Little Shepherd Virtual Book Tour - Day 42

For a third day in a row I am visiting The Hot Author Report. Today I am talking about getting inspiration from other writers and how helpful writing groups have been to me.

You can find this post at http://www.thehotauthorreport.com/inspiration-from-other-writers-by-cheryl-malandrinos. Leave a comment and be entered in my drawing for a Christmas basket of goodies.

Purchase a copy of Little Shepherd from now until December 17th and send me proof of purchase to be entered in to win another gift basket.

You can purchase Little Shepherd at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble
Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

You can also email me at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com if you would like an autographed copy of the book.

 

Thanks for your support.

Little Shepherd Virtual Book Tour Days 40 and 41

Well, despite being sick and stops turning up late, the LITTLE SHEPHERD VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '10 continues.

Yesterday, and today, I had two stops, so that means four chances for you to leave comments to be entered in to win that lovely Christmas basket filled with goodies.

My friend from the land down under shared a bit about Little Shepherd on Monday at her blog, The Hot Author Report. You can find her post at http://www.thehotauthorreport.com/the-little-shepherd-by-cheryl-c-malandrinos.

Then Shirley over at A Mom After God's Own Heart posted a wonderful review. You can find that one at http://therempels4.blogspot.com/2010/12/little-shepherd-virtual-book-tour.html.

Today, I returned to The Hot Author Report for an interview. You can find that post at http://www.thehotauthorreport.com/interview-with-cheryl-malandrinos-author-of-childrens-book-the-little-shepherd

I'm also at Blogher.com today talking about the other side of book promotion--the author side.  That's at http://www.blogher.com/im-not-sure-i-side-book-promotion-world-cheryl-malandrinos.

Autographed copies of Little Shepherd can be ordered by sending me an email at cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com. Please put "Little Shepherd" in the subject line.

You can also order your copy online at:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

The Little Shepherd Virtual Book Tour Continues on Monday, December 6th

After a short break, the LITTLE SHEPHERD VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '10 picks up again on Monday, December 6th. If all goes well, there will be ten stops this week, which means 10 more chances to enter my giveaway.

Here's what the week looks like:

Monday, December 6
Book spotlighted at The Hot Author Report
Book reviewed at A Mom After God’s Own Heart

Tuesday, December 7
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Guest blogging at Blogher

Wednesday, December 8
Guest blogging at The Hot Author Report
Book reviewed at Lynn’s Corner

Thursday, December 9
Guest blogging at The Hot Author Report
Interviewed at Lynn’s Corner

Friday, December 10
Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books
Guest blogging at J. Aday Kennedy’s Writing Playground



Leave a comment at any of these blog stops and you'll be entered to win a Christmas gift basket retailing for $65. Purchase a copy of Little Shepherd between its release date of August 21, 2010 and the end of my virtual book tour on December 17, 2010, and submit proof of purchase, to be eligible to win another gift basket with a retail value of $97.

Additional rules and guidelines can be found at the end of this post.

To purchase a copy of Little Shepherd visit:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble
Guardian Angel Publishing
Indiebound.org

GIVEAWAY #1 (for people who comment during my VBT)

An autographed copy of Little Shepherd
Angel figurine printed with the Serenity Prayer
A Little Shepherd sticky note pad
Little Drummer Boy 2010 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament
Gift of Peace 2003 Hallmark Keepsake Ornament

Retail value of Giveaway #1 is $65 (rounded to nearest dollar)

*****


GIVEAWAY #2 (for those who purchase a copy of Little Shepherd between August 21, 2010 and December 17, 2010)

A "Sparkling Angel" scented jar candle from Yankee Candle
An angel gold and silver lid topper for the candle
An angel tea light holder from Yankee Candle
A Little Shepherd sticky note pad
A Jim Shore Nativity Star hanging ornament
A Jim Shore Holy Family hanging ornament
A $25 Amazon.com gift card

Retail Value of Giveaway #2 is $97 (rounded to the nearest dollar)

Here are the rules and guidelines for these giveaways:

1) For Giveaway #1 you must leave a comment on the hosting blog with a working email address for us to contact you if you win.

2) For Giveaway #1 only the first comment with your working email address is used to determine eligibility (one comment, per blog).

3) You are eligible to win Giveaway #2 if you purchase a copy of Little Shepherd between August 21, 2010 and December 17, 2010 and provide proof of purchase via email, mail, or fax prior to December 19, 2010. Little Shepherd is available at the Guardian Angel Publishing website, Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, and at indiebound.org.

