This time of year I am sure that I get strange looks from the people in the cereal aisle. I methodically remove Cheerios boxes from the shelves to find the packages that have the books that we don't yet have.
We don't buy any character or sugary cereal for our household. Our poor kids (that was sarcasm) don't usually get cereal that comes with a treat. But we buy lots of Cheerios and it's a bonus when the box comes with a free book.
Once again this year Cheerios is giving away six million children's books inside their boxes through Spoonfulls of Stories. The books are for children 3 to 8 years and include a brand new "Trucktown" series book that is only available inside Cheerios boxes.
And what's really cool is that this year all the books are in both English and Spanish.
I was lucky when I was asked to be a panelist on a GNO Twitter party with authors Karma Wilson and Derek Anderson and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser. It was fun talking books with these experts and with all the other moms who read to their children daily.
All five books this year are from Simon & Schuster Children´s Publishing:
Junkyard Fort, written by Jon Scieszka, and illustrated by David Shannon, Loren Long and Dave Gordon: Join Gabriella, Jack, Melvin, Ted, Lucy and the other Trucktown characters as they make their own fort, using things found in the junkyard. Ages 4-8.
Tea for Ruby, written by The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser: Wherever Ruby goes, a bit of disaster seems to follow. But one sunny morning, things change when the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation: would she like to have tea with the Queen? Ruby needs to polish her manners, and quickly. Ages 4-8.
Sleepyhead, written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by John Segal: In this rhythmic bedtime story, a cat is the parent and a teddy bear is the child who doesn't want to go to bed. All ready for bed with teeth brushed and story read, Sleepyhead teddy tries anything to prolong his bedtime; books and his quilt provide ample fodder for his imagination. Ages 3-7.
Ballyhoo Bay, written by Judy Sierra and illustrated by Derek Anderson: Mira Bella, an artist who teaches painting and sculpture, loves Ballyhoo Bay and what it offers: sun, sea, sand, and sky. But one gray day a billboard arrives, announcing an impending development that would take all the fun out of the place. Read along to see if Mira Bella and her art can save the day and Ballyhoo Bay! Ages 4-8.
What´s Under the Bed?, written and illustrated by Joe Fenton: Young Fred cannot stop worrying about the scary creature that might be hiding beneath his bed. Finally summoning the courage to peer under his bed, Fred, with his cumbersome glasses, sees that the only thing there is Ted, his friendly Teddy Bear! Ages 3-7.
WIN IT!
Giveaway Title: CHEERIOS
Prize: Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories gift pack, which includes a set each of the five Spoonfuls of Stories books, a box of Cheerios, and a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.
Number of Winners: One
Entry Question: What is your story time ritual with your kids?
Enter By: November 10, 2009
Entry Form: Click here
Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.
This was written by Leighann who can be read at Multi-Minding Mom where she dishes about family, food, foraging, frivolity, and more! She has more children's books than the public library.
Cheerios provided me with the free product, information, and a prize pack through MyBlogSparkTM.
