Will you be the next host for Critter?

It's time for Critter to move from Illinois to somewhere new. Critter has all kinds of interests. Rural farms, City life . . . he loves it all! United States, International . . . All he really wants is for someone to want him, take pictures and blog. (he's a bit co-dependant. Love is all he needs. He's a Beatles fan. What can I say). He will love anywhere that he can travel. Vistit Kelly's blog, where Critter rocked back stage with a band, went sledding and fate saved him from hungry dinosaurs and Critter eating spiders by the skin of his fangs!

We're also working a possible humanitarian efforts for Critter upon his return. If this works out . . . we'll need the help of every possible Children's lit bloggers that we can whip up.

For now; blog, twitter and facebook about Critter's travels. Eventually, he'll be up to a greater good (possibly auctioned for) Saint Jude, Haiti, homeless?. The more that know about him, the better. We just have to work it out the final details.

More to come!

My article in the Carolina Parent Baby Guide. YaY!

Hey look! Click here to view my article in the 2010 Carolina Parent Baby Guide, Baby Basics on a Budget. You'll have to flip over to page 17, I'm not able to link the article directly.

And the winner is . . . . . (plus a Critter siting!)

First, it's time to announce the winner of the book giveaway. And the winner of I'd Tell You That I Love You but Then I'd Have to Kill you by Ally Carter is . . . .

Bish!

Please send me an e-mail and give me your snail mail info. Congratulations!

Critter has been rockin' the house with Kelly in Illinios. By the looks of this picture, it seems as if he's getting some back stage privileges. Lucky Critter! Stop by Kelly's blog and say "HI!" Keep an eye out for the other adventures that he'll take with Kelly and sign up to be Critters next host when it's time for him to move on.

Rock on Critter!!!!

It's time for a Book Giveaway!

Last month I entered a book give away over at the generous Christina Farley's blog. This wasn't just an ordinary book giveaway. It was a MEGA book giveaway. I didn't just win A book. I won a pack of books! ~it still makes me giddy. Squeal!~

So, when I received the package, I did what I always do when I have a stack of books and am not sure which to read first. I played the role of editor/agent and gave them all the "First Page" test. I read the first page of each book and the one that intrigued me the most, would be the winner. I was surprised at which one tickled me fancy the most. I was surprised because the cover threw me off. The cover made me think that this was just another snotty prep-school story. It's not! And yet, it's the perfect cover because the story takes place at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. To everyone else, it looks like a regular snotty prep school.
But the students know that there's nothing regular about a school where you can get extra credit for mixing lethal poison concoctions, vending machines pop open to reveal secret passageways and Covert Operations is a standard class. Cammie Morgan is a student at a secret spy school. But when she goes into town and falls head over heals for a normal guy who things she's just a regular girl. Cammie can't let him know the truth about her, however, she finds that it's much easier to be a spy than to pretend to be a normal girl.

This was such a fun book! Told in a first person, witty voice. The first page wasn't misleading, the rest of the book did not disappoint.

And now . . . It's time to share the wealth. Now that I've finished this book, I'm passing it onto one of my lucky readers. Simply leave a reply in the comments section. For additional chances to win, let me know if you tweet, blog or facebook about this contest. (you get an entry for each one). Also, if you become a follower of this blog or are already a follower of this blog, you will gain another entry in the contest.

Please leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO KILL YOU.

I'll draw the name of a winner on Thursday. :0)

Critter has found his Lucky Valentine in Illinois!!!

I'm an Illinois girl born and bred, not to mentioin, Kelly has been following Critter and Cheering him on since the very beginning, so I'm thrilled that Kelly and her family will get to be Critter's sweet Valentine. :0) Knowing Kelly, there may even be some sort of a concert involved. He may also return with his toe nails painted black. :0)

Don't give up on a Critter visit. He still has 9 more locations to visit before he returns to me. I'd love for him to visit places like Australia, Montana, Michigan, California, the Virgin Islands, heck, Anywhere! I love seeing where all the bloggers are from and where they take Critter.

And a great big THANKS once again to Nandini, for being such a fabulous host for Critter!

Critter Traveling for a Cause?

But here's something I would like some feedback on. You see, Critter has had tons of fun on his journey, and yet his eyes have been opened as well. He's become a more aware and enlightened Critter. At first, Critter expected to return to me from his journey, only to reture as my office mascot. However, since the Haiti disaster, he has realized that perhaps his travels might be put to a better use. He's wondering if, perhaps, when he returns to me, that I should auction him off to give to a charity to be determined (such as Haiti relief, or whatever might be more pressing at the time.) His travels could be like an awareness campaign and then when he returns, I can auction him off and the highest bid would be made to the American Red Cross or some other reputable institution for whatever cause we decide on.

I've never done anything like this before. It may take Critter a year to return, so there's time to decide. I would need help from all my blogger and Childrens Lit. friend to spread the word about Critter and his humanitarian efforts and build up awareness for potential bidders. What do you think? Any thoughts, ideas? advice?

Critter is Looking for his Sweet Valentine

Will you be Critter's Valentine? Nandini is taking requests for a Critter visit. Be sure to hurry on over because the drawing will be on Tuesday January 26th. (the day after my birthday. If you'd like to send a cake, please send via e-mail. I have a cyber cake'o bake'o-maker, so I'll receive said spoils in tact, minus all calories.)

So, what are you waiting for? Go to Nandini's blog and sign up. I'd love to see where Critter will go next!!!!!

Critter at the ALA midwinter conference

From what I undertand, THE Marissa Doyle is holding Critter. Swoon Seriously, Author-struck is way better than Star-struck. . . because authors are WAY MORE AWESOME!

Critter is living the writers life. Going places, meeting other writers and authors . . . .I hope that when he returns to me, he'll share all of his fabulous stories and inspire me to write some amazing stories!

Check out Nandini's blog to see more pictures.

Also, lets not forget Critter's creator, Ian Sands and his art students. If it weren't for them I wouldn't have been inspired by their interactive art projects and there wouldn't be a Critter traveling through blogland. :0)