Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Secret History of Giants- BOOK GIVEAWAY

The time has come, my friends, for me to host my very first ever Ready Set Read Reviews book giveaway! It's unfortunately not something I can afford to do all the time, but Candlewick Press has ever so generously donated a brand new hardcopy of Professor Ari Berk's The Secret History of Giants for me to giveaway here on my blog.

Because I haven't read the book, I can't post a review. However, I can say that, after having taken a quick peek between the covers, that it looks like a really cool book. From the textured front cover to the incredibly detailed illustrations to the neat surprises included on many of the pages. It just looks like a fun book!

Here's what the publisher has to say about it...

Ancient Greece had its Titans, the Celts their Green Knight, the Bible Goliath -- and for those who know where to look, signs of these legendary hulking creatures still abound. Now comes a hugely engrossing chronicle of
giants since antiquity, from their role in forming mountains and causing earthquakes to the mysteries of their sacks (watch out for hitchhiking humans); from their means of employment (how did the Druids built Stonehenge?) to an extensive map of places around the world where giants may likely be found. Exhaustive and lushly illustrated, this enormously valuable resource is sure to fascinate all who open its covers.


Special features include:

  • sundry flaps, booklets, and gatefolds
  • a lavish foiled and embossed cover
  • an elegant tassel dangling from the spine

Are there giants among us? Find their story writ large in a lavish exploration touching on folklore and myth, truth and whimsy.

If you live in the US and think this book sounds like something you'd be interested in winning for yourself or a special child in your life, please leave me a comment here telling me about your favorite folklore or mythical creature.

For extra entries readers can do one or all of the following:

  • Subscribe to my e-mail updates (link can be found on right side column)

  • Follow me here at Ready Set Read Reviews (link can be found on right side column)

  • Stumble either this post or the main Ready Set Read Reviews page and comment back with your Stumble ID

  • Add my button (found on right side coloum) to your blog roll

  • Mention this giveaway on your blog by creating a new post linking back to me

Please come back and leave a new comment for each new entry. (Please include links.)

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up next week, I'm going to leave this open for entries through Friday December 5th. I'll then do an online random draw to determine which lucky reader will be taking home this prize just in time for Christmas.

Due to cost of postage, US entries ONLY on this first giveaway. I'll see how it goes, and then consider my options again in the future.

~Thanks~

23 comments:

morninglight mama said...

This book looks interesting for my older child-- we'll have to check it out.

A favorite mythical creature, huh? The first thing that popped into my head was the Cyclops from mythology. Oh, and Medusa-- does she count? As a kid, I loved the image of the snakes as her hair-- way spooky!

RebekahC said...

Ooh, Medusa. Good call.

Michelle said...

My favorite creature is the German animal Wolpertinger. I remember traveling in Munich (not speaking German) after college and buying a ticket to a museum that had these bizarre creatures set up. I vaguely remembered the tales of soemthing of the sort from when I was 8 and living in Belgium, but seeing them absolutely cracked me up. The friend with me mentioned that it looked like the taxidermist had gotten drunk one night, and that was the result. They'll always have a special place in my heart (especially after I went back to read up on them after seeing the exhibit!).

Anna said...

Oooh...my daughter would love this book! My daughter's fave creature is Goliath. We both love stories about vampires. (I hope that counts because I'm not up on my mythological creatures!) Thanks for the great giveaway!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
diaryofaneccentric[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anna said...

I'm also a follower!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Anna said...

I also posted the giveaway in my blog sidebar!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Theresa N. said...

I love to win this for my niece my favorite is Zeus.
Theresa N
weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

This would be a great gift for my 8 year old cousin! She is starting to really like reading.

My favorite mythical creature is a dragon :)

Wrighty said...

I love books like this. They are interesting to read but I have always been fascinated with the artwork especially. I have two little nephews who would love it as well. As far as mythical creatures I always thought Medusa was pretty creepy. We would watch the old Aladin movie as kids and he would have to battle all of those kinds of creatures. We loved that movie. (We only got 3 channels!)

Thanks for your contest and I've added it to my blog.

I've also added your blog to my blogroll.

www.wrightysreads.blogspot.com
5wrights1@verizon.net

Carol M said...

My grandchildren would love this book. My favorite is the Loch Ness Monster!
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

Carol M said...

I subscribed by email.
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

Anonymous said...

My Grandchildren would love Nana to read this to them or some of them would love it for themselves. I also have a new little one on the way who I know would love it in a few years.

My favorite mythological creatures if they are considered that are fairies. There are so many kinds and they can be so beautiful!!! =0)

Anonymous said...

I would also love to win this book as I was a Public Librarian and School Librarian and I would review books for the kids.

My favorite mythological creatures are still those gorgeous fairies!!! =0)

Anonymous said...

The cover of this book is amazing. I would love to read it with my children. Looks spooky and my daughter loves a good scare hehe.

Michelle Olsen Sasak said...

My favorite mythical creature is the unicorn. I've seen Legend so many times, and the unicorn is gorgeous. Mermaids are also pretty cool.

I'd love to win this so I can give it as a gift to one of my daughters. Thanks for the chance!

darbyscloset said...

My favorite mythical beings are Faries!!!
Thanks so much for this giveaway!
I know my neice will love, love, love this book!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com

Gwendolyn B. said...

AAACCKK!! I thought I had already entered this! Good thing I double checked! My nephew would LOVE this book - and I would, too! Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm a subscriber!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

O.K. I'm calmer now. Favorite mythical creature? What do you mean, mythical? They're real! They're all real! (O.K. So, I'm not so calm.) I've always loved faires and pixies. I still pretend they exist. I clap louder than anyone for Tinkerbelle! (Thanks for the chance to win this book - and allowing me to take up so much space!)
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Gwendolyn B. said...

I'm a follower!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

RebekahC said...

I'll do a draw for this tomorrow! Glad to see so much interest. :D

Luck Happens said...

My favorite folklore or mythical creature has always been the Yeti...I've never read any books about this creature, but my father had a big picture book which I remember with fascination all about the Yeti. Thanks for the giveaway!

kellifrobinson2 AT gmail DOT com

Luck Happens said...

I'm now a follower. :)