The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade Book Review & Black Friday Giveaway – 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

Thanks to author Deborah Diesen, I received an autographed copy (and bookmark!) of her book, The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade, so that I could donate it to a Michigan charity and feature in my 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. I had no idea she was a New York Times best-selling author, or that she lives in Michigan, so I’m extra-glad to be reviewing her book today, especially after finding out she refers to herself as a Michigander, rather than a Michiganian. If only I knew if she were a troll like me, or one of those wacky Yoopers …

Normally, I don’t read or review children’s books, mainly because I have teenagers, but I was glad she offered her book to me, as the illustrations are fabulous, and the book is very cute and funny. I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read of the book so far, as I’m just thumbing through it, rather than straight-up reading it, just to keep it looking ‘new.’ I was already cracking up when I read the cover flap–”Join a crowd of cranky babies as they take to the streets!” and “Their demands are loud and clear–but are their moms and dads ready to listen?” I like that the book is about a baby protest crawl, which is of course quite topical in today’s Occupy Wall Street world. I loved it when I came across a page where the babies were asking parents to stop acting all lovey-dovey and face facts about them, such as “We’re whiney. We’re messy. We’re smelly. We keep you up nights and wreck plans that you’ve made.” This sounds like a great book to read outloud to your children or babies, and I’m sure this book is going to make one Michigan child very happy.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

These babies have had it!  Fed up with baths, bibs, and belly kisses, this boisterous band of babies stages a protest crawl.  Fun and silly, this rhyming children’s book is actually a sentimental story in disguise, with a snuggly ending and a reminder that babies don’t stay babies for long.  Enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers (especially those with a new, much-fussed over baby brother or sister), this book is also perfect for new parents or as a baby shower gift.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR: 

DEBORAH DIESEN’s first picture book, The Pout-Pout Fish, was a New York Times best seller and one of Time magazine’s Top Ten Children’s Books of 2008. A former reference librarian and bookseller, Deborah enjoys doing school and library visits and writing on her blog, Jumping The Candlestick.  She lives in Michigan with her husband and two sons.

TRACY DOCKRAY has illustrated 21 books, including two that she wrote herself, but Tracy is probably best known as the illustrator of the latest editions of Beverly Cleary’s classic chapter series, including the Ramona and Ralph S. Mouse books. She lives in a West Village brownstone in New York City with her husband and three children.

Purchase The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Tracy Dockray for $15.99 at IndieBound.Org, or for $12.79 at Amazon.com.

Visit DeborahDiesen.com to find out more about the author and book now.

Visit TricyclePress to find out more about the publisher.

The Barefooted, Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade Book Giveaway:

1 winner will receive an autographed copy of the book, valued at $12.79-15.99.

RULES:

**Open to U.S. residents only.

**No P.O. boxes, please.

**Do the mandatory entry and leave a comment, making sure to use a valid email address when you sign in. If you win this giveaway, you must respond to my email within 24 hours to claim your prize.

**All comments must be separate to count as separate entries. For example, if you follow me on Facebook and Twitter, leave 2 separate comments, one with your Facebook name, and one with your Twitter name. Or, if you posted about the giveaway on your blog, leave 5 numbered comments, all with a link to your giveaway.

**Please read the additional rules here.

HOW TO ENTER:

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+5 MORE ENTRIES: Write about this giveaway on your own blog. Make sure to post a link to http://thegirlfromtheghetto.wordpress.com, and leave me 5 copies of your link via comment here.

Contest ends Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 10 p.m.