4) All giveaway winners will be selected using Random.org.

5) Prizes will be shipped via USPS with appropriate insurance. The author cannot guarantee receipt before December 25, 2010.

6) Author, blog hosts, and Pump Up Your Book are not responsible for lost or damaged goods.

7)  The same person cannot win both giveaways.

Although it is not a requirement for eligibility, the author asks that you consider following the blogs who host her during her tour and also the Little Shepherd blog.

Good luck to all who enter!

Listen to My Podcast with Barry at A Book and A Chat

In case you missed it, you can still catch my interview on A Book and  A Chat with Storyheart (Barry Eva).  There is a link on the Blogtalkradio site, which you can click on and listen to how the show went. We talked about a lot of things: Little Shepherd, online book promotion, Picture Book Idea Month, and more.

After listening to it myself, I've decided I really need to strike the phrase, "you know" from my vocabulary. LOL!

I would appreciate your feedback.

Listen in at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond/2010/12/04/a-book-and-a-chat-with-cheryl-c-malandrinos

Cheryl Malandrinos on A Book and A Chat Today!

Children’s author Cheryl Malandrinos to be a Guest on A Book and A Chat

Cheryl C. Malandrinos, author of “Little Shepherd” will be a special guest on the popular Blogtalkradio show, A Book and A Chat with Storyheart.

Join Storyheart at 11 AM Eastern on Saturday, December 4, 2010 for A Book and A Chat sit down with children’s author Cheryl C. Malandrinos. You can listen online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond and call in your questions to 347- 237-5398.

Malandrinos’ picture book, “Little Shepherd” has hit the Amazon bestseller’s list in the Large Print Children’s Books category four times since its release.

Here is what reviewers are saying about “Little Shepherd”:

“It's a great book for families during the holidays looking to bring more depth and understanding to the standard nativity story.”

--Christy’s World of Books

“Little Shepherd is a great Christmas story for children between the ages of 4-8 that inspires faith and trust in something that cannot be seen, but can be felt in the heart and in the soul. This book would make a great addition to any Christmas collection as well as in any religious setting.”

--The Crypto-Capers Review

“Your first reaction may be, oh goodness another story on the birth of Christ. Toss those thoughts away and immerse yourself and your children into the magical arrival of Christ the Lord. Children’s author, Cheryl C. Malandrinos has re-explored and created a beautiful re-enactment of Christ the Lord’s birth in a unique and awe inspiring rendition which surely will become classical reading in Christian religious school studies and home libraries.

The old time illustrations expertly created by illustrator, Eugene Ruble will leave you feeling that you journeyed through the countryside with Obed and his fellow shepherds.”

--Donna McDine, award-winning author of The Golden Pathway

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer, online book publicist, blogger and reviewer. She is a founding member of Musing Our Children and Editor in Chief of the group’s quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens. “Little Shepherd” is her first book.

Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com

Storyheart (Barry Eva) is the author of the YA romance novel, “Across the Pond” and the host of the popular Blogtalkradio show, A Book and A Chat.

You’ll find Storyheart online at http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/.

Contact information:

Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Email: cg20pm00@gmail.com

Website: http://ccmalandrinos.com

Help Your Family Make the Holidays Meaningful by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Help Your Family Make the Holidays Meaningful

By Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Copyright Cheryl Malandrinos - All Rights Reserved

Does your blood pressure go up a few points every time you hear your children screech, “I want that!” while gazing blankly into the television set?  At times I become so frustrated with the “I wants” that I consider tossing the TV into the woods for the chipmunks to use as a hotel.

Even though the level of television advertising has significantly increased over the past forty years, there are several ways parents can encourage their families to embrace the spirit of the season and to think of others.  Here are just a few ideas that might work for your family.

Volunteering

Volunteering is an excellent way to help your family move their focus to others.  Whether you choose to volunteer at church, raise money for charities or help out at a local food pantry or shelter, it’s a good idea to consider what causes and issues are important to your family and what skills your family has to offer before selecting volunteer opportunities.

Donating gently used items

At least twice a year I go through clothes, toys, and other household items to decide what can be donated to our local crisis center and the church’s annual tag sale. 

But this doesn’t have to be a one-person chore. 

