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Monday, September 24, 2012

s h o w m e a s t o r y (review + give-away!)


Let me start, as always, with full disclosure:

That sweet house? That’s Emily Neuburger’s parents’ house. That I can see out my front windows.

And that really beautiful gold-framed trio of watercolor pears? Emily's mother painted that. Emily herself is a treasured friend, one of the loveliest people I know, and the talented crafter whose garland-making method I am nearly constantly referencing (from her amazing blog). The fact that she, like my friends Nicole and Debra, has a book newly published by our nearly local Storey Publishing might make you feel like there’s some kind of Western Massachusetts craft mafia brewing. And it should.

That all being said? When the review copy of her new book, show me a story, arrived, I did not get a chance to look at it for three days. 
"Oooh, Birdy, should we do this Word Tag activity?" "Oh, Mama, I'm sorry, I actually already did that one. But I'd totally do it again with you if you wanted!"
Birdy took it and read it cover to cover. Then she marked it all up with post-it notes. Then she started making things from it. 
It's the kind of book from which projects develop and evolve on their own. "I don't think it's the kind of book that cares if you do the projects exactly the way it says too," said the wise Birdy.
And it has been one of the most creatively inspiring objects to come into our home, that book. 

For one thing, it's gorgeous: Emily did pretty much all of the craft styling in it, and everything is just utterly charming and beautiful to look at.  Plus, Emily's beautiful daughters grace many of the pages.
Three of Birdy's story stones. I am so glad we collected that enormous Cheetos' bag full of rocks at Race Point beach in Provincetown! Plus, now that they're used up, we won't keep thinking there are Cheetos and then being disappointed.
For another thing, it's thrifty-minded: many, if not most, of the craft projects use materials you already have lying around (rocks, brown paper bags, scraps of fabric and paper, old magazines and calendars), which I find tremendously delightful. And for another other thing: it's a book for kids of all different ages.
Ben's story stones, including mustache and inchworm.
The thing is, I knew it was going to be a fantastic book, just because of who Emily is (she runs famously wonderful children's craft workshops, among other things). But what I did not know was that it was going to be a fantastic book for my kids. 
Magic Flower Wand.
I thought for some reason that it was going to be better for younger children, and that it was going to require of me a great deal of narrative finessing, which (strangely) is not a great skill of mine, given my tendency to space out. Plus, I get all this weird performance anxiety. "And then the princess said, uh, why don't you like spinach? And the prince said, uh, I actually do like spinach." Zzzzzz. 
Mama's story stones, including pear and mason jar. I gave the mason jar away, and the children were very mad about it. Now I can't tell a story about canning pears by starlight.
It is not like that at all. Or, rather, not unless you want it to be. What it is is "40 craft projects and activities to spark children's storytelling," and there are about a million ways to use it--including creating traditional narratives. We, for example, spent an entire week making story stones (this is kind of Emily's signature project), and it was the most deliciously perfect activity just for its own sake: like creating a series of tiny, framed collages. We loved it. Birdy made hers with storytelling in mind: a night sky, a daytime sky, an ocean, and a series of characters and landscapes. She uses them for storytelling. But Ben sees it as more of a trading game (although I do want him to tell a story about an inchworm impersonating a mustache). Me? I just wanted to make pretty ones. Though I am kind of thinking of turning them into refrigerator magnets. 


I actually had to intercept one of Emily's across-the-street visits to show her the joyful story-stone chaos of our living room. And there was much Groaning and Misery when I finally insisted that we clean it up.
Birdy was home sick for a week, and the book basically took care of her the whole time.
In sum: it is a magical book. Plus, it's been out for, like, 5 minutes, and it's already won some kind of amazingness prize. I hope you buy it. But also, if you want to try your luck first, Storey is graciously sponsoring a give-away! You know the drill. Leave a comment here by noon on Friday for your chance to win a copy in a random drawing. (And for a second-chance give-away, visit the Storey blog.) Yay! Good luck!

