It's an EASTER Celebration with ZonderKidz! - GIVEAWAY

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're skipping ahead a holiday or two as we prepare you BOOK wise for that EGG-cellent celebration that's just around the corner...EASTER!  You know, the day family and friends gather close for fun, games, feasting, and remembering the reason we celebrate the season.  To help you on your way, we've joined with Zonderkidz to bring you a chance to win a prize pack from their fabulous Easter Basket Gift Guide!

The Gift Guide is chock full of titles for all ages from wee ones to tweens to teens and everyone in between.  From the adorable Little One, God Loves You to the tween favorite London Art Chase, The Plans I Have for You Devotional which allows young minds to explore their faith to exciting reads like Curio for teen readers to sink their teeth into. 

For my part in this promotion, I selected the PICTURE BOOK category that includes titles featuring familiar characters, royalty, and legends you may have been unaware of previously. Sound intriguing?  I thought they might.  Let's take a closer look at what's up for grabs...

The Berenstain Bears' Easter Sunday

by

Mike Berenstain

9780310749028

The Bear Family, all of their friends and family, and even the nature all around them get dressed in their Easter best for an Easter Sunday celebration at the Chapel in the Woods. Join Mama, Papa, Brother, sisters and Honey as they go to services, have an Easter treasure hunt, and learn what Easter is all about.

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The Princess Parables:  An Easter Story

by

Jeanna Young and Jacqueline Kinney Johnson

Illustrated by

Omar Aranda

9780310748700

It is the most spectacular spring in history. The princesses—Joy, Grace, Faith, Charity, and Hope are busy with preparations for the annual Easter celebration and the castle is alive with activity.

Into the kingdom ride five new friends, young knights, who are as spirited as the princesses. In the new Princess Parables title, A Royal Easter Story, a challenge is presented and the boys and girls decide to race to the neighboring village where the annual Easter celebration and feast will be held. Along the way, the princesses must weather a scary storm and rescue another new friend. But in the end the lesson is clear … trust in the Lord and his love and you can overcome any obstacle.

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The Legend of the Easter Robin

by

Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrated by

Richard Cowdrey

9780310749646

This newly illustrated edition of The Legend of the Easter Robin renews the wonder and charm of the original and timeless tale written by Dandi Daley Mackall. With new vibrant artwork from New York Times bestselling illustrator, Richard Cowdrey, this holiday classic is brought to life for a new generation. The Legend of the Easter Robintells the story of Tressa, whose grandmother reveals to her the story of a small robin who saw Jesus struggling and soared to help him. This Easter tale reminds Christians everywhere how much Jesus sacrificed for us and how much he loves us.

...AND ONE WINNER WILL WIN THEM ALL!

All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below for your chance to win.

Open to US residents only, no P.O. Boxes please.

Entries accepted now through March 6th, 2016.  Winner will be drawn/contacted within 24 hours and given 48 hours to respond with their mailing information for prize send out.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to Liane and the whole Zonderkidz team for the chance to bring these titles to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on these featured titles, the authors, illustrators, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.

Until next time...happy reading!

What's for Dinner? Something BEAR-y nice...

Hi there!

Welcome back to another week here at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today. we're stepping out of the library and into the kitchen with a bookish selection that's sure to please children of all ages...and I do mean ALL!  It's a kid-friendly cookbook starring your BEAR-y favorite family and mine, The Berenstain Bears!

The Berenstain Bears' Country Cookbook

Cub-friendly Cooking with an Adult

by

Mike Berenstain

9780310747208

Zonderkidz

Bear lovers everywhere are sure to find favorite recipes for fun food in this new kid-friendly, cookbook--ranging from Bear favorites that use honey and berries to pie, a delicious stew, and even some Berenstain favorites like Jan Berenstain’s famous green lasagna.

Featuring breakfast, lunch, main meal, and dessert recipes as well as kid-friendly cooking tips such as food and measurement conversions, this is sure to become a go-to cookbook for delicious and fun recipes kids can cook with an adult.

