28 October 2012

Mem Fox 'Good Night, Sleep Tight' autographed book giveaway

Greetings all,
I was lucky enough to attend the sold out reading at my local library, with my author Tania McCartney (a National Year of Reading Ambassador) & our primary school daughters . . . to listen to the engaging Mem Fox read her book Good Night, Sleep Tight.  I doubt there is a home in Australia without a Mem Fox book in it.  We have dozens.  She was a delight. 
It was so much fun, the nursery rhymes in this book (as told by Bonnie & Ben's babysitter, Skinny Doug) made me teary, remembering how many times i'd sung them to my four children . . . the sweetest memories as they are timeless & generational.  
Mem is also a University lecturer & campaigns for children's literacy . . . it has been proven, if a child can know 6 nursery rhymes by heart by age 4 . . . they will be the soaring with their reading in primary school.  Fascinating & seriously, who can't belt out a few "Round & Round The Garden, Like a Teddy Bear, One Step, Two Steps, Tickle You Under There" while changing a nappy or "Star Light, Star Bright, First Star I See Tonight, I WIsh I May, I Wish I Might, Have The Wish I Wish Tonight" while taking one last look at the sky before putting a toddler to bed?? 
 I had already spent $70 before the event started, my children are ravenous readers & who can resist a book which comes with a green sheep??  Straight up, Mem came over to my 3rd daughter & asked if she could borrow her green sheep, which Mem promptly tucked under her blouse for the finale of reading "Where Is The Green Sheep??"  As my youngest child is nearly 9, it's been a while since i bought these kinds of children's books, but who cares, i'll keep them for the grandchildren!! 
 It was just so much fun, the atmosphere electric, until . . . the wind was taken out of my sails when Mem stopped reading a few pages into the first book to request we didn't take any photos.  I know, WHAT??  How about some publicity & capturing the experience??  Judy made a spiel about not appreciating the moment if you're busy taking photos to look at later.  If you're that famous, SURELY you can't stop people taking photos at a public event.  No one was trampling anyone, no blinding flashbulbs, no media . . . just mums sitting on the floor with iPhones & a baby in their lap taking a few snaps.  I've been to zillions of book launches & events, big & small, this 'no photos' was new to me.     
They had zero issues with you buying some books though.  I purchased an extra book to be autographed & given away on my blog, to one of my gorgeous readers!!  They also requested "no photos" at the signing table.  Seriously!!  It's terrible public relations.  I hope everyone in the queue at least got something autographed.  
So here you go, the mixed world of the book industry.  I assure you, i will always give an honest account of any public relations, products & events.  The books are excellent.
Please leave a comment here if you'd love to win an autographed copy of Good Night, Sleep Tight, autographed by author Mem Fox & illustrator Judy Horacek.  You must be a follower of this blog (on the side, sorry i can't tell if you are RSS fed) & i'd like this to be won by an Australian resident, if you're overseas - i'll gladly post to an Australian friend!!  Of course, an extra entry for every mention of this giveaway on your social media platforms of Blogs, Instagram, FaceBook, Pinterest, Twitter etc.  This is something really special, thank you for sharing the love!!  
 Good luck everyone, winner will be drawn after midnight Sunday 11th November.  Love Posie
EDIT: i am proud i wrote this post as-it-happened-from-my-perspective, i have reconsidered to make it more gushing, then thought . . . wouldn't you prefer your child to have a photo of their hero in Mem Fox, an educator . . . than a sports star or celebrity with questionable real life morals (that your child may be aware of)??  No photos at a promotion, it really is completely bizarre, full stop.  Especially as we were not standing in the crowd of 200 children with flash bulbs, blocking people's view or calling out to the author "look here, work it Mem" . . . we were politely sitting on the side lines, listening to the reading & taking photos discretely because we are fans & paying good money for their products!!

44 comments:

Jacinta said...

Wow what weird conditions for a book reading and signing !
But we totally love Mem Fox here so this book would be very welcome .
thanks Posie .

Mystica said...

Very strange specially for a reading of children's books. I am overseas but I am entering with an Aussie address.

Thank you so much for sharing.

I follow on GFC

dig this chick said...

Never heard of Mem Fox! Sounds delightful.

Modern Day Mummying said...

Oh my daughter would love this (and so would I)! 'Where is the Green Sheep' is THE book she learnt off by heart before she actually could speak English! I taught and spoke to Sunny in Russian from birth and she loved that book so much she memorised each and every word :) She was 3 at the time.

What a special book signing indeed! I'm a teacher and am very mush in love with Mem Fox's lovely stories.

Sophie xo

Kirrily said...

We are avid readers in our house too - and The Green Sheep is just brilliant. Wombat Divine gets a good reading here too. I did a double take before I realised the second set of names on this autographed page was hand written - the handwriting is not that different from the font used to print their names - especially Judy's. What a lovely time you must have had. :)

Shelley said...

The Green Sheep a favourite in our house too. And we have many other mem fox books too, most thanks to a school teacher aunt of mine. Good night, sleep tight - one we dont have!
I'm a follower x

Mum on the Run said...

I just love Children's Literature.
One of the greatest perks of being a teacher and parent!
:-) xx

Unknown said...

oh yes please count us in :)

Tania McCartney said...

It was SUCH a gorgeous event, except the photo thing when we all felt like scolded children! it was truly awful, awful.

I've lost count of the amount of book readings/launches/signings I've been to and this is the FIRST time this has EVER happened, even with mega famous authors who are more than happy to have snaps taken and to dedicate pre-purchased books... but otherwise, a joy. Mem is outrageously entertaining and it does shine through in her work.

Love the photos!

x

Lois said...

