Pages

Monday, January 17, 2011

I Have a Dream.....and a Book Giveaway


I wrote this book, SOMEWHERE TODAY: A BOOK OF PEACE, after I dreamed about a small book that showcased the small things that people do that actually make the world better.

Because really, every single day we are faced with choices that can, in the end, make our world a better place to be.

Or not.

When I woke up, I really wanted to get this book that I dreamed existed for my class. I was teaching first and second graders at the time and well.....it was that point in the year where they couldn't even look at each other and not complain. I wanted to read them a book that accentuated the positive.

Uh....you totally dreamed that book. It isn't real.

So, um...write it. Make it real.

And so I did.

SOMEWHERE TODAY: a BOOK OF PEACE first came out in 1998 and it is still in print (yay!). It is a recommended book by the Anti-Defamation League and is the subject of countless letters I get from teachers and librarians. When the tragedy that was 9-11 took place, I got letters from many schools telling me that my little book helped their students feel empowered again. We might not have control over what other people do in our world, and the terrible choices they might make, but we do have control over our own actions. Somewhere Today someone is choosing to be a friend instead of fighting....maybe it is you.

And it is through these small actions that our world becomes better. For everyone.

And so, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream, I am giving away a copy of my book, and also a reusable shopping bag that says PEACE.

Just leave a comment and I will enter you. The winner will be drawn at random and announced next weekend.

hrh

19 comments:

Laura Pauling said...

What a wonderful book, Shelley! and I"m sure it has made a big difference!

Kelly Polark said...

Your books sounds both lovely and amazing, Shelley!

Kiki Hamilton said...

What a perfect way to celebrate MLK day! Your book sounds wonderful and inspiring! I also find it inspiring that you act upon your dreams!

Hardygirl said...

This looks incredible. I had no idea!!! Are there any MORE books out there we should know about???

sf

lisa and laura said...

What an incredible story and such an inspiration. You never cease to amaze us!

Catherine Denton said...

How perfect for today.

Sherrie Petersen said...

Sounds like a wonderful book, and how cool that twelve years later it's still in print! That definitely says something!!

Hello Hoobubby / Alexandra said...

Just discovering your blog and books today. Looking forward to returning and checking out your book you mentioned in this post.

Stephanie Faris said...

What a great book! I'd love to be entered.

Grillyfish said...

Sounds lovely, thank you Shelley! Would love to be entered if you are accepting entries from outside the USA... if not let me just say I hope you had a lovely day and I always enjoy reading your blog :)

Unknown said...

Oh, that sounds beautiful. I teach a very multicultural class of first graders (who have about 10different home languages - English, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and several Indian dialects) who would truly appreciate the ideas in your book. Simplifying the very big idea of peace to everyday choices that they can make is a perfect way to present the concept to little ones.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Wow. You dreamed a book and made it real. I love the way you navigate life. And what a wonderful-sounding book and giveaway. Thanks for being you.

Myrna Foster said...

I haven't read this one, and it sounds wonderful. Thanks for writing books that make the world a better place, Shelley!

Jessie Oliveros said...

What a great book! And way to take the initiative and write that book that should have existed but didn't yet.

Stina said...

This sounds like a great book, Shelley!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! I hope it finds its way into all school libraries. I'm going to add this to my TBR book list, but I do have my fingers crossed for the book giveaway!

Wendy Sparrow said...

That book sounds awesome!!!

We live in a rural town so we had to explain prejudice to my kids first and I'm glad they don't get it... even if that makes them a little sheltered. I'd rather have them learn it's wrong before they learn it's a reality for some.

Wendy

Jackee said...

I love this one. I've borrowed it from the library and your sentiments in it are exactly the things I want to instill in my kids too. :o)

Thanks for having a dream, Shelley! *hugs*

Corey Schwartz said...

Wow, sounds like something I need to read to my two kids- Complainy and Complanier.