Review + Giveaway! My Quiet Book!

When the kiddo was young, one of my favourite books was a busy book that my girlfriend gave to us as a “hand-me-down” as her two children were all grown up. I recall my fascination (and later, Dumpling’s) with the book as it was interactive and had an educational spin to it with different pages featuring different concepts which are age appropriate for toddlers.

My Royal Rae is a Singapore based online retail shop which specializes in selling high quality handcrafted toys, and nothing of the ipad / iphone / battery operated kind. J The toys are chosen by Cecilia who has a PhD in Communications and her husband who has a PhD in Development Psychology.

My Quiet Book is a 14-page book which is designed with the toddlers in mind.

In addition, it cleverly engages young children with fun activities which focus on fine motor skills which are important for writing when they are older. Age appropriate Math activities are also included too!

From Zipping...

To tying a ribbon...

And to color matching and buttoning!

Though the girl is almost 7, she had quite a good time with the activities in the book and mastered tying a really nice ribbon too. :)

Best of all, as these quiet books are made of cloth! So you need not fret over any spillage “accidents”. Simply hand wash and rinse! These books are also great for travelling as they are light to pack and when you are on the road!!! Know Golden Jubilee babies? These quiet books would be the perfect gift. J

I have 1 Quiet cloth book (worth $35!) &

6 sets of Snakes and Ladders with Dolch Sight Words to give away!

Enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win this! (Make sure you have entered for both items!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember to leave a comment on who you wish to gift this book to and why! J

Can't wait for the giveaway? No worries! My Royal Rae has also kindly offered a 20% STOREWIDE DISCOUNT CODE! 

Just add item(s) to the shopping cart and enter "Beanie N Us Discount"! 

Note: 
1) The discount code cannot be used in conjunction with other vouchers / discounts. 
2) Discount code is only valid till end of September 2015. 
3) This giveaway is for SG residents only.
4) This book has detachable components which were added to aid motor skills development. Toddlers who are still teething should not play with the book unsupervised by an adult.

Disclaimer: The giveaway is kindly sponsored by My Royal Rae. We are not compensated for the post. All opinions expressed are entirely ours.

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram!  

Review + Giveaway: A Night at the Safari, A Day with the Duchess & The Lion Dance by David Seow!

David Seow is an author that we are not unfamiliar with having read his books – Emma’s Elephant, If I Were a Blue Kangaroo, etc. David started writing stories when he was babysitting his niece and nephews, and decided to write one about them. And that’s where he drew his inspiration from for the famous Sam Sebbie and Di-Di-Di series.

Sam, Sebbie and Di-di-di are three siblings who go on wonderful excursions and encounter amazing adventures along the way. Here are Dumpling’s top 3 picks.

:: At The Night Safari

The Night Safari is always an adventure for Dumpling whenever we visit it. There is just a hint of mystery in the air when it is a night outing. The tram ride, of course, is a key draw. Dumpling would start whispering and pointing out those nocturnal creatures the moment the ride starts.

And it is the same for Sam Sebbie and Di-Di-Di. The trio started their adventure on a tram ride when suddenly, the tram stopped suddenly with a bump and a bam! Turns out, one very sleepy animal was in the way.

How will they be able to get past the giraffe? Will anyone be able to wake him up? This lovely story, told in an easy rhyming style, is great for younger children as it introduces the various animals and vocabulary in the Safari. 

:: A Day with the Duchess

Amongst all 3 stories, this is my favourite. While “At the Night Safari” is less wordy, “A Day with the Duchess” is more suitable for older children. Dumpling remembers the Duchess’s visit to Singapore, 2 years ago, as I showed her the articles in the papers then. She was very excited that someone from the Royal Family (almost like a real princess mama?) visited Singapore. :)

The story was a joy to read as Kate (Sam’s pet hamster) was brought to meet the Duchess.

(Can you spot where Kate is?)

Unfortunately she was separated from the siblings along the way. The story is ‘true’ as it highlighted the various places the Duke and Duchess visited. From Gardens by the Bay to Queenstown to Raffles Hotel, it also shares how Kate ended up being part of the Duchess ‘entourage’.