Possum Magic is my all time favourite illustrated childrens book. I own a copy just for me :) I must say that the illustrations by Julie Vivas rally make this book.

I'll have to make sure & chickout this latest offering by Mem Fox next time I'm in the bookstore.....I love giving her books to the little people in our extended family!

Salley said...

WEll my (nearly 3) grandy would love one of these please! I am enjoying reading to him so much....and Judy's art work is so fabulous.

I think those "minders" need to lighten up! Thankyou for sharing.

Mother Down Under said...

Oh I love Mem Fox!
I didn't grow up with these books but I have fallen in love with them and I love reading them to Toddler C!
Ten Little Fingers is our current favourite!

I follow you via GFC.

Mother Down Under said...

I have tweeted (is that the word) the give away!

Mother Down Under said...

And I have mentioned it on Facebook!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jennifer said...

Wow no photos - that is a little weird. We went to the Justine Clark concert and I took tonnes of photos. They are great to look back on. I was a huge reader before I went to university and I am glad that my 4 year daughter loves books as well. Thanks for the giveaway

Anne, Nick & Adele said...

Oh ... love Mem Fox. Our 9 month old already has 2 of her board books.

Sally said...

We love her books, Green Sheep is our favourite!

I went to a Jodi Picoult reading and Q&A session which was good, but the book signing afterwards had so many rules and was over-managed - it left us feeling a bit flat!

Melbourne Girl said...

Wow, that's pretty strange isn't it...a no photo rule at a library for goodness sake!
What are so called celebs thinking these days?!

Anyway, her books are a delight and I know someone special who would love a signed copy, so count me in
Just one comment from me though...no facebook or twitter or instagram or any other social media stuff...blogs are about as much as I can handle lol
Lesley
xx

Kim Miller said...

Am new to your blog but excited to take a look around. Guess we have a love of Mem Fox in common. Disappointing that the event was so restricted! Looking forward to exploring a book that is new to me.

Kim Miller said...

Am new to your blog but excited to take a look around. Guess we have a love of Mem Fox in common. Disappointing that the event was so restricted! Looking forward to exploring a book that is new to me.

Melisa Jane said...

My son's favourite bedtime book is Where is the green sheep! He would love this book too I am sure :)

Sharyn said...

I think the actions of the minders were very strange. I have always respected Mem Fox's views on childrens literacy and as a teacher have used her books as readers all the times. I wouls still love to win this book for my grandchildren. Sharyn

Sharyn said...

I totally agree with your views. I would love to win this book . Thanks Sharyn

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Accidentally published some spam, sorry!! Love Posie

Jane said...

This would be a lovely prize, a book to add to my collection of books for my nieces and godsons to enjoy when they visit (and for myself every now and again... my 'when I feel angry' book has been very helpful after some workdays!

bluebirdsunshine said...

I would need to get a loan out before attending an event like that, I wouldn't be able to stop myself buying all the books on offer. We are huge Mem Fox fans in this house too. I have MF to thank for the fact that my children know their Australian animals despite growing up overseas :)

Sharyn said...

Hi Posie
I was having trouble getting through on the blog and after several tries finally succeeded but now I see there are 2 comments from me. Please delete one. Thanks Sharyn. PS As you can see the comments got shorter each time I sent it.

Marian Hazel said...

Yikes I can see I'm going to have to re-emerse myself in children's literature and nursery rhymes...I'm not sure how many I could sing at the moment!!

Amanda said...

The no photos thing is bizarre?!?

Would love to be entered into your giveaway, my girls are big bookworms. Am already a follower xx

Kylie said...

Wow - no photos! That is a little strange.
We went to a wedding recently that the minister stood up at the front and before the bride walked down asked for only the paid photographer to take photos!
Would love to win a signed copy. Kids are never too old to read picture books.

amummy said...

Where is the green sheep is a favourite at our house. I would love to read the new book to my 5 year old son.

(I am a follower but set to private so not sure if you still see it).

Kylie said...

I grew up on Mem Fox, now I am raising my own child on more of the same magic. I once had the pleasure of attending a Mem Fox reading at a conference. She read 'Koala Lou' and it moved me to tears.

IndigoElephant :: Sash said...

We love Mem Fox here too and Where Is the Green Sheep has been memorised by both boys! Can't wait to start reading it to Jemima too. Will have to check out this new book at the shops... if we don't win!

Jess64 said...

My daughter was so disappointed about the no photos, I did wonder later if it was to keep the time down. I suppose each photo takes awhile. We did love the event.

Mel @ Coal Valley View said...

Love Mem Fox and this is one of the few books of hers we don't have but would love to. Thanks for sharing, you generous thing! Mel x

Mel @ Coal Valley View said...

Love Mem Fox and this is one of the few books of hers we don't have but would love to. Thanks for sharing, you generous thing! Mel x

spog777 said...

Gee Mem Fox writes great children's books and has been "a part" of our family for many a year. To win a signed book of hers would be a true win indeed

Anonymous said...

Great prize, would love to give as a gift a Chrissie!
arballantye@dodo.com.au

KC said...

We love Mem Fox books here and I'm sure this one is no exception. Dissappointing to hear about the poor PR for this event though.
Follow on GFC

sayanything said...

That's strange about the photos! Lots of lovely books by some very talented people though. Thanks for the great giveaway, what a treasure, fingers crossed!
Following on GFC :)

Joselle said...

Yup.. definately odd about not being able to take pictures... Sad because thats how we remember lots of special moments and are able to tell stories about them after. Thankyou for the opportunity to win though.

Joselle said...

Yup.. definately odd about not being able to take pictures... Sad because thats how we remember lots of special moments and are able to tell stories about them after. Thankyou for the opportunity to win though.