Where Teddy Bears Come From by Mark Burgess, Review + Contest!

Hi guys!

Happy day before the day before Christmas!

By now, I'd hope all of your shopping is done and the gifts are merely waiting beneath the tree for that bright and early wake up call Christmas morning.  What's that?  Is MY shopping done?  Oh sure, sure...but I can't say the wrapping is all tied up as of yet.  Will be tackling that later today for certain....promise!  Anywho...*deploys attention diverting ninja techniques*...let's get to all the bookish fun, shall we?

You may have noticed the right hand side bar has been alight with activity this month (and if you haven't pretend for my sake and consider yourself informed), what with all the contests going on.  There are still TWO contests currently open giving you a chance to win some great books and prize packs to add to your collection...and by this posts end, I'll be adding one more to that list.  Don't miss your chance at these great titles...be sure to enter today...just after this post. ^_^

Today we focus on a bit of reading fun perfect for readers of all ages that asks a very important question...something that we may have thought of in passing as a child but never quite got the answer to.  Without further pausing to ponder, today's book of choice is....

Where Teddy Bears Come From

by

Mark Burgess

illustrated by

Russell Ayto

Once upon a time, there was a little gray wolf.  He was not extraordinaire in size, shape or color, but there is something he possessed that stood out from the rest...he had a wealth of determination.  You see, this particular little wolf was trying to fall asleep one night to no avail.  He tossed.  He turned.  He came to the conclusion that what he needed to get the job done was....a teddy bear.  But just how to acquire one of these fuzzy little guys?  I mean really....just Where do Teddy Bears Come From...

An adorable story from start to finish.  Whomever discounts picture books and story books to children only, is sadly missing out on a world of fun and imagination.  What child has not had a doll or teddy bear at some point in their lives?  Do you remember yours?  A favorite perhaps?  I do...though one can hardly say there was a favorite amongst them.  Each stuffed little friend had their own name and personality, and several of them were in fact teddy bears.  They're cute.  They're cuddly.  They keep us company in the dark of night and help ease our minds away from the shadows that creep in.  Their very presence aids us to fall into a peaceful slumber, something the little wolf in this story certainly needs.  His journey takes him far and near but in the end, his answer is revealed in a most unexpected (yet season appropriate) way....

One look at the cover, one read of the title and it is perfectly clear, readers of all ages are in for a treat.  The drawings are whimsical; the surprises hidden within the backgrounds offering a smile of delight when found.  The characters are both new and familiar all at once.  Seriously!  Look out for the three not-so-little pigs and a few others that present the little wolf with a case of mistaken identity.  You'll see how others find their happy place when it's time for bed and in the end see just where many of our fuzzy friends come from...and no, it's not the floor display at the mall either.

In short, a magical little book about honesty, truth, and how a good deed can lead to happy returns.  What begins with a simple question, ends with a simple truth.  So what's on your list this holiday season?  A computer?  A new bike?  I don't know about you but I'm leaning towards the simpler things in life and the addition of a new fuzzy friend to the stuffed with fluff family sounds awfully good about now.  Now let's see, where DID I put that letter to you know who.... *searches round*

Review copy courtesy of Erin at Peachtree Publishers.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their entire exciting line up, visit their website, have a look at their blog, or follow along on Twitter (1 or 2)!  There's always something new going on with this group and today is not any different.  How so?  Thanks to their generosity, I have the privilege of offering YOU a chance to win a copy of this imaginative little book all your own!  Ready for the details?  Here we go!

The prize...

(1) copy of Where Teddy Bears Come From by Mark Burgess

How to enter....

Fill out this FORM.

*BONUS ENTRY*

(You'll have a few options on the form but to get you started...)

I'm curious to know YOUR answer to the very question this book poses....

Where do YOU think teddy bears come from?

Leave your answer in the comments for one extra entry...but remember you MUST fill out the form as well in order for it to count.

The rules...

*Open to US/Canada mailing addresses only!  No P. O. Boxes please.

* Entries will be accepted from Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 through Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at midnight CST.  The entries will be tallied and entered into the random.org randomizer, after which a random number will be picked by their number generator.  (This way all the entries are mixed up nicely.)

* All entries must be submitted using the form accessible through this post.  You MUST include your email address in order to be counted as well as contacted should you be chosen as the winner!

*The winner will be announced and contacted via email by Monday, January 3rd, 2011 and will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address.  Should they fail to respond in the given time frame, a new winner will be chosen.  If you choose to include your full name and mailing address in your contest entry, no worries....the time frame issue is erased.

*Winner's name and address will be used by me for prize send out only and then discarded.

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Let the contest BEGIN!

Until next time...happy holidays...and happy reading..