Wednesday, May 1, 2013

"Can't Wait Willow" by Christy Ziglar & illustrated by Luanne Marten (Review & Giveaway)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog from FlyByPromotions on behalf of the publisher and author. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
 About the book:  The first book in the series:  Can't-Wait Willow! Willow is so excited that the Over-the-Top Circus has finally come to town! The only problem is, that when left to her own devices, she can’t say “no” to some good things. On the way to the show, she is distracted by enticing treats and fun that she just can’t turn down. Willow arrives late and is sad to find that, not only has she has run out of time, but money, and she won’t be able to enjoy the pink cotton candy she’s been dreaming of. Willow is given valuable advice and a second chance and is ultimately taught the lesson that sometimes in life you have to say “no” to good things to end up with something great! 

About Shine Bright Kids: The Shine Bright Kids series provides children and their families with a relevant framework to help instill solid values and teach the importance of making good choices. The principles that will be explored include: using good judgment, taking responsibility, having a positive attitude, and demonstrating perseverance.


Can't-Wait Willow! from Ideals Children's Books from Ideals Books on Vimeo.
Review: Don't you just love the pictures of Willow. She is an adorable little girl with beautiful red hair.  Her freckles are charming. Her spirit is uplifting and exciting. But Willow...... oh my, Willow Can't Wait!
"Sometimes you've got to say 'no' to the good,
so you can 'yes' to the best.
"--Zig Ziglar

All along the way toward the circus, she encountered wonderful opportunities - play with friends, drink lemonade with friends, look at the exotic birds outside the circus tent - all very good things to do. When she finally realized that ".... the music had stopped and people were leaving the tent. The circus show was over!".... she was so sad and defeated.

But Willow was given a ticket to the next day's circus and a second change to get there on time.  So the next day...... "....Willow shook her head, no." to the ice cream truck, and to other opportunities to do good things but not the best thing for that day.

So Willow's story is a story of right choices and second chances.  Children need to learn to make good choices so that as adults they will know when to choose better opportunities over good opportunities.  And also when to choose good over bad situations. 

I can't leave with remarking on the charming, whimsical beauty of the illustrations that capture so truly the spirit of Willow. Her personality. Her zest for life. Her enjoyment of her day (until she misses the circus). Beautifully done.
 
GIVEAWAY:  Chat With Vera has been given the opportunity to offer one reader a chance to win a copy of "Can't Wait Willow." Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Begins May 1 & ENDS May 20 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT. Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway  
About the Author:  (Recognize the last name Ziglar?!?) Christy Ziglar, financial planner, mother of twins and niece of legendary motivator and the world’s original optimist, Zig Ziglar, is bringing the same timeless wisdom and ageless advice to an entirely new, younger audience through her new Shine Bright Kids picture book series. Website: The author's website has great resources to support the book, including a printable poster with 'Ways to Shine Bright,' as well as reward chart you can use at home with your children. 
 
Visit: http://www.alwaysshinebright.com 
The publisher site is: http://www.idealsbooks.com    
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks


About the Illustrator: Thanks to her first grade teacher, who recognized her superior skills in drawing a robin, Luanne Marten has been drawing, painting and sketching ever since.  She is a great experimenter and has a fresh, whimsical approach to bring her characters to life. 

20 comments:

  1. My daughter has a hard time waiting to go to Six Flags. If we let her know to far ahead of time she will drive us crazy talking about the upcoming trip.

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  2. I post this comment on IdealsBooks Facebook page. I entered the Can't Wait Willow on Chat With Vera. https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks/posts/457481531007523

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  3. When I visited alwaysshinebright I really liked the section on TEACHABLE MOMENTS.
    http://alwaysshinebright.com/grown-up-stuff/teachable-moments/

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  4. We have been trying to teach our toddler to sleep in his own bed, and I read an article in Parenting Magazine saying that if you read them a story in bed, then get them to wait for you to go complete little chores, they fall asleep while you are gone. That hasn't happened yet, but Max does point a finger at us now and tell us he'll be "Right back!" It's very cute :) Thanks for linking into the KLBH, Vera!

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  5. We get ice cream every Friday at a local shop (the only charge $1 per scoop!) My children know this and sometimes whine for ice cream earlier in the week. Once there was a big tantrum so I showed them how to make ice cream when we got home. Since I did not have the right materials (besides rock salt) it did not turn out very well so from then on they were happy to wait until Friday.

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  6. I like the idea of the Circus Walk Board Game that is coming soon.

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  7. My son and I waited a year searching several homes until we found the one that was just right for us. It was a long process but well worth it.

    sflickinger at rocketmail dot com

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  8. I shared a greeting on Ideals Books.

    https://www.facebook.com/tami.prokupvalentine/posts/464462990290499

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  9. this book sounds like it would be perfect for my daughter!

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  10. https://www.facebook.com/IdealsBooks/posts/460506704038339

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  11. I found the input regarding saying 'NO' interesting. We've heard this for so many years that it has kind of become cliche & also our excuse for not doing things we just don't want to. I think what I've always learned about saying 'NO' is that it's okay to say 'no' when we're stretched too thin. But the resounding message always seemed to be that we should say 'no' so that we would have more time for ourselves. I like this new thought that perhaps we should say 'no' to some things because God has better things in mind for us.

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  12. My daughter really wanted a new camera for Christmas. We just couldn't decide which one to buy her so we waited. Come Christmas morning, she was very disappointed because it was the only thing she asked for. We decided to shop after Christmas and she found a completely different one and she LOVES it. It was hard for her to wait, but she's happy she did!

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  13. A lesson in waiting.... My daughter and son-in-law waited 7 long years for the miracle of a baby and God provided. Now we have a 9 month old grsanddaughter. What a blessing!!!
    Kathy Davs
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

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  14. My daughter participates in The Little Gym and has had to learn to wait in line for her turn

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  15. My kids have had to learn to wait when someone else is talking. They now know that they cannot interrupt unless it is an emergency (and they now know what an emergency is).

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  16. Good things come to those who wait. A lesson that I teach my kids is that nothing is accomplished by getting impatient.

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  17. I like My Learning to Shine book that kids can make.

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  18. I think there are everyday lessons in waiting. I was at the grocery store in line waiting while the lady ahead of me was using a bunch of coupons and I had to remind myself again patience is a virtue!

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    1. Not only is patience a lesson to be learned and a virtue. There is the lesson of grace and understanding as you wait for someone who is using coupons to extend the value of their money to spend on groceries to cover more by paying for them with coupons to defray the cost of some items. You learn grace and understanding. And you extend that grace to the other shopper via the patience you also learned.

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  19. I enjoyed reading the teachable moments section for adults that described the inspiration for her book's message including stories about how she teaches her kids about consequences of their choices.

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