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That's right!

The bear family you grew up (or are growing up) with has gathered their favorite recipes and are bringing them to straight to you (via Zonderkidz)!  There are over FORTY recipes in this little treasury of food and bookish fun.  Everything from the aforementioned Green Noodle Lasagna to Turkey Shaped Sandwiches to Honey Hunt Cookies! (Oooh, those cookies sure sound good about now.)  Can't wait to sample them now, can you?  Your wish is my command!

For this promotion, they've even allowed us to join them in the Country Kitchen to see one of their top picks made first hand!  Ready to have some fun?  Better still, ready to be HUNGRY?
For your viewing pleasure, let's join Brother and Sister Bear as they share their family recipe for Bear-y Good Mac and Cheese!

*drools*

Oh, excuse me.
^_^



Isn't it wonderful?
Isn't it marvelous?
Isn't it something you'd like to win?
 I thought you might say yes.
 Well then, let's get to it shall we?



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LADIES AND GENTS...
...COOKS OF ALL AGES (with adult supervision)...
...HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A COPY TO CALL YOUR OWN!




TO ENTER....
Get cooking and share your FAVORITE recipe!

That's right.  It's a "cooking contest"...of sorts.

To keep things fun...
...it must be kid friendly, family loved, or bear themed.
...and you must include a picture or video of the final result.
After all, we have to SEE what it is we're drooling over now, don't we?

To submit your entry, just EMAIL ME your recipe with pics or video. 
Come contest end, I'll feature the winner's submission RIGHT HERE on the site and send your mailing information to the publisher for prize send out.

 Easy peasy, right?
RIGHT!

Entries accepted through midnight Tuesday, March 31st, 2015.
Open to US residents only; no P.O. Boxes please.




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So, get your thinking caps on and consult your tummies.
What's the TASTIEST treat you and yours can make?
Can't WAIT to see what you come up with...
...~tummy grumbles~...
...and apparently, neither can MY tummy.




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Special thanks to Liane at Zonderkidz for the chance to bring this title to you.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this selection as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site.  This title reached publication just last month so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing....or again, ENTER TO WIN ABOVE!  ^_^

Until next time...HAPPY COOKING...and happy reading!

Andi Under Pressure by Amanda Flower

 Hi everyone!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're exploring another title from the folks over at Zonderkidz (aka Zondervan) that just so happens to be the second one in a Middle Grade series.  Can it be read as a stand alone?  Why certainly....but why would you want to when you can have TWICE the fun!  ^-^  Without further ado, let's get on with the show because there's a mystery afoot and who better than to solve it all than Andi Boggs and Colin Carter in today's book of choice...

Andi Under Pressure

by

Amanda Flower

9780310737025

Zonderkidz

About the book....

Twelve-year-old Andora ‘Andi’ Boggs and her new best friend Colin Carter couldn’t be more excited to attend the prestigious science camp at the local university in Killdeer, Ohio. Unfortunately, Discovery Camp’s curriculum appears to include much more than just chemistry and biology. From day one, the university is plagued by a series of pranks—missing markers, loose crickets, and stolen scales. Campus security blames the mysterious janitor Polk, but even though Andi agrees he’s acting suspicious, she can’t believe the gentle old man would do anything illegal. Then one prank goes too far and their chemistry professor is injured by an explosion in the lab, upping the stakes of the investigation. Andi and Colin must unravel the secrets behind the chemistry department and Polk’s dark past before danger closes the camp for good.

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Book one (Andi Unexpected) introduced us to Andi and Colin.  We got our feet wet, learned about each and the other, and discovered that some people will do anything to get ahead in this world, even use the secrets of others to better themselves.  This time around, Andi and Colin are still best friends, still smarter than the average twelve-year-olds...and still getting into trouble.  How so?  Well they aren't CAUSING it if that's what you were thinking, rather they are getting into hot water while trying to solve all the trouble going on around them.  Small pranks lead up to an explosion that could have had dire consequences, and unless the culprit is brought to justice, the camp will have to close.  Don't worry, Andi and Colin won't take this one lying down....and neither should you!

