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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Basie and Paisley Review and Giveaway - CLOSED



Since becoming a mother, I’ve recently been reading A LOT of children’s books. You’ve got your educational ones, your sentimental ones, your fun ones and so many more different types. I love them all, but one of my favorite types has to be the plain old silly, make you smile, fun kind of books.

I recently had the opportunity to read the Basie and Paisley Children’s series and they ARE this type of fun. The two books, A Spider Lives in my Belly Button and A Monstrous Smile are such cute children’s stories; I can’t wait for them to come out with more. It’s all about having fun with this series and the author and illustrator do a great job of making these books show children that.

Basie and Paisley were created in 2007 by the author James Robert Miller who creatively came up with this fun concept for the books. James enlisted his sister, Leslie A. Kelly, to create the fun and loving characters that would become Basie and Paisley. Both James and Leslie reside in my home state of Michigan, and I am so thrilled to know such talent is so close to home! I promise my review isn’t biased on this fact alone.

Miller hopes that, with his books, he can inspire children that no idea is too silly, and that dreams can come true with hard work, dedication, and daydreaming. I’m thinking he’s well on his way with these two books and I look forward to more being created.

The books -

A Spider Lives in my Belly Button



I think you can get from the title that this is going to be a silly one. It is and I love it! This book incorporates imagination and silliness perfectly. Basie and the spider in his belly button sure do have some fun! They eat cheeseburgers and fries, play drums, go roller skating and more, only to find out there isn’t actually a spider in his belly button, just lint. It’s very imaginative and very fun. The idea behind this book is so simple, yet it’s so cute, you just have to smile. This book had me smiling the whole way through and I can’t wait for Rosemary to be a bit older so she can understand the silliness and play along with Basie.

A Monstrous Smile



Paisley takes readers through all of the fun activities that cause her to have a monstrous smile. She plays polka on an accordion, jumps in leaves, talks into an oscillating fan and more. I mean, who doesn’t smile when they do those things?! This book is just as beautifully illustrated as the first one and shows just as much fun and imagination as the other as well.

I’m not sure on the exact intended age for these books, but I think Rosemary at 7 months is a bit young for them by herself. They are soft cover, so even though I’ve read them to her, they’re not the kind I’d let her play with by herself at this point. Perhaps board books are on the agenda?? Once Rosemary’s a bit older, I’m going to be so excited for us to read them together. I really hope she loves them as much as I do!

I really like both of these books. Everything about them. The vibrant colors of the characters, the silly way they’re shaped, the silly things they do, everything! I think it’s a great combination of silliness and incorporating positive experiences that all children and parents would approve of. The characters are drawn well, the colors are bold, the writing is well done, and I really recommend this series.

To purchase these books you can find them over on Amazon and several local Michigan stores. Go here for a complete listing. Basie and Paisley also have cute wall graphics for the characters available to purchase here.
One lucky reader won't have to purchase the series as I've been offered one set of the books for a giveaway!

To enter simply visit Basie and Paisley website and return here commenting on something you learned. Please leave an email so I can contact you if you're my winner.

For extra entries you may do any or all of the following:

1. Follow my blog publicly via Google Connect (over on the right side bar). You must follow publicly in order for this to count. Current followers just have to write that you already follow me. (2 entries)

2. "Like" A Mama Stork Knows on facebook

3. "Like" Basie and Paisley on facebook

4. Follow me and Basie and Paisley on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. You may do this once a day. Please leave a url so I can check your tweets. If you don't tweet, you may instead add this as your facebook status. You may use the following to tweet/post:
"Enter to #win @BasieAndPaisley children's books over at @AMamaStorkKnows http://bit.ly/9CJSZG #giveaway RT"

5. Add my button to your blog; leave your blog url so I may check

6. Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs and/or Picket Fence Blogs. This may be done once daily.

Leave separate comments for all of your entries and remember to leave an email address in at least one of them so I may contact you. You must do the main entry in order to win the sleeping bag. Good luck!!

Giveaway is open to entrants in the U.S. and ends on May 31, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A comment number will be drawn at random from random.org. Winner will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond. If I don't hear back, another winner will be selected.


I was provided with this product free of charge by the highlighted company and/or its PR agency in order to test the product first hand and to provide you with my personal opinion on it. The opinions I have provided are mine and mine alone. I am in no way required to write a positive review and my review was not influenced in any way by monetary means. Please investigate before any and all purchases as I am not liable nor responsible for any losses nor damages you may incur. Please read my Terms of Use before entering this contest.

