Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Springy Giveaway

Hi all! I have given away copies of my MG fantasy books every so often here at Book Aunt, but I haven't given away a copy of my picture book for some time. And it has a spring/rejuvenation theme in there somewhere...

So leave a spring comment in the next (almost) two weeks, by midnight on February 1, and then I'll draw names and send an autographed copy of The Secret-Keeper to the winner. It's an original folktale, which I know very well is a contradiction in terms, but I suspect you know what I mean, right?

Anyway, in your comment, please share either a spring thought or a happy secret, i.e, something nice you haven't mentioned to anyone else yet. It can be something small like "The bush out front is starting to bloom" or something upbeat like "Passed a kid on the street today who gave me such a great grin and a hello as he went by." (Now, I'm in L.A., and I realize spring isn't there quite yet on the East Coast and in certain other parts of the world, but you can look forward to it with your comment!) Of course, you can always recommend a spring-appropriate book as an alternative.

Do be sure you're reachable, whether by your regular link or an e-mail address or by checking back on February 2nd. Thanks!

(And yes, I ship prizes internationally. I hate to leave anyone out.)

Note: Jacket art and illustrations in general were created by the wonderful Heather M. Solomon.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are buried in snow here, but I've already started anticipating the tulips and daffodils, and am thinking about picking some blooms up in the grocery store just to brighten up the house a little!

Charlotte said...

Ah gee. We are still Winter, with somewhat traumatic ramifications viz dental injuries sustained by a visiting child on our sled run, the thought of which will continue to upset me for years). But I am starting to think about the school Bulb Fundraiser, which I run every year....which is a springy sort of thing....

I'd love my own copy of your book, which, as you know, I enjoyed lots!

Heidi Mordhorst said...

Oh, it's been way too long since I visited--but it's been a while since you Fridayed, hasn't it?

Thanks for your comment...I have never read all of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek; however, I did once regularly drive a taxi-yellow car belonging to Annie Dillard to and from the daycare center where I worked in Middletown, CT. She responded to an ad I placed asking to borrow a car when the snow prevented my biking, during the 6 months that I lived and worked there after graduating and before I moved to Manhattan to go to Bank Street. I'm sure she'd have no memory of me, but I can picture the inside of her house very well. When spring came I got back on my bike and rode out of Annie Dillard's sphere (taking her car key with me by mistake). Does that count as a spring thought? : )

Kate Coombs said...

Eloise--I had to laugh at myself later, doing a spring post in January. But the flowers are blooming here, and I have a springy screensaver up, to boot! Daffodils are a great idea, of course.

Charlotte--Oh, how upsetting! Well, I do love the idea of a bulb fundraiser. Don't know which I like best, tulips or daffodils.

Heidi--Hey, hello! I think I'm scheduled to Friday in April (during spring break), but I did see you over at Miss Rumphius last week. And wow; I would love to meet Annie Dillard in any way, shape, or form. Lucky you! (The song "Big Yellow Taxi" is now playing in my head.) Forgot to say I ALSO love her book, An American Childhood. I like the way she sees the world.

Jennifer said...

Spring?? We just got 6 inches of snow, with more scheduled and I have got yet another cold...but I bought a pot of crocuses at the store yesterday and I am planning outdoor summer programs at the library!

Which, incidentally, would love to have your book...

Jennifer Morian Frye said...

Probably my favorite spring book is "Home for a Bunny" by Margaret Wise Brown. My memories of Mom reading that to us as kids are with me every time I read it. Alas, that is about as springy as it gets here in Indiana where it has been snowing consistently all day.

Anonymous said...

I am actually looking forward to spring far more than usual this year. I actually like winter but I think living in the south for so long has turned me into wimp and its snowier and colder than normal here this winter. So, yay for Spring and rejuvenation!

Anonymous said...

Okay, silly Californian person with your warped science fiction climate!

I will talk about my favorite song, "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles.

This song is the most perfect song ever recorded, more than a little in part because of how it captures the very essense of its main theme-- SPRING-- in the music itself. It starts out with the gentlest tinkly solo acoustic guitar, and then as the song goes on, more and more instruments and harmonies and rhythms (and volume) join in until by the last verse the whole thing is just ABLOOM with joyful music. It is a happy song that is all the more TRULY happy because it's about REbirth, coming OUT of the long cold lonely winter-- it's happiness that has known sadness and can truly APPRECIATE the sunshine.

George Harrison wrote this song in Eric Clapton's backyard while skipping out on a really stressful business meeting (ie, the band was on the verge of breaking up). He was truly making a little peace for himself in a difficult situation.

Brimful Curiosities said...

I'm not at all in spring mode yet (has something to do with the minus degree weather around here) but my daughter loved the book "How Robin Saved Spring" when we read it last year. Gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations and a very interesting story. There are no robins around our house right now, but I did see a brilliantly red cardinal yesterday by our feeder. Any color outside is a welcome sight right now and a great reminder that spring will arrive eventually.

Kate Coombs said...

All right, all right, so spring isn't for a couple of months, technically speaking! But I'm still enjoying your spring hopes--the tulip-colored cardinal, "Here Comes the Sun," Home for a Bunny, and a pot of crocuses!

Will look for How Robin Saved Spring AND Home for a Bunny. Both sound familiar...

Plus Amy's line about "silly California person with your warped science fiction climate" made me laugh. :)

Ginger Calem said...

I could weep with my longing for spring! I happened to find a pair of wakeboard shorts on the rock-bottom clearance rack the other day and snatched them up! In less than two months, I hope to be back out on the lake, shimmering water, warm sunshine overhead and waiting for our Texas bluebonnets to bloom. We've had such a great cold/rainy season here in Central Texas that it should bring an abundant wildflower season. :)

Thanks for for the spring thoughts.

Ginger
ginger @ crossfitgeorgetown. com

saskmom said...

No signs of Spring here either. But I have started my Spring cleaning if that counts, lol. My favourite thing about Spring is all this snow melting and being able to open my windows to let in the fresh air.

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