Extending a big, warm welcome to a new dig sponsor: Award-winning children’s book author Maria Dismondy!
Maria’s mission is to inspire and empower children. This is her favorite quote (and is now one of mine too):
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
– Edward Everett Hale
Maria recently resigned from her teaching job of twelve years. It was a huge risk, but traveling to schools and empowering children to be themselves is what she feels she was meant to do. Oh I admire that kind of bravery. In March last year, she spoke to more than 10,000 students. Although her job as a writer looks very different from teaching first grade (she writes while her girls nap and often Skypes with aspiring writers and students from her kitchen table) she is comforted in knowing she is making her mark in the world while being home with her children. Maria continues to write children’s books and is eager to find an agent who will help her to extend her powerful messages to a larger audience.
Maria has published four books, each with positive messages of inclusion, empathy, courage and kindness.
The Potato Chip Champ
Champ and Walter Norbert Whipplemoore are about as different as two kids can be…well, except for their love of baseball and potato chips. Champ had everything, but always wanted more. Walter had very little, but was never seen without a smile on his face. In the end, it is Walter and some crunchy potato chips that teach Champ a lesson about character that can’t be taught in school.
Pink Tiara Cookies For Three
Sami’s perfect life falls apart when the new girl moves in next door. Sami doesn’t need another friend, she has Stella. They are the perfect example of best friends. Mittens come in pairs and so do friends, according to Sami. Bullying can be very subtle, but it hurts just the same. Three can be a tricky number with friends because most of the time, someone gets left out. Follow Sami as she discovers how to keep her best friend and find room for one more in Pink Tiara Cookies for Three.
Spaghetti in A Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are
“Lucy, Lucy, eats stinky food that puts us all in a big, bad mood!” How can Ralph be so mean, Lucy wonders? Lucy is one of a kind, and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs her help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make the right choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and to be proud of themselves even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.
The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up For Others
Have you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete’s new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about “The Promise”. Will Pete decide to shed his bullying habits and make “The Promise”? Read The Juice Box Bully to find out!
Maria Dismond’s books
Leave a comment for a chance to win. Comments closed and winner selected on Monday, March 25.
Thanks, Maria. I wish you all the best!
:: :: ::
Randomly selected winner: #66! Congrats, Meredith.
96 Comments
My 4 year old munchkin would love one of these books!
what great books! would love to share these with my three kids!
These books look so cute! Thank you for the opportunity. 🙂
This is my first year teaching and my 1st grade students would be thrilled to have a book signed by a real author! We read Spaghetti in a Hotdog Bun earlier this year and they loved it! 🙂
These sound great! I’m going to put them in my book wish list!
We dont have this Maria Dismondy book! My littles would love it!!
These books sound wonderful! As I teacher I can imagine how difficult a decision she had. I admire her courage! I am sure all her years of teaching make her the perfect person to speak to and reach young children! 🙂 I made the tough decision to place my teaching career on the back burner to spend some time at home with my sons. I have not regretted the decision at all. 🙂
Thanks for the introduction. These books look fantastic.
My 4 1/2 year old would absolutely love these books!
Reading is a fav around here!! A new book would be awesome and these books look darling!
These books look adorable!
These books look fantastic. Excited to check them out !
These books look great. Looking forward to ordering one for my daughters upcoming birthday
What a great giveaway. I have seen these books reviewed in other places and everyone says the same thing…. GET THEM! Hope to win! 🙂
I have all 4 of these books and I love them! I’ve used them in a first grade classroom and they made such an impact.
How exciting! Those books look awesome! x
Thank you so much for a lovely post on my books! I appreciate it!!!
Always love finding new gems. Can’t wait to seek out these books to add to our family’s library!
Books are so important!
Love that picture of Ruby and Margot reading. We love books and always welcome a new one into our collection!
I’ve heard of Spaghetti in a Hot Dog bun before and Ivy is always asking for new books! She would love to have one of these!
What a wonderful women! These books look amazing and I need to go find them for me and my kiddos.
Thank you!
Dana
I KNOW I say this all the time, BUT those are the most darling little girls I know!
xoxo, Gram
PS….what a wonderful new sponsor!
Love the books. Thanks for sharing! Always on the look out for inspiring books.
These books sound wonderful! Just the thing to share with my young nieces!
These books sound great! I’d love to read them to my little guy.
These books look Great! Not only are they teaching the kids but they are holding their attention with fabulous, colorful pictures. These will be on my wish list!
Earlier this month, my almost 2 year old cut her hair (her precious baby hair that had never been cut-mommy tears and then laughter-girl rocks her new bangs), the next day she as she was picking up daddy’s cell phone that had dropped she accidentally hit the emergency call button and called the police (her daddy got a nice long talking to). My 3 year old has brought parenting to a whole new level with her use of language and boundary testing! March Madness in the works 🙂 Books are our fantasy escapes to new places full or adventure and BONUS if they present a message about inclusion, empathy, courage or kindness!
I too am a former teacher; now I run in-home daycare….all of my children love story time! I will definitely have to check these out-they look so fun and engaging!
And this….YES (I may have to find a wall in my home for this)!
~I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
– Edward Everett Hale
Cute! Would love to check out some of those titles.
I am always looking for new books for my little guy. These sound cool!
