Welcome! So glad you’re here. Snoop around and stay a while. This is the Frog on a Dime Summer Open House. I’ve swept the porch, put the plumpest pillows on the swing and poured a chilled glass of refreshing lip-puckering strawberry lemonade–just for you!
Win 2 copies!
This year’s Summer Open House giveaway is extra special. The winner will receive not one, but two copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. One autographed copy will be yours to keep (or give to your favorite young reader). The second copy is for you to donate to your local public library or elementary school media center.
Here’s how to enter:
Share a childhood library memory in the comment section for this post. Easy peasy!
Enter by noon on Saturday, July 12.
My little firecrackers, it seems only fair that I share an early library memory of my own. I recall being in Mrs. Server’s kindergarten classroom. On our designated “Library Day,” we’d line up to walk the long window-lined hallway, past the principal’s office, through the school lobby and over to the right where we, a row of little kinderducks, would file into our Blackman Elementary School library.
I remember low book stacks, only two or three shelves high, running perpendicular to the wall of windows that looked out on the school yard. It was a quiet place, a warm room, filled with the potpourri only a collection of aging books can create. We were each given a dark brown “paddle” made of pressed wood. This we would use as a place marker once we’d pulled the book of our choice–our choice!–from the shelves.
From Day One, I was enchanted by Hans Christian Anderson’s Thumbelina. I’d pull it from the shelf, replace it with my paddle, and take the book to one of the library’s tables to devour the beauty of the book’s illustrations (with my eyes only!) At the close of our all-too-short library time, I’d have to return Thumbelina to her shelf . . . until next week when Mrs. Server would announce “Library Day!”. And I couldn’t wait see her again (Thumbelina, that is).
What do you remember?
Share your early library memory for a chance to win TWO copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. Enter by July 12.
CONGRATULATIONS to Danielle Hammelef! You’re the winner of the Summer Open House giveaway! You’ll receive two copies of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. I’m happy to personalize one for you AND one for your favorite local library or school media center! Thank you so much for sharing your library memory with all of us. Happy summering to you!
The library is like a candy store where everything is free. ~ Jamie Ford
On this 12th birthday, I’m hoppy to dole out a dozen reasons I’m grateful for Frog on a Dime:
I’m grateful-grateful-grateful for all of you, my little twinkling tadpoles.
I’m grateful for your kind comments and encouragement. You’ve kept me hopping (versus hobbling) forward.
I’m grateful for the companionship this little blog provides. (Confession: I was trembly-terrified when it came time to publish my very first post. What if no one notices?)
I’m grateful for this space to capture random sparks of imagination, ruminations and images.
I’m grateful to Darcy Pattison, a wise children’s author and publisher. Darcy emphasized the importance of obtaining a domain name and establishing an online presence to protect against invisibility. And I did it.
I’m grateful to illustrator extraordinaire Matt Faulkner for the amphibitastic image of Frog on a Dime (as proudly displayed above).
I’m grateful for the opportunity to encourage you along your winding, wondrous creative journeys.
I’m grateful for this stockpile of memories to revisit and the way it reveals (at least some) progress.
I’m grateful for this connection with readers, librarians, teachers, and other such brilliant bibliophiles.
I’m grateful to authors and illustrators who welcome interviews, and I’m thankful I get to promote their work.
I’m grateful to offer you a giveaway in celebration of Frog on a Dime’s 12th birthday!
Giveaway details . . .
Enter to win an autographed copy of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF. BONUS: a complimentary barf bag (sporting googly eyes!)
Leave a comment about what you’re grateful for (e.g., new friendships, writing breakthroughs, experiences you’re looking forward to like a workshop or conference, a new technique you’ve learned or resource you’ve discovered or whatever makes you thankful).
Post the comment here or on Facebook.
HOP TO IT! Your entry must be posted by 12 (noon) on 12/20.
Oh, and if you like, go ahead and share this giveaway news with a friend. And aren’t you kind.
Onward to Lucky Year 13! Ever forward, my little sparklers! We will continue to keep each other encouraged in 2025.
