Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place where we celebrate reading every day and wave our bookish flag PROUDLY. (If you haven’t gotten yours yet, we’ll have to talk about ordering you one…^_^)
This week (if you haven’t already heard) is Children’s Book Week and I intend on bringing the bookish party to you each and every day; from BABY to YOUNG ADULT, we’ve got the spectrum covered. So far this week, I’ve given you a chance to win a favorite or two of my own (see the giveaway hop to enter), and teased you with a Young Adult series that makes its mark and makes it high. So, what’s in store for today….what’s in store indeed…. ^_^
Today’s post takes us back to the drawing board, with a storybook that’s equal parts story and pictures creating a blend appealing to both the eye and the imagination. It stars an adorable lead character (trust me, he’s ADORABLE) and who else but his Mom…kinda perfect if you think about a certain holiday coming up this Sunday (*ahem*…Mother’s Day!). Let’s take a closer look at this recent release, shall we? Today’s book of choice and blog tour guest courtesy of Blue Slip Media is….
By
Illustrated by
Cuteness abounds with this one. From cover to close, my eyes were drawn to this adorable pair of giraffes while my heart was enveloped in the story. Little Twiga is curious and wants to explore the world around him on his own terms. Gutsy little guy that he is he doesn’t always see the inherent danger he places himself in by consistently ignoring his mother’s words of caution. “Stay close. Stay safe.” With the wide world just over that next horizon, how can he resist? Needless to say, he doesn’t but that doesn’t mean that his Mama has forsaken him. She’s always just a few steps behind ready to give aid when needed, comfort when sought, and security when fearful.
It reminds me of my own Mom, but only just. You see, I was never Twiga in regards to reaching out beyond my surroundings, physically at least; I was always the curious one though when it came to thinking and understanding things. My Mom knew better than to simply answer my inquiry of “why” with a “because I said so” or “it just is”…and the one time she did, curiosity got the best of me and like Twiga I ended up in trouble. Let’s just say that to a child of a non-smoking parent, a car lighter doesn’t make any sense. It’s function, why their there, how it works…can you see where I’m going with this? Yeah, let’s just say lesson learned and when Mom discovered what happened (because of course I didn’t immediately tell her, but my tear stained cheeks did the talking for me), she didn’t get angry or scold me….she took care of me and helped wash the hurt away with a hug and a kiss (and first aid…yeah, not one of my brighter moments… *-*).
The love of a Mother is truly unique; there is no substitute. Perhaps that’s why so many of us stay by their sides as a youngster until our need to explore gets the better of us…and even then, many still foster a loving relationship across the miles. When asked to host a stop on this tour, I was given the option of having the author answer a question or two of mine to share with all of you. In lieu of the usual “where did the idea for this book come from”, I went a different route and asked if by chance they wouldn’t mind sharing a favorite moment or memory they have of time spent with their Mother. The request was met with an open heart and the following is the gracious reply I received…..
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GUEST POST: Author Toni BuzzeoOne of the lovely things about being an adult is looking back over the long sweep of years of your life, almost as though you were looking down at a gorgeous afghan stitched in multi-colored and textured yarns, and identifying the moment each life thread was woven in. The “writer” thread was woven into the blanket of my life when I was very, very small. My mother and my grandmother, who both loved books, were the weavers. They were the ones who took me with them to the library throughout my early years.I wasn’t much like Twiga when I was growing up and heading off on those library trips with my mother. I was timid and shy and not nearly so curious as he is. My mother would take me to the children’s room at the Dearborn Public Library on
Michigan Avenue and help me to select a stack of picture books. Then, when we were done, she’d accompany me to the huge dollhouse there and leave me to dream—for as long as she was busy selecting her own books. No doubt, I got my writer’s start spinning stories of the family living there behind the glass front, in the parlor, in the kitchen, in the many bedrooms.Unlike Twiga, I never wandered off and was only comfortable away from my mother’s side there in front of the dollhouse because of the company I imagined the house held in those dolls. I think, perhaps, surrounded by the safe and inviting smell of books lining wooden shelves, before a fictional world of dolls in their home, the writer in me was born.I am certain, though, that my mother had no need to admonish me, as Twiga’s mother does, “No little Twiga/Toni. Stay close. Stay safe.” It would never have occurred to me to do otherwise!
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About the author…
Toni Buzzeo is the author of several picture books for children, including The Sea Chest, illustrated by Mary GrandPre, Dawdle Duckling, illustrated by Margaret Spengler, and most recently No T.Rex in the Library, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa. A School Library Media Specialist, Toni lives on an old farm inwith her husband. Visit her at http://www.tonibuzzeo.com/. Buxton ,Maine
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A wonderful memory indeed filled with a mother’s love and the beginnings of your love affair with books. It looks like I’m not the only one that didn’t stray far from my mother’s guiding hand. Thank you so much, Ms. Buzzeo, for sharing that with us as well as the touching photograph….and thank you for bringing the Twiga’s world to life for us!