Of course, the 3 siblings were worried sick; will they ever be able to find Kate and get her back?

The illustrations by Soefara Jafney were really good! Being quite known for her impeccable fashion sense, I pored through the drawings of her outfits. :p Upon close inspection, I realised that the drawings of the Duchess’s outfits were “true” to what she wore during her visits!  (I did a google to check that out!)  

:: The Lion Dance

The final book that Dumpling has selected is The Lion Dance. On “one extra-special holiday” the siblings (with new member Xandy) were told by their parents that they would be watching a special performance: a lion dance! So who is this lion and where does it come from? Does it really dance?



Like the other titles, the excursion proved to be yet another adventure for the children. They ventured into a ‘hidden’ area, drew open a big red curtain and saw “the funniest lion”. They decided to put on the Lion costume and surprised their parents by hopping out from behind the curtains, only to realise that they are the ones who were surprised instead!

The crowd cheered and the drums went “doong doong doong bang!” and gongs  went “doong doong doong chang”!

“Oh, goodness gracious me!” exclaimed Xandy… “What do we do?” he asked.

How will the children be able to shimmy their way out of this ‘adventure’, or will they?  :)

 

This title is a simple yet lovely tale with captivating illustrations. I enjoyed thumbing through the pages and pouring over the traditional Chinese elements - cranes, lanterns and even the 'Bruce Lee' lookalike outfit donned on by Sebbie!

To place an order for these books, you can visit Epigram here.

I am pleased to share that I have not 1, not 2 but a bundle of these 3 autographed titles worth almost SGD50 for a giveaway!

(For SG residents only)

:: To enter:

1. Enter through rafflecopter below!

2. Leave a comment below on how you encourage a love for reading with your kiddos at home! Please include your email address  

GOOD LUCK!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a3722ab639/

:: Terms and Conditions:

- Entries that do not fulfil the requirements stated will be disqualified without notice.
- Winners will be notified by email, through the email address provided.
- This giveaway is for Singapore residents only. 

Disclaimer: I received copies of the titles from Epigram Books in order to do a review on and give my opinion of it. No monetary compensation was received for this post. Epigram Books is the sponsor of this giveaway.

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram

Book Talk Tuesday - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY! Purple Paw Prints & Paw Prints on the Magic Sofa

:: Purple Paw Prints

Being a dog lover, I was captivated by the illustration of the purple dog when I received copies of Sarah Mounsey's Paw Prints books to review. 

 

The main character, Eddie (possibly out of boredom) decided to paint Oscar one day and in PURPLE too! What ensues is a hilarious tale of how Eddie tried to rectify his mistake. From baths to heading for a car dog wash, Oscar remained purple throughout.

In desperation, Eddie and his sister, Mia, even asked the local fire fighters for help! How will Eddie be able to fix this before his mum and dad return home?

:: Paw Prints on the Magic Sofa
In this second installment of Paw Print series, Sarah brings us on a magical ride as Eddie and his friend, William, travel around the world on Eddie's sofa! Not forgetting Oscar, the boys visited a jungle, rainforest and even a desert!

'Passengers' such as a lion, turtle and even a camel joined them on this magical journey in this highly imaginative tale. A fun and exciting story which had Dumpling and I clambering onto the sofa on a rainy afternoon when we read this; this title provided us with many giggles and a 'flat' torchlight at the end of our pretend play. LOL

:: About the Author
Sarah Mounsey is an Australian author who has been residing in Singapore for more than 12 years with her husband and three sons. She pens the Purple Paws series which won the bronze award in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.

As a primary school teacher, Sarah loves engaging young children and has a passion for children’s literature and in trying to help young readers become lifelong lovers of books. 

:: About the Illustrator
Jade Fang started doodling at a very young age and developed a great interest in drawing and painting as a child. She earned both her Bachelor and Masters of Fine Arts in Illustration from The Academy of Art University, San Franciso. She now lives in Singapore, spending most of her peaceful days doodling and making art.

Highly imaginative with a lovely prose, I am excited to share that Closetful of Books is sponsoring NOT ONE, BUT TWO SETS of AUTOGRAPHED titles (2 books each set) in a giveaway.

Earn credits using Rafflecopter below 

(Please share on what is yours and your child(ren)'s favourite pretend play activity / theme in the comment section below. Giveaway is for Singapore Residents ONLY). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: We received the 2 titles so that we can share our reviews of the books. All opinions, sofa, torchlight, pretend play fun and imagination are 100% our own. 

 If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram! 

Book Talk Tuesday! The Princess Fables Book - $50 Amazon / Paypal Gift Card

About the Book

Title: The Princess Fables | Author: Marc Clark | Illustrator: Eric Hosford | Publication Date: December 5, 2013 | Publisher: Seven C's Productions | Pages: 115 | Recommended Ages: 3+ Summary: The Origins of THE PRINCESS FABLES: When the author's daughter was just beginning the first grade, she was not happy about school. So when he would wake her each morning, whatever she would say to get out of going became the subject for a PRINCESS FABLE. If she'd say, "I don't want to," he'd make up a tale about The Princess Who Always Said, "I Don't Wanna". If she pulled the covers over her head, he'd tell her the story of The Princess Who Hid Under The Covers. By the end of each Fable he'd have her dressed and ready for school, with her eyes wide open and full of hope... THE PRINCESS FABLES are eleven inspirational stories for young girls who may still dream of being a Princess. Each Princess embarks on an adventure of self discovery and along the way, learns about the importance of trust, devotion, courage and the power of love. These classic tales transport little girls to a time and place where they are the heroines and can create their own happy endings. Every delicate pen and ink illustration reflects the classic fairy tale drawings of the late 19th century. Award: The Princess Fables was just awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2014 Los Angeles Book Festival.  

Purchase

Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Print)

The Buzz

In a recent review by the Island Waves publication, Trey Seal wrote, “The Princess Fables is a book that brings back the nostalgia of the classic fairytales from our youth and is highly recommended for young children.”

Excerpts From Amazon Reviews:

"Marvelously original, soulful, and witty tales! Modern fables with funny and moving twists. I hope these stories make their way to kids everywhere!"

"What a beautifully illustrated and well-written book."

"A charming and witty read, with stunning illustrations. The Princess is adorable and the book conveys a very positive image for little girls."

"Great read for the little princess in us all!"

 

About the Author: Marc Clark

Marc Clark is the author of several plays and screenplays, a writer and producer of commercials, promos and television content. Marc is the father of two and currently resides in Manhattan.

Book Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: One winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice) Contest ends: May 27, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Marc Clark and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Talk Tuesday - Stories in Music: Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel

Ever since attending the Jim Weiss 'Live' story telling event, Dumpling and I have been revisiting some of our audio 'books' as that is just about the only way to stop her from reading in the car. 

For this week, I would like to share with you on an audio book or otherwise known as the "Stories in Music", which is part of the Maestro Classics series. Virginia Lee Burton is certainly no stranger in our household as we have read all her titles. One of our favourite is The Little House while the other is Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel. 

:: The story

Virginia Lee Burton has a unique gift in weaving nostalgic 'magic' in her stories which would usually leave me a tad wistful at the end of the tale and this story is no different. 

The story is about Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Maryann who dug through mountains and canals and how they came to be almost phased out by new technology. In an attempt to prove that Maryann still has what it takes (where she can dig more in a day as compared to a hundred men in a week), Mike took on a challenge to dig a cellar in Popperville for its new town hall! Will Mike and Maryann succeed?

:: The Audio Book / Stories in Music CD

The CD comes in a digipak format and has a book included. The CD features the story and importantly the accompanied music (by the London Philharmonic Orchestra). The booklet consists of 23 pages and includes pages on on the music, interesting information on the Villeann pipes (a form of Irish bagpipes, which played the main melody in the CD), a music score (of the Mike Mulligan song) and even some activity pages. 

