Monday, November 4, 2013

The Sparkle Box Review and Giveaway (US & CANADA)

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned below for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Comission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Here we are already in the beginning of November, and Christmas is just around the corner!

I am excited to bring you a special book review and giveaway! In our ME centered society, it's so refreshing to find a children's Christmas book that turns our focus away from ourselves and helps us to focus on others. And that's just what The Sparkle Box does.

About The Sparkle Box - A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas
Sam is so excited about Christmas! He's thinking about his Christmas list, looking forward to holiday parties, and puzzling over one very mysterious gift: a sparkly box sitting on the mantel. In the midst of the festivities, Sam and his family participate in various acts of kindness to others. On Christmas morning, when Sam finally opens the Sparkle Box, he finds only slips of paper that record the family's good deeds. Sam's mom explains that the things that they've been doing are, in fact, a gift for Jesus, for Jesus said that whatever we do for those in need, we do for Him.

       

        Written by Jill Hardie
        Illustrated by Christine Kornacki
        Available now!
        Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages, with a fold-out sparkle box included!
        ages 4 to 8

I was given the opportunity to review this book, and was eager to do so. The book itself is a nice quality hardback and has a dust jacket with a glittery silver Sparkle Box right there on the front which is sure to attract young readers. The illustrations are beautifully and realistically done, and the story itself is well written.

I was hoping this book would prove to be one I could give to my sister-in-law to use with my young niece and nephews, and I wasn't disappointed. I think they are going to enjoy The Sparkle Box this Christmas season and so will another family or two we are going to share it with!

If you're looking for a simple way to add more meaning to your Christmas celebrations, or if you just want a sweet  and simple story to remind you and your children of the many needs around us and that doing things (even little things) for others is doing them for Jesus, then I you'll want to get The Sparkle Box. This book may be marketed for young children, but it has a message for all of us and a challenge - what am I going to do for Jesus this Christmas season to bless those in need?


Author Bio
Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday.  The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt a profound joy and peace.  Jill hopes that The Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives. 

Illustrator Bio
At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a love for painting and bringing stories to life.  After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dreams of illustrating children's books began to take shape.  She spends her days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.

Would you like to win your own copy of The Sparkle Box? Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered in the giveaway!

27 comments:

aggiemomof2 said...

We take small gifts to our neighbors, pack shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and try to reach out wherever we see a need!

Harvey Ever After said...

Our favorite way to reach out to those in need is to purchase gifts through the Salvation Army Angel Tree.

Angel said...

WE choose gifts from the Gospel For Asia catalog and send Operation Christmas Child boxes.

flowerchild said...

We will be taking food and gifts to our local food bank.

cheryla lister, cherylann62996@aol.com said...

We adopt a family and purchase Christmas gifts for each member.

Brooke said...

We support the Salvation Army at Christmas by putting money in the kettles.

Alice said...

We do a "shoe box" gift, and an angel tree child.

Heather B said...

We donate some gifts to my children's school who chooses a couple families each year to adopt.

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Hi,
I reviewed this last year. It was wonderful. I am entering one time. If I win, it will go to the little Morris boys and girl. ~smile~
Blessings,
Laura Lane

NomieRae said...

We do the angel tree at church

Ilyssa said...

We'll bring our elderly neighbors dinner and a small gift! :)

Anonymous said...

Operation christmas child.

Nikki Strong said...

I have not heard of the "Sparkle Box", so I am unfamiliar, but each of my children shop to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas child and they each adopt an "Angel" from the local Angel Tree.

The Fischer Family said...

We are sponsoring youth in a group home to get gifts for this Christmas. We will also be gathering supplies for an Operation Christmas Child project through my sons' preschool and volunteering to hand out food boxes at the free store food bank. I hope these things will help make a very fulfilling Christmas season for our children and help teach that Christmas is about giving and not receiving.

Unknown said...

One way we give back is by donating toys, clothing and food to our local Christmas Hamper Program. I am also sponsoring 1 family this year to provide them with everything they need to have a delicious Christmas feast and presents for the entire family. Christmas is the season to give and this is one thing that I be sure to o every year! We are also having our 3 yr old start out by helping this year. He will choose 1 gift that he really wants for himself and we will be having him donate it to our Hamper program as well.

Michelle B said...

We donate to the local toy drive and food banks.

family home with love and prayers said...

We usually adopt a child around the holidays and participate in Food drives.

Unknown said...

We sponsor a family every year for the holidays.

Dale SN said...

We give to a local food bank and I go to the Salvation Army and another Thrift store that helps disabled adults and buy items for needy families.This way it helps the organizations help the needy and also helps the needy families I buy for.It is like a double whammy. We also donate items to both these organizations.I really like the feeling it gives me to help those less fortunate.We are all in this together.Kindness can be contagious!

Unknown said...

We pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child! I love seeing kids get exciting about giving to other kids! It's great that they gain an understanding of the blessings we have that many others in the world often don't so that they can appreciate them!

Amanda D said...

Every year we do Operation Christmas Child, one for each age group of my children.

Anonymous said...

We will be reaching out to families devastated by the Illinois tornados and providing food, and toys this holiday season

Anonymous said...

We adopt 2 Christmas Families. There was also a house fire today in my home town that left a family of 7 homeless - 3 children - will be donating to Veterans for Children or another organization assisting this family - to make matters worse, they have no insurance.

The Lesson Guide said...

We make ornaments and take them to the nursing home to hand out to the residents and hang on their group trees.

Anonymous said...

My kids and I pick a name off of the Angel Tree at school and provide gifts for that family.
-Sandra

Unknown said...

We like to donate to the homeless shelter, my husband works for produce company so we bring fruits and veggies but also toys and clothes, blankets and little things to brighten the season.

Anonymous said...

We bake cupcakes and cookies for the homeless shelter and donate childrens books to local toy drive.