Sunday, October 21, 2012

The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie Book Review + Giveaway

I think most parents want a way to teach their kids the spirit of giving. When they are especially young, the best thing we can do is lead by example. I think that the holiday season is a great time to teach kids about giving. There are just so many opportunities big and small to make a difference in someone's life. There are food pantries that need food, Christmas trees with Angels on them that need help getting presents under the tree, soup kitchens that need volunteers, tossing change in the Salvation Army containers or maybe even something as simple as taking a cup of hot cocoa to a lonely neighbor. There are opportunities all around to be compassionate, to give. The Sparkle Box introduces a fun way to celebrate giving during the holiday season. There is a box included with the book, that you can put under your tree. The idea is every time someone in your house helps someone in need, you add a piece of paper to the box saying what you did. Then on Christmas, you open the box and read them aloud. The Sparkle Box contents are your gift to Jesus. What an adorable lesson in giving and how wonderful to celebrate the true sense of Christmas in addition to all of the hustle and bustle and gifts that come along with the holiday.

The book explains how the box works in plain terms so that young children can understand what they are to do. My 5 year old daughter and I have already read the book several times and she already wants to put our Sparkle Box out. There is a part in the book when the main character, a little boy, has bought candy with his own money and since he has been learning about giving he notices a man that looks hungry and gives it to him. It makes me tear up every time I read it. I am tearing up now just thinking of it! I think this book is a great teaching tool for adults and children alike and I think that putting out a Sparkle Box to fill up each year is a wonderful idea. I know our family will definitely be adding this tradition to our Christmas celebration each year!



THE SPARKLE BOX - Official Book Trailer from Ideals Books on Vimeo.

About the author:

Author Jill Hardie and her family began placing a gift for Jesus under their Christmas tree as a way of bringing more meaning to the holiday. The first time they opened His gift, the commercialism of the season melted away and they felt profound joy and peace. Jill hopes that the Sparkle Box will spark a new Christmas tradition, bringing light into thousands of lives.

Interview with Jill

About the illustrator:

At a very early age, Christine Kornacki developed a  love for painting and bringing stories to life. After receiving a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford, her dream of illustrating children's books began to take shape. She spends her days painting in her studio, which ajoins a charming cafe in New Haven, Connecticut.


Ideas for your Sparkle Box! Remember, these things don't necessarily have to cost money! Even a kind  gesture is sure to brighten someones day and help them out!

Enter below via the Rafflecopter to win your own copy of the book & get started on a new family tradition this Christmas!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure- I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hopes that I would mention it on my blog. However, I only recommend products or services that I use personally that I think will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Comission 16, CFR part 255: "Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertisements.

10 comments:

  1. We always participate in Operation Christmas Child and it is a wonderful program.

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    1. Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful organization!

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  2. I would like to enter this so if I win it can go to my daughter and her 4 girls. I have my own copy for the school (I'll review later). They always make Operation Christmas Child boxes. Even when they themselves were extremely hard up, this was a priority for them. My other daughter helped distribute Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in Russia several years ago to an orphanage. Wonderful experience.

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    1. We should all strive to be a little more like your daughter and her family. No matter what our current situation is, I always try to remember that we are still better off than many other people who are not so lucky.

      I have always wanted to do one of the deliveries to a foreign country. What an amazing and probably humbling experience for your other daughter!

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  3. Well this isn't really something I'M going to do, but Tori's dance class is going to dance to frosty the snow man at a nursing home in december, and I'm paying for dance class, so I guess in a round about way, I'm helping cheer up some old people LOL.

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    1. That recital will bring such joy to the people in the nursing home. How sweet!

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  4. I've been working with our local 2nd harvest food bank and also sharing info on my blog for the holiday season.

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    1. Food banks are a cause close to my heart. I try to clean out my pantry every few months to donate, hold food drives when I can and hope to be able to volunteer some this year. What an awesome thing for you to be a part of and raise awareness for!!

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  5. Hi Cristi, Thank you for reviewing The Sparkle Box! I love that your daughter is already excited to put the Sparkle Box out! Reading that made my day! I hope you and your family are blessed by the tradition. There are a number of fun and free printable activities and ideas on www.TheSparkleBox.com that may help make the tradition even more meaningful for your daughter—and your followers. Blessings! -Jill Hardie

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    1. Hi Jill, thanks for stopping by! I was so thrilled at the concept of your book, I knew I would need to review it and have a copy in my house. <3

      I have added a link in the post about the activities on the website. Thank you for pointing me in that direction! :)

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