Saturday, December 6, 2014

The Night Before Series - Signed Children's Holiday Books Giveaway

Review by Marlene Engel

With the holidays fast approaching, I thought, what better way to celebrate than with some fun holiday themed books for children?  After all, I am Book Mama. 

While at the store, my daughter came across “The Night Before” book series by Natasha Wing and became an instant fan.  The series follows the theme of the classic poem, Twas The Night Before Christmas, but with a modern twist.  The author has written The Night Before books for just about every imaginable occasion.  From Christmas, to the first day of school, to her newest book, The Night Before Hanukkah.  There are a lot of fun books in this series and all are so fun and cleverly written. 

Today, we are spotlighting The Night Before Hanukkah.  The book starts off with … Twas the night before the eight days of Hanukkah … and goes on to bring you a fun story full of holiday traditions that’s sure to please everyone, young and old. 

It’s not often that I host children’s books at my blog, but when I come across books like these, I must make an exception.  This series is so fun, cleverly written and very enjoyable!  Since buying our first book from this author, we have since purchased many more.  It won’t be long before we have the whole series.  Yes, these books are that good and so fun to read!

Today we are giving away two copies of Natasha’s books.  We have signed copies of The Night Before Hanukkah and The Night Before the Night Before Christmas.  To enter, leave a comment saying which book you’re hoping to win and what you most look forward to at the holidays.  If there are more than one thing you are looking forward to, leave each in a separate comment so that each can be counted as an entry into the giveaway.  Winner will be announced on Monday.

About the Author:
When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher.  I’d line up my stuffed animals – Billy Bear, Boing Boing, Easter Bunny – in front of a board with magnetic letters and numbers and teach them the alphabet and how to count. In high school I wanted to be a tennis player.  I was on the tennis team and played at our neighborhood tennis club in the summers – and even competed in tournaments. Then in college I thought digging dinosaur bones would be a cool job. Or working at a big time advertising agency. It wasn’t until after college, when I was working at my own small public relations agency, that I decided I really wanted to write children’s books. I was so inspired by the magic that happens when reading a book that I wanted to see if my active imagination could create magical moments for kids all over the world. So I started writing. Luckily, I sold my first manuscript,Hippity Hop, Frog on Top, in 1992.  I’ve been writing ever since.

I love the freedom of being my own boss, of coming up with ideas on my own, and writing that first draft to see if my idea has any spark. I’m not so crazy about the revising process although there are thrilling moments when I figure out a better way to say something, nail dialog, or work through a complicated plot line. The most exciting moment is when an editor says they want to publish my story.  Then I know all my hard work has paid off, and that soon, children will enter my imaginative world through a book.

Connect with the author at:

24 comments:

  1. I love that books like this are made for kids. I don't have kids, but if I did, I would want them to read this.

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  2. This is one of my kids favorite book series. We'd love to win the Christmas one! We're looking forward to spending time with family, but I'm sure my kids would say the presents ;)

    Hope2@hotmail.com

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  3. I would love to read the night before hannukah with my nephews. looks super cute.

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  4. The Night Before Christmas. I can read to my grandsons.

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  5. The night before the night before Christmas. Looking forward to the food dishes served during the holidays.

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  6. I have tried to comment a few times but have had issues...

    I would love either book but especially the Christmas one. My almost 2 year old daughter loves books and in fact, I made her a book advent calendar. Every night she unwraps a book and then we read it together.

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  7. It's so hard to find good, children's Hanukkah books. My kids would love the chance to win that one. We love cooking together for the holiday together. We do it every year and it's nice to bring all of the family together.

    Melissa A
    Melthebookie@gmail.com

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  8. I'd love to win The Night Before Chanukah. All four of my kids attended religious day schools and they are sending their children to the same schools. I have 4 grandchildren in the age bracket that would love to have this book read to them.

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  9. I love this series. Great fun for any religion which is GREAT.

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  10. The Night Before Christmas. Looking forward to spending time with friends. esseboo@yahoo.com

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    1. Congrats. You won The Night Before the Night Before Christmas. I sent you an e mail, but in the event that you didn't receive it, please e mail me at mengel2@nycap.rr.com with your mailing address and we'll get your book to you asap.

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  11. "The Night Before Hanukkah" would be wonderful thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  12. "The Night Before the Night Before Christmas" sounds like such a great read too thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  13. The night before Hannukah sounds great. I look forward to sharing it and the holiday with my family

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  14. Either would be appreciated. Watching grandkids opening gifts!

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  15. Either......eating chili on Christmas Eve!

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  16. My favorite part of Christmas decorating is hanging ornaments on the tree. Each ornament has an amazing ability to carry such wonderful memories. I am hoping to win The Night Before The Night Before Christmas. My nieces would love for me to read it to them! :-)

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  17. Also, my favorite part of the holidays is going downtown and seeing all the Christmas lights that are up. [The Night Before the Night Before Christmas]

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  18. I would like to win Night Before the Night Before Christmas! What a cute storyline and cover.

    As my family is spread out over several states; Florida, Wisconsin and Utah, I look forward to all 4 of my children coming together as a family. This year we will also celebrate with my 90 yo mom who is starting to have some serious health issues and my 2 adorable grandchildren 3 years and 9 months old. My daughter shared a story: 3 yo Nyah loves to sing Frosty the Snowman. She was intrigued by the magic in his cap verse. Later that day she went over to her parents. She had her park ranger hat ( her uncle works as an environmental scientist for the national park service) upside down with one of her brother's toys in it. Nyah said, " Look I have magic in my hat too!" She then proceeded to dance all around the room.

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  19. My middle son is engaged to a wonderful young woman who is of the Jewish faith. I am not familiar with the celebration of Hanukkah. I think Stephanie would treasure your book, The Night Before Hanukkah, to share with their future family.

    Every Christmas we( family) take a walk to see all the yard decorations and we sing Christmas carols too. People come out to talk or join in our singalong. It's a wonderful way to share our love of the holidays!

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  20. Congrats Laurie. You are our winner of the Hanukkah book. Please e mail me your mailing address to mengel2@nycap.rr.com and we'll get your prize out to you asap. I hope your son and his fiance love this book as much as my daughter does!

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  21. I enjoyed reading the comments. Thank you so much for sharing my books with your families. And thank you, Marlene, for your review.

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    1. My pleasure Natasha. My daughter and I can't wait to see what new books you add to this series. Happy Holidays.

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