Story Time is the Best Time (plus giveaway)

Family Time

One of the best and most amazing things I love to do with my kids is story time. I just love to read with them. It’s something I’ve always loved and cherished, ever since Natalie was a baby. She’s 13 now, but we still spend time reading together. Reading with my 5 year old Caleb (and his 10 year old brother Liam) is truly a treat. We sit down in bed and read so many books. Once we start, we just can’t seem to stop! That’s why I was so happy when Disney Hyperion sent me a copy to check out as part of my partnership for this giveaway!

My Nanna is from Malta and came to America many moons ago. The funny thing to me is that, while she is American, her accent and mannerisms still hold strong today. Along with the way she talks and walks, so many of her traditions and culture were a big part of my childhood. From Maltese Rice and Conserva, to the Maltese club and dances, it was simply a part of life. Growing up with that was a wonderful as I lived in two worlds at once! I was a NYC girl and a Maltese granddaughter. I think that’s why I was really, ahem, drawn to the children’s book Drawn Together by Minh Lê.

Drawn Together is such a fabulous book for so many reasons, I just have to tell you all about it. Come along for the read with me, won’t you??

Drawn Together

Author Minh Lê and Caldecott-winning illustrator Dan Santat join forces in a heartwarming story of a grandfather and his grandson as they learn to overcome their language barrier through a shared love of art and storytelling.

When a young boy visits his grandfather, their lack of a common language leads to confusion, frustration, and silence. But as they sit down to draw together, something magical happens—with a shared love of art and storytelling, the two form a bond that goes beyond words. With spare, direct text by Minh Lê and luminous illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat, this stirring picture book about reaching across barriers will be cherished for years to come.

Check Out the Video

If you love your videos like I do, you will love this!!! Watch the video on YouTube!

Giveaway Time

It’s never a bad time to celebrate, right? It’s truly never a bad time to celebrate love!!! As if the book isn’t amazing enough as it is, how about we spend a little time and talk about winning? I’m pretty sure you like to win, right? Let’s do it!!! One (1) lucky winner receives:

• Copy of Drawn Together
• plus a $50 Visa gift card to put towards a day with someone you love!

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion.

Drawn Together Children’s Book plus $50 Visa Gift Card

About the Author

Minh Lê is a writer but, like his grandfather, is a man of few words. He is a national early childhood policy expert, author of Let Me Finish! (illustrated by Isabel Roxas), and has written for the New York Times, the Horn Book, and the Huffington Post. A first-generation Vietnamese-American, he went to Dartmouth College and has a master’s in education from Harvard University. Outside of spending time with his beautiful wife and sons in their home near Washington, DC, Minh’s favorite place to be is in the middle of a good book.

Minh Lê’s debut, Let Me Finish!, received critical acclaim, and this new picture book once again demonstrates his sensitivity to readers and mastery of the form.

About the Illustrator

I simply adore the illustrations in this book. They are vibrant and unique yet really homey and comfortable at the same time. The kids really loved it, too. Created artwork as beautiful as this is really a fantastic talent and something I really appreciate. I had to find out more about this man.

Dan Santat is the author and illustrator of the Caldecott Award-winning The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, as well as The Cookie Fiasco, After the Fall, and others. He is also the creator of Disney’s animated hit, The Replacements. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and a menagerie of pets. Visit him at dantat.com.

Keep Up-To-Date Online

• Visit the Disney-Hyperion’s Official Site
• Follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter and Instagram
• Like Disney-Hyperion on Facebook
• Search #DrawnTogether
• Visit Minh online at minhlebooks.com
• Minh on Twitter
• Dan at dantat.com