Monday, May 7, 2012

Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop


I am thrilled to celebrate and promote Children's Book Week by taking part in The Children's Book Week Giveaway Hop.

I am Sara Shafer. I've read to my children since they were infants. Books are a huge part of our lives and our connection to each other. As an author, nothing gives me a bigger thrill than having my little one jump up and down (on the bed, of course!) because she is so excited and rooting so badly for the little squirrel in the story I had written and am now reading to her.

Why squirrels? Well, that's kind of a funny story in itself. I'd never thought twice about the squirrels running around our yard until they decided to move in and make themselves at home in our attic. Then I couldn't stop thinking about them. When I knocked on the ceiling and they scratched back, I was hooked. I began imagining what they thought and felt, and The Bravest Squirrel Ever was born.

Pippi the squirrel isn't brave and has no interest in earning the title of "The Bravest Squirrel Ever." Scared of thunder, lightning and being "flopped" by the humans, Pippi only wants to return to Mama's warm, cozy nest. Instead, she stumbles on a better nest. There's only one problem. It's in dangerous, forbidden human territory. The attic nest is too perfect for Pippi to resist, and she moves in. The humans soon discover her. Instead of driving her out, they seal off her only exit, trapping her inside. To escape and to survive, Pippi must face her fears and depend on herself for the first time in her life. In doing so, she learns just how brave a little squirrel can be.

I'm happy to announce, my attic is currently squirrel-free. However... the squirrels outnumber the humans in my neighborhood and could decide to take over at any moment. I watch for signs of invasion as I plot my next story of squirrel bravery. For fun squirrel facts and information about The Bravest Squirrel in the Forest starring Pippi's brother Max, visit my website

To keep updated on future installments of The Bravest Squirrel series and on promotional discounts, follow this blog and like my Facebook page. To win a copy of The Bravest Squirrel Ever, please leave a comment with a your favorite squirrel memory. On May 14th, I'll pick one random winner from the comments. Make sure to include your email address and your preferred file type (Kindle, Nook or pdf) in your comments. Contest is open internationally.

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

9 comments:

  1. On a camping trip when my girls were 4 and 7, a young squirrel got in our tent and curled up in oldest daughters hair to sleep. We really think it believed it was nesting near the mother. Adorable pictures we have! I would love to have your book on kindle for my granddaughter. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I was a child we were taught to be kind and not bother wildlife. I don't have any funny memories of squirrels - I can only remember we had a few that played by our out building and we enjoyed watching them. Thank you for this awesome giveaway.
    :)Jeanne B.T. - jeannebates_t@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the giveaway! This book and series sounds so cute. I know my co-authors 5th grade class is obsessed with squirrels right now!

    I have tons of squirrels in my yards and get a kick out of watching them. As a kids I will never forget being at the park and a boy was chasing a squirrel with a peanut. At some point he got close to the squirrel and it bit him on the finger. He didn't really seem that upset- but his mother went CRAZY!

    I would prefer Kindle. I am following via GFC: Fairday Morrow/Jess
    haightjess at gmail dot com

    ~Jess
    http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Following you on GFC (Darlene)

    We have lots of bird feeders, and my kids and I love to watch the squirrels try to find inventive ways to get up the poles and try to get the seeds out!

    I'd prefer ePub format, thanks!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love everyone's squirrel stories. Absolutely adorable!! In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to let everyone know that The Bravest Squirrel Ever is available free from Amazon today only. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OZ6X66

    ReplyDelete
  7. Recently we have had problems with squirrels knocking over a trashcan and scavenging for food. We put a huge concrete brick on the can but last night in the middle of the night we heard a crash. Now to plan 2.
    jhidey at gmail dot com
    kindle
    Follow GFC as drawingtheline

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you to everyone who commented. I love, love, love your squirrel stories and memories! The winner of The Bravest Squirrel Ever is ... Darlene!! Congratulations Darlene. I will be emailing you shortly.

    Here is a little prize for everything: The Bravest Squirrel in the Forest is available free from Amazon today (May 14th) only!
    http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GEAUUS/

    ReplyDelete
  9. My favorite place to read in the summer is on the swing at my parents cabin :D
    I would prefer PDF please

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete