. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Alphabet Glue. In Annie's words:
"Alphabet Glue is a quarterly downloadable e-magazine for families who love books! Filled with activities, printables, projects and plenty of inspiration, Alphabet Glue was created in hopes of helping more families to incorporate creativity, imagination and all things literary into their everyday routines. Each issue contains leveled reading lists, bookmaking tutorials, storybuilding activities and hands on projects that complement favorite titles in children's literature."
Annie blogs at Bird and Little Bird.
SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What led you to the work you do today?
SouleMama: How do you come up with new designs and ideas?
Annie: Even though I don't usually start leaving hints on the blog about what will be inside the newest issue until pretty shortly before it launches, I actually map out each volume a couple of months in advance. I keep a sketch pad handy and generally just scribble down notes here and there as ideas pop up. I find that I often think of things that I want to include during times when my mind has a chance to wander a bit; as I fall asleep at night, when I'm in the car or sometimes even when I'm in the kitchen making dinner. A lot of ideas come to me from our trips to the library as well. Sometimes finding a favorite book on the shelf there will prompt me to start thinking about how to include it in the magazine and will lead to all kinds of other inspiration. That is how both the kid detective projects and the story mapping theme (from the summer and fall issues) came about.
SouleMama: How does the balance of work and family play out for you?
Annie: Most of the projects that appear on the pages of Alphabet Glue have their origins in things that I do with my daughter, who is almost eight. What I find interesting is that we tend to gravitate towards different types of activities, and that when I put together my list of ideas for each issue, the ones that become each of our favorites are always different! I think the fact that we work together on so many of the projects is what ends up creating a nice balance in each issue of the magazine. I've also mentioned a couple of times in past issues that although my daughter is an absolutely voracious reader who practically consumes books instead of food, she isn't always as keen on writing. Many of the storybuilding and bookmaking activities that I've put together for past issues of Alphabet Glue were really designed as a way to help inspire her to do a little more writing. Also, my daughter was just recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Having these projects to work on together during what has otherwise been kind of a crazy time has actually provided some nice opportunities for us to be busy with our hands while having spontaneous talks together about all the changes happening at our house right now. And that is definitely the idea behind all of this- projects that families can do together as a way to connect more with one another.
For today's giveaway, Alphabet Glue is generously offering the following to THREE winners:
~ a copy of each of the first four volumes of Alphabet Glue!
(they can be downloaded as a single PDF file that is filled with over 130 pages of activities, projects and reading recommendations)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thank you to Alphabet Glue!
To enter today's giveaway, please leave a comment (one entry per person, please) in today's post. I'll close comments by 8am EST on Sunday, and announce the winner(s), chosen via Random Number Generator, shortly after. Comments closed!
The winners are:
I absolutely love the idea of this magazine! I would SO love to win, but I think I'll be getting it either way.
Posted by: Jess
Fabulous magazine - thanks for the opportunity. Katie x
Posted by: Obaitori Spiritual Mothering
fun giveaway!!
Posted by: taryn oakley