190 comments:

  1. miryboo10:16 AM

    I would love to use this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  2. This sounds like an awesome book that would be thoroughly enjoyed by my family!

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  3. I am entering to win it. But I am also putting it in my Amazon cart so I don't forget about it: I like to buy a book or two for each kid's Christmas stocking, and this looks like just the ticket for that.

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  4. Anonymous10:28 AM

    This looks like so much fun. I've already put it in the Amazon cart (just in case).

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  5. My kids, especially my 7yo artist and craftypants, would love this book. LOVE IT!

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  6. It sounds like a wonderful book!

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  7. We'd love a sneak peek. And maybe we'll gift it to a friend's crafty mama.

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  8. My children would LOVE this!

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  9. Ooh, love the sound of this! And my girl is an enormous fan of dramatic play, so it's right up her alley.

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  10. I'm commenting! my girls love to write stories- I think we would all love this book

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  11. I wouldn't have thought this book was for us, but your review has changed my mind. Please pick me! :D

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  13. what a treat! and thanks for the giveaway

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  14. alisonT11:03 AM

    I agree with Anne. You really talked me into Needing this book. Thanks for the chance to win it!

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  15. My kids would LOVE this book, particularly my older daughter!

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  16. Oh my! My son who is in speech therapy currently working on telling and re-telling stories would LOVE this book! He lives to creating things -- this is right up his alley!

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  17. This looks wonderful. If I win, I'm going to lend it to my son's fourth grade teachers. Might just have to get an extra copy....

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  18. This would be perfect for our family!! Crossing my fingers and toes...

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  19. Sounds amazing! This would be great for those long, cold winter days where I can't take my kids outside!

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  20. Hope we win! Thanks!

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  21. Michele11:51 AM

    My super-artistic son, who spent 1/2 his summer collecting rocks for his"pet rock collection" would absolutely l-o-v-e this book! And if I win, I may have to save it for future sick days!!! Thanks you soo much!

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  22. Looks great for my budding authors!

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  23. Book sounds amazing! Would love to win it.

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  24. Look so super fun! Yes, please! :-)

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  25. My kids would LOVE this! But just in case I don't win, I've requested it from my library.

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  26. Gosh, this book sounds (and looks!) lovely. I am thinking I might actually want to try using some aspects of it with my English students.

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  27. Anonymous12:12 PM

    Looks like an amazing book. Plus I need ideas for all the rocks that we collect while on vacation.

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  28. Ooooohh looks so cool, my youngest would LOVE it!

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  29. This is lovely! I have a rock-obsessed 8yo at home, who would love that idea. My email is afsullivan(atsymbol)att(dot)net.

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  30. Anonymous12:31 PM

    I hope I win! --Cathy K

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  31. Having flashbacks to 5th grade when I painted tons of "pet rocks," complete with glued on googly eyes, and sold them to my friends. Your rocks seem slightly classier... Am excited to have a look at the book's projects! My kids will love them!

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  32. What a fantastic book! I have to confess that he mason jar is my favorite stone pictured!

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  33. This looks AMAZING to have with my daughter, and also to take in and use with my second grade students during reading/ writing workshop time. Especially those kids who need a nudge in a different direction - so cool!!

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  34. Going on my Christmas list!

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  35. Jeanne Fisher12:45 PM

    My daughter who fancys herself an inspirational author would love this book!

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  36. I saw this book at Cup and Top last week - didn't get a chance to browse through it, and now I wish I had. Looks like it would be a fun thing for all of the family - I love finding things to do with the kids!

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  37. I would lve this, but my three girls would like it even more than me, I bet.

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  38. Erica1:05 PM

    Love Emily so much and love this book!! I'm a local Amherst gal. :)

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  39. I bought it, on the theory that I need this *right now* -- and if I win a copy, my son's 4th grade teacher would be the perfect recipient for the extra :) If I don't win, she may well be getting one anyhow . . . but it may take a while, because when I ordered mine, Amazon said there were only 13 copies left! (yay!)