The CD has 8 tracks in total where it starts off with a narration on the story and includes information about the story. What we enjoyed must was the sections on "About the music" where there was explanation by the composer on the instruments used, hints to look for the 'hissing steam sound' and fun elements like the mimicking of airplanes, etc. After this was explained, in the next track (track 5), we then get a chance to try and identify those same elements, making it a fun and interactive segment especially during long car rides. 

A dot-to-dot activity page in the booklet

Lyrics to the Mike Mulligan song

Regardless of whether your child is already reading independently or is just learning to read, I would highly recommend this CD. Engaging, informative and fun, this CD is one prized collection which we have at home, that blends the beautiful tale with a musical experience. :)

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram! 

Book Talk Tuesday - 贝贝熊系列 (Berenstain Bears)

One of the 'classics' (to us at least), that I enjoy reading with Dumpling when she was young is the Berenstain Bears series. too. First written in 1962 by husband and wife team - Stan and Jan Berenstain, the story is based on a family of four - Sister Bear, Brother Bear, Papa Bear and Mama Bear. It depicts the daily lives of a typical family but importantly, its stories always add on a moral or safety element.

While Dumpling and I have read the English versions, we have purchased the Chinese versions instead as part of daily Chinese reads. 

For the Chinese version, one thing which stood out for me is unlike some translated titles which I have come across, the illustrations are sometimes left as they are - with 'labels' and 'road signs' etc., in English. However, as you can see below, Bear Kingdom and School were both translated.

The titles in this series are vast and ranges across a broad spectrum of 'parenting' concerns and issues - from The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV to The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist; from The Berenstain Bears Learn about Strangers to teaching the little ones about not being too frivolous with money in The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money, etc. 

Each page is still kept quite short with about 5 - 6 lines with the illustrations still covering most of the pages. This is great at keeping the children engaged.

The series shares very true concerns of children (depicted by Sister Bear and Brother Bear) and adults alike (by Mama Bear and Papa Bear). But what it does is that it also adds on a positive angle to new experiences such as Sister Bear below being worried about going to school and eventually, her enjoyable experience there.

What I like about this series is that the issues faced are often 'true' and that it is heartwarming and funny; with Mama Bear being the rational and patient parent who sometimes also has to put up with...

Papa Bear's antics and bad habits. In the picture below (The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV) Papa Bear was as addicted to the TV as the kids! :)

This is certainly another series which you can consider for explaining various tricky issues / concerns with the kids. And we definitely would recommend the Chinese series as an additional exposure to the language too. :)

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram! 

The Colourblind Chameleon Book Blast - with $50 amazon gift card / PayPal cash to be won!

Oh boy oh boy! How we enjoyed this title! I received a copy of the title to review when I opted to share the book blast because the title intrigued me. When I first read the synopsis, I was worried that it would be a tad too simple for Dumpling. Though the title suggests that it is for 2YO onwards, it was a funny title for Dumpling to read on her own.

The storyline revolves around a chameleon who just did not fit in as he is colourblind! Now, how will this affect him? Well, as a chameleon, he is able to change colours to hide from his predators. Being colourblind would certainly be putting him in quite a fix! :)

The title is a joy to read as it is a rhyming story and the illustrations are colorful, cute and many times, very funny. Incidentally, Dumpling and I are doing a homeschool unit on Camouflage and Mimicry so this certainly came in handy. Now, how would you like to win a $50 book blast giveaway - amazon giftcard / paypal cash? Take part in the rafflecopter below! :) GOOD LUCK!

About the Book

 

Title: The Colourblind Chameleon Author: Laura Kantor Illustrator: Sarah Ray Publication Date: November 19, 2013 Publisher: Independent - Squidgy Face Books Number of pages: 32 Recommended age: 2 to 7    

Summary

Once there was a very special chameleon... The Colourblind Chameleon is the debut title from up and coming author/illustrator duo Laura Kantor and Sarah Ray. This is a colourful and imaginative tale of a chameleon who doesn't fit in with the rest. He realises that it's not just good to be different... it's a lot more fun! Delight in the rhyming verses, vibrant colours and hilarious drawings as you are taken on a wonderful journey with a special little chameleon (wearing fabulous pants).  

