Cherrios Spoonfuls of Stories Gift Set Giveaway & Contest Info

Yesterday I went to my mailbox and was happy to see that I received my Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories Gift Set. The set consist of four stories which include: The Great Dog Wash, Monkey and Me, When Dinosaurs Came With Everything , and Duck for President. My daughter and I sat down and read them together after dinner and she loves them. I now think that I am going to have to read "When Dinosaurs Came With Everything" every night before bed.

(Scroll to bottom of post for Giveaway Info)

Contest Info

Over the past seven years, Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories has given away more than 35 million children's books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated nearly $3 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families.

In addition to encouraging children to read, Cheerios is looking for anyone interested in writing children's books. Now in its third year, the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest is a way to encourage previously unpublished, up-and-coming children's book authors and to continue to nurture a love of reading. Entries are being accepted March 16 through July 15, 2009 and will be judged on appropriate story and content for children ages 3-8, emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness, and read-aloud potential. More details on the contest can be found at http://www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com/.

Shellie Braeuner, the first year's winner, won for her book "The Great Dog Wash". This nanny from Nashville won a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing. Simon & Schuster offered Shellie a book deal - and will publish her book, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, in hardcover this summer. In addition, Cheerios will be featuring "The Great Dog Wash" free inside 1.5 million boxes of Cheerios. The book has been specially printed in paperback in both English and Spanish and will be available free inside boxes of Cheerios this spring.

Cheerios is also announcing the winners of the second New Author Contest: Lori Degman, of Vernon Hills, Ill., won the top prize for her story, "1 Zany Zoo." In addition to winning a $5,000 cash prize from Cheerios, Degman earned the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. Simon & Schuster has since offered Degman a book deal; her book is expected to be released in 2010, initially in paperback distributed inside Cheerios boxes, and later in hardcover sold in the market.

Cheerios also named two runners-up in the contest: Tameka Fryer Brown, of Charlotte, N.C., for her story "I'm Not Eating That!" and Joan Stradling, of Star Valley, Ariz., for her story, "Who Invites a Pig to Dinner?" Both Brown and Stradling will receive a cash prize of $1,000 from Cheerios.

Giveaway Info

Cherrios and My Blog Spark have given me the opportunity to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a Cherrios Spoonfuls of Stories Gift Set. Read below for rules to enter. Your gift set will include the winning book "The Great Dog Wash" and three other books from the Spoonfuls of Stories Library.

Note: Leave me an email address on all post so that I can contact the winner at end of contest. (Comments with no email address stand the chance of deletion)

1. Leave a comment telling what your favorite children's book is.

For extra entries:
2. Blog about this giveaway with a direct link back to this blog post.
3. Grab my button in the sidebar and leave me the link to your site that you post it on.
4. Follow my blog
5. Subscribe to my blog

6. Tweet about this blog and leave me your Twitter Name in a comment.
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9. Talk about this on My Space or Facebook and leave me a link

Deadline for entry is at 11:59pm on May 4, 2009

You don't have to have a website or blog to enter this giveaway. Just make sure to leave me an email address to contact you if you are a winner.

Winner will be determined by Random.org and I will post the winner on May 5, 2009.

Good Luck To All!