBITS AND RAINDROPS

RACCOONS AND RIPE CORN

These are just a few of the many, many books Mr. Arnosky has written.
So take a walk to a library, borrow a couple of these wonderful books and enjoy some down time with your little ones.

A Little Princess

A Little Princess is about a girl named Sara Crewe.  Her rich young father sends her to a school in England.   She is treated like a little princess by her shallow teacher.  When her father dies, leaving her penniless she is forced to work as a drudge.  Will Sara ever become a ‘princess’ again?  Read this delightful book to find out.

Elsie Dinsmore Book 6

In Elsie’s Children, her children are growing up and maturing.  Because of Lily’s ill health, Elsie, her husband, her 17 year old daughter, and the newborn of the family, are forced to travel North to find a doctor, leaving the other children behind in the care of old friends for the time being.  When Violet’s friend, Isa, becomes a Catholic, Isa tries to convert her over.  Violet is not convinced and later, Isa’s secret faith comes out in a heated discussion with family members.  Lily is brought home, but passes away shortly afterwards.  Through it all, Elsie maintains her faith and trust in God.  Isa becomes a sincere Christian, and the whole family go to the seashore for the summer.  Elsie’s daughter, Elsie, falls in love with a man, who asks for her hand.   It is granted.  Will he succeed?  This book has a more emphasis on Elsie’s children than Elsie herself, but it is still good reading.

Elsie Dinsmore – Book 3

Elsie and her father start their new life together in a house of their own – the Oaks.  Her father falls in love with a beautiful lady and they get married, which later gives Elsie a new baby brother and sister.  Elsie, now 18 goes to live for the summer with her great-aunt Wealthy in the small town of Lansdale.  When Elsie’s father leaves her, a young and handsome swindler comes into town.  Will Elsie see through him or will she be blinded to the true facts?  Will Elsie ever realize that true love has been with her from childhood?

The Bronze Bow

This is a story about a Jewish boy named Daniel in Bible times.  He hates the Romans because they killed his father and mother, and made his sister become mentally unbalanced.  He joins a fierce mountain band, trying to defeat the Romans.  He hears of a man named Jesus who is teaching people to love their enemies.  But Daniel scorns such a belief of peace and love, and becomes embittered dragging his sister, the girl he loves, and his closest friends into a web of dangerous and daring intrigue.

Akin to Anne

Akin to Anne is a collection of 19 other short stories written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.  I think she wrote them before she wrote the Anne books.  The downside of these short stories is that they all end the same (the orphans find long lost relatives or get adopted).  The good thing about them is that they are all not about children, some are old people or young people.  Also, the stories are still quite interesting.