The year I turned twelve, I learned that what I said and what I did mattered. ~ Lauren Wolk, Wolf Hollow
Congratulations to Danielle Hammelef! You’ve won an autographed copy of THE BIG BOOK OF BARF, plus the bonus BARF BAG! I’ll send it your way as soon as the book officially hurls into the world on January 28! Many thanks to everyone who participated. I am grateful for you!
Many thanks to everyone who hopped by to celebrate Frog on a Dime’s 10th Anniversary.
Special congratulations to lucky giveaway winner — Pam Patterson! Be watching your mail box for an extra special, tintastic package packed especially for you!
My heart is filled with gratitude and joy because of the kindness and encouragement all of you have given me. You make me look forward to the year to come.
Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.
Thanksgiving Week 2021 is going to be extra thank-filled.
Artwork by Vicky Lorencen
Frog on a Dime will host a very special guest. I can’t wait for you to meet her!
PLUS (yes, there’s even more my little pumpkin tarts!) you will have a chance to win your own personalized copy of our guest’s amazing new picture book!
You’ll thank yourself when you hop on over to Frog on a Dime Monday, November 22.
See you then!
I want to thank you for the profound joy I’ve had in the in the thought of you. ~ Rosie Alison
Many thanks to everyone who hopped in for Frog on a Dime’s 2020 Summer Open House. I hope you enjoyed the new features to make the site easier to navigate and search, my little raspberry lemonades. If you missed it, be sure to check out the NEW Rejection Recovery page. (Or at the very least, take comfort in knowing it’s there when/if you need it!)
Photo by Vicky Lorencen
And now . . . [cue drum roll, please]
I am pleased to announce the winner of this year’s
Summer Open House Giveaway!
ELIZABETH WESTRA
Elizabeth, you will receive not one but TWO personally autographed copies of Rachel Anderson’s debut novel THE PUPPY PREDICAMENT–one for you to enjoy and one to share with a young reader you love. Your prize package will also include a journal for capturing ideas while you’re summer daydreaming AND a surprise! Congratulations! Thank you for entering.
Please be sure to read the giveaway disclaimer below (you know, for legal purposes and stuff).
Disclaimer(s):No purchase necessary (or even an option). Shipping & handling included. Safe when used as directed. Do not submerge. Batteries not included. Dryclean only. Frog on a Dime is furnishing this Prize Package “as is.” None of the authors, contributors, agents, editors, miscreants, vandals, ambidextrous nose miners, or anyone else connected with Frog on a Dime, in any way whatsoever, can be held responsible for your (mis)use of the contents of the Prize Package. Remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. Do not refrigerate after opening. Contents may settle during shipment. Prize Package sold by weight, not by volume. Frog on a Dime does not provide any warranty of the item(s) whatsoever, whether expressed, implied, or statutory (whatever that is), including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty that the contents of the item will be error-free (because). Use at your own risk. Subject to approval. Driver does not carry cash. No substitutions. Do not fold, staple or mutilate. Some restrictions apply (but you can’t make me say what). Void where prohibited. Employees must wash hands. For off-road use only. All terms and conditions shall be rendered null and void on a whim. If state laws apply to you, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions, or limitations may not apply to you and you may have additional rights. (Go You!) I know you are but what am I. This tag may not be removed except by the consumer under penalty of law. (Ooo, scary!) See store for details.
Photo by Vicky Lorencen
Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.
Can you believe it, my little cinnamon sticks? We’ve reached four full years of Frog on a Dime. You’ve made this step of faith (and fear!) so worthwhile for me. My desire to be an encouragement has come full circle so many times, thanks to you, I’m a curlicue (and yeesh, that is quite a sight!)
To thank you for your, well, your YOU-ness, I want to offer you FOUR chances to win this Happy 4th Birthday Giveaway.
Win one of four prizes:
An Idea Journal to start your new year.
A critique (up to 10 pages) of your picture book or middle grade novel in progress.
A doodle pad & pen. (Plus, I’ll draw a doodle just for you to get you started.)
A surprise prize!
Four quick as a wink ways to enter:
Become a new follower of Frog on a Dime. (Sign up’s on the home page.)
Leave a comment under this post on Facebook.
