The reviews for Sarah Gives Thanks are in! And they’re good!
Here’s one from School Library Journal:
“More of a biography about Sarah Josepha Hale than a holiday book, this well-researched, engaging read-aloud offers youngsters a glimpse into the lives of women and families in 19th-century America as well as to the history of how Thanksgiving became a national holiday.”
And Kirkus gave me a Starred Review!
“Amusing and perfectly chosen anecdotes highlight the qualities that made Hale such a success—curiosity, thirst for knowledge and determination… Readers will look forward to more from this talented author, who has penned a perfectly paced, rousing biography.”
I mean, woah.
To celebrate this news, I shall doodle pictures of wild animals.
Yes, yes, I know. I don’t celebrate like normal people.
On a related note, the response to last week’s Sarah Gives Thanks book giveaway was overwhelming! More than 20 people responded and the drawing is on!
Next week the winner will be announced. Good luck!
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
That’s fantastic!! Congratulations, Mike!! You must be so thrilled. I love your celebratory drawings, especially the otter.
Many thanks!
As I was doodling, I discovered that an “above-water otter” looks a whole lot like Wilford Brimley.
Congratulations! I approve, too!
Thanks, Margarita!
That is really awesome! How rewarding to see your hard work be well-recognized!
Thanks! It is rewarding, but (and I didn’t expect this) it’s a little nerve-wracking, too. Doodling relaxes me.
Congratulations ;)!!!
Thanks!
Congratulations! How satisfying and wonderful!
Don’t let it go to your head, where you start doodling things like elephants or dodos or unicorns. That would just be weird. Love the bunneh.
If you decide to do a drawing for the animal doodles, I’ll enter. ; )
Thanks, Anne!
I’ll leave the unicorn pics to those who specialize in painting on velvet. I’m a ballpoint pen on paper kinda fellow — and suspect I always will be.
I love your contest idea! Look for a new raffle in September!
Congratulations! BIG TIME!! 😀
Thanks, Ms. Raisingdaisy!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Daisy you’re raising is adorable.
That’s fantastic, I’m so pleased for you! I think the best comment is “Readers will look forward to more from this talented author” – you can’t ask for more than that.
That line, I admit, made my heart skip a beat.
And, just so ya know, every doodle shown above is inspired by a response to my June 17 post.
Wonderful! and great celebrations too 🙂
Thanks, Catherine!
Mahvellous, simply mahvellous. Congrats on the coveted star!
Thanks, Cathy!
And, just so ya know, every doodle shown above is inspired by those who responded to the question I posed in my June 17 post.
kudos Mike! wowzers, slj and kirkus, they’re spot on and carry a lot of weight, congrats! celebrate however you feel fit, can’t wait till everyone has a copy in their hands and can see for themselves how ahhhmazing this book is! 🙂
Thank you so much, Roxie!
Does your head still fit through the door?
Congrats my friend. We are friends, right?
We most certainly are!
How wonderful! You must be ecstatic! Loved your doodles, too! Did you want me to add the reviews to your interview or refer to them in some way?
I would love it if you could mention the review in the interview — if it is not any trouble! Thank you so very much for everything, Susan!
Congratulations, Mike. You’re not ordinary so you can’t be expected to celebrate as if you were. Can’t wait for the book draw.
Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to the drawing, too.
Awesome! Love the BUNNEH as well. Congrats!
Many thanks, Kim!
Congrats on the great reviews!
Thanks, Christy!
Woah. You’re doing great. CONGRATS!!
Thank you!
Your otter reminds me of Wilson from Home Improvement.
Ha! Next time I’ll have the otter peeking over a fence.
Oh wow that is so awesome my friend, well done.
Thank you, Ms. Compositions!
Don’t forget the little people as you climb the ladder of literary fame and fortune.
And you are…?
One of the little people enjoying your meteoric rise to children’s publishing fame.Well done, sir!
Don’t worry. I will remember you, Liza.
Woohoooo!!!! This is so great. These reviews are great. I can already envision gradeschools across the nation snapping these up to read to the kids this November. 🙂
Here’s hoping!
You must be on Cloud 9 just to stepping onto the escalator to Cloud 10 with those wonderful reviews. It doesn’t get any better than that! Congratulations!! 😀
Thanks, Linda! I am giddy.
Hey Mike!
I wanted to let you know that I ever so humbly nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award!!
http://byamandaleigh.com/2012/08/06/back-in-the-swing-of-things/
Congrats!!!
Thank you very much! You’re pretty lovely yourself!
Congrats! That is so awesome and such an accomplishment!! You should be so proud. (Also, I love that you have the guy from Ratatouille on this post! That movie is the best!)
I adore Ratatouille. I even own two pet fancy rats — one of whom is almost as brilliant as Remy.
Thanks for the kind words! Also, thanks for entering the contest; I’m using one of your questions in my interview with David Gardner.
Very impressive to get such good reviews for your first book.
I know I’m late to the game but I just read your interview with Roxie today. Congratulations on your great reviews! The book indeed sounds like a winner.
Many thanks, Ms. B!
Huge congrats to you! So wonderful to hear that the reviews are glowing ones 🙂
Thanks! I’m still a little giddy.