My two and half year would love to hear these stories and grow up knowing them!
I have a brand new granddaughter and another grandbaby due in September. Would love to add to their book collection. I think reading to your children is one of the most important things you can do!!
Yeah! They look like great books!
These sound like wonderful books!
I will buy several of these books. We have a “Book-of-the-Month” bookclub for our three Grandsons.
I went to high school with Maria!! Love to see a hometown girl making it big!
They sound great! We’ll have to check them out.
My girl would love these!
Thank you for writing about Maria! Her books sound wonderful! As a school librarian I would be thrilled to win her book. Love your blog! Thanks! : )
These books look so good. I would love a chance to read one my my four year old son.
We would love to read one of these books! Love being introduced to new authors.
I run in-home daycare and story time is one of our favorite parts of the day! We have been cooped up inside with our brrr cold midwest weather, so kindness themed stories have been plentiful! I will definitely have to check these out! March madness has literally crept into our home this month… my almost 2 year old cut her precious baby hair which had never been cut before(she totally rocks her new bangs though), my 3 year old has become very assertive and is just checking boundaries to see if momma is “always” going to follow through :), oh yeah and my littlest one got hold of daddy’s phone and accidentally called the police (they had a nice long chat with daddy to make sure no one was really in danger!
That quote is a favorite of mine! What an inspiring story she has. Now I simply HAVE to read these books to my kiddos!
I would love to have a copy for my preschool classroom!
These books sound so awesome!
The Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun looks and sounds so cute!
Love this and love that she was a teacher who took a risk and quit her teaching job. EXCELLENT!
They look like wonderful books! My 3 year old son LOVES books!
We have The Juice Box Bully and love it! Congrats to Maria on taking the risk! Seems as tho it was well worth it 🙂
Beautiful books, love the message!
Thank you SO much for bringing products like this!!!! It’s wonderful to get your recommendations!
Several of these have been sitting on our wishlist!
These books look great!
We need some new books for our grandchildren and what a wonderful message to bring them. It is great to have your recommendation too Nici and we are introduced to this author! Thank you.
I L.O.V.E. children’s books! Thanks for the chance to win!
Ohhh, these books look amazing! I would love to get my mitts on them for my own children, and the children/families I work with!!
I love children’s books that teach good lessons! Thanks for sharing about this great author
I love this.
I felt so connected to Maria whilst reading this post – because in February of this year, I too quit my job as an early learning teacher to pursue my writing career. My first children’s picture book is in the process of being published and will hit Australian stores and all online bookstores in late May/early June. YAY!!! I too want to travel to schools to spread the love of writing, communicating and story telling.
Maria’s goals sound great. Off to check out her books on Amazon.
Thanks for sharing Nici. xx
These books look so great! They are on my Amazon wishlist now 🙂
I would love this book for my 2 girls!
Have put these books on my list nanny 4 siblings All children need to learn and live tolerance for all. Thanks
I am always on the hunt for books. This author sounds delightful
Wow! I would love to have one, each one sounds like it has a wonderful lesson!
my kids are at each other’s throats right now. Wishing we had a new book or two to keep them busy while I made dinner.
AWESOME. WHAT A GIFT AND BLESSING MY LITTLE ONES WOULD LOVE!!!THANK U FOR SHARING
Love books with a positive message for my kiddo!
What a fun giveaway! I would love to share these books with my boys!
Those books look amazing! 🙂 what a fun give-away! 🙂
Gimme, gimme! Nothing I want more than books that inspire the littles.
Crap! Thanks for posting the giveaway on Facebook, or I would have somehow missed it!
These books like awesome. I’d love them for my girls!
would LOVE one of these books!
Would love to read these books!
We love books in our house and these look amazing!
As a teacher (on an extended maternity leave), I cannot stress
how wonderful it is to be able to read these types of stories to children!
I’m always on the “look out” for great authors who do just this and look
forward to read these to my daughter! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the chance to win. We are always on the lookout for good book suggestions!
This would make a great gift for my almost 2year old son!!
Oh how I would love to win and share with my grand nephew!
Love these! And so does my kiddo : )
These look so cute! My little readers would love to have one!
Those sound like great books! Fun illustrations on the covers.
I wish these were available when my kids were little but my granddaughter is at the perfect age! They look wonderful!
I super love that quote!!! These books are adorable, hope I win!!
Thanks for offering such a great giveaway. I know my daughter would love this book.
This all sound like super books! I would love to win!
These…not this! LOL…Mommy mush brain!
Sounds like some great books! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Love this! Thanks for sharing & the giveaway!
Oh me, Oh my, Maria!! I would love to read these books to my kids!
My granddaughters would love one of these books
I thought of you and your irks several times this weekend on our snowy mountain adventure. We sledded and swam and swam some more. It was wonderful.
Not so much a specific comment.. Just a hello and a thanks for reminding me of how great it is to be in the snow with family.
Awesome, I have a book loving two year old and a soon to be five year old who would love to get their hands on a new cool book for our collection!
So sweet! I will definitely be checking them out.
I am always looking for new authors and books for my daughter, who already at 23 months loves to “read” and be read to. Even if I am not chosen, I will definitely check out these books!
What great books! They would be great for any kid to read.
I hope my kids and I are the potato chip champs 🙂