    And can I tell you how much fun I'm still having with my copy of Improv Sewing? You can recommend your friends' books any time :)

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  40. This looks like an amazing book, I put it on my amazon wishlist! (Now if I could just get my husband to actually look at it when he's selecting a gift...)

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  41. Jolynn1:14 PM

    Can I win a house in your neighborhood? If not, the book would do nicely. :)

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  42. Delanie1:30 PM

    My children would love this! It looks like a good way to spend the cold months.

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  43. This looks fabulous!

    (PS I probably shouldn't do this, but I think you'd really like my SIL's blog: http://www.bookmakingwithkids.com/)

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  44. I want this book for my family and to share with my boys school. They attend The Integrated Arts Academy and I think the teachers could learn so many neat ideas to do with their classrooms with this book!

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  45. If only I had a large bag filled with rocks from the beach... oh wait, I do! I knew there'd be a use for them, and this book will provide it - fantastic!

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  46. Jennifer Leslie2:29 PM

    This book looks wonderful; thank you both for the giveaway opportunity and for sharing the book with us!

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  47. Looks lovely. Perhaps it would put a spark of craftiness in our generally un-crafty home....

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  48. Eleanor2:56 PM

    My daughter pretty much already lives like this, but she would eat this book up, and so would her younger siblings - and so would my Girl Scout troop, and my class... maybe I should just buy it.

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  49. Kate E3:23 PM

    This looks like so much fun!

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  50. I would love this, my babe is still young, but I need help with easy ideas for creative learning and play!

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  51. Laura D3:42 PM

    My little guy turned two today! And I would love this book for him to grow into.

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  52. Oh, this sounds like such a lovely book! I can't wait to win it...or get it from the library, or request it for the nearest gift-receiving occasion, whichever happens first. :-)

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  53. I honestly cannot imagine a more perfect book for my girls, who are 6 and 8 and are CONSTANTLY writing their own books, drawing illustrations, making up crafts, and creating complicated projects of their own imagining. They would swoon with happiness over this book.

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  54. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book. If I don't win a copy, I will surely go out and buy one!

    Cheers!
    mb

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  55. beth.kopp@gmail.com4:44 PM

    Wow this looks great. Thank you for introducing me to her blog as well.

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  56. Thinking that you could sell me on most anything...and have!

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  57. Carrie V4:49 PM

    This looks amazing for my girls, especially my (almost!) 7 year old. Thank you for hosting this giveaway too! :-)

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  58. My five year old would ADORE this book. And it would use up the pile of stones on top of her dresser. Fingers crossed.

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  59. Anonymous4:51 PM

    Sounds wonderful. Thanks!

    yvonne@ydaydesigns.com

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  60. A purpose for all the rocks Chloe has collected in her lifetime! Wonderful!

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  61. I went to put this book in my amazon cart, but when it said there were only 7 left, I had to buy it quick. (That is exactly the reason why I don't gamble). But, I know lots of little people that would love this book. I'd love to win one for the neighbor's daughter. yay! I love having a good gift idea for kids.

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  62. Anonymous5:26 PM

    This would be great for my son - who is artistic and creative and funny. Or for my daughter, who had me convinced that her father took her swimming! Before they went to the workout facility! And that our neighbor Kay came and Kay and Daddy sat on the bench and watched her because now she can touch the bottom in the big pool. (They did not go swimming, Kay did not accompany them to the gym, and she probably cannot yet touch the bottom in the big pool....) But best of all might be to give it as a gift to my stay-at-home dad husband, for use as a resource on "things to do when there is nothing to do." I must think on it. If I don't win,I'll just buy it anyway.
    elsiroomom

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  63. Well, I'm utterly charmed. Thanks so much for the chance to win! And don't tell random number generator, but if I DON'T win, this book is going on my Christmas list for the kids.

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  64. wow, this looks like a great gift for either my children, friends or teachers. Not to mention a great way to use up my son's rock collection from the beach! Thanks for the wonderful book suggestion.

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  65. It looks like something my daughter would simply adore. I hope we win!

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    1. i am going to get this book, no matter what, but boy i would sure love to win it!

      p.s. just bought a copy of Waiting for Birdy for an expecting friend. how could i not?

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  67. Does it include a craft involving bottle caps and/or beer bottles? Because that's what my children collect (are you sensing a theme here?). Would love to win this!

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  68. Aubrey R6:13 PM

    This looks wonderful!

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  69. Anonymous6:19 PM

    I want to come to your house and be a child again for one day (or a week or two!!!) ;)- When I was little my mom helped us make all kinds of things from ping-pong balls+yarn, avocado seed in a pot, crocheting doll clothes, and a lot of ¨art, err, uhm¨ with dough (Christmas ornaments, plaques, figurines) which we let harden in the oven (and unfortunately, after so many years, they have long disintegrated). Love these beautiful rocks and the idea of using them to make-up stories!!! My daughter is only 2 yrs old but it looks like I´ll need this book very soon! KFB from BCN

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  70. Allyson6:22 PM

    I don't know if I qualify to win this, since I did win a cookbook a couple of years back, but I'm going to buy a copy if I can't win one, so I'm covered either way.

    I do have a specific question about the book; I hope this doesn't get lost in the contest shuffle. My nine-year-old has motor dysgraphia, which means he can't write. He's a brilliant reader and hilarious and enthusiastic story-teller, but he can't physically form letters due to a learning disability. Scissors can also be a challenge. Would he still be able to do most of these projects? Or would they just be an endless source of frustration? He loves making up stories (he's always typing up little books), but his fine motor skills are probably on a par with a kindergartener, despite years of OT. Let me know what you think, Catherine. I know you're not a developmental expert, but I trust your opinion as a mother and as a person with a low tolerance for frustration.

    In other news, I spent my weekend making pickles and applesauce and thinking of you and how delicious-smelling your kitchen must be this time of year.

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  71. Anonymous6:43 PM

    what a great book!

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  72. Oh my little Bean would love love love this book! Definitely on the Christmas list if I am not the lucky number. Thanks, as always, for such wonderful ideas.

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  73. I'm already planning on buying this book for my son for Christmas (a decision I made 2 minutes ago!), so if I win the raffle, I'll just have to find another child to be the recipient. That shouldn't be too difficult though since the book looks....well, magical. Just like you said.

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  74. Jennifer7:45 PM

    My children would love this book. I will buy it if we don't win. Looks like a great birthday gift for little friends.

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  75. annette8:19 PM

    This looks so fun! Will definitely check it out. Thanks for such a detailed review, and photos!

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  76. This looks great! As a teacher and mom of two, there will undoubtedly be projects I could use at both home and school.

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  77. Tonya8:22 PM

    We would love to have some extra inspiration for art around here.

    gtbernstein(at)comcast(dot)net

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  78. looks so lovely!

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  79. Looks like a total blast! We'd love to own this happy little book!

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  80. This book looks fabulous. I'd love to win a copy!

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  81. Oh, SO wonderful! Thanks all for the give away...:)

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  82. My middle child would love this!!

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  83. melissa9:30 PM

    Oooh -- I'd love a copy, too. My daughters and students would love it! Thanks for the giveaway, and the great recommendations.

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  84. Looks beautiful. I'd love to get my hands on a copy. Er, my kids would love to get their hands on a copy...

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  85. Oh yay! My own children would love this book AND my 23 first graders would as well!

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  86. i would also love to win this book! pick me, if you please!

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  87. Clairemb10:08 PM

    This looks wonderful! Thanks for showing us (and hosting a give-away!)

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  88. First, you consitently give me the urge to move back to Western MA. Second, that book is going on my Christmas list!!

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  89. Kathie10:14 PM

    I don't think I can raise my hand any higher without dislocating something. Pick me!

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  90. Oh how my boys would dig this! They like to take ideas and run with them. Perhaps this explains the state of my living room at this very moment!

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  91. Erin A.10:38 PM

    My daughter would love this books. Right now her craft stuff is all over the floor. She loves writing stories too.

