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"The Magic Violin" Children's Picture Book Review and Giveaway

>> Thursday, September 23, 2010

I recently discovered the author Mayra Calvani. She writes books for young children and middle-grade readers. I was lucky enough to receive one of Mayra Calvani's picture books to read my little bookworms.

I chose The Magic Violin for my kids because Sierra has expressed some interest in playing the violin and I thought it would be a good way to explore that further. Leo is also studying music in his pre-school class right now so I thought it would be great for him to read a story with a sting instrument in it.

This book reminded me of my experiences playing the violin when I was little and my relationship with my teacher. I really enjoyed reading it with my kids. I liked that the pictures and the words were very balanced so that there were enough pictures to interest my three year old and enough words to interest my 5 year old and I. For me, what I liked about it, is that it captured that sometimes things you want to do can be a lot of work and discouraging but a dose of self belief and practice can make them possible. And it did all that without being at all pedantic. In fact, there is a bit of magic and mystery mixed in for a very entertaining story that my kids really enjoyed. We also enjoyed the illustrations.

This book would make a great gift for a child in your life. You can purchase it at Amazon or you can enter for your chance to win it!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: The winner will receive an autographed copy of The Magic Violin, by Mayra Calvani.

Giveaway Dates: September 23- October 5, 2010 Midnight CST

To Enter This Giveaway:
Do one or more of the following and post a comment below about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase but only the #1 entry is required.

1. Required: Visit Mayra's Secret Bookcase and tell the name of another book you might enjoy
2. Follow Moms Wear Your Tees Blog in right margin w/ Google Friend Connect or subscribe to RSS feed
3. Follow Mayra Calvani on Twitter
4. Tweet and leave URL:
Enter to #win an autographed copy of Mayra Calvani's The Secret Violin Children's Book #GIVEAWAY http://www.momswearyourtees.blogspot.com @MWYT @mcalvani

Giveaway Rules:
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Winner selected through random.org- #18, susan.


I did receive a copy of this book for review. I did not receive monetary compensation and the opinions expressed are my own.

78 comments:

Mayra Calvani,  said... September 23, 2010 at 1:37 PM  

Dear Scarlett,

I'm so glad your kids enjoyed the book! Thanks for the wonderful recommendation!

fdigsby,  said... September 23, 2010 at 1:46 PM  

I think my daughter would enjoy the book Crash.

felecia@twinoaksfl.org

T. Forehand,  said... September 23, 2010 at 2:38 PM  

Very Nice recommendation. Mayra has such a talent and her books for kids and YA are a real find. Thanks for sharing this with your readers. Nice blog too. I will pass it along.

Http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com

KC Snider,  said... September 23, 2010 at 2:39 PM  

Great review for Magic Violin!

Mary Jean Kelso
author, children's, YA and adult
www.authorsden.com/maryjeankelso

Suzanne Lieurance,  said... September 23, 2010 at 2:51 PM  

Hi, Scarlett,

It's a wonderful book! And Mayra Calvani will be one of our showcased authors all next month at the National Writing for Children Center - so I hope you'll drop by to learn more about Mayra and to enter some of our giveaways there, too!

National Writing for Children Center
http://www.writingforchildrencenter.com

Donna McDine,  said... September 23, 2010 at 3:55 PM  

Terrific review. I too purchased the Magic Violin when my youngest started playing the violin. It's a wonderful book.

I've become a follower.

Best wishes,
Regards,
Donna
Children’s Author
Write What Inspires You Blog
The Golden Pathway Story book Blog
Donna M. McDine’s Website

Nicole weaver,  said... September 23, 2010 at 5:46 PM  

Scarlett,

Wonderful review! You have a wonderful blog.

Nicole Weaver
http://www.melangeofcultures.wordpress.com

Magic Carpet of 16x Books,  said... September 23, 2010 at 9:38 PM  

You are absolutely right Scarlet, Mayra's "Magic Violin" illos fascinated my small granddaughter, and her story is marvelous. K.C Snider, the illustrator, is a miracle maker. She drew a pink hippo that simply stole my latest picture book, "Ruthie and the Hippo's Fat Behind." K.C's illos help stories jump off the page.

