Review: 1 2 3 Texas & Giveaway

Summary: In this board book featuring contemporary illustrations, dazzling colors and bold, clear design, kids will count from one to 10 with some of Texas's most beloved symbols—the Texas star, the Texas longhorns, armadillos, Space Center Houston, and the beloved state football, baseball, and basketball teams.

The end of the book includes a complete location list, in both English and Spanish, to help parents locate the symbols and landmarks and plan an entertaining trip to Texas.

While practicing essential number skills, 123 Texas is a book kids will enjoy to read over and over.-- duo press

A few weeks ago, I was on Twitter (big surprise there) and had the opportunity to win a copy of the children's board book 1 2 3 TEXAS: A COOL COUNTING BOOK by Puck and illustrated by Kevin Somers. All I had to do was be the first person to answer a question correctly. I was thrilled to find out that I actually won this book because my sister (who was born in Texas) just had a little boy a few months back. I thought they would both love this book!

Needless to say when I opened this book, my four year old son immediately wanted me to read it with him. He is a little too old for this counting book, but he loved it all the same. And I figure it can never hurt to practice counting, right? Each page contains the numbers one through 10 with items specific to the state of Texas. For example, the number 1 is represented by a lone star; 2 is represented by two longhorns, 4 is represented by astronauts, etc. up to the number 10 which is represented by ten cowboy hats. The last page of the book explains the meanings of these pictures in both English and Spanish.

I spent about six years of my childhood living in Texas, so I definitely appreciated this adorable little book. The publisher Duo Press also has board books available for California, USA, New York, and Chicago; and they are currently planning on having more cities and states available in the future -- I specifically asked about Pennsylvania and was thrilled to see that it is coming next year. I think these books make the perfect gift for the little one in your life!

I am so excited to announce that Duo Press is going to give three lucky readers copies of the adorable books SOUNDS FUNNY! and SOUNDS TOUGH! BIG NOISY MACHINES. I have not seen these, but they look terrific. To enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail address telling me why you would like to win these books. To double or triple your chances, you can blog and/or twitter about this giveaway with a link back to this post. I will accept entries until Wednesday, May 6th at 11:59 p.m. I will announce the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you in the United States and Canada only. Good luck!

Summary: A car goes vroom, a dog does woof, and a bubble pops! Sounds are all over, and kids will love to imitate them in this seriously wacky board book. Using some of the most appealing elements of comic books and pop art, such as simple panels and intense primary colors, Sounds Funny! is giggling reading for kids and parents alike.

Imitating sounds is an important element of language development, and this sturdy board book presents a cause and effect scenario (Cause: An airplane takes off. Effect: The plane goes “zoom”) that will introduce young readers to the wonderful world of sounds, in a fun and appealing way. -- duo press

Summary: A train goes "chooo, chooo," a tug boat honks, and a cement mixer goes "sloooosh!"—machines make the craziest sounds, and children will love to imitate them in this seriously wacky board book. Combining a cause-and-effect scenario with some of the most appealing elements of comic books and pop art—such as simple panels and intense primary colors—this giggle-inducing read teaches an important element of language development in a fun and appealing way. -- duo press

Note: This giveaway is not for 1 2 3 TEXAS but rather SOUNDS FUNNY! and SOUNDS TOUGH! BIG NOISY MACHINES.