Josiah and Julia: 2nd Edition and Giveaway

I recently heard that a second printing of Josiah and Julia is in the works.  The next edition will include a slight change to the story, but it will remain a beloved and enjoyable story to help children learn proper church ettiquette.   I'm quite pleased that so many people have found the book beneficial and enjoyable that a second edition is needed and desired. 

So, to share my excitement and just in time for the Nativity Fast, I am doing a giveaway on Goodreads.  The winner will receive an autographed, 1st edition of Josiah and Julia.  The entry period will begin next Saturday, November 14 and go through St. Nicholas Day.  Use the link below to enter.  Contact me if you would like to purchase your own signed copy before the giveaway ends.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Josiah and Julia Go to Church

by Kelly Ramke Lardin

Giveaway ends December 06, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Back to School Giveaway and Sale

I know some of you have already gone back to school, but for those of us in Chicago, back to school is always the Tuesday after Labor Day.  It's coming soon! 

I've been ready to send Hummingbird back for a bit now.  We've gotten all the school supplies and even dropped some of them off at her school.  She knows who her new teacher is, and she's started to think about what she'll wear. 

I nearly forgot, however, that I'll also be sending Bumble Bee to school on Tuesday.  I don't have as much to get ready, and she doesn't have as far to go.  We'll merely cross the street to drop her off.  I do need to get my camera ready.  The very first day of school is definitely an opportunity for a photo shoot.  She's actually ready, too.  She's been itching to go to school like Hummingbird for a year now.  And she survived a week of Vacation Bible School this summer, so I'm hoping we won't have too much separation anxiety.

Anyway, I have 3 copies of Josiah and Julia Go to Church which are "less than perfect."  So, I've decided to do a giveaway (and a sale).  If you haven't bought a copy for your home school classroom, or your "church bag" as we call our bag of church appropriate books, here's your chance to own one.

I'll be giving away one copy, and two copies will be on sale for $10 (plus shipping if you don't live in the Chicago area).  But if you win & buy the extra two copies, I'll ship them all for free (within the U.S.).  If you'd like your copy signed, you'll have the chance to tell me whom it is for.

Ways To Enter: 

1. Follow me here, and leave a comment.

2. Follow me on Twitter (I'm branching out, mostly for updates on OCN posts), and leave another comment.

On Tuesday, September 4, I'll figure out how to use a random number generator to choose a winner after my kids are in school!

To celebrate the beginning of the school year, I've also reduced the Kindle price for my French and Spanish counting books on Amazon.  They are currently $2.99/book instead of $9.99.  If you don't own a Kindle,  Amazon offers free software to read the books from any laptop, PC, or other device.

Launch Party

A dozen children turned out for today's launch party and had a grand time.  We started with coloring sheets and food as everyone arrived.

After everyone arrived, we played a game of Father Says. The kids really loved this despite the fact that they kept forgetting they shouldn't do the things Father didn't say.

Next, I read the book followed by a rendition from Hummingbird and Maggie.

We ended the structured activities playing "Hot Book."
The music is Gigi (Baba) Shadid: Fruits of the Spirit

Congratulations to Caroline who won a copy of Josiah and Julia Go to Church and agreed to donate it to her church!

Saint Lydia's Book Club Article

Last night I received an email from Melinda Johnson inviting me to be a guest blogger on Saint Lydia's Book Club.  My first thought was "How exciting! I'm moving up in the world."  My second thought was "I wouldn't know what to write.  Maybe I shouldn't."  I had a third thought, though, and I decided to accept the invitation.  Even though it will be a few months before it's due, I've already started working on it.  I'd like to make sure it's good.  Somehow, it feels more important that it be just right than posting on my own blog does.  So, keep an eye out in February for my upcoming article in her Orthodox Writers, Readers, and Artists series.  I hope it will be worth the wait...


In the meantime, check out the article written by my illustrator, Sheena Hisiro.  She has included some of the pictures from Josiah and Julia in it.