it’s #CookieFiasco + #WeAreGrowing…new series update and it’s a good one + a giveaway {#EPLR #ad}

“This blog post and all social shares were sponsored by Disney-Hyperion. Thank you for allowing me to share with you!”

It’s the second day of school here in Michigan. We have been having a little extra time in the morning as we aren’t exactly sure what time we NEED to get up. That has definitely worked in our favor though as we have been able to do a little reading before the girls leave for the bus. It’s been pretty special, to be honest. The calm at the beginning of the day and a book to go along with it. I feel like I’m getting a few extra snuggles in that I’m now missing throughout the day when my kids are at school!

Being a family of readers, I am always on the lookout for good books that my kids can all read, and read together. Together and being entertained is most certainly a bonus when it comes to a line of books. I wanted to share with you two books today, which are part of a fun ambassadorship I’m working on that supports the new program: Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! The first two books in the #EPLR series hit shelves September 20^th.

A new beginning-reader series created by Mo Willems!

Best friends Elephant and Piggie introduce kids to their favorite books – brought to life in original stories created by contemporary children’s book authors and illustrators. Each 64-page beginning reader delivers a high quality reading experience that speaks to kids’ interests and abilities through stories that are fun and funny. The defining dialogue-driven format, established in the Elephant & Piggie series, unifies the collection with an active, participatory storytelling style that fans love. Plus, each book contains all-new Elephant & Piggie story bumpers!

The first one, called We Are Growing, is a super duper fun story to read aloud to your kids. My 2 and 5-year olds were all ears and full of laughter when doing so. There are fun words to emphasize, and a great storyline that I liked to relate to being a kid…growing! If you can’t tell from the cover, it’s all about GRASS though. It really is a fun and educational read. They were glued to ever word, what was going to happen next to the grass once…oh wait, you are going to have to read this to find out. Ha!

Synopsis
Growing up isn’t always the EASIEST
Walt and his friends are growing up fast! Everyone is the something-est. But . . . what about Walt? He is not the tallest, or the curliest, or the silliest. He is not the anything-est! As a BIG surprise inches closer, Walt discovers something special of his own!

About the Creator
Laurie Keller, an award-winning author and illustrator, has created many children’s books including Birdy’s Smile Book, The Scrambled States of America Talent Show, and Do Unto Otters, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year. Laurie lives near Lake Michigan. Visit her at www.lauriekeller.com.

The next one is Cookie Fiasco. The colors were rich in this story and the plot was quite entertaining as well!

Synopsis
Four Friends. Three Cookies. One Problem.
Hippo, Croc, and the Squirrels are determined to have equal cookies for all! But how? There are only three cookies . . . And four of them. . . What’s more, they need to act fast before nervous Hippo breaks all the cookies into crumbs!

About the Creator
Dan Santat (www.dantat.com) is the author and illustrator of the recent Caldecott winner, The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, and many other books. For Disney-Hyperion he illustrated Oh, No! and Oh, No! Not Again! by Mac Barnett, Always Lots of Heinies at the Zoo by Ayun Halliday, and Because I’m Your Dad by Ahmet Zappa. He is also the creator of Disney’s animated hit The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and two dogs.

All right, I have to know. Are you as excited as we are with these new reads? Sure, they are JUST books, but come on. How COOL! Talk to me!

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY ::

One (1) SIMPLE reader will win a fun package, similar to what I have shared today. How cool?!?!  Keep reading to enter to win! The prize pack will include:

• Copies of We Are Growing and Cookie Fiasco
• Branded cookies and branded pins
• Elephant & Piggie finger puppets

Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion.

a Rafflecopter giveaway