Before I wrap up this week's give I just wanted to say a little something. My son's childhood means the world to me. Years from now, when I'm a hundred years old and wondering what's next, if someone asks me what was my favorite part, the answer will be easy. Those moments, minutes, hours I spent close to my child. Reading him a story, his arms around me, snuggled in with a book. They are priceless. Every memory, every word I've ever read to that child is more precious to me than anything. Just last week, my son and I read Knufflebunny Free together at our local bookstore, and both cried like babies at the end, holding each other and rocking on the floor. Even at five years old, my son understands that childhood is fleeting and that fact moves him in ways I never thought possible. The world was alive around us, but for that small moment we were able to share being a parent and child together... transported into each other... and we got there through a book. I will never be able to repay the hundreds of artists who make these moments in my life possible. The only way I have to say thanks is here.For today's Great Holiday Give, I am personally buying one reader a copy of this reprint, Mud Pies and Other Recipes, brand-spanking new. I've not actually seen the updated edition myself, but everything NYR Children's Collection touches is gold, as far as I'm concerned. I wanted to share this book in particular because it was one of my favorites from my own childhood. Believe me when I tell you, this was a book that was not just read over and over again, but was used, over and over again. I've updated my original post from 2008 to include a few full-spreads of the mud stained pages I "cooked" with making Marigold Madness and Hot Dogwoods. Finding this book in my mother's attic brought back so many wonderful memories of being young, my sisters and summer. It's amazing to think that 25 little pieces of paper stapled together can be so full of wisdom and life and the keeper of so many splendid things from the past.
Books are magic.
So, thank you Marjorie Winslow and Erik Blegvad. Thank you Mo Willems. Thank you Ruth Stiles Gannett and JK Rowling. Thank you James Flora and Roy McKie and William Steig and Tomi Ungerer. Thank you Tasha Tudor and Mercer Mayer. Thank you Richard Scarry and David Wiesner. Thank you Shel and Maurice and William Joyce and Margaret Wise Brown. Thank you for all the minutes, hours, moments, lifetimes well spent. 
To be entered to win a copy of this book, simply comment on this post by 11:59 PM Sunday, November 9. The winner will be announced (along with all the other winners from the week) on Monday, November 10. If you haven't thrown your hat in for the others, make sure you do so before Sunday night.Have fun and good luck!
The Great Holiday Give Day One: The Day the Cow Sneezed by James Flora
The Great Holiday Give Day Two: One More Acorn by Don and Roy Freeman
The Great Holiday Give Day Three: The Christmas Cookie Sprinkler Snitcher by Robert Kraus and Vip
The Great Holiday Give Day Four: A Long Piece of String by William Wondriska
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58 comments:
Yet another book I love that I've never seen. This one looks awesome. Thanks for all your post. I simply love kids' books.
Looks very good! Thanks for the chance to win!
My boys are 11 and 14 now but I loved rereading favorties with them from the Liitle House series to The Duchess Bakes a Cake. I really enjoy your blog.
Lauren
thank you burgin, for always reminding me of these wonderful treasures. and inspiring so many to spend those moments, hours and days with their little ones. xoxo
I love this book. And this post. Thank you; please, I don't need to win a copy (must admit I have already stockpiled a number of vintage ones)...but I do need to thank you for what you have said and done. Always.
Erik Blegvad has always been one of my favorite illustrators. I've even written about him on my own blog. I also love this particular book. I have a paperback version published by Walker that came out in 1996. I'm so happy to see that it is being reprinted by NYR. Thanks for passing the word about this wonderful little book.
Thank heavens for paper, and print, so we can hold these thoughts of others, and make ours from them.
As to this book, a well loved copy would do as well for me!
Beautiful post and the cover of this book is incredible! Don't care whether I win this or not, i will certainly be sussing out my own copy if I don't! Found your site through Victoria Thorne.... so happy to have done so!
Books are magic to me, too! Thea
Hey, I've never even seen this before. Looks awesome.
I've never heard of this one but it looks awesome! Thanks for the chance!
You're so right. Snuggling in to read a book with your child makes for the best memories.
Thank you for this heartwarming post. Totally agree on all points! And of course, the book looks terrific.
What a wonderful post. I don't need to be entered in the drawing--I've got this one. But I love what you wrote today and just had to say so.
Fun book!
What a wonderful tribute to authors and time spent reading with little ones. I'm not familiar with this book, but it looks terrific. I love it when you share books that are meaningful to you from your own childhood.