Books for Kids - Manuscript Critiqued
http://www.margotfinke.com

Anonymous,  said... September 24, 2010 at 7:22 AM  

I am enchanted by the violin for a special little girl, and look forward to the upcomng book:
Frederico, the Mouse Violinist!

pumpkinlady430@yahoo.com

Margo Dill,  said... September 24, 2010 at 11:17 AM  

I think the book about spicing up your book club sounds great! Thanks for writing about The Magic Violin. I hope I can win. :)

http://margodill.com/blog/
margodll(at)aol.com

Margo Dill,  said... September 24, 2010 at 11:18 AM  

I just became a follower of your blog.

http://margodill.com/blog/
margodll (at) aol.com

Cheryl,  said... September 24, 2010 at 11:23 AM  

I think this is the one book by Mayra that I haven't reviewed. I love her work. Crash is a fun book. My girls have read it more than once.

Good luck to all who enter.

Cheryl
http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/

Unknown,  said... September 24, 2010 at 6:23 PM  

I'm a big fan of Mayra and her books. She's extremely talented!

I became a follower of this blog and retweeted this review ladies.

I'm an educator/author with a free monthly "Movement and Rhythm Newsletter." sign up at http://educationtipster.blogspot.com

Jennifer T,  said... September 25, 2010 at 11:53 AM  

I think my kids would really enjoy "Crash". They got a puppy for Christmas last year so it may amuse them a bit and they could totally relate. Thanks so much for the chance.
tibbsx5 at yahoo dot com

Unknown,  said... September 27, 2010 at 12:30 PM  

I am really starting to enjoy these blogs about children's books. I am just now having a new book (the first of a series) published due out Christmas 2010. You can check it out at www.drjimstories.com. There you can pre-order your copy and check out the publisher's website.

Louis H,  said... September 27, 2010 at 5:59 PM  

I really like the Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster

schnitzomage {at} gmail {dot} com

Louis H,  said... September 27, 2010 at 6:01 PM  

here is my tweet
http://twitter.com/left_the_stars/status/25729866151

Terra Heck,  said... September 28, 2010 at 12:46 AM  

Frederico, the Mouse Violinist looks like a cute book. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

mommyof2girls,  said... September 29, 2010 at 6:53 AM  

My daughters would enjoy the book Humberto,the Bookworm Hamster tracy.parker458@gmail.com

Vero,  said... October 1, 2010 at 1:22 PM  

Such an owesome giveaway to enjoy with my kids! I would love to read The Magic Violin to my little angels, as well the Crash book.

vanessamedinat@hotmail.com
veronica_medina@codetel.com.do

jhitomi,  said... October 1, 2010 at 11:31 PM  

I am sure I would like to give Frederico the Master Violinist to a deserving child.
jhbalvin at gmail dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:49 AM  

I visited the website and I think me and my kids would also enjoy to read "Frederico, the mouse violinist".

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:50 AM  

I follow Mayra Calvani on Twitter. (anjathisandthat)

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:52 AM  

I tweeted about this giveaway.

http://twitter.com/anjathisandthat/status/26151068418

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:53 AM  

I already like you on Facebook. (Anja Mu****)

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:53 AM  

I already like you on Facebook. (Anja Mu****)

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:54 AM  

I posted your button on my blog.

http://anjathisandthat.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaways-i-entered-on-10022010.html

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Anja M.,  said... October 2, 2010 at 12:54 AM  

I blogged about this giveaway.

http://anjathisandthat.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaways-i-entered-on-10022010.html

anjathisandthat at yahoo dot com

Nell,  said... October 5, 2010 at 7:51 PM  

Another book I and my family would certainly enjoy is Frederico, the Mouse Violinist! Thanks for this review and giveaway!
oldsockfarm AT gmail D0t com

Nell,  said... October 5, 2010 at 7:52 PM  

I voted for your blog as top mommy blog.
oldsockfarm AT gmail D0t com

Nell,  said... October 5, 2010 at 7:53 PM  

I put your button on my blog.
http://oldsockfarmer.blogspot.com/
oldsockfarm AT gmail D0t com

hendy,  said... October 5, 2010 at 8:18 PM  

I would also like the book Humberto, the Bookworm Hamster
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy,  said... October 5, 2010 at 8:19 PM  

Tweeted this giveaway:
http://twitter.com/HendyMartin/status/26508824637
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Dawn Reid,  said... October 5, 2010 at 10:05 PM  

I think Crash would be another good one we would like.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com

trixx,  said... October 5, 2010 at 10:25 PM  

“Humberto the Bookworm Hamster" sounds like a fun book for my daughter.

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