My first introduction to Usborne Books was the title, 1001 Things To Spot In The Town. Papa Tree, Birch (age 2 yrs) and I all love it.  I can usually find something to laugh at on each page. The object of the book is to spot the 1001 things.  The book gives Birch counting practice, new vocabulary, a chance to see other cities around the world and hand/eye coordination. (Believe me, spotting those objects on each page is not easy!) There are a whole series of the books- spot sea animals, fairies, bugs, etc.

What is the giveaway?

Usborne Books (the publisher of 1001 Things) and www.applechildrensbooks.com (the New York leg of the publisher) have generously offered to donate $100 worth of books to a school for a winning submission by YOU. The school gets to choose which books they would like from the Usborne Collection with free shipping. What school wouldn’t be thrilled to get this gift? Think of all the children that will read these books over the years. All thanks to YOU and your entry.

And, you know what’s even better? Usborne Books offers all purchasers a lifetime guarantee – schools love this of course! The actual book can be damaged, and regardless of how long ago it was purchased, Usborne Books promises to replace it for merely half of the original price, plus shipping.

I was just thinking about some of the ones I would choose from their collection.  I would pick one of the sticker books (we own some of the fairytale ones, but I would additionally pick up this “Diggers Sticker” book pictured here), I would add “The First Thousand Words” books that come in a ton of languages and the hilarious, “There’s A Mouse About the House”. That’s a tall board book that comes with a cut-out mouse that you weave in and out of the pages. As you turn each page, the mouse appears like it is coming through a hole or under a nightshirt. It illicits great laughs from Birch.  “Dangerous Animals” would appeal to any child who is curious about how spiders capture prey or why lions fight.  And, most certainly, “Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge” would be on my list:  that book won three major childrens’ book awards.

How do I enter?

Nominate a school (any NYC school) to win the $100 worth of books. That’s it?! Well, not entirely. Tell us why you are nominating the school to win the donation. Do they need books for early readers? Do you love the librarians, your child’s third grade teacher?  Why does this school deserve to win? Tell me by putting a comment at the bottom of this post.  Make sure you tell us the full name of the school and neighborhood. There are PS 32′s in both Brooklyn and Manhattan.  And, oh, the school has to be in NYC, of course!  The contest begins today: Tuesday, January 13th. All entries need to be submitted by Monday, January 19th at 6 pm.

Who wins?

I will pick an entry the old-fashioned way: out of a hat. Essentially, the more entries your school has, the better chance they will have at winning.  So, encourage other parents, children, teachers, administrators to enter.

When do I know if I win?

The winner will be announced here on Tuesday, January 20th. Check back to see if YOU won the books for your nominated school. (You can also find out by subscribing to my daily newsletter). We will let the school principal know that YOU were the one to win the books for them.

William Waldman, who heads up this local leg of Apple Children’s Books, is in charge of distribution of the books to the greater New York area, in each of the five boroughs. Waldman prides himself on the work Usborne does: noting the company’s commitment to charity, growth, and learning. Literacy for a Lifetime grant program is just one of the grants they have: Usborne matches donations made to schools and educational institutions.  These grants are administered locally by William. Thank you to Usborne for continuing to help NY schools with this giveaway!

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