Literacy Tip #8 - Help Your Child Find a Favorite Author and Illustrator :: AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

I began a weekly feature on this blog a few weeks ago that showcases a different childrens' author or illustrator each Friday. 

Have you noticed it?

I call it "Mystery Friend Friday," and I give clues throughout the week to pique your (and, hopefully, your children's) interest in who the special author or illustrator will be.  I began this feature for a specific reason...and that leads me to today's literacy tip!

We all have our favorite authors, book and movie genres, actors and actresses (the list goes on and on)...and our children are no different! I, personally, have a repertoire of certain children's authors and illustrators whose writing and artwork, respectively, I enjoy to such degree that I will read anything and everything they write and/or illustrate.  How about you? 

For example, I will read anything written by Margaret Wise Brown, Cynthia Rylant, Lemony Snicket, Cornelia Funke, Andrew Clements, E.L. Konigsburg, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, and Avi...just to name a few! Children's illustrators whose work I adore include:  Lois Ehlert, Tomie dePaola, Rosemary Wells, Melissa Sweet, Maurice Sendak, Carin Berger, Arnold Lobel, and Eric Carle (again, I have to stop myself here!).

The sheer thrill I experience from picking up new or undiscovered books from the aforementioned authors and illustrators is incredibly exciting and fulfilling, and seeing my own children experience this type of enjoyment is amazing.  

If your child has not found a favorite author or illustrator yet, introduce him or her to some of your favorites in the world of children's literature! Point out the similiarities in the prose, writing style, patterns, and illustrations of a certain author or illustrator, and he or she will eventually find a favorite! Consequently, this expands your child's thirst and excitement of reading.  What a positive way to build your child's love of literature!

Now, how about this week's final clue for Mystery Friend Friday? It is...Seth.

  

It's time for another giveaway here at A Novel Idea!!!

One lucky reader will win a Boy's Book Pack in honor of Father's Day...since all fathers were once boys! The pack includes the following four brand-new, paperback books from Scholastic:

and Superfudge by Judy Blume (same edition as above).

You must be a follower of this blog to enter this giveaway.  Additional entries may be obtained by doing the following:

• Become a follower of my other blog, Ten Thousand Hugs.
• Leave a comment that shares your favorite children's author and/or illustrator.
• Grab my button and place it on your blog!

Please leave a comment on this post for each entry, including your e-mail address with each one!

This giveaway is open until Friday, June 25th at 11:59 pm CST.  Open only to U.S. residents.

Best of luck!

Friday has some awesome link parties and memes!

Join the fun below...