Monday, September 24, 2018

Teach Your Giraffe To Ski- A Review and Giveaway

Seriously, if you had a giraffe, wouldn't you want to teach her to ski?

That's the story that author, Viviane Elbee, brought to life in her lively, imaginative debut picture book, TEACH YOUR GIRAFFE TO SKI (Albert Whitman and Co, 2018)

Why didn't I think of a clever idea like that? Maybe because unlike Viviane, I never was brave enough to bring my young children to a ski slope and my days of skiing ended in a close encounter with a tree many years ago...



But, back to Viviane's fun story of a young boy who learns to overcome his fears while, of course, teaching his giraffe to ski. Here is a glimpse of her text and the kid-friendly illustrations by Danni Gowdy

First things first:


Next, you remind your giraffe that she's got to start small.



Then you teach her important moves like doing a pizza, making french fries and S's, and the importance of good manners on the slopes.

Even if she gets tangled up, you stick with her.




But what do you do when your giraffe races away and you have to keep her safe? What if she heads towards the SCARY ski lift on the VERY BIG slope? 

You'll just have to buy the book and find out for yourself!


GIVEAWAY


Last spring I had the privilege of hosting Vivian on my blog with her cover reveal. I started a (long!) list of people who wanted to receive the ARC. Albert Whitman is also offering a hard copy of the book when it releases in November. So go ahead, leave me your name (and email address if you are new to my blog) and I'll pick two winners on Thursday, September 27!


41 comments:

Linda Phillips said...

Thanks for featuring this clever book and congratulations to you, Viviane! I might have learned to ski if you had been around in my day, ha!

Carol Baldwin said...

thanks, Your name is in the hat, Linda!

Viviane Elbee said...

Thank you Carol & Linda. :)

Carol Baldwin said...

You're welcome, Viviane. It's darling!

Diane B said...

Thanks for the chance at this giveaway! This books would make a lovely read to any younger child and I am sure one could try to finish reading it aloud without laughing too, too much! :) Delightful!

I may not be on your blog yet so, I will leave those things you asked for in the above review/comments.
Diane Buie
buierocks2002@yahoo.com

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Diane for stopping by. Appreciate you leaving your email address too.

Jana Leah B said...

This would be a fun book for my niece. She's loves giraffes. Thank you for the giveaway!
turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara Younger said...

Both of my grandchildren are in skiing families, so I'd love to win a copy to keep at Grammie's. Thanks!

Elizabeth Curry said...

I couldn't be more excited for Viviane and to read this adorable book. Congratulations!

Young Authors Program said...

I can't wait to read this book! I remember it from our critique group sessions. Super proud of Viviane and can't wait to have a copy for myself!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Dorothy, Jana, Barbara, and Elizabeth! Fun to open up my email and see everyone's responses. Elizabeth, can you provide your email address? Thanks.

Clara Gillow Clark said...

What a fun way to teach youngsters about safety on the slopes. Like you, Carol, I’m not a skier, but this book would make a great gift for plenty of youngsters. Not necessary to include my name this time, since I recently won a book here.

Jay Reece said...

Thanks for showcasing Viviane's book - it looks a great fun read.

Becky Scharnhorst said...

This looks like such a fun book! I can’t wait to read it! Thank you for hosting the giveaway, Carol. And congratulations on your debut, Viviane. :) My email address is beckyscharnhorst@gmail.com.

Wendy said...

I'm thinking "series", Viviane! This title really pulls me in.

Melissa said...

Hilarious! Looking forward to reading this.

Rosemary Basham said...

Add me to the list! Would love a copy.

Sherry Howard said...

This book looks adorable! I am enjoying hearing more about it! sherryhoward0@gmail.com

Elaine Kiely Kearns said...

This book looks amazing! Thanks for a great post! My email is ekearns44 at gmail.com. Thanks!

Susan Johnston Taylor said...

Congrats, Viviane! My email is susanejohnston AT gmail.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Susan, Elaine, Sherry, Rosemary, Melissa, Wendy, Becky, Jay, and Clara for posting comments. WOW! This is already a popular book! Wendy, I need your email address to enter you!

Candace said...

Congratulations, Viviane! Teach Your Giraffe To Ski looks like a hoot! Please add me to your list ccspizzirri@gmail.com
Best of luck,
Candace

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Candace. You're in!

Barb said...

I love giraffes, a while ago I wrote a nonfiction book about giraffes, and I love skiing. Your book reminds me of when I took my husband skiing for the first time and he got all tangled up. What a fun book you’ve written Barbara

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Barbara. But I need your email address to enter you!

Viviane Elbee said...

Thank you so much Diane, Jana, Barbara, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Clara, Jay, Becky, Wendy, Melissa, Rosemary, Sherry, Elaine, Susan and Candace for your kind words. :) I hope you'll enjoy reading the book!

Suzie Olsen said...

Viviane, you're book looks so fun and cute! Can't wait for it to come out, and congrats! Suzie at scolsen.writer@gmail.com

ruby said...

Your book preview invites me in! Best wishes on the success of your debut.

Joana Pastro said...

What a treat to see a little bit more of this book here. As someone who has never skied I can tell I’ll be learning a lot from it! Thanks, Carol!

Gail Hartman said...

What a fun book! First, the idea that someone has a giraffe to teach, then the idea of a giraffe on skis is delightful. Thanks!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Joana, Ruby, and Suzie for your comments. Joana and Ruby I need your email addresses to enter your names!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks for your comment, Gail. But I need your email address to enter your name!

The Winding Ascent said...

Me! Me! I can't wait to hold this sweet lil book in my hands.

Megan Hoyt
creativepowerhouse@gmail.com

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I would love to be entered. I saw this earlier and I think it sounds so fun!
Thank you and Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks Megan and Connie. Just added your names!

Anne said...

I too, like one of your other commenters, have a niece and great niece who are really into giraffes. Your book would make a great Christmas present for them! Your imagery is great. I would be interested in reading about your experience in publishing from writing the book through having it published.
Please add me to your blog list,
annepohl@hotmail.com

Cathy Stefanec Ogren said...

This looks like such a cute book. I know three little girls who would love it! Please enter me into the giveaway.

cogren.ogren@gmail.com

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Cathy. You're in!

Stephanie Lau said...

How fun!
Pephemie at gmail dot com

Carol Baldwin said...

YOU got in just under the wire Chefemie. Picking a winner shortly!

Cat Michaels said...

Cute, cute, cute! (no need to enter me in the GA -:D)!

PUSH-PULL MORNING: Dog Powered Poems About Matter and Energy

I wouldn't have believed that a book about matter and energy would be read by the picture book crowd, except that my third-grade and kin...