Like and retweet this post on Twitter.
Share a comment, suggestion or question on this post below.
Your ideas for future post topics, your writing-related questions or nominations for guest bloggers are especially welcome.
Enter by 4 p.m. (EST) on Friday, December 9.
I can’t wait to dole out the prizes. So, hop to it! What are you waiting “four”?
I grabbed a pile of dust, and holding it up, foolishly asked for as many birthdays as the grains of dust, I forgot to ask that they be years of youth. ~ Ovid
Randy Bulla, winner of JAKE and LILY by Jerry Spinelli.
Danielle Hammelef, winner of FLORA & ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo.
Erin Fanning, winner of EXTRA YARN by Marc Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen.
Winners, please contact me with your mailing address and let me know if you’d like to take me up on the free gift wrapping option.
Whether you decide to experience the joy of giving away your giveaway prize or cherishing it yourself (and who could blame you?), I hope this special treat adds fun to your holiday.
Many thanks to everyone who entered–and invited friends to follow Frog on a Dime. I understand a few squirrels may be added to the list (thank you, Randy!)
Wishing you all a lovely holiday season, filled with laughter, craziness (the jolly kind), moments for quiet reflection (and of course, reading) and much joy!
Oh, and cookies. Can’t forget those.
Merry Reading from Frog on a Dime! Photo by Vicky Lorencen
One of the ways I “still” myself during the holiday season is to sit and sip tea while perusing my collection of favorite and familiar Christmas and wintry books. There’s something magically lulling about those beloved images and the lilting language. Looking at the covers, I can almost hear a cheery “welcome back” before I even turn the first page.
Knowing you love children’s book and might very well love to give a book to a child you love, Frog on a Dime is offering a very special holiday giveaway for you to giveaway!
There are three outstanding children’s books up for grabs . . .
Giveaway goodies!
JAKE and LILY by Jerry Spinelli
FLORA & ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo
EXTRA YARN by Marc Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
To enter:
Step 1: Invite a friend to follow Frog on a Dime.
Step 2: Leave a comment on this post to let me know which book you’d prefer (with a 2nd choice, just in case) AND let me know that you’ve invited a friend. You don’t have to name names. We’ll be on the honor system. (Just remember, “he” knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.)
I will draw three names on Friday, December 12 at Noon. Each winner will receive a book—and I’ll even gift wrap it with my own little hands, if you like. Then I’ll send them off to the lucky winners spit-spot!
Enter today!
Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~ Charles Dickens, ThePickwick Papers (1836)
Congratulations to Rita Borg! You’ve won Deb Pilutti’s super new picture book TEN RULES OF BEING A SUPER HERO.
Many thanks to everyone who entered this week’s super giveaway by sharing the identity of your superhero. It was fun to read your responses, ranging from Tony the Tiger and Wonder Woman to your critique group to your amazing friends and loved ones.
Be sure to you to pick up your own copy of TEN RULES for a little (or big) superhero in your life. (And please, purchase from a local, independent bookstore, if possible.)
Oh, and Miss Rita, please send me your mailing address via the Frog on a Dime contact page and TEN RULES will be flying your way soon!
More special treats and interviews coming soon . . .
Frog on a Dime is excited to offer another beautiful new picture book giveaway in November. (You will adore this book’s illustrator too.)
Be watching for your chance to win!
How Superheroes Make Money: Spider-Man knits sweaters. Superman screw the lids on pickle jars. Iron Man, as you would suspect, just irons. ~ Jim Benton
Congratulations to Patti Bumpus Richards, winner of the give-a-quote giveaway!
You’ll find a fun, inspirational surprise package in a mailbox near you soon!
Photo by Vicky Lorencen
Thank you to everyone who added to my stash of inspirational quotes. I look forward to sharing them (and crediting you) in future blog posts.
Thanks to Patti for this pithy reminder from Mr. Edison . . .
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~ Thomas A. Edison
Dime. You’ve made this step of faith (and fear!) so worthwhile for me. My desire to be an encouragement has come full circle so many times, thanks to you, I’m a curlicue (and yeesh, that is quite a sight!)
Welcome to Frog on a Dime 