The Early Buzz

"This is a lovely book for children ..... Fun and bright, educational and with an underlying message....... It great that it teaches children about a chameleon changing colour and it also teaches children that it's OK to be different ! I love it ! The illustrations are fabulous too...... Funny and colourful." ~ 5 Star Review, diamondlil, Amazon

"An excellent debut. Engaging story with captivating illustrations. Good to see a children's story with a real positive message." ~ 5 Star Review, Lucy, Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon | Google Play | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

About the Author: Laura Kantor

Laura Kantor up in Coventry, England, but has spent the last few years living overseas in Canada, Australia and now Singapore. In her free time she loves to travel, bake and write (of course). With a job in marketing, project management and a love for writing lists, Laura decided to self publish her own stories, and set up Squidgy Face Books in 2013 (www.squidgyfacebooks.com), teaming up with Sarah Ray who was the perfect illustrator to bring her stories to life. A year of very late nights and extremely long weekends later and their first release, The Colourblind Chameleon is ready to bring some colour and fun to squidgy faces around the world.  

About the Illustrator: Sarah Ray

Sarah Ray, the illustrator of The Colourblind Chameleon grew up in the Herefordshire countryside where she gathered lots of inspiration for her drawings. Animals feature frequently in her work and she enjoys giving them human attributes. This is Sarah’s first children’s book, after working with a variety of clients on commissioned illustration. She also has her own range of award winning greeting’s cards which she sells across the UK, http:// www.sarahray.co.uk  

 

Website | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | Twitter (Author) | Twitter (Illustrator)

* $50 Book Blast Giveaway *

Prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner's choice) Contest runs: December 12, 2013 to January 10, 11:59 pm, 2014 Open: Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Laura Kantor and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions - feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway * I was given this book free-of-charge by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own. The author contacted us to participate in our Book Promotion Program where we will tweet and share information about this book, the author, and the giveaway.*

Review & Giveaway - Strega Nona

"When all had their fill, Big Anthony sang, 

Enough, enough, pasta pot,

I have my pasta, nice and hot,

So simmer down my pot of clay,

Until I'm hungry another day.

But, alas, he did not blow the..."

What was it that Anthony did not do? And what's this tale about an old pasta pot?

:: The story 

An old tale retold and illustrated by the acclaimed Tomie de Paola, this title was written in 1975 and still is very much loved. This tale is a tweaked version of the Magic Porridge Pot. When his then-editor suggested to him to re-telling a folk tale, Tomie de Paola searched through stories in the public domain and decided that he no longer likes The Magic Porridge Pot and that was how Strega Nona was created; he decided to re-tell it. 

The story showed a bit of the author's ancestry as Strega Nona is Calabrese, like his ancestors while Nona is the 'slang' word for Grandmother. In the story, Strega Nona was looking to get a helper (of some sort) and Big Anthony 'applied' for the position. Strega Nona gave strict instructions to Big Anthony not to go near her magic cooking pot but did Anthony heed Strega Nona's warnings? He told everyone in town about the pot and of course, no one believed him. 

"I'll show them!" he said to himself. "Someday I will get the Pasta Pot and make it cook! And then, they'll be sorry. However, Big Anthony ended up filling the town with pasta instead. 

What happens next? Was the pasta cleared? Who was the sorry party in the end?

:: The author & Illustrator

My first title by the author Tomie de Paola was The Clown of God which touched me deeply. The story was beautifully written and illustrated though the topic of death is still a hard one for me. I recalled feeling my throat constrict and choking out the last few sentences as I read aloud to Dumpling.

In this title, as always, I enjoyed Tomie de Paola's usual illustrative style with subtle humor in the way he depicted various scenes. The star of the story - Strega Nona was portrayed as a wise old witch who also looked very "motherly". 

