Giveaway Time Extended!

I haven't had very many entries in my giveaway of Murder at Midnight by Avi...(insert frown here), so I am extending it through Sunday, June 6, 2010, ending at 11:59 pm CST.  Please click here to read about the giveaway and to enter!!!

Best of luck to all...

Book Review #8 - A New Coat for Anna

A New Coat for Anna

by Harriet Ziefert

Illustrated by Anita Lobel

"Winter had come and Anna needed a new coat.  The fuzzy blue coat that she had worn for so many winters was no longer fuzzy and it was very small."

Summary:  A little girl named Anna and her mother decide that Anna needs a new winter coat.  With no money and in the midst of a war, Anna and her mother must trade personal possessions in exchange for the materials and services needed to acquire a new coat.  Patiently, Anna must wait an entire year for her coat to be crafted.  Her waiting is rewarded with a beautiful, red coat which she can proudly wear.

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  Harriet Ziefert's touching prose provides a springboard for a strikingly unique setting and theme for a children's book, and Anita Lobel's warm illustrations are a perfect match for this absolutely lovely story.  The book offers a beautiful lesson in patience and interdependence as the reader awaits the making of Anna's coat.  Children who read this book will truly appreciate the time and effort that is invested in making clothing - an incredible lesson in contrast to today's fast-paced, mass-merchandising world.  This book is for children ages 6 and up.


Also by Harriet Ziefert:





Also illustrated by Anita Lobel:

**This post is part of Tuesday Tag-Along at Twee Poppets! Click on the button below to join in the fun!**

P/S...Since I am on vacation, I am not going to have a mystery children's author or illustrator this week.  Back next week!

Meet Rosemary Wells and Some Final Armchair BEA Musings!

Meet children's author and illustrator Rosemary Wells, our very first "Friday Mystery Friend"!!

Author and illustrator of more than 120 books, Rosemary Wells is the author and illustrator behind the wildly popular "Max and Ruby" books! If you have a preschooler, you are sure to be very familiar with Ms. Wells' work! 

Born in New York City, Ms. Wells spent her childhood on the New Jersey shore, spending much of her time outdoors and being read to by her parents.  She says that her grandmother often took her to the theatre and to visit museums in New York City quite often.  Having supportive parents and a houseful of books led to her amazing career of children's author and illustrator.

You can visit Ms. Wells and view her incredible illustrations and creations at her website.  Enjoy - she is one of my absolute favorite children's author and illustrator for early readers!

Some of my favorite books by Ms. Wells:

And now for some final Armchair BEA talk...

I loved participating in this incredible virtual book convention - my very first as a blogger! I was able to meet and get to know an Australian book-blogger named Marg, was interviewed and featured on two blogs, met tons of cool fellow book-bloggers, and became a follower of some super-cool book blogs.  I cannot wait to participate next year!

I absolutely cannot close out Armchair BEA on this site without thanking the organizers of this event:  Danielle, Emily, Tif, Michelle, and Florinda.  THANK YOU - YOU ALL DID A GREAT JOB!!

Finally, I am on vacay this whole week, so my postings will either be sparse or non-existent! This is also why this posting is sooooooooooo late - I had to get myself plus four children packed and ready to leave this past Friday night!

Be back soon - I'm off to relax a little now...