Up and blogging again and Goodreads account

To my readers,
Last semester was a doozie, evidenced by the fact that I completely disappeared from the blogging world. I'm sorry about that. I'm planning to start back up with blogging again and continue to share books with you that you can share with your children. I've missed this! A new blog post should appear on Monday.

Meanwhile, check out my new Goodread's account. (http://www.goodreads.com/26letterimagination)
Although I haven't written a lot of reviews on there, yet, I do have a bookshelf full of books I've read in the past and have enjoyed. Goodreads is a good way to see what books I love that are not new-releases. Whereas I normally focus only on new releases when it comes to this blog, I have many old favorites. A lot of those are reflected in my choices for my Goodread's shelves, and I'm sure to add more as I realize how many books from my childhood I remember and appreciate.

I'm excited to be back!
Miriam

Mr. Popper's Penguin's Giveaway WINNER!

I have randomly drawn a name, and the winner of the Mr. Popper's Penguins book is

Sarah Bailey!

Congratulations, Sarah!

To see the Twenty-Six-Letter Imagination Blog's review of Mr. Popper's Penguins follow this link.

Mr. Popper's Penguins GIVEAWAY!

Because, overall, Mr. Popper's Penguins is such a great book....

The Twenty-Six Letter Imagination is holding a giveaway!

Mr. Popper's Penguins

by Richard and Florence Atwater

Originally Released in 1938

From Little, Brown and Company
See the book review HERE.

Giveaway Rules:

1. You must be (or become) a follower (either on Google, Twitter, or Facebook) to enter.

2. You must comment below to receive one (1) entry.
3. The giveaway will close on Saturday, July 30th, 2011 at 5 pm. EST.

4.. Winner will be randomly chosen.

5. Winner will be announced on the blog and will have one week to provide a mailing address before the book is given away to a different winner.

 6. Residents of the U.S. only, please.
 

In order to receive extra entries and increase your chance of winning, you may consider the following...

* You may receive one (1) additional entry for posting a link to this giveaway on Twitter using the hashtag #26letterpenguins or tagging @26letterblog

* You may receive one (1) additional entry for posting a link to this blog on Facebook, as long as you tag "The Twenty-Six Letter Imagination: A Children's Book Blog" group page.

* You may receive (5) additional entries by posting about this giveaway on your own blog and providing me the link to your blog entry in your comment below.



Which is your favorite penguin from Mr. Popper's Penguins?


Note: I have been informed that Blogger is giving people trouble when they try to comment on this post using their openID, LiveJournalID or URL.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.  Please still post using your Blogger name, your personal name, or as anonymous (if posting as anonymous, give me some way in your comment to identify you if you win). Thanks!

A few questions

My apologies, but I have not yet finished reading the "Less-Than-A-Dollar Friday" book.  Instead of that this week, I'd like to pose a few questions to you.  I would like some feedback about the blog and the books I've been reviewing so that I know how to better serve you, the parents that follow me.

How old are your children?
What are their favorite genres?
When you think of this blog, do you come here for reviews of fiction, or would you like to see reviews of nonfiction as well?

Is there any reason that you would not recommend my blog to another parent?
Any other comments/concerns/questions?

The Roly-Poly Pudding

Title: The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding
Author: Beatrix Potter
Publisher: Amazon Digital
Price: $0.99



The Tale of Samuel Whiskers (better known as The Roly-Poly Pudding) has a lot to say about the consequences of disobedience.

When Thomas disobeys his mother, he finds himself in quite the predicament and puts his mother in a tizzy!  Unless he can escape, the rats are going to make him into roly-poly pudding!  How he wishes that he'd obeyed mother's bidding and stayed near her when she asked.


Positive elements: Beatrix Potter's lovely watercolor illustrations are spread throughout The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or The Roly-Poly Pudding and bring Mrs. Tabitha's search to life.  The text provides an opportunity for your children to learn a few new words such as "fender," "unruly," "wainscot," "queer," and "disarranged," as well as phrases like "give her leave," "be obliged," and "it was of no consequence."  The rats get justice in the end. Tom is rescued but not without learning some important lessons about obedience first.

Negative elements: There is one reference to the rats "taking snuff."

What is your favorite Beatrix Potter tale?

Less-Than-A Dollar Fridays!

Today is the first day of Less-Than-A-Dollar Fridays.  While Monday and Wednesday posts will still include new releases of all price ranges in both hardcover and Kindle editions, Fridays will focus on books that you can get for your children that are less that a dollar on Kindle.

If you don't have a Kindle, there is a free program for PC, iPhone, or Blackberry.  It's simple to download. 

I know that in financial times such as these, parents are always looking for inexpensive-but-fun entertainment and educational material.  Why not get them both in a book?

Remember to visit the blog on Fridays for reviews of books that are Less-Than-A-Dollar!  Click Here to read the very first one!

Reviewing this year's Newberry Award Winner

I've heard a lot of things about the newest Newberry Award Winner, Moon Over Manifest, both good and bad.  I am beginning to read it and should be posting about it in the next week or so.

But as I read, perhaps you would answer a few questions:
-What have you heard about this Newberry?
-What was your initial reaction to others' comments?

Dragon of Cripple Creek Giveaway WINNER!

And the winner of The Dragon of Cripple Creek Giveaway is Simone and I and her son, Eli!  Hope you greatly enjoy reading this great new release!

And for those of you who might have missed the review, read it here.

What Genres/Target Ages Interest You?

I am currently reading several books to make posts on in the next few days.  While I am reading, however, I wanted to get feedback from all of you as readers.
--What genres interest those of you who are following?
-- What ages are your children?
-- What has been your favorite book that I've reviewed so far and why?

Please take a few moments and leave me feedback on what types of posts would better serve you!


And while you're at it, DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY! (http://the26letterimagination.blogspot.com/2011/05/dragon-of-cripple-creek-review-and.html)

Finals week and other random notes...

No, I have not disappeared off the face of the earth.  It's just finals time at the college I attend, and I've been super busy.  I'll be back next week, just in time to gear up for the 2011 WordCount Blogathon (http://michellerafter.com/the-2011-wordcount-blogathon)!  I'm excited about this opportunity.
In between studying for my finals, I am sneaking in a few seconds here and there to read a couple of pages from Brave Young Knight, so look for a review of this great book sometime soon!