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  92. Susannah10:47 PM

    This sounds like so much fun, thanks for sharing!

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  93. Looks like an amazing book! I would love to win it!

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  94. Anonymous11:07 PM

    Looks delightful! I have a granddaughter this would be perfect for! (dangling participle? sorry)

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  95. Oh Catherine! This book looks just amazing! Thanks for the opportunity.

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  96. maxanyamom11:17 PM

    What an wonderful book! I've put it on my Wish List, and my mind is whirring with possibilities of using it to help my 9 year son with his writing block. He is very verbal and has engaging stories to tell, but there is a block between what is in his head and expressing it through his hand with writing. And I just don't want him to believe that writing is a complete drag b'c it isn't! We just need to find a way to make it fun...and this book looks like fun! Thanks for the chance to win it!

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  97. That looks super fun! My daughter would love it. :-)

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  98. Oh my gosh my son could use anything that would spark some imagination in him. This book looks beautiful. I too suck at narratives. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  99. Now to keep our new kitten from eating the projects...

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  100. Randomly pick me please!

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  101. I love your mason jar stone

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  102. I would love this book for my eight-year-old niece, who is a ridiculously creative and artistic little kid.

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  103. Oh, my niece would LOVE story stones! But then I'd have to give the book to her instead of greedily hoarding it until MY little girl got big. Since my baby is only 5 months old, I guess it'd go to my niece. Oh well, she's a good girl!

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  104. I remember gluing all sorts of stuff to rocks as a child. I would go through the Sears catalogue, gluing my wish list onto stones. It took me a while to realize that Strawberry Shortcake made a better rock than Snakes and Ladders. I didn't think kids still did things like this! I would love to share this book with my daughter.

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  105. oh me, oh me, pick me [randomly]!!!! ~ Kelda

    ps. Thanks for the review, and I already know people who will be getting this for Christmas!

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  106. Crystal Zima12:34 AM

    Looks awesome!!

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  107. Anonymous1:09 AM

    The book looks awesome; it would definitely keep our homeschool days lively!

    Love your story stones.

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  108. oh, this looks delightful!and the stones are beautiful!best from berlin,anja xx

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  109. We collect rocks on every trip we take - our car is always heavier on the way home! Now THIS is a great, creative use for those rocks. Even if we don't win (crossing fingers) we'll get this book for us and our fellow rock loving friends!

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  110. My oldest daughter would love this. She wrote and illustrated her first little story recently and it was a hoot! Will also be going on my wish list at Amazon for the holidays.

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  111. egkmom8:23 AM

    I would love this book for my three kids. Hope I get picked!

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  112. Anonymous8:50 AM

    When I saw the words "story stones," I thought, "oh, we have those." As people approach our house, they see an array of stones: "that time we waded in the river in Missoula," "the garnet mine in NH with Abby," "Deveraux Beach visiting grandpa," "near the dinosaur footprints in the Valley at mom's reunion." As some one else noted, now we have a chance to add yet another layer of meaning to those stones we have collected over the years. Can't wait to try it out! And if you are fond of rocks in their many guises, check out the picture book _If You Find a Rock_ by Peggy Christian, which pretty much sums up the child (or adult child)/rock relationship.

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  113. Looks like a book my daughters and I would really enjoy!

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  114. Anonymous9:21 AM

    Please, please, pick me....I have two really creative daughters at home and a little boy that also feels creative (though at two he is more destructive, but anyway),

    Love xxx

    Adriana (living in Uruguay with a street address ;))

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  115. Anonymous9:27 AM

    This sounds like a fabulous book! I love your giveaways!!!

    My email is alrossmail@att.net...in case i win!
    --Amy J*

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  116. Lainey9:42 AM

    Lovely book...and it would be nice to to have a second purpose for the 101 rocks that seem to be around the house.

