Books of Wonder turns 33

 



A long, long time ago... well, back on September 2nd, 1980, the day after Labor Day, Books of Wonder opened its doors for the very first time. That's why for many years now, we have celebrated another year of bringing New York City and our friends around the world the best in children's literature with a Labor Day weekend anniversary sale!

 

This year, Books of Wonder turns 33 years old! That strikes us as a very special number. After all, the great E. Nesbit wrote that all magic comes in threes! And Tolkien wrote that when a hobbit turns 33, it is celebrated as his or her "coming of age." Well, we want to celebrate with you our "coming of age!" So this year, in addition to having every book in the store discounted at least 20% off its suggested retail price -- and that includes all of our old & rare books, as well -- we have also put together a small group of truly wonderful books and sets to offer you at 33% of their original retail price -- that's an amazing 67% off!

 

We also have a generous selection of books priced from $3 to $8, giving you a special anniversary sale savings of anywhere from 30-60% off. For those of you that can't make it to the store, Booksofwonder.com will also be celebrating the sale with 20% off site-wide, and the chance to save big by ordering our 33rd Anniversary Special Sale items.

 

The Complete Alice Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-glass are children's classics that have been loved by generations for nearly 150 year. This beautiful box set takes these two great books and presents them as 22 hand-sized little gems, all wonderfully illustrated with Helen Oxenbury's magical, whimsical pictures. From falling down the rabbit-hole to attending the Mad Hatter's tea party, meeting Humpty Dumpty and braving the Jabberwock, these stories have become a must for every child. Imported from the UK, this delightful boxed set is sure to be a treasured addition to your child's library.

 

The List goes on so just head to their Website

for more details

 

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Illustration Friday "Shiny"

Illustration Friday

this weeks topic

"Shiny"

Ha a simple joy, is a shiny blue bead 

Illustration Friday "JUMP"

Illustration Friday
"Jump"



Buddy took a deep breath and Jumped!

  

5x7

pen and ink digitally colored

Illustration Friday "Vocal"

Illustration Friday

"Vocal"

inspired

by

 Blind Benny

pen & ink digitally painted

IF "Return"

Illustration Friday

"Return"

The cat came back the very next day the cat came back thought it was a goner Oh the cat came back....   Well something like that

 pen & ink digitally painted

siz: 5X7

Illustration Friday "Yield"

Illustration Friday

"Yield"

Okay OK! you win I "Yield!!!!!!"

 

Illustration Friday "Intention"

"Intention"

Sooo ? You wan to date my Daughter?
_________________________________________________________  

Side note: Doing "Illustration Friday" has given me an opportunity to explore my technique without worrying if a client will like it or not. Just enjoy playing around with line, color, and texture.      

                                                  

    

The Giving Meadow on Tour with Stephanie Burkhart

"The Giving Meadow"

was a joy to illustrate, there is such a flow to the words that the images really just came to me very easily; putting it down on paper was another matter.  But all the hard work was worth it.

A few things helped me make this book the best it could be. 

1) Stephanie wrote a simple tale with a lot of heart and it did not require a lot of text to make it work, which gave me more room to create the illustrations without worrying so much about where the text will fit.

2) In June of this year I did a little post called "Maurice Sendak & The Giving Meadow" it was about how seeing the Maurice Sendak artwork on exhibit inspired me to take my own artwork to the next step. If you ever get a chance to be that close to someone who inspires you Do It!

3) Also, on a personal note, the reference material I used for the snake in the story came from my cousin Joey who owned the snake. He past away in a car accident only a day or two after I finished some of the first pages of the book when the snake comes into the story.  I never got a chance to share it with him. But I will be able to share it with his son.     

I just want to thank Stephen for having me today on my blog tour for my children's book, "The Giving Meadow."

Just a little about me: I was born in Manchester, NH but live in Castaic, California with my husband, Brent, and two sons, Andrew and Joseph. I have fond memories of Manchester, but have made California my home. I earned a BS in political science from California Baptist University in 1995.



I have been writing since I was 5, first making homemade comic books. Now, I work on creating short stories and novels. I spent 11 years in the US Army and over 7 years in Germany. Writing is a passion that still challenges me. The Giving Meadow is my first children's book and my first book with 4RV Publishing.


THE BLURB:
The Giving Meadow is about a caterpillar who hatches from his egg in the middle of a meadow. As he travels through the meadow, he meets new friends who learn the value of sharing.


THE INSPIRATION:

I go to Blessed Kateri Catholic Church (in Santa Clarita, CA) and I'm involved in our Sunday Preschool program. We call it Little Church. The program works with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. I help to teach the 3's along with 3 other talented ladies, Shirley Chang, Maureen Dunahoo, and Mary Tesselaar. Every year I help to write the Easter play for the children. In 2009, "The Giving Meadow" was our Easter play.


After I wrote it, I showed Vivian at 4RV. She's also a moderator at Writing.com and I wanted her feedback on the story. She offered it a contract! I was tickled pink. It was a nice, unexpected surprise. I can't thank Vivian (Gilbert Zabel, publisher, 4RV Publishing) for believing in the story and wanting to bring it to life.


GOODIE TIME: Leave a post here on the blog. I'll pick two lucky winners to receive an autographed postcard of the cover. Winners will be drawn out of a hat, and I'll return on AUG 13th to announce them.

Next STOP  Crystalee Calderwood on August 13th

Were else you can find Stephanie Burkhart on the Web:
Blog site ,Website, Facebook, & Twitter 

To Purchase a copy of "The Giving Meadow" please follow one or all the links below:

4RV PUBLISHING:,  BARNES & NOBLE:, and Amazon