Spring Break, Big Changes, and One Huge Book Giveaway!

****THIS BOOK GIVEAWAY IS OVER.  BUT THANKS

TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED! ****

As Emily promised a couple of weeks ago, we have some exciting news to share about Redeemed Reader.  First and most significantly, we’re thrilled to welcome Megan Saben and Betsy Farquhar to our staff, or masthead, or whatever you call the contributors to a literary website.  If you’ve been a regular reader and follower of comments, you know them already, as they’ve reading and commenting on our site almost from the beginning.  They’re also veteran bloggers in their own right, as the originators of the winsome and erudite LiterariTea blog (children’s books and tea—no wonder we like them).  Betsy and Megan will introduce themselves tomorrow, so I won’t say too much about them today.

Lists, Lists, and More Lists!

Ever since Emily and I started Redeemed Reader two years ago (Feb. 14—we forgot our second anniversary), we’ve felt the need for quick ‘n easy, handy-dandy lists of recommended children’s books that our readers could access easily.  Suppose you’re at the library or bookstore trying to remember that new middle-grade mystery Janie loved, or that alphabet picture book Betsy was so excited about?  Suppose you could just whip out your phone or iPad and find the list under one of our convenient headings?  With their extensive library skills, our “junior partners” are planning to collate lists based on subject, reading level, worldview/moral value, or top ten whatevers.  Those of you who have been waiting patiently for something like this—hang on a little longer.  We’ve got plans.

Social Media Outreach

Sure we’re on Facebook.  But how about Twitter? and Pinterest!  and Goodreads: we could go nuts with that one.  Twitterville, et al. is another area where we’ve wanted to see some growth but one very busy mother-of-two (who writes for WORLD Magazine) and one book-swamped deadline-hounded senior citizen (who also writes for WORLD Magazine) were just never able to get to it.  On the principle that many hands make light(er) work, we’re hoping to share the responsibilities and get ourselves out there in the wide world of social media.  LibraryThing, Shelfari . . .

And–

We’re planning more educational posts like this and this.  Possibly a review index of all the books we’ve talked up or down.  We’d love to publish an annual (hard copy) reading guide with book recommendations and previews, with articles to help you and your kids get the most out of the reading and writing experience.  We’re even talking about an RR phone app—though that might take a while.

But we’re celebrating spring break with some fun stuff.  Tomorrow, get acquainted with our new partners.  On Thursday, we all get to recommend our favorite Easter books.  And on Friday, we announce the winners of

OUR HUGE SPRING FLING BOOK GIVEAWAY

FIFTEEN GREAT BOOKS – FOUR LUCKY WINNERS

To enter, simply comment on this post saying “I’m in!” (or something like that).  You have until midnight Thursday, March 21.  Then we’ll put all the names in a figurative hat and draw out four winners, including

GRAND PRIZE– First choice of five books from the list below.

FIRST PLACE– Second choice of four of the remaining ten books.

SECOND PLACE– Third choice of three of the remaining six books.

THIRD PLACE– Gets what’s left.  Hey, it’s better than nothing.

So look over the following list and rub your hands in anticipation over the titles you’re going to choose.  Links are to reviews or mentions of that book on our website.  (ARC stands for “Advance Reader Copy,” a pre-publication version that’s sent to reviewers.  They look just like paper-bound copies but may have a few minor typos.)  In no particular order, they are:

• Bear Wants More and Bear Snores On by Karma Willson, illustrated by Jane Chapman. A twofer–hardback picture books by the best-selling Wilson/Chapman team, these books delight preschoolers with gentle rhyme and tender illustrations.
• The Exraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart. Hardback. Stewart’s latest “Benedict” book is a prequel to the popular and inventive Mr. Benedict Society science fiction books. Perfect for avid middle grades readers.
• The House at Pooh Corner follows the classic Winnie the Pooh characters with more wit and charm than Disney could ever muster; an excellent family read-aloud.
• The House in the Night is a sweet cumulative lullaby with black, white and golden illustrations that appear simple, but the more you look at each page, the more beautiful they become. (2009 Caldecott Award Winner)
• Why Easter? by Barbara Reaoch, illustrated by Carol McCarty: a family-centered Easter devotional guide for all ages.
• The Story Shell, by Gloria Repp, illustrated by Tim Davis: the critters of Friendship Bog solve the mystery of the missing story shell.  Middle-grade fiction.
• What’s in the Garden? by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Chris Arbo.  Facts about vegetables and how they grow, plus kid-friendly recipes.
• Noisy Bug Sing-Along, by John Himmelman, explores the origin of all those sounds we hear outside at night.  What’s making those noises, and can we make them too?
• Unseduced and Unshaken, by Rosalie De Rosset: learning godly love from literature.
• Anna Reed’s Life of Washington, plus George Washington and Israel, by Dr. Peter Lillback.  Another twofer: Life is a facsimile edition of the 1842 original, published by the American Sunday School Society, for ages 12-up.
• Starry River of the Sky, by Grace Lin, is a companion story to the author’s Newbery Honor novel, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon.  For middle-grade readers.  (ARC)
• Shadow on the Mountain, by Margi Preus, tells the little-known story of the Norwegian resistance during World War II, for readers 12 and up.   (ARC)
• Hokey-Pokey, by Jerry Spinelli, is an imaginative allegory of growing up, aimed at middle-grade readers but probably more understandable for those who are already grown up. (ARC)
• If We Survive, by Andrew Klavan: another nonstop breathtaking adventure from a master of the YA thriller genre.  (Hardcover)
• The Boston Tea Party, by Russell Freedman, illustrated by Peter Malone.  A reliable name in history for children makes this pivotal event fascinating for the picture-book crowd (ages 7-11, ARC).

So enter, enjoy, and come back tomorrow for more!