96 comments:

  1. I learned that James started writing just after the birth of his daughter, Ella.

    aprettykitty84@yahoo.com

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  2. I follow on google friend connect!
    aprettykitty84@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like A Mama Stork Knows on FB
    Erin Boxell Hull

    aprettykitty84@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like Baisey and Paisley on FB
    Erin Boxell hull

    aprettykitty84@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I voted for you on Top Mommy blogs!


    aperttykitty84@yahoo.com

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  6. I learned that these books are just too cute. I agree with James, a house can never have enough books. Children need to be surrounded by them!

    kjwilson07@gmail.com

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  7. I agree with James in teaching kids that no idea is too silly, now a days kids grow up way too fast!!


    stellerbel@hotmail.com

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  8. I already like your FB page :)

    Stellerbel@hotmail.com

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  9. I follow you :)

    stellerbel@hotmail.com

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  10. I twitted (is that even a word??)

    stellerbel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I follow you and Baisey and Paisley on twitter

    Stellerbel@hotmail.com

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  12. I voted for you

    Stellerbel@hotmail.com

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  13. I learned that Lisa put her graphic design degree to great use.

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  14. I already follow with GFC
    entry1

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  15. I already follow with GFC
    entry2

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  16. I like A Mama Stork Knows on Facebook - Christine C Horne

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I like Baisey and Paisley on facebook

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  18. I voted TMB

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  19. I voted PFB

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  20. I have your badge on my blog www.sugarplumtreasures.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow a mama stork knows and baisey and pailsey on twitter - and I tweeted twitter.com/SugarPlumsMomma/status/14302644443

    info@sugarplumtreasures.com

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  22. I like that the author himself is a singer and believes in children;s imagination

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  23. LIKE Basie and pasily on facebook

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  24. following botho n twitter and tweeted

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14312927684

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  25. I voted on picket fence blog

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  26. I voted on top mommy blogs

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  27. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14381464130

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  28. I voted on Top Mommy blogs

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  29. I voted on picket fence

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  30. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/statuses/14455765391

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  31. I voted on Top Mommy Blogs

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  32. i voted on picket fences blog

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  33. I voted on PFB

    Stellerbel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I twitted - heh

    Stellerbel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14633909444

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  36. I voted on Top Mommy BLogs

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  37. I voted on picket fences

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  38. James came up with the idea for Basie and Paisley in 2007

    superstarz714@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I learned that Leslie's illustration inspiration comes from her and her brother's imagination and life experiences.

    taryn@pictureitcreations.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I like B&P on facebook

    taryn@pictureitcreations.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I follow you both on twitter and tweeted!

    http://twitter.com/Justpictureit/status/14672526018

    taryn@pictureitcreations.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Your button is on my blog

    taryn@pictureitcreations.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I visited the site and learned that James has a daughter named Ella!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I "liked" a mama stork knows on FB

    ReplyDelete
  45. i liked basie and paisley on FB

    ReplyDelete
  46. I followed both of you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway @angelicasmommy

    ReplyDelete
  47. I posted your button on my blog: http://jellybean529.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I voted for you on top mommy blogs and picket fence.

    email: sunshine131 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14707212161

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  50. I voted on Top Mommy blogs

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  51. I voted on Picket Fences

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  52. liked basie and paisley on fbook

    cortnortcc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. liked a mama stork knows on fbook

    cortnortcc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. voted on picket fence

    cortnortcc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. i learned that once James' daughter ella was born he had a new respect for the simple things in life and his new outlook inspired him to begin writing the book.


    cortnortcc@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14771566331

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  57. I voted on TOP MOMMY BLOGS

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  58. I voted on PICKET FENCES

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  59. Tweeted again: http://twitter.com/angelicasmommy/status/14774187414

    ReplyDelete
  60. Voted on Top Mommy Blogs and Picket Fence again

    ReplyDelete
  61. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14841947200

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  62. I voted on TOP MOMMY BLOGS

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  63. I voted on PICKET FENCES

    inman@Mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  64. I voted PFB

    stellerbel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I voted TMB

    Stellerbel@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/angelicasmommy/status/14855121982

    ReplyDelete
  67. Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/angelicasmommy/status/14908328724

    ReplyDelete
  68. daily tweet

    http://twitter.com/HalleelujahMom/status/14955563301

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  69. I voted on TOP MOMMY BLOGS

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  70. I voted on PICKET FENCES

    inman@mobap.edu

    ReplyDelete
  71. Hi, great books!
    I learned that Leslie is 30.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hi, voted on picket fences!

    www.agracefulllife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Posted your button on my blog.
    It is under the Pages Section: Blogs We Follow

    www.gracefulllife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. "Like" you on facebook!

    Marcia
    www.agracefulllife.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. "Like" basie and paisley on FB

    ReplyDelete
  76. i learned that the illustrator is the authors sister

    ReplyDelete
  77. tweet! http://twitter.com/scoop500/status/15058501966

    ReplyDelete
  78. daily tweet! http://twitter.com/scoop500/status/15110993754

    ReplyDelete