grandma's bookshelf - I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! - I'm Giving One Away!

I love books . . . as you are sure to tell from even a casual look at grandma's cookie jar! My mom always gave me books when I was a child - birthday's, Christmas, when I was sick, we always were involved in summer reading at the library and my mom signed us up for several book clubs when we were children; books have been a big part of my life.

So, as a mom, I tried to pass on a love for books to my two children and now do the same with my three grandsons. It makes me happy to see how Josiah loves to read! I'm very happy to see Caleb enjoy learning to read and love when Shane (and all three boys) will snuggle with me so I can read to them.

This is one of the reasons I love to review books on grandma's cookie jar - I end up with lots of wonderful books for my grandsons to enjoy . . . and for them to share with others as they give many of them to their Charter School and send them to their cousin in California. Plus, often I get to give them away to you as well!

I think starting the new year reading is a wonderful way to begin . . . one of the reasons for my recent reviews (and upcoming giveaways) of Your Alien Returns at this link and NIV Journal the Word Bible Large Print Edition at this link. So, when I was recently invited by Zonderkidz to read and review a new picture book I was very quick to say; "Yes!" - the title had me . . . I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! They sent it for me to review and today I'm very happy to share it with you!

I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug!
Author - Caroline B. Cooney
Illustrator - Tim Warnes
Publisher - Zonderkidz
Ages - 4-8

Favorite Features -

• I love the illustrations - full of color and charm!
• I love the text . . . it provides LOTS of opportunity to give your grandchildren a hug!
• Encourages imagination, cuddling, and fun!

Zonderkidz says; "I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug!, written by bestselling author Caroline B. Cooney, is a playful and comforting bedtime book which imagines all the wonderful ways a child might give and receive a hug. Whether it’s a big bear, gasp for air, knock over a chair hug or a wet and drippy, slimy, slippy fish hug, children will giggle their way through all the imaginative examples. Cooney’s sweet and simple rhymes encourage playful interaction between parent and child and ultimately help them wind down before they snuggle into bed and drift off to sleep."

I love this book! While I really love the different types of hugs in this story . . . after all, what isn't there to love about a Bear Hug, Horse Hug, Duck Hug, Sheep Hug and Whale Hug to name a few, my favorite is the Dog Hug . . . "I'm going to give you a dog hug. A knock over the chairs, Chase up the stairs, And sleep like a log hug." And, the illustration of the boy and the dog snuggled up together - well, it is wonderful! I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! could very easily become your grandchild's favorite bedtime - and anytime - storybook . . . it is sure to be one of your favorites! (And, just imagine the fun you could have with them thinking up your own kind of hugs! Like, maybe an Elephant Hug or a Lion Hug or perhaps an Okapi Hug!)

I'm very happy to say, not only did Zonderkidz send me this wonderful book to review, but they are making another available for me to give away (USA

only). If you are over the age of 18 and would like to enter this drawing - which will be on January 10, 2017, please comment below to tell me what type of "hug" you and your grandchildren might enjoy . . . I think my grandsons and I would enjoy an Okapi Hug - a play hide-and-seek, peek over the top of the chairs hug, a let's nibble on some fruit hug, a blend in with the trees and jump out to surprise you hug!

In addition if you have followed on Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab in the "Find us on Facebook" box ON THE BLOG or at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed grandma's cookie jar by email you will receive one entry for each of these which you have done. Plus, if you "share" this post, you'll receive another entry (please let me know if you share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win I'm Going to Give You a Bear Hug! and it gives you several ways to enter the give-away! Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar and for sharing it with the people you know!