DadTalk

Awards Cybils Names BestChildren’s Books

Our house is unusually busy leading up to Valentine’s Day. That’s because my wife, Anne, is wrapping up the annual children’s book awards – called the Children’s & Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards –that she began with a friend a few years ago.

This year, because Anne reviewed my favorite category, Fantasy & Science Fiction, I had the pleasure of reading most of the finalists. I have to say, better stuff is being written for kids than adults.

If you read The Hunger Games or The Graveyard Book, you know what I mean. The finalists and books in other categories are fantastic too.

So, if you’re a parent who is wondering what books their children should read on spring break, check out the full list of winners here.

Flower Power Winners It Was a Tough Call; Find the 20% Off, Free Vase Coupon

While contests tend to give my blog a small boost, I find learning about other people more rewarding. Consider that most of the stories I received about why a loved one deserves flowers reveal a bit about what is going on in America in a way that the media fails to capture.

Below are a quote or two from one runners-up and the winners, who will be notified by email. And for those of you who read this far, I have another surprise. By clicking on this link, you will receive 20 percent off and a free vase if you order flowers from ProFlowers. (Yes, another ad, but what the heck.)

And now, for the winners:

Flower Giveaway 5 Best Stories Win $70 Gift Code for Valentine’s

NOTE: This contest is now closed. Results coming soon.

 That pesky holiday, Valentine’s Day is coming up again. I’m sure many men see the day much like I do: a holiday created by the Greeting Card Company.

On the other hand, savvy married men also know there is a greater truth: ignore the holiday at your own peril. That’s because right or wrong, most women I’ve met over the years want to be romanced, whether it be with flowers, candy, a spa treatment, jewelry, etc.

Another truth: I suspect a lot of married men would love to save their Valentine’s money for a new Blackberry, basketball tickets or rent.

Not Sure What Books to Buy for Your Kids? Read This

My 6-year-old son is a voracious reader. Just yesterday, I pulled a copy of James Herriot’s Treasury of Inspirational Stories for Children. Less than two hours later, he was halfway through the 260-page, picture-filled book.

Later the same day, we went to the library where I picked up a copy of The Time Warp Trio’s Hey Kid, Want to Buy a Bridge? Seth finished the 72-page book by bed time.

No, this isn’t a post designed to brag about my child. Rather, it’s to illustrate a common problem parents face: figuring out what is good reading material for our children. For example, I chose The Time Warp Trio series because the librarian assured me there was nothing scary in the books. (Seth recoils from all things scary.)

A good librarian is always a wonderful way to find out whether a book is age and/or quality appropriate. Another way, is to peruse Cybils, which just released its finalists for the best children’s books in 2008. The selections are made by tome-loving bloggers, most of whom are librarians, writers and teachers.

To learn more, just click on preferred categories and read why these books are considered the best of the best. In mid-February, Cybils will announce the winners in each category.

Nominate Favorite Kids Books

My mind kind of works along tracks. The tracks can merge with each other at any time.

The downside, though, is that I often block out new tracks. In this case, I’ve neglected to remind everyone to nominate their favorite children’s books from this year.

Yes, it’s once again time for my wife’s annual book awards known as the Cybils. If you have a favorite book in the following categories, you need to nominate them before midnight tonight:

• Young Adult Fiction
• Poetry
• Non-Fiction Picture Books
• Non-Fiction MG/YA Books
• Middle Grade Fiction
• Graphic Novels
• Fiction Picture Books
• Fantasy and Science Fiction
• Easy Readers

Thanks!

Contest Win Thomas & Friends DVD

  One of the reasons I chose to run a contest when last week is that the kids and I have been camping at San Clemente State Beach for the past week. While we’re back now – presumably much tanner – I probably haven’t had time to keep up with my own blog. I just have to hope there are dozens of great Thomas & Friends stories for me to read through.

If telling a story wasn’t your thing, the second part of this contest may work for you: I’m looking for great photos of you or your children playing with Thomas Trains.

Contest Win Thomas & Friends DVD

My children love trains. Both easily lose themselves in the world of locomotives, freight cars, tracks and of course Thomas & Friends.

So when a package filled with some copies of Pierce Brosnan-voiced The Great Discovery arrived unexpected in my mailbox, my kids thought I was some sort of super hero.  I could see it on their faces: Maybe dad loves me after all.

Of course, I had nothing to do with it – a publicist sent me a few copies for review. I asked if I could do a giveaway, and the answer was yes.

And the Winner Is…

When I first came up with the idea of seeking “the  most original, captivating TRUE Father’s Day story,” I didn’t really know what to expect. The publicist who offered the watch left the contest details up to me.

The response has been phenomenal. The story that was most “like my life,” came from Marlene. Like her dad, I desperately crave a day of quiet. Of course, as soon as she started the story, I knew how it would end:

As Barney (the dog) sat down at my Dad’s feet, he touched my Dad and woke him! My Dad jumped because he was startled. We screamed and the dog and kids ran out of the room. We heard our Father say, “Being a Father means there are no more days of peace and quiet - just moments in between.”

Noreen’s story about the last photo of her grandfather was particularly poignant to me because my grandfathers died four weeks apart. I got to say goodbye to one, but not the other. Here’s Noreen’s words:

Spit Out Coffee Grind for Tea

Speaking of contests, one of my long-time readers, Summer, has embarked on a campaign to convert coffee drinkers to tea.

Summer makes and sells custom blends of tea, soap, bath salts and lotions through her company, Felicitea. Unfortunately, we live too far away to sign up for massage therapy.

Here’s a quick rundown of the contest, but follow the link for more details:

Part I – Tea lovers post a short video and tell us why tea is better than coffee. The winners will receive a sample set of four teas and personalized tea ware.

Part II – How this part works is still a bit mysterious, but the goal is to convert coffee drinkers to tea. Winners of this part of the contest will receive a sampler set of Summer’s custom teas, personalized tea ware and a custom blend for the winner. (Summer, I have some ideas on making a tea with nutmeg.)

My wife, by the way, has been a big consumer of herbal teas ever since her doctor proclaimed: “You have consumed your lifetime supply of caffeine.” Heh, I bet a lot of people have.

Personally, I’m a big Honeybush fan.

And now the plug: Please help Summer by entering the contest or spreading the word. Thanks!

My First-Ever Giveaway

A lot of my blogging compatriots have made great use of free giveaways. My wife has given away books. One blogger I know has handed out T-shirts, iPods and music CDs.

I’ve given out, um, bupkis. Why? I don’t know, I guess I figured no one wanted my old shoes.

But then yesterday, amid all my dozens of e-mails cajoling me to post this or that about Father’s Day was this:

Since your blog is dedicated to Dads, I thought I might check in to see if you ever do giveaways; specifically I have an opportunity for a Father’s Day giveaway. Casio has a new timepiece called the Waveceptor that would be a perfect treat to any of your blog visitors this Father’s Day.

Free watch for Father’s Day? Brilliant!