So. how did the drawing for Strega Nona come about? The author, in his words, said that he was "obsessed with the Italian commedia dell'arte character Punchinello" so many of his "doodles were him - big nose, big chin". He started drawing a profile of such and then added a scarf, then the eye and smiling mouth and later "a chubby body complete with long skirt and apron" and Strega Nona was conceived! 

Best of all, this book was also awarded the Caldecott Honor Medal so 'nuff said! 

Source

I have one copy of this title to giveaway! 

Earn credits using Rafflecopter below by:

1) Clicking 'Like' on my Blog Facebook page

2) Leaving a comment on the comment section on "What do you like about Tomie de Paola's titles?" 

3) Sharing this post with your friends on your FB page! 

(For Singapore residents only)

The more credits you earn, the higher your chances! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you have enjoyed this post, please follow me on my Facebook Page where I share my parenting thoughts, food photos (be prepared for tons of them!), early shout outs for giveaways and interact with you, my readers! You can also follow me on Pinterest and Instagram! 

Book review: The Paper Bag Princess

“Ronald,” said Elizabeth, “your clothes are really pretty and your hair is all neat. You look like a real prince, but you are a bum.”

My curiosity was certainly piqued when I read those lines. “This does not quite sound like a fairy tale with ‘happily ever after’”, I thought. 

“The title of the book is ‘The Paper Bag Princess’, why was she called that Mama? Does she not have any clothes? What happened to her?” Those questions (by Dumpling) came fast and furious and so, I sat down and read it with Dumpling.

:: About the Author

Written by Robert Munsch who studied 7 years to be a Jesuit priest, he uncovered a talent in stories and writing when he worked in daycare. This eccentric author (who later decided that he was “lousy priest material”) has a strange habit of visiting schools and daycares for free and (get this!) he usually does not tell them that he is going!

So I went and knocked on the door of Ms. Clebanoff¹s grade 2 and said, “Hi! I’m Bob Munsch. Remember you asked me to come and visit when you wrote me last year?”

Mrs. Clebanoff just stood there and didn’t say anything so I tried again.

I said, “Hi! My name is Bob Munsch and I am from Canada and your class wrote me a letter and asked me to come and visit and I was driving by on the Ventura Freeway and I came by for a visit and do you want me to tell some stories to your class or should I go back to the Ventura Freeway and stop bothering you?”

Mrs. Clebanoff said, “Canada? Bob Munsch??? Stories????”; And then she finally figured it out and yelled, “Kids, drop everything, we have a visitor!”  Source

:: The plot

Now, with a spunky author like that, how can his stories be boring? :)

Dumpling read it to me and chuckled along the way. The story celebrates feisty females through the main character Elizabeth who met a nasty dragon which burnt away everything she owns and abducted her fiancé. A battle of wit versus brawn, how will Elizabeth be able to rescue her prince and outsmart the dragon?

I like the modern twist where Elizabeth stood up for herself and for her beliefs and did not allow the prince to walk all over her. As it is a fairly short story, the story grew on me only as I read it a second and a third time, but grew it did. Dumpling and I also had discussions around the Prince's choice of words and his attitude. I feel that the story, being quite 'straight-to-the-point', can be used as a read-aloud for 3 year olds instead of the recommended for ages 4 – 7. Great for little girls and certainly as a gift too. 

Author:  Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Michael Martchenko

I received this title from My Imagination Kingdom in order to do a review on and give my opinion of it. 

Up for grabs! I am also pleased that My Imagination Kingdom is doing a giveaway of this title! 

I have 2 copies (each worth $14.90) to give away! Here's how to win! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Important: 
Please remember to:
1) Leave a comment in the comment box on why you wish to win this title

2) Leave your email address - this allows us to contact you if you win it. Winners will be randomly selected. 

(Note: this giveaway is only for Singapore Residents only) 

I was also invited guest post at My Imagination Kingdom to share my experiences and tips on read aloud and literacy. Hop on over to find out more!