Roger Day CDs now in stock

We just opened a box full of catchy goodness -- CDs from award-winning children's musician Roger Day. Roger's newest CD, Dream Big, recently picked up a Parent's Choice Gold Award. We're pleased to offer that disc to you here at Pufferbellies, along with Roger's other titles, Ready to Fly and Rock 'n' Roll Rodeo. The CDs are priced at $14.99 each, and I like them best for early elementary-age kids.

Here, read a review of Dream Big at Zooglobble.

OPEN during painting!

Pufferbellies is getting a facelift! Starting today and over the next couple of weeks, there will be sanding, scraping, repointing of bricks, and painting on the front of our two buildings. But don't worry -- we will be OPEN our regular hours during the whole process. Come on down and see all the action!

--Erin B.

$100 Gift Certificate winner is announced!

Drum roll, please ....

The winner of our $100 Pufferbellies Gift Certificate is ....

Andrea Burkholder!

Andrea's name was drawn at random from the 173 entries we received last week as part of Children's Book Week (every time a book was purchased during Book Week, an entry was earned).

Congratulations, Andrea! Come on in and pick up your prize.

Children's Book Week is coming to a close ...

Today is the last day of National Children's Book Week. So sad! You have until closing time (4pm) today to enter our drawing for a $100 Pufferbellies gift certificate -- you get one entry for every book you purchase during Book Week. We'll draw the winning name tomorrow!

As we wrap up Book Week, I wanted to post a couple more book reviews from our customers.

This review of Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins comes from Rebecca P., age 9:

"I love this book! It is really funny and I think that Emily Jenkins is a really great author. My favorite part is when Lumphy, a stuffed buffalo, starts a conversation with Frank, the washing machine. I think Emily Jenkins has really good ideas for her books. I enjoy reading Toys Go Out over and over again. Thank you so much for showing me such a great book!"

And this review of Airman by Eion Colfer is from Zachary P., age 11:

"Airman is an adventurous thriller that forces you to read "just another" page. I read it about 1-1/2 months ago and I could not stop. The book is well-written and easy to understand. Colfer pieces the words together like a magician. I highly recommend Airman."

Skippyjon Jones Fiesta a Big Success!

Holy frijoles!

We had an awesome time at our big Skippyjon Jones Fiesta last night! Tons of kids and their grownups came to make tissue paper flowers, decorate mini pinatas, get their faces painted, and (of course!) listen to Skippyjon Jones stories. Skippyjon himself made a special appearance during the second story, and everyone got their hands and books signed by the cat himself.

Thanks so much, everybody who came and partied with us! We had a great time, and it was the perfect way to celebrate National Children's Book Week.

Countdown to FIESTA TIME!

We are 2 and a half short hours away from our Skippyjon Jones Fiesta! You're coming, right? It starts at 7PM tonight, and we'll have stories, crafts, and delicious snacks. Plus, Skippyjon Jones himself will make a special guest appearance. See you soon!

What I've Been Reading: Lamplighter

I report that I am now deep into Monster Blood Tattoo Book 2, Lamplighter, by D.M. Cornish. I'm so glad it was released at last this month and that I have it to linger over when I should be on my way to Pufferbellies. Hah! It's a nice big thick juicy book, which gives me great joy--I just hate it when a book I love ends too fast.

The Monster Blood Tattoo books follow the fortunes of the orphan Rossamund Bookchild as he leaves the orphanage where he's spent his first years to become a Lamplighter for the Emperor.

Now what do I love about these books?

• The characters: Even the vilest inhabitant of these books is not entirely bad, and the best is not entirely good. Cornish's Half Continent is inhabited by all manner of creatures--including humans with extraordinary skills and all manner of monsters.
• The writing: It is a pure pleasure. Cornish creates and defines all manner of new words and gives his characters fascinating names: Europe, Sebastipole, Assimus, Bellicos, Poundinch, Threnody.
  
• The world: Cornish's Half Continent is filled with wonders and dangers, humans and monsters, friendships and frights.
  
• The drawings: You have to pick up these books, if only to enjoy the elegant and detailed character drawings by the author himself.
  

These books are probably not for a person who wants a quick read, but for fans of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, these may be the ticket to an ultra-satisfying reading experience.

--Susan

Reader's Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

In honor of Children's Book Week, I thought I'd post a few reviews we've gotten from readers at our store. Here's the first one!

This review is by our friend Abigail J, age 11, and it's about Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society:

"The Mysterious Benedict Society is by far one of the best books that I have ever read. It tells the tale of Reynie Muldoon, an orphan boy who finds an advertisement in the paper. The advertisement leads to a mysterious journey, a strange school, and newfound friends. If you like books that are thrilling, funny, intriguing, and always keep you on the edge of your seat, I'm sure that you will like The Mysterious Benedict Society."

--Abigail J, age 11

Children's Book Week is in full swing

National Children's Book Week is NOW! We're having such a great time ... avid readers from all over the place have been coming in to check out our book selection and give us the scoop on what they've been reading lately. It's so much fun to hear all about everyone's favorite new and classic books ... so get in here and tell us what you've been reading. We want to hear all about it.

What have we been reading? Well, I've finally gotten the chance to read The Penderwicks, and I absolutely loved it -- shades of Little Women, with lots of references to great classic children's literature (including Edward Eager's Magic by the Lake! Huzzah!). I purchased a shiny new first-edition hardcover of the just-released sequel, The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, this afternoon ... guess what I'll be doing tonight? (We've got more copies left in stock, don't worry.) Hopefully Erin S. and Susan will chime in on the blog tomorrow to let you know what they've been enjoying this week!

Don't forget, you have FIVE MORE DAYS to enter to win a $100 Pufferbellies gift certificate. Just purchase any book between now and the end of Book Week (Sunday, May 18th), and you may enter to win. The more books you purchase, the more chances you'll get to win.

Read on!

--Erin B