Include your family in the process by starting off with a brief discussion of being thankful.  Encourage family members to share what they are most thankful for and help them understand there are many people who are in need of some of the things they already own. 

Ask each family member to donate three gently used items and decide as a group which shelter or organization will receive these items.

Visit Shut-ins

Do you have a relative or neighbor who can no longer drive?  Plan a visit with your family.  Bring along a baked good or other homemade item to make your visit extra special.  Offer to help him/her do a bit of shopping or to decorate his/her home for the holidays.

Focus on People, Not Things

It’s easy to get so tied up in buying gifts, baking, and decorating that we forget to spend time together.  Help your family enjoy the peace and love of the season by dedicating one night a week to each other.  Now is the perfect time to cut back on watching television and have family reading nights.  Pick a favorite holiday classic, like A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and settle into the family room together and read a small portion each night. 

Children learn a lot by watching their parents, so lead by example.  Encourage your family not to focus on how many gifts they receive by spending less money while increasing the amount of time you spend together. 

When you make people, not things, the priority, everyone can have a truly meaningful holiday season!

Cheryl Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. A regular contributor for Writer2Writer, her articles focus on increasing productivity through time management and organization. A founding member of Musing Our Children, Ms. Malandrinos is also Editor in Chief of the group’s quarterly newsletter, Pages & Pens.   

Cheryl is a Tour Coordinator for Pump Up Your Book, a book reviewer, and blogger. Little Shepherd is her first children’s book. Ms. Malandrinos lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two young daughters. She also has a son who is married.

You can visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com. 

Christmas Children's Books

I love reading books set around Christmas. Children's books are some of the most fun. I'm proud to say that Little Shepherd is among the many possible choices you have when selecting a Christmas children's book for the young person in your life. There are, however, many other great books around this time of year. This video trailer mentions just a few.



Here are some lists of titles you can check out that others have suggested:

G. Powell's list on Amazon can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Childrens-Christmas-books/lm/H65O5OCPJUKR

Elizabeth Kinney put together this list a few years back that includes slides of book covers:  http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/holidays/ss/christmas2004.htm

Apples 4 the Teacher suggests these ones: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas/kids-books/

They also suggested this list of Christian Christmas children's books: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/christmas-religious/kids-books/

This is another list from Amazon. This one comes to you from Cassandra W.: http://www.amazon.com/Great-Christmas-Books-for-Kids/lm/F64KKM87CA3H

And last but not least, here are some of my personal favorites:

'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore, illustrated by Kat Whelan. This lovely book from tiger tales has a cute Santa Mouse who visits the Mouse family on Christmas Eve. The pages are cardstock and have glitter accents.

A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas by Ralph Covert and G. Riley Mills, illustrated by Wilson Swain. This book came out in 2009 from Chronicle Books. It takes the traditional nutcracker story and turns it on its ear.

Fritz is left home on Christmas Eve with his neighbor. All he wants to do is play his video game, but it's been locked in the closet because he broke his sister's doll. Fritz sneaks the game out of the closet and begins playing, sending him on a magical journey to Christmas Wood where he must help the Nutcracker defeat the Mouse King's evil plan.

The Christmas Pumpkin by Debbie Reese, illustrated by Ron Head. This award-winning book from BeeBop Books tells the story of a young boy whose father gives him a green pumpkin at the end of the harvest season. The boy decides to decorate it for Christmas, but everyone he tells this it's idea. That is until he meets up with a kind old man with a long white beard who offers him some help.

Baby Jesus is Missing by Dixie Phillips, illustrated by K.C. Snider. This book is from my publisher, Guardian Angel Publishing. When I read books like this one, it makes me realize all over again why I wanted them to be the ones to bring Little Shepherd to readers.

In this book, Mommy and Daddy are all tied up with winning the neighborhood Christmas decorating contest, but young Josiah is worried about something else–Baby Jesus is missing from their wooden manager scene, and you can’t have Christmas without Jesus. Baby Jesus is Missing features some of artist K.C. Snider's wonderful winter scene illustrations that I love so much.

One Family's Christmas by Mary Jean Kelso, illustrated by K.C. Snider. Another book from Guardian Angel Publishing, find young Derrick going up to the dreaded attic with his father to find the Christmas decorations. When they discover the Christmas angel that once traveled the Oregon Trail, Derrick and his older sister vow to protect the angel just as those who brought along the trail did many years before them.

All the books on my list and many of the others mentioned are available at Amazon.com.