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  117. Shannon10:02 AM

    This looks fantastic! I love creative ideas for storytelling. My son struggles in this area and I think this will be a perfect book for helping him along. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  118. Sounds like a wonderful book! Probably out of the league of a 3yo, but I can keep it handy for the future :)

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  119. You just totally sold me on this book, because the last thing I need is another craft-with-kids book to sit on my shelf judging me and making me feel guilty for not making time to sit down and craft with my kids. A book that the kids can pick up and use to craft all on their own! Hurrah! Guilt-Free! Sign me up!

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  120. I'm sold too! The book is so reasonably priced too boot. I'm thinking this is a perfect teacher gift this holiday season too. Love it.

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  121. Looks like an awesome book! We would love a copy of our very own.
    -Rebecca

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  122. Thanks for the chance to win Emily's book. We are challenged in the storytelling department and would love inspiration!

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  123. heather12:05 PM

    us, please!

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  124. Anonymous12:50 PM

    I am not crafty, but could learn to be if I had this book.

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  125. Anonymous2:47 PM

    Sure, sure, I'd like to win this book. But if I do, I want you to come to my house and tell my children when it is time to clean up the story stone mess.

    lizardhippie@yahoo.com

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  126. This book is right up my daughter's alley. She is super crafty and I am very...not. If she didn't look so much like my husband, I'd think there was a mix-up at the hospital. I have no idea where she gets it from.

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  127. Ooo! Love this, hope to win!

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  128. We were home sick last week and I so wish we'd had it then! pdxamy@gmaildotcom

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  129. SusanLil4:11 PM

    Looks fabulous! I will probably buy it, but it would be great to have an extra copy for teachers or school library...... thanks!

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  130. Ooooh oooh! I am an OT and always looking for ways to help kids spark their writing (and fine motor skills). I will totally buy it if I don't win, but if I do, then that=thrifty.

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  131. Sounds fabulous!!!

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  132. I know a brilliant seven (going on 40) year old girl who would love this. I know my kids would probably enjoy it, too, but based on our experiences with the arts and the crafts, I'd have to win a case of wine to go with it.

    You're not giving away wine, too, are you?!?

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  133. This would surely help my craft anxiety. Yes please!

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  134. Anonymous8:33 PM

    What a lovely book! My family definitely needs to be more crafty (in the less sinister way, of course).

    -Nancy

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  135. I think this is going to have to be a teacher gift for Finn's 4th grade teacher. She's teaching these kids how to write in a variety of ways, and I can totally see this being part of her approach.

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  136. Wow! Looks like a fantastic book! And we just happen to have a basket of smooth rocks from Newfoundland that would be perfect for some of the craft ideas. :)

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  137. I know just the girl for this book!!! Thanks.

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  138. This looks like such a fun book!

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  139. So I was about to start searching the web for an interesting craft for my students and thought I'd take a look here first because I really prefer to do a whole lot of procrastinating before getting down to work at 10 pm, and then I saw this post and this book is exactly what I need! Which just proves that procrastinating really does work! :) I soooooo hope I win. We still have some rocks that we collected on the Cape this summer--it would be perfect.

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  140. Yay! Another contest! We'd love to get our hands on a copy of this book! Maybe shells would work better than rocks for us...we got lots of shells this summer.

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  141. Anonymous2:42 AM

    My girls and I would love, love a copy!
    Thank you!
    Allysa27370AThotmailDOTcom

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  142. Ooh, this looks like just the thing to get me out of my "creative rut" - crossing my fingers!

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  143. The book looks beautiful and my girls would love to win!

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  144. Anonymous12:38 PM

    love, love, love it!

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  145. oooh my daughter loves to make up stories!

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  146. I would love a copy for my daughter's 3/4th grade classroom!

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  147. Susan Cuadrado1:56 PM

    Both my daughters would love this book! I would love this book! And wouldn't you know, they both have birthdays coming up in the next couple weeks!

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  148. I love that you have a pear picture wall. Yes, I would love to enter the contest. I'll start looking for stones in anticipation of winning!

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  149. Anonymous2:25 PM

    I love the story stones!

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  150. I always miss these contests because I read your blog a week after the contest was over. I have a very good feeling this time!

