FINAL Mystery Friend Friday :: Meet Laura Numeroff!

Hello, readers!!

Or to quote the lovely spider, Charlotte, from the classic book, Charlotte's Web :: "Salutations!"

Photo :: weheartit.com

 
You might have not noticed that I have been MIA most of this week ... I have taken a much-needed, impromptu blogging break.  At home, we have been swamped (even more, if that's possible!) with summer activities, back-to-school errands, and a very, very sick relative who lives out of town. 

In fact, I participated in last weekend's amazing "Got Books?" blogging event from a hotel room while visiting our sick relative! I will be honest ... at the moment, I am feeling extremely overwhelmed!

[Insert deep breath HERE, along with peaceful visual element to inspire readers ...]

Photo :: weheartit.com

Okay ... now that I'm feeling (a little) better, back to the [book] business at hand!

As a result of our last-minute weekend travelling and my unplanned break from the blogosphere, I realized I had not revealed last week's mystery children's author!! So ...

Meet the talented Laura Numeroff, the author of the incredibly successful "If You Give a Mouse ..." books!!!

Here are five facts you might not know about Laura Numeroff ... (information source - www.lauranumeroff.com):

1. She was born in Brooklyn, New York.
2. She is the youngest of three girls.
3. Her favorite possessions growing up were:  a microscope, a box of 64 crayons, and her library card.
4. She loves oatmeal with bananas and raisins.
5. Some of her favorite books are:  Stuart Little, Eloise, and anything by Beverly Cleary.

Ms. Numeroff has a very creative, interactive website for all of her readers, including kids, parents, and teachers.  Take some time to explore the world of Laura Numeroff!!

** Special announcement:  This will be my final "Mystery Friend Friday" post, unless I decide to bring it back at a later date.  I just did not have the kind of response to this feature that I had hoped.  No worries, though!! I have a brand-new weekly feature planned for Wednesdays that I will begin next week, so be sure to come back and take a peek!! **

Nonfiction Monday #2 :: The Handiest Things in the World by Andrew Clements

Find some more children's nonfiction must-reads over at Shelf-employed this Monday!

:: This book review was part of a post originally published here on 22 July 2010 ::

The Handiest Things in the World

by Andrew Clements

Photographs by Raquel Jaramillo

Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division

Copyright 2010

"Of all the handy things there are,
the hand itself is best by far.
To grab, to hold, to pull or twist -
the hand itself is handiest."

Publisher's Summary:  Eight fingers.  Two thumbs.  Two flat palms.  And all those knuckles.  But our hands are so much more than that.  They were once the first pair of earmuffs, a primitive visor, and a convenient set of chopsticks.  The work done by hands centuries and centuries ago paved the way for many of our favorite and most useful tools.  The always-clever Andrew Clements reminds us all that the mother of much invention is right at our fingertips!

Mary Elizabeth's Musings:  Delightful, colorful photographs combined with Mr. Clements' poetic verse make this book a gem to share with your little ones! Reminding us how truly spectacular our hands are, this book will inspire children to recognize the special work their hands do every day.  Digging in the dirt, feeling the rain, counting, and reaching out to one another are just a "handful" of ways our hands bring us through each day.  

I recommend this book for ages 2-6 years.

Got Books? Giveaway Winners!

  

 

WOW!! What can I say about this weekend's huge book-blogging event?? It connected me with oodles and oodles of fellow book-lovers, incredible bookish blogs, exciting giveaways, AND grew my followers like weeds!!! I can't wait until next year's event!!!

 

And now, for the winners of my giveaways ...

• Winner of The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle :: Vidisha from Love.Life.Friendship. ... CONGRATS!!!
• Winner of Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Owen & Mzee: The Language of Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu :: Tabathia from A Mom Who Loves Her Kids & Loves to Read ... CONGRATS!!!

I will contact the winners by e-mail shortly! Thank you to everyone who participated in my giveaways and visited my blog during this incredible event!