Book Giveaway: Can You See What I See? Out of This World

I have FIVE free copies up for grabs of this wonderful and magical new book by Walter Wick. Readers of all ages will love the storyline and the beautiful set decoration and photography by Wick. Fans of the I Spy books and the previous Can You See What I See? books are sure to want their own FREE copy of this book.

To enter: Simply post a comment on the blog and be sure to include your first name, city, state and email. I need your email to contact you in case your name is picked. Deadline for posts is April 16 at noon MST. Winners will be chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will be notified via email by me on April 16 after 12:00 p.m. Be sure and check your email on that date. Winners have 24 hours to respond to my email. If a winner fails to respond within 24 hours, the next comment wins by default (sorry, but even blogs and publishers have deadlines). Books will ship to winners (U.S. addresses only) from New York courtesy of Scholastic (Cartwheel Books).

Good luck and start posting! Tell me what you think about this fab new book! What will your students/kids think? Pamela

Picture Puzzles Pick: Can You See What I See

Can You See What I See? Out Of This World
by Walter Wick
Design and photography by the author
Cartwheel Books
2013
40  pages

What happens when a time traveling space alien lands in a castle's courtyard? Photographer and author Walter Wick imagines the two worlds colliding in his latest offering of Can You See What I See? Out Of This World. Truly imaginative, colorfully playful, and beautifully captured,  this picture puzzle book will delight readers of all ages. The publisher's website recommends grade K-3, but children (and adults) of all ages will have hours of fun solving  each puzzle.

Each two page spread captures the kingdom and its beautiful princess. The princess wakes in her magnificent boudoir, slips past a sleeping palace guard and goes to an upstairs room to read her fortune. The princess sees a robot man staring back at her. The kingdom welcomes the visitor from the future and entertains him at a banquet. The toys in the playroom are quiet and everyone turns in for the night.

Walter Wick continues to charm with his unique craft. His highly imagined photo sets are sure  winners. Any fan of Wick's I Spy books or his earlier offerings of Can You See What I See books will love the latest.

Highly, highly recommended all ages. This book can also be used to teach aspects of art and photography: lighting, shading, set design, object placement, symmetry, and arrangement. Parents and grandparents, this is a great gift idea for birthdays or any other special occasion for children who love seek and finds.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Chick Pick: Will Work for Prom Dress

Will Work for Prom Dress
by Aimee Ferris
Egmont, 2011
272 pages

Available February 8, 2011

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this sweetheart of a book will have girls clamoring for a copy. When Quigley and her best friend Anne are fired from a frozen pizza packing plant, they are worried about making enough money to buy their prom dresses. Anne, the over-enthusiastic and adventuresome one, finds them work in a dinner theater--all Quigley has to do is act like a dead body! Their next gig is modeling for a design class. That's where Quigley meets Zander, the uber-hot clothing designer.

The girls have some wacky adventures at their part-time jobs and even wackier ones with part-time boyfriends.

That's only one part of the book--there is a deeper story going on here. Quigley is a typical under-achiever. Not sure of herself or her goals, other than she would like to have a career in art somehow, she manages to muddle through the months leading up to the prom. Quigley is really into art and photography--so much so that she enters a huge show. When her art is chosen as the best, she has her pick of art programs. The underdog comes from behind and wins! Not only that, she gets the guy!

This novel has great character and great heart. For readers who are tired of dark and brooding vampires or ravenous beasts, Will Work for Prom Dress is ray of sunshine. Girls who enjoyed The Cupcake Queen, The Teashop Girls, Coffeehouse Angel, or books by Dessen will probably love this one.

Recommended grade 9-up. Mature grade 8 girls will probably enjoy this one, too.

Some sexual innuendo--no sex.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.