It's a case of blaming the most obvious suspect when perhaps the one that seems least likely is actually the cause.  It's very cloak and dagger even though most of the things happening are mischief as opposed to actual crimes.  It keeps the reading appropriate for the audience intended while maintaining the interests of those outside the age bracket (*raises hand*).  I can honestly say that although I enjoyed the first read, I think THIS one would be my favorite of the two.  The story and plot were not quite as involved as the first, allowing readers the chance to pick through the mystery and sort out the clues alongside the characters.  Whoever said that every author hits a sophomore slump, didn't know Ms. Flowers. 

Overall, the story is realistic, the characters highly likeable (even those you're not suppose to like and vice versa), and the ending a treat for one and all.  I do believe that our little Miss Andora Boggs, excuse me...Andi...has a bright future ahead of her, as does her friend Colin.  Who knows what they'll get up to next?  I can tell you this....I for one can't wait to see.  Recommended read for Middle Grade fans of all ages and beyond.

Review copy received courtesy of the great team over at Zonderkidz/Zondervan.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog, be sure to stop by their official site.  This title was released September 2014, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!

The Legend of St Nicholas by Dandi Daley Mackall

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're getting into the holiday spirit of things with a Children's Storybook selection from the folks at Zonderkidz.  While starring a very familiar face to those who truly believe, it gives us a history of that jolly old elf that you may not have previously envisioned.  Ready for a celebratory turning of the pages?  Today's book of choice is....

The Legend of St. Nicholas:

A Story of Christmas Giving

by

Dandi Daley Mackall

Illustrated by

Richard Cowdrey

9780310731153

Zonderkidz

About the book....

In The Legend of St. Nicholas, the new artwork, created by Marley and Me illustrator, Richard Cowdrey, captivates audiences and tells the story of a young man named Nicholas, who was moved by the plight of the poor and needy. Nicholas spent his life secretly helping the poor all over the world, giving gifts on Christmas Eve to remind people of the greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ. This gentle Christmas book introduces the original St. Nicholas and offers inspiration for readers to become cheerful givers themselves.

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It's true!

It DOES tell the story of how jolly old St. Nicholas came to be....but not as you might have heard it before.  There was no snowstorm that whisked them away to the vendegum.  There was no slip and fall from a roof, hasty change in a snow drift, and clauses so small a lawyer would need a magnifying glass, nay the Hubble telescope to read them.  There was simply of young lad who saw those in need around him, had a means of solving them, and did so in such a way that they could not refuse the beautiful gift they were being given for it came "magically" to them on Christmas Eve, the from whom and why left unknown...to them.  So began the holiday tradition we carry forward with today...only a bit more elaborately.

Does it ever feel like Christmas has become TOO commercial?  Too much of the BRIGHT AND SHINY BUY ME NOW AND BUY ME EVERYTHING instead of a true celebration of the season?  Less of a time of remembrance and sharing the simple things and more of a race to see who has the most presents?  Yeah, I thought you might agree and for those of you that did, this is definitely a book I'd recommend sitting down with family and friends of all ages to not only enjoy but remind us what the season is all about.  It's not about the getting....it's the giving.  It's the moments of time we don't have yet make for one another.  It's the need fulfilled not the want satisfied.  It's the friendly smile shared with a stranger as well as the hug we spare for a friend. 

In conclusion, it's a beautifully illustrated story that really gets readers in touch with what the season is all about.  Whether near or far, it's a treasure to be shared with the young and young at heart.  Special thanks to the great team at Zondervan for the review copy as well as to the Z Blog Squad that's out there everyday blogging about the great books you need to know.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site, like them on Facebook. or follow along on Twitter.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  

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