This looks absolutely delightful!
I have heard of this old book! Would be so neat to win a copy!
I consider this to be one of the essential books of childhood! We loved this one as kids!
This is already on my wish list.
What a beautiful and inspiring post. One of my kids has been just awful today, but reading your post reminded me that we still enjoyed some lovely and peaceful moments reading together. Thanks! I've only had this book from the library, but it's as charming as can be. I wish I would have had it as a child. Thanks to you, too! Your blog is my first stop every day.
Oh, I'll have to get this book if don't win! What a wonderful looking book!
happy to have come here
via ms. victoria thorne.
and i don't know the book, but will go straightaway to find out!
Beth
Your post brought tears to my eyes ~ everything you've said said about books being magic and the memories they bring touched my heart. I'd love to be entered to win a copy of this book.
Wow, this one looks really good. I love Erik Blegvad! He illustrated 'A Diamond in the Window' , my favorite book of all time.
such interesting books - count me in for this one please
It looks like a very sweet book.
betsy_349 at hotmail dot com
I was just looking at this in the bookstore today and loving it!
I feel exactly the same gratitude for my time reading with my son. Those moments are priceless to me. this book looks amazing. If I don't win, I may have to buy it...even though my son is 9 now.
I think my boys could have written this book! But I know they'd enjoy it all the same.
I've not seen this book before. It looks lovely.
What a fun book. I have some little nieces who would love this.
Oh, your first paragraph made me cry. Your son will always be your baby, no matter how old he gets! How wonderful you share books together now, though. I might have to track down the one you read in the library together!
Great post. We would love to have this book.
Great post. I shared this on FB. The book looks great.
You are so generous to share this well-loved book with us!
Your commitment to your son is beautiful, and I hope this blog will follow along with his reading journey as he gets older and starts to read books for older readers. But I'm guessing your first-love in children's literature is for the illustrated children's books that are targeted for kids who are around the same age your son is now. I hope your blog will also continue to share this passion with all of us lucky readers even as your son starts reading "bigger-kid" books. Thank you! What a terrific week of giveaways! Keeping my fingers crossed that I win one!
I still read with my children and they are all in college - we share stories long distance and discuss what we are reading! When Alyssa comes home for Thanksgiving we are going to read "The Story About Ping," she has never read this book, and it's one my mom read to me! Thanks so much for your blog, there are lots of us who love kids' books!
What a lovely post, and what a gorgeous book! I especially love the tin soldier on the cover. I'd love to make mud pies with my nephew!
OMG....seriously!! So awesome!
What a lovely picture you painted in my mind. Thank you.
This book looks like such a fun book! I would have loved to have had this book when I was little. I'm sure my girls would love it too.
thanks!
jenmmcclure(at)yahoo(dot)com
Divine...
the post,
the book,
your heart,
the comments,
and dirt.
Mud Pies! Every one of us, kids and up, need instructions on how to make the great treats of childhood. Would love to see the other recipes and try them out with my little one.
I faithfully read your blog. It is amazing to me how many of the books you feature I remember from my own childhood. Would love to win a copy of "Mudpies".
I have wonderful memories of my daughter making recipes from this book. It's pages are mud stained, too, and that adds to the charm of this precious guide to imaginative play!
Thanks for all the kind words this week guys.... It's gonna be fun posting the winners on Monday and I have some great stuff to post on leading up to the holidays!
This looking like another wonderful story to be shared.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
Never seen this before but such a sweet-looking book! I love it. :)
Thank God for those fleeting childhood moments and beautiful books like this! Great post! :)
I've never seen this book before, looks like a cute one for kids!
Thanks!
KellyH
skyviewksh@yahoo.com
Entering!
Have not yet read knufflebunny free . . .thanks for this tender post. And for a chance to win one of the giveaways.
This looks delightful! I hope my library will get the reprint if I don't win the giveaway!
Thanks for offering these great give aways!
I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the opportunity.
I don't know this book but I would love to get to know it!
looks GORGEOUS!!!
Informed and encouraged by your review, I ordered 2 copies of this one for my B&N kids' department (Fort Worth). When they came in, they were designated for the Juvie Comics/Manga bookcase, and I thought, "Oh no, they'll never sell here." But! A woman came in today who was looking for this very title, and--as fate would have it--she wanted 2 copies. Yay! Now I've ordered 3 more. Happiness. And thanks!
Oh no! I have to assume the editor knows, but I'll mention it just in case.
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