Wednesday, December 4, 2013

The Little Crooked Bookshelf (With a Holiday Gift Giveaway!)


Chuckling Ducklings
by Aaron Zenz

What it's all about...
Did you know that a baby eel is called an elver? Did you know that a baby pigeon is called a squab? Chuckling Ducklings teaches you the cutest and quirkiest names for baby animals. I mean, this book is fun and CUTE. It has two puggles in it. Two.  

Why it's on the Little Crooked Bookshelf...
First, rhythm. This book has great rhythm. Second, it’s a clever book that stitches together animal names and pictures in a memorable way. (We will never forget the napping porcupette.) Third, it’s CUTE.  

Our favorite lines...
"What’s a Cria? Who’s a Joey? Hatchings race the leveret." 

Our favorite illustration...


Why kids will love it...
Animals are the heart of this book. If you like animals, it’s hard not to love this book. And if you’re curious about their actual names, then you’ll like the lesson that comes along with it.

Why grown-ups will love it... 
Adults will learn the baby names of a lot of baby animals, so you’ll be ready for this category if you play trivia games. Beyond that, it’s a smart, playful book that’s fun to read. 

And speaking of wee cute things. . . we have an extra special HANDMADE HOLIDAY GIFT GIVEAWAY to offer one lucky reader courtesy of Michelle Phaneuf Ceramics.


These cups--designed exclusively for The Little Crooked Cottage's cupboard--measure approximately 3.5in high x 3in wide and hold about 6 ounces each. They are made from white stoneware and are wheel-thrown with color inlay. They are glazed in a clear shiny glaze with the decals added and then fired for a third time to make them a permanent part of the cup. The cups are dishwasher, microwave and food-safe.

Enter to win a set of (2) Little Crooked Cottage cups by adding a comment to the comments section below! 

You can see more of Michelle's less ordinary tableware at her Etsy Shop, or if you're in the New England area, join Michelle and a coterie of other talented artists at their Rhode Island studio:

December 7th AND 14th from 10am - 7pm 

545 Pawtucket Ave • First Floor

Pawtucket, RI 


for gorgeous handmade gifts, beer tastings (to go in your fabulous teeny cups) and more! 

43 comments:

  1. i love michelle's work! this is an exciting collaboration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love Michelle's work. The Crooked Cottage kitchen is well-stocked with her tableware.

      Delete
  2. Adorable book. I admit, I had to look up what a puggle is and after seeing it, I want one! I look forward to reading this book to children some day. AND, the mugs are beautiful. Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Puggle stumped me, too. I love the word puggle. In fact, there should be a book all about puggles. Sequel?

      Delete
  3. Hello.
    Anything with ducklings on it is a win with me. I love books that have a flowing rhythm.
    The cups are adorable as well.
    Thanks,
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn, we are big fans of baby ducks, too. Of baby anything, really. But especially love those ducklings. Cheerio! --Mr. Pig

      Delete
  4. I own a signed copy of Chuckling Ducklings AND an original puggle sketch by Aaron! He does such adorable work. And I love the tiny mugs! Cute and perfect for my two kiddos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucky, you Tara! We need some puggle pics to hang in the Cottage, I think. Thanks for reading and commenting! --Mr. P.

      Delete
    2. Love the book, love the cups! Thank you!

      Delete
  5. I would love the book... :) I doubt you would like to send me the cups :( I live in France ! ;)
    I hope these duklings haven't lost there mom ! because the first thing they see, when they come out of their egg, is his mom ! Could be a big fat cow or a pig or who knows ? you ? ;) ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bon jour, Nicole! Nice to know we have readers in France! Anyone who comments has a chance to win the giveaway... we randomly select the winners out of my favorite fedora. --Mr. Pig

      Delete
  6. Love the book, love the cups! Thank you!
    Danielle Dufayet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading Danielle. And please share if you like our blog! :)

      Delete
  7. I know what a cria is!! LOL We raised alpacas on our farm in Missouri for 9 years. Adorable drawings, no doubt. I want the book now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet! Thanks for commenting, Phyllis! Enjoy the crias, ducklings, and other baby animals. We're partial to the piglet. :)

      Delete
  8. D'awwwww! Cuteness overload! Must check out that book

    ReplyDelete
  9. The book is CUTE! And the mugs are sweet, too. Thanks for the heads up to stop by the blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CUTE is right. Thanks for visiting, Donna! Good luck! :)

      Delete
  10. Darling book and cute cups that would be perfect for my grandbabies, Charlie and Olivia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading, Deborah! Good luck winning the wee cups for your grandbabies. :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Deborah! You are the winner of the Little Crooked Cottage pottery giveaway! Please email your shipping address to littlecrookedcottage@gmail.com. Hope Charlie and Olivia enjoy them.

      Delete
  11. Sooo sweet! Glad to find your blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. If Ducklings is half as good as Aaron's other books, it's sure to be a winner! He is a lovely person as well as a great maker of books. Thanks, too, for introducing us to Michelle's pottery. I sooo want a Mr. Pig cup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing, Joanne! We're fans. Good luck with the giveaway!

      Delete
  13. Trying to join this site to follow, but I'm getting a message to try back later. Guess I'll have to try back later!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear about the glitch. We're working on it now. Thanks for following Mr. Pig!

      Delete
  14. oh I always get to these posts too late. what lovely cups. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're not too late, Cecilla! The winner will be announced on Friday. Thanks for commenting and good luck!

      Delete
  15. The book sounds darling, and the cups are ever so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The book sounds darling, and the cups are cute!

    ReplyDelete
  17. All adorable. I need those cups for my little twin niece and nephew!

    Kami Kinard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kami! We love the Nerdy Chicks blog.

      Delete
  18. Ok, Mr. Pig has reached into his fedora... and pulled a name. DEBORAH HOLT WILLIAMS is the lucky winner of Michelle's wee 'Little Crooked Cottage' cups. We hope your grandchildren enjoy them! Please email your shipping address to littlecrookedcottage@gmail.com. And thanks again for visiting the Cottage. Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete