DK and Barefoot Books Giveaway

I've got a box full of fun items to give away here today--a plethora of good stuff for children.

For starters I've got The Toddler Cook Book published by DK (a name that is synonymous with quality children's publications) and this book promises everything you've come to expect with DK. Just as the title suggests it's a cook book aimed at teaching young children the basics. I've never met a child yet who doesn't like to get their hands messy in the kitchen and this is a great way to get them started with simple instructions, activities and recipes. The recipes aren't wild, they're the kind that a young child would enjoy, and it's well-illustrated.

Next there is my favorite of the group: Stories from the Opera by Shahrukh Husain published by Barefoot Books. This one was hard to put up as a giveaway, I really wanted to keep this one for myself--my children have loved several of the Barefoot Books collection (check out Pirates, The Adventures of Odysseus, Shakespeare's Storybook and Ballet Stories ) because the illustrations are beautiful, each page has lots to explore and the stories are full of adventure.

Just as the title suggests, it's a volume of beautifully illustrated opera librettos: The Magic Flute, The Flying Dutchman, Orpheus and Eurydice, Hansel and Gretel . . . and it comes with a read-along CD narrated by actress Miranda Richardson so children can hear the music as the story is read. A lovely book and a wonderful way to introduce children to the fine arts.

I also have a new story book titled Kelanola, the Raven Princess of Oahu by Debra Gannon Neuberger which is an Hawaiian tale full of Hawaiian words and animals--signed by both the author and the illustrator, Kathleen Michele Nail.

Now comes some music! Little Maestros has a new CD out called Postcards from My Mind with original songs for kids. The titles give you a hint of what you can expect ("I Love the Bath," "Rock the Block" and "I Know My Body") in this, the third installment of the story of a little girl named Sparkle who travels on fantasy trips with her stuffed animal. Not quite Verdi, but it will get the kids tapping their toes and humming along.

Last I'm throwing in a Baby Jamz Jammin' Microphone and Baby Jamz CD which was sent to me to review. I have mixed feelings about including this in the package as 1. It was rather noisy 2. I don't really think we need a hip hop version of "Old McDonald Had a Farm" and 3. My kids wouldn't stop pushing the darn button on the microphone just for kicks while it sat on my computer. It finally got to the point that I threatened them with severe pain should any finger find its way to the "test me" button ever again.

So why would I include this as part of the giveaway package? Well regardless of my personal feelings the toddler in your life might have fun with it--my children are too old to enjoy nursery rhyme karaoke and maybe between the beauty of the opera and the gut-wrenching pain of Solange Knowles singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" your child can find some tunes to enjoy.

The whole package of toddler fun is up for grabs for one lucky winner this week.

Oh, and by the way--I'll be posting the winner of the Seattle TourSaver giveaway that has run all week tomorrow. I've got a bunch of books piling up to give away and there will be more books up for grabs on Monday.

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday go to the giveaway entry form on this page and enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

I'm sorry but this giveaway is only open to U.S. readers.

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