Today’s tour stop is one of many as this book makes its way through the blogosphere. Tomorrow, be sure to stop by Cracking the Cover to discover more about this great title. Recommended read for all ages. Between the lovely illustrations, the adventurous spirit of one little giraffe and the story of caution and wonder, there’s a little something for everyone. This book released March 2012 from Disney Hyperion. For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to visit them online. Review copy received courtesy of Barbara at Blue Slip Media. (THANKS!) For more information on their services, feel free to visit their official website or like them on Facebook.
SPEAKING of Mother’s Day…it’s time to get your presents all lined up for dear sweet Mom whether they be a peck on the cheek, a fun day just you and her, her favorite book or breakfast in bed; you know it’s the thought that counts when it comes to this cherished woman in our lives. If by chance you or a little one you know is still in need of a greeting card for the big event, you HAVE to check out this FREE downloadable Mother’s Day card from Hyperion featuring artwork from the book! Just click HERE to get your copy.
Now, since we’re bringing the party to you extra heavy this week, how’s about another chance to win? In addition to the giveaway hop already running, the great folks at Blue Slip Media and Disney Hyperion have agreed to give you a chance to win a SIGNED copy of this very book! Excited? I thought you might be. Here’s all the details…
The prize…
(1) SIGNED hardback copy of Stay Close to Mama by Toni Buzzeo, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
How to enter…
Just fill out the form below and BAM…you’re in to win!
For 5 BONUS points, in the comments below share with us a memory of time spent with your Mom and help start the celebration of her holiday a few days early. ^_^
The rules…
Open to U.S. and Canada
Entries accepted beginning today through Sunday, May 13th, 2012 at midnight C.S.T. Winner will be drawn and contacted no later than Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 and have 48 hours to respond with their FULL NAME and MAILING information. If response is not received within the time frame given, a new winner will be chosen.
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So there you have it.
A blog tour stop complete with motherly love, memories, reading and a chance to win; what more could you ask for?
Until next time…GOOD LUCK….and happy reading!
15 comments:
One of my favorite memories of my Mom is spending time baking for the holidays-we always love to do that together!
Surely a contender for the cutest cover ever. I could pretend I'd like a copy of this for my great-nephew but I'd only be fooling myself.
I know my mother read to me, but I don't have memories of it. I do have memories of extensive reading to MY 5 CHILDREN. We had story time morning, afternoon, and bedtime. Is it any wonder that they all grew up to love books?
my mom is one of my best friends so i have many memories of her. I realized just how strong she was when she had a kidney transplant about six years ago though, so that one is important
lauren51990 at aol dot com
Adorable! I don't have any little ones around anymore. But sounds like a lovely book to read with them. :) Thank you!
And looking forward to all you have this week in young readers. :)
First of all what a great book and I loved hearing from the author. Her time with her mom at the library sounds so special.
When I was a little girl I loved the time when my mom was reading me the Little House on the Prairie series. There were so many of them, and they were chapter books- so it took a few months for us to read them all. Each night I would cuddle up next to my mom on the couch or in my bed and she would read a chapter or two. Her voice was so clear and full of expression and I felt like I was Half Pint with Ma. :) Whenever I see the show or the books I instantly picture my mom reading to me.
~Jess
This looks so adorable!
My mother would sing to me often when I was quite young.
On long drives my mother would tell us stories, often some kind of fairy tale or another. I used to love them. I didn't get to see my mother often but it made such a huge impact on my life to have her bring magic to a childhood that was often just so very hard. She might not have been there when I needed her, but she helped me in ways no one else very has. I think those fairy tales gave me hope. I think we all need a bit of hope sometimes.
A few years ago My Mom & I went to San Francisco for a week & had an amazing time touring the city & trying new food.
I think my favorite thing is how I can connect with my mom now that I'm a mom.
Favorite memory? When I called her to tell her I was pregnant.
Thanks for the awesome contest and review.
I remember my mom tucking me in and waking me up. These were very sweet moments. I always got a song and a smile and a kiss.
I loved that.
That looks like such a cute book!
I have a lot of great memories with my mom and I continue to have some each day. I love that she was always there for me as a kid and even now as an adult. I'll never forget how proud she was of me at my high school graduation. Lots of tears of joy!!
I have so many great memories of my mother. To this day she is still my greatest confidant. I think of all the great advice she has given me over the years. As a matter of fact I would not be doing what I'm doing without her prodding. Thanks, MOM!
My favorite memories with my mom are when we do our christmas baking together. We always have alot of fun and its the one time of the year that we arent at odds lol
Love this review! My mom always tells me that as a very young child I was way too adventurous for her liking, but I honestly don't remember which is perhaps why Littlebug is now killing me with all her adventures. Eeck!
My favorite mom memory? Too many, but one book related one is just the image of her reading. She used to read chunky books like a person would drink water. I loved it and always wanted to be able to read as quickly as she did. She definitely inspired a lifetime of reading for me. :)
Fabulous post! :)
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