#TheStoryStartsHere this holiday season with scholastic, making it #asimplechristmas again + giveaway

If you know me, you know that my family reads a lot. We just love it, from my husband and I down to our little baby girl. She grabs a book and runs over to crawl up in our lap. How do you say no to this? You don’t! Ha ha! For us, reading to our children started when they are babies, and I truly believe that is why each and every one of my girls has a passion for reading. I mean, how else could you be a princess running from butterflies in one moment and then a frog swimming in a pond the next? The imaginative capabilities are endless!

I wanted to share something with you today from Scholastic, who is sponsoring today’s sharing. {All opinions are clearly still mine} As you know, I have shared a handful of things from them that I full stand behind. You can read all things Scholastic on the blog HERE, but for today, I want to talk to you about their, “The Story Starts Here” initiative. Basically, they are saying what I have always believed. The love for reading begins when children are young, that’s when you can ignite a love in your child for reading.

ABOUT “THE STORY STARTS HERE”
The Story Starts Here picture book campaign grew out of Scholastic’s desire to introduce its rich list of picture books and board books to new parents and caregivers, as well as educators and librarians. By doing so the hope is that we will ignite a love of reading for children that starts on day ONE. With a diverse and unique roster of characters and stories, art styles and formats, Scholastic has a book for every child.

Please take a moment and check out “The Story Starts Here“. They have a dedicated section of the site to learn more and see the breadth of Scholastic’s best-selling picture book program. You can see…

• New and existing books, interior images and “buy now” links
• Book news and events
• Downloadable activities and assets
• Author and illustrator bio’s, Q&As and fun facts about Scholastic talent

Have you been to baby showers recently where the person hosting the shower requests that you bring a baby book instead of a card? I. LOVE. THAT. The first time I saw that I was immediately jealous because WHOA! What a way to start a collection for your little ones…from day one!

As the kiddos get older, sure, it’s not as easy given their crazy school and after school routines. But, we still make a huge effort to get this in. Plus, now that my two older girls can read, it’s GREAT that they read to their younger sisters. I think reading aloud to someone is yet another great way to learn how to retain what is in the books. Reading aloud and quietly to themselves are a great, winning combination.

I had a chance to check out five books from Scholastic that they sent me. I hadn’t read any of these yet! Are you familiar with the books shown? I want to share with you a quick synopsis about all five, so you can think about grabbing them for Christmas this year! Great stocking stuffers. Well, it is hard to put books in stockings, but you get what I’m saying….

Peek-a-boo Farm, by Joyce Wan
Perfect for ages 0-3

From the adorable world of Joyce Wan comes a sweet animal board book filled with large lift-the-flaps! Join in on the classic game of peek-a-boo with a rooster, a cow, and more farm animals by lifting the flaps to reveal each cute creature’s joyful face. A perfect board book read aloud with a simple interactive component babies and toddlers will love.

If You’re A Robot And You Know It, by David A. Carter (lyrics by Musical Robot)
Perfect for ages 3-5

It’s the classic version of If You’re Happy and You Know It as you’ve never seen (or heard!) it before. Sing along to the free downloadable song by the dynamic Musical Robot team, then turn the pages as David Carter’s clever pop-ups show the robot characters going through all of the call-out movements, from clapping hands to shooting laser beams out of your eyes!

Where’s Walrus? And Penguin?, by Stephen Savage
Perfect for ages 3-5

In this sequel to the acclaimed WHERE’S WALRUS?, author Stephen Savage doubles the fun when Walrus escapes the zoo with his mischievous pal, Penguin. Will the zookeeper find them? Or will these clever runaways stay one step ahead disguised as subway riders, baseball players, and even grand opera performers? Hiding in plain sight, they elude the clueless zookeeper until a fly ball at a baseball game leads Walrus and Penguin to a chance encounter with surprising results! A unique wordless picture book that encourages children to make up their own stories again and again.

Zen Socks, by Jon J Muth
Perfect for ages 4-8

Leo and Molly love their new neighborhood. Best of all is their friend Stillwater, a giant panda who lives across the way! And the three friends are quite a team! Stillwater teaches Molly about patience. Leo teaches Stillwater about sharing. And Molly shows how one act of kindness can make a world of difference.

Caldecott Honor Medalist Jon J Muth’s warm, compassionate stories and light-filled pictures are tinged with the wisdom of Zen. Whether young or old, we all learn from one another in the most surprising ways . . .

Friendshape, by Amy Krause Rosenthal (illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld)
Perfect for ages 3-5

The bestselling creators of EXCLAMATION MARK! introduce a triangle, circle, square, and rectangle who celebrate the gift of friendship.

Friends shape who we are. They make us laugh. They fill us with fun. They stand by us during life’s up and downs. And even when we disagree with our friends, if they’re tried-and-true, they don’t stay bent out of shape for long. That’s the beauty of a good buddy. This joyous book rejoices in the simple beauties of friendship, and reminds readers of all ages that it’s good to have a group of pals.

Connect with Scholastic ::
Visit Scholastic/StoryStartsHere
Follow Scholastic on Twitter

A SIMPLE GIVEAWAY!
To help grow your library, Scholastic is going to giveaway the books shows above to one lucky SIMPLE reader. One (1) winner will receive a collection of Scholastic picture books, including:

• Peek-a-boo Farm by Joyce Wan
• If You’re A Robot And You Know It by David A. Carter (lyrics by Musical Robot)
• Where’s Walrus? And Penguin? by Stephen Savage
• Zen Socks by Jon J Muth
• Friendshape by Amy Krause Rosenthal (illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld)

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Scholastic. Here is how to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway