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The One Thing That Has Brought Our Family Together: {Review & Giveaway}

October 10, 2013 by Kristen

UPDATE: The winners of this giveaway are Mrs. R., Colleen B and Erin K.

I have two kids in junior high now, three in school.

And I feel like I owe all parents of kids age 10+up, a big fat apology.

Because. Y’all. We have spent years trying to parent intentionally, slowing down our lives, limiting extracurricular stuff.ย Then this season started and I’m looking at the calendar in shock. With just one after-school activity each and church stuff, it looks like it’s going to explode.

And I’m so thankful the ignorant, naive Kristen from years past, started one very important habit.

If there has been one thing that has strengthened our family and kept us together, around the table, around a chair, around each other, it’s reading together.

Not only have our kids fallen in love with reading (yes, they are the ones with flashlights under the sheets because they just need to finish the chapter, Mom), they have fallen in love with reading together.

We’ve gone on wild adventures and learned about different cultures together. Books have led us into deeper community with each other. They have urged us to ask hard questions, press into our struggles. They have been a catalyst to richer family life.

We read around the table after dinner regularly. We also read individually with each of our kids. We pat the space next to us and say, “Let’s read, together.”

And as my kids have grown, the books have grown with us. But no matter how old they are, they want to read.

I have to tell you about the latest one that has captured my family, all of us.

My husband reads to our first grader every. night. She loves it and looks disappointed when I step in to substitute. I love that they love this time together. She is reading on her own (you know the sweet first grade KIND OF READING THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO STICK A FORK IN YOUR EYEBALL), but there’s just something about reading a chapter book together that is special.

Plus, it’s a lot quicker.

photo copy 3

Begin, the first book in the Growly Seriesย by Phil and Erin Ulrich started out as their book. It’s an epic adventure about a little bear named Growly and my daughter begs for another chapter every time they finish one. Last night they finished chapter 17. What’s funny is I can tell you every single thing that’s happened in the adventure so far and so can my son. We just couldn’t not listen! It’s wholesome family reading at it’s best and it’s also illustrated beautifully.

photo copy 2

The vivid descriptions make it easy to imagine exactly what’s happening in the story. It’s a great book to read to your 4-7 year old and children 8-11 would enjoy reading it on their own. We can’t wait to read what happens next to Growly! It’s sure to be adventurous.

The other night it was getting late and my hubby was busy with work, so I picked up where they left off. A few paragraphs in, my husband found us cuddled up reading and asked us what had happened so far. I handed over the book and smiled.

I’m not sure who loves Growly more! You can get your own copy here for $8.99

Growly Sig 2

The author Erin, who is also my blog designer and a sweet friend, sent us a copy to read together and today she’s giving away three copies. Hop over and check out the book and the amazing pictures and leave a comment here to be entered.

And please, make time in ย your crazy busy lives to read together. You won’t ever regret the adventures it takes you on!

200 Comments Filed Under: Giveaways, review

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cynthia says

    October 11, 2013 at 6:32 am

    Would love to read this book to my kids! They are at just the right age! Thnk you!

    Reply
  2. Kari Compton says

    October 11, 2013 at 8:29 am

    Oh! My husband and I both LOVE to read, and we’re already working on stocking up quite the library so we’re ready when our first baby comes in March ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Sandi says

    October 11, 2013 at 8:41 am

    Thank you!! This looks perfect for our read aloud times. : )

    Reply
  4. Jessica G says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:03 am

    I think my daughter would love to read this book!

    Reply
  5. Mandy S says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:39 am

    My kids love our reading time at the end of our homeschool day. This would be great to add in to the rotation.

    Reply
  6. Charlotte Brewer says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:57 am

    I happen to have a sweet (boy) first grader as well who loves all things books (when they are read to him anyway!) and a turning 4 year old on Saturday ๐Ÿ™‚ who would love these books too! Thanks for the recommendation I am always looking for new series to pick up for my kids! If I don’t win it… it just might have to be a Christmas present!

    Thanks!

    Reply
  7. Lisa says

    October 11, 2013 at 10:01 am

    So glad you have led us to this book. We love to sit under the clouds &make up adventure stories together. This book will fit right in. I think my daughter (10) & son (7) will love reading this & hopefully some shared reading time. Thanks

    Reply
  8. Crystal Pearson says

    October 11, 2013 at 10:34 am

    My 2 nieces love being read to…I will have to add this book to their Christmas gift! Thank you for the recommendation!

    Reply
  9. Rachelle says

    October 11, 2013 at 10:44 am

    I would love a copy to read with the little ones in my life!

    Reply
  10. Mary says

    October 11, 2013 at 10:47 am

    I am going to have to look into this book! Thank you so much for sharing – it looks like an awesome read!

    Reply
  11. Stephanie S says

    October 11, 2013 at 10:49 am

    These books look perfect to introduce our four year old to chapter books! Great illustrations, and the story preview looks great.

    Reply
  12. Erin Love says

    October 11, 2013 at 11:16 am

    My daughter & her dad would love to read this together!

    Reply
  13. OMom says

    October 11, 2013 at 11:17 am

    love reading with my daughters, thanks for the reminder to do more of it!

    Reply
  14. Amber says

    October 11, 2013 at 11:19 am

    Very neat idea. Would love to give it to my sister to read to my nephew!

    Reply
  15. Robin says

    October 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    Just started reading your blog and love it:) My kids would love this book!

    Reply
  16. Laura says

    October 11, 2013 at 1:39 pm

    This would be the perfect gift for my niece who LOVE, LOVE, LOVES to read and just started reading chapter books. When she’s done with it, it would come back to my own children who are very young and are also readers. Thanks for sharing!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  17. cheryl says

    October 11, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    This would be SSSssssooooooooooo fun to read with my youngest two! We’d love to win ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  18. Heather says

    October 11, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    I was one of those read-under-the-cover-with-flashlight kids. Love reading with my son.

    Reply
  19. Kristin says

    October 11, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    We’ve got a houseful of readers here too. The kids love having Dad read to them!

    Reply
  20. Mrs. R. says

    October 11, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Awwwww….this looks DARLIN’! And so do your photos!!

    Thanks for entering us.

    Reply
  21. Jessica Reck says

    October 11, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    not sure if this giveaway is over, but would love to read these books! Our boys LOVE reading and being read to and my 7yo reads to his younger brothers as an excuse to re-read books!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  22. Amy says

    October 11, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    5 year old is connecting the dots with letters making words- it is an exciting time in the house. I would love to add it to the library. (Little brother age 4 isn’t far behind he wants to read too1)

    Reply
  23. amber says

    October 11, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    I have 3 girls, this looks perfect for us!

    Reply
  24. Our Vintage Life says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:38 pm

    Yes! We tried to keep things less than crazy around our house too, but once sports enter the picture… watch out!

    Very sweet post about reading with your children. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  25. Tina says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:51 pm

    I’m always looking for great, new books, sounds wonderful!

    Reply
  26. Liz G says

    October 11, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    I also have a 1st grader (it’s fun to hear you talk about your daughter!!) and a 5 and 2 year old. It’s always great when you can find a really good book!!!

    Reply
  27. Amy says

    October 12, 2013 at 6:11 am

    I also have a 1st grader whose reading makes me want to poke my eyes out, and I’d love to interest him more with such a cute bear book!

    Reply
  28. Amy says

    October 12, 2013 at 6:37 am

    My son just turned 10. He loves adventure stories!

    Reply
  29. Angela says

    October 12, 2013 at 8:02 am

    I was looking for a book with fun adventures in it to read with my five year old son. This book looks perfect!

    Reply
  30. Holli says

    October 12, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I read regularly with my 3 kids (ages 7, 5 & 3) & this sounds like something they’d love!

    Reply
  31. Jenni says

    October 12, 2013 at 8:43 am

    Always love a good book recommendation. I’m off to check out the website. Thanks!

    Reply
  32. Jan says

    October 12, 2013 at 10:03 am

    Would love the book for my granddaughters!

    Reply
  33. Jeri says

    October 12, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Oh my gosh, first grade reading is painful! I thought I was the only one who had a fork waiting… Thanks for the book review!

    Reply
  34. Elizabeth Denniston says

    October 12, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Would love to win this book! It sounds amazing! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  35. Elena says

    October 13, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Can’t wait to read this to my 4 and 5 year old!

    Reply
  36. Katherine Lang says

    October 13, 2013 at 9:51 am

    The Growly series would be a wonderful gift for my nephews and nieces! I thoroughly enjoyed what I read on the authors’ website.

    Reply
  37. Jelli says

    October 13, 2013 at 10:07 am

    What a fun book. My husband currently reads the Bible to our tiny ones at night, but I’d love to check out this book for daytime reading.

    Reply
  38. Michele says

    October 13, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Would love to read this book to our little guy!

    Reply
  39. Rebecca L. says

    October 13, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    My girls have always loved being read to!

    Reply
  40. Lacey C. says

    October 13, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    Always looking for suggestions – would love to read this with my kids!

    Reply
  41. Social says

    October 13, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    We love reading together as a family. We’ve been pretty busy getting ready for the new baby, so that is something that we’ve neglected lately. Currently parks and cooking have been a bounding time for us.

    Reply
  42. Emily Browning says

    October 14, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    I would love to add this book to our reading ritual. I am ready to move on from Dr. Suess ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  43. Vicki Wurgler says

    October 14, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    I love to read to my grandchildren

    Reply
  44. Nancy L S says

    October 14, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    I dread the day when my kids won’t ask me to crawl in bed with them and read out loud to them. Maybe I’ll just lay beside them and we’ll each read silently, side by side. Right now they are 6 &3. Sweet times but it’s a physically exhausting stage!

    Reply
  45. Anna says

    October 15, 2013 at 12:43 am

    Is it too late to enter? These books look amazing and I was looking for something to start reading my son at night (besides his Bible Story and go to bed book).

    Reply
  46. Beckey Wolfe says

    October 15, 2013 at 7:17 am

    This sounds so interesting. Our 5 year old granddaughter, Lola, who is in kindergarten would love to read this together. Thanks!!!

    Reply
  47. shatcher says

    October 15, 2013 at 7:42 am

    Would love to read Growly!!!

    Reply
  48. Katie says

    October 17, 2013 at 12:14 am

    This looks like a great addition to our family reading times.

    Reply
  49. Allison Muhlbauer says

    October 21, 2013 at 9:23 am

    This looks like a great book!!

    Reply
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