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  151. Deirdre4:32 PM

    When I saw the picture of this book I immediately added to my amazon wish list. THEN ooo la la there's a give-away?!?! Our family would love this, thank you for the chance to win.

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  152. Oooh, my daughter would love this. Thanks for the chance to win such a treasure!

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  153. OOoh, looks great!

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  154. Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win one!

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  155. ooooh, i'd love a chance to win! looks like an awesome read. thanks!

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  156. Oh my, I'm adding it to my Christmas list over at Better World Books, because I never win stuff. :) I think I might have to make some story stones long before December, though...

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  157. Jamie Schuster7:49 PM

    So many comments! This book seems amazing and I like fancy ways to make up stories! Fingers crossed :)

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  158. Lovely stuff! We have Rory's story cubes and various other story prompts,but always looking for new things. crafty + stories sounds perfect!

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  159. Melanie8:39 PM

    I would like to win this book...or....anything....ever.

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  160. Oooh, Friday is my birthday. Let me win, please!

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  161. yep. this would be a great giveaway to win. me, please.

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  162. It looks perfect for my 6 yr old who is much craftier than I am. She needs more inspiration! It looks beautiful, as are your rocks.

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  163. I would love this book! I've put it in my Amazon cart in case I don't win it. :)
    Thank you!

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  164. Crikey. Yes! Sign me up. And stashing it in an amazon cart as a reminder is great idea, I will do that too.

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  165. Wonderful! One of the areas we focus on includes products that help children and adults engage in storytelling (which we think is a critical tool in creating a more peaceful and just planet) and now this book adds the craft (hands-on) dimension. We'll add it to our shop right away. Thanks for sharing the news!! (Leave us out of the drawing - we'll buy it!)

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  166. Anonymous11:28 AM

    What a cool looking book! Count me in and thanks for having a giveway!

    Laura Crosslin
    lauracrosslin@gmail.com

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  167. Sara Bednark11:50 AM

    What a wonderful book! More creativity in the house is needed.

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  168. Anonymous12:43 PM

    Oh, I hope I win. My kids would love it (and with 4 of them, it would get years of use!)

    Heidi G

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  169. la di dah1:24 PM

    hi! came hoping to be inspired by a new recipe but instead am very inspired by this book. would love to have a copy.

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  170. love your collection of pears portraits. neat.
    my 7 yr old girl would love that book, and my 9 yr old boy too!

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  171. Anonymous3:07 PM

    I know a plethora of kids who would love this book. Keeping my fingers crossed!

    Jennifer P.

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  172. Bess W3:34 PM

    Oooh! Looks like so much fun.

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  173. I love her blog and want this book!

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  174. I will be getting this book, but I would love to win it :)

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  175. Want.
    I think this is one of my favorite, if not the favorite post you've ever done. It is just so lovely to me for some reason...

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  176. Jennifer LB5:35 PM

    I would love to get this for my son's school - Namaste Montessori near Ithaca.

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  177. ooo, we'd love this book! in the meantime I'm off to gather rocks...

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  178. Siobhan Moffitt5:51 PM

    This sounds so lovely! I'm already thinking Christmas presents: for my son, our best friend's sons, my son's classroom...etc. Thank you for introducing it to us!

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  179. Tracey M11:05 PM

    This looks wonderful!! We too have a rock collection that could tell some stories...

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  180. Fun! Throw in a few supplies with this book and you've got a great gift!

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  181. Oh, I would love a copy of this!

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  182. Catherine, you inspire this craft-phobic mama with your lovely description. I would love to havea copy!

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  183. Anonymous8:58 AM

    Oooh, me! Me! I would love a copy. Thank you for offering this!

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  184. Amy McGregor12:03 AM

    i want one.

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  185. Flash website design dallas is now more creative then other cause their material's software's and all accessory's are special customizes by them and a great opportunity for to being join with them freely.....

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  186. Deanna11:07 AM

    I bought it! Whoop Whoop! So excited for it to arrive!

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  187. It took a while, but we FINALLY got this in our shop and it is wonderful. Thanks for the recommendation!!

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