Thursday, November 12, 2009

Along Came You-- Review and Giveaway


Since it's nearing Christmas, I am receiving a lot of opportunities to review products. I've had some questions as to whether or not I would save the products for Christmas gifts for my girls. While it would be very nice to get my girls Christmas presents in this way, the whole point of the reviews is that companies can hopefully sell these products for Christmas.. So, we've gotten busy trying these things out..

Zondervan Publishing is one of my favorite companies that I've worked with. Adam has been doing reviews for them for a while. He slipped his contact my blog address and I got an e-mail from her saying, "just go to our site and let me know what books you're interested in and when you read them, let me know if you'd like to do a giveaway". Um, AWESOME? I still find myself asking, what's the catch? Am I going to get a charge on my credit card if I don't return it within the 60 day trial period? But, no charge. It still blows my mind that companies give me things just for me to give them my opinions on them. It's like a marketers dream. Anyway, This allows me to pick out, up front, books that had topics that I was interested in and could be pretty sure I could give an enthusiastic review. So I picked out three books and got them just a couple of days later.

"Along Came You, did not disappoint". This truly may have become my favorite children's book of all time.. Except, I'm pretty sure that it's benefits are more for me than my children. It is definitely my favorite parenting book of all time. I don't know about you, but in a world where success is often measured by dollars, I sometimes need reminded of the value of the job I'm doing. While I do think that this book serves the purpose of helping children see the sacrifices a parent makes, more importantly, it was reminder to me of the priceless benefits that come from doing such a sacred job that pays in love. The book's only downfall is that I can't seem to read it with out becoming a big emotional mess.

It's beautifully illustrated pages along with the author's fresh perspective of being a mother left me with a reminder of the amazing joy that being a parent provides and a heart much bigger than, before children, I ever felt capable of having. In "Along Came You", The writing clearly illustrates that often, simple phrases carry such great meaning: "Before you, my home was decorated in style. After you, my home is decorated in love. Before you, the biggest thrill at the amusement park was riding the roller coaster. After you, the biggest thrill is seeing your face when you are finally tall enough to ride. Before you, I slept all night long. After you, I wake to watch you sleeping.

But, you really can't get the full impact that book presents without seeing the words along with the illustrations. So click below to see a sample.



Now, for your chance to win a copy of your own. To enter, simply comment, leaving a way to contact you in the case that you win. For an additional entry, blog about the giveaway or post it on facebook and come back and leave a link to your post. The giveaway will end on Wed. Nov. 18th. The winner will be chosen at random using www.random.org.

Blessings,
Dana

43 comments:

Nellie the Great said...

Our little Bubber man is rapidly ripping through all the books in our house, and I would *love* the chance to win a new book. Plus, this give me the chance to comment on your blog and tell you how much I love it! Plus, I love you. :)

Hyperactive Lu said...

Sounds like a great book!

Hyperactive Lu said...

Posted on Facebook.

Jay said...

Even if we don't win give-away, I'll def. be buying a copy. Yesterday I "browsed" it several times and cried like a little baby... We are ALWAYS looking for new books. This one is perfect.

I'll put a link on my blog to it.

<3 u

Unknown said...

There's a link on the blog -- my fingers are crossed!

Mandy said...

What a great book! Enter me! :) Then pick me. mkay? :)

chesley said...

looks like a great one. enter me please

Holly-- The Storm Chaser said...

Fun, I want in!

Jan said...

hey! i hope i win... if not i am going to have to go buy it.

Elaine said...

Looks great!

Nicolemiko said...

You are so right about the beauty of the illustrations. What a great idea for a book. I know my daughter would love it. I hope I win.

Cortney @ evanhaslanded.com said...

I want to win!! I want to win! :-)!

Brei said...

Oh I would love, love, love that book!!

Brei said...

Posted about this on my blog, here

http://maceandbrei.blogspot.com/2009/11/along-came-you-giveaway.html

Unknown said...

I LOVE children's books, and this one sounds like a must have. Thanks for the offer.

FB- http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?ref=profile&id=100000281716650

Blog- http://mandyperry.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/childrens-book-giveaway/

Melissa Lea said...

Awww, precious book!

Anonymous said...

Great! LOOOOVE children's books with a message for everyone!
Daisy (FB me!)

Jessica Turner said...

I love children's books and would love to win!

jlwilson said...

Great! Would love to win!

Brianna said...

This looks like a super cute book!

Becky said...

sounds cute...and like i'll need kleenex!

KARSIE GENE said...

Sounds like a sweet book!

AuBien said...

This looks like a wonderful book. I'm so glad Jessica mentioned your giveaway on her blog!

Pam said...

It's adorable! I know, my girls are all grown but enter me...I'm always looking for good books for when Melanie starts teaching. Plus some day I hope to have grandbabies.

The Hulocks said...

This book is really cute. I might get this for my kids for Christmas.

daniellegrove@hotmail.com

AuBien said...

I wrote a short post on my blog about your giveaway...

www.itsgreattobehere.blogspot.com

Leigh said...

Sounds like a wonderful book.

breezysmom123@gmail.com

Kelley said...

I would love to win this for my niece. my email is krp1010 at hotmail dot com

C said...

I'm always looking for new books for my 15 month old little girl...and this one sounds like a tear-jerker that will put into words all my emotions about my long-waited for precious little girl.
cjcrisostomo23@gmail.com

Sara-Beth said...

Maybe I'll get lucky this time. You know where to find me!

Sara-Beth said...

Blogged about it. :)

Kelly said...

Sounds like a great book! Sign me up! Thanks for the kind comment on my blog. Have a great day.

Sara-Beth said...

Forgot my link

www.thebutterbeandaily.blogspot.com

Also, put it on Facebook!

vicki.ellis2 said...

I'd love this book for my Luke and my Noah! Count me in! Aunt Vicki

Amanda McKee said...

What a great book! Thanks for taking the time to review it!

Lynn Ellis said...

I teared up at the sample. Sign me up. It would be a great gift to give to foster parents to share with kids in their homes. Love you.

Daisy Path said...

such a cute book.
dannerm@hotmail.com

Jennifer T. said...

This looks like a great book to share withe my child!

Ashley @ pure and lovely said...

very cute!

Sunny said...

Would love to win!

Brenda Collins said...

entering to win please. thank you!

Ashley said...

This sounds like a great book! Maybe I'll win!

Ashley
jastorey@knology.net

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