Giveaway: Weird, Unsocialized Homeschooler Prize Pack!

I am so excited about the giveaway that I have for you this week! Two readers are going to win a fun prize pack guaranteed to get you started on the path to becoming one of those "weird, unsocialized homeschoolers." If you're already on that path, well, this will just help seal the deal.


The first item in the prize pack is a delightful new picture book featuring something that I've heard homeschoolers daydreaming about since I began homeschooling -- a central character who is homeschooled! I Am Learning All the Time, written by Rain Perry Fordyce and illustrated by Audrey Anne Miles Cherney, introduces readers to five-year-old Hugh, a homeschooled beagle.




While standing at the bus stop one day, Hugh and his brother are asked the ever-popular, "Why aren't you boys in school today?" As Hugh's mother explains that he and his brother are homeschooled, Hugh begins to think about the differences between how he learns at home and how some of his friends learn at school. What follows is a fun-filled look at the similarities and differences between public school and homeschool that shines a positive light on either choice. As Hugh compares and contrasts homeschooling with traditional schooling, all kids, regardless of how they are educated, will gain a better understanding of how others learn.


Though there was one reference to a dinosaur being seventy million years old and a brief mention of "magical wizards,"we thoroughly enjoyed I Am Learning All the Time. I was afraid that the book might be a little young for my kids, ages 14, 9 and 7, but we all thought it was an incredibly cute story. The kids all thought it was funny that Hugh mentions going to a "not-back-to-school" party, just like we have with our homeschool group, and we loved the colorful illustrations featuring fun pictures that kids can really relate to -- from the Lego's^TM that Hugh plays with to the Crocs^TM that he wears.


I Am Learning All the Time is a book I would love to see in all public libraries. It offers an encouraging alternative for homeschooled kids who may be watching many of their friends head off to school for the first time, while, simultaneously showcasing homeschooling as a viable educational alternative. This captivating book fills a much-needed gap in mainstream media for families who are already homeschooling and as an educational tool for families who know little about what homeschooling really looks like.


One of the things that excited me most when I looked at the Homeschool Adventure Books website were the words, first release. Our family is most definitely hoping to read many more books about the adventures of Hugh, the homeschooled beagle, and his family and friends.



In addition to a copy of I Am Learning All the Time, the two prize pack winners will also receive something every homeschooling family needs -- a window decal for your car reading "Warning: Unsocialized Homeschoolers on Board." I love it! The decal is produced by Distinctive Decals, offering advocacy decals, stick families and creative custom decals. From the website:

Distinctive Decals are cut from high quality self-adhesive vinyl material that is made to last for years. Distinctive Decals are die-cut, meaning they have NO BACKGROUND – only the graphics and words stick to the application surface.

I, of course, got an "unsocialized homeschoolers" decal for my van. See?



It was easy to apply and came with complete instructions for doing so. Once we got it on the van, my husband and I decided that we'd really like it better, on our van, with just the text. So, before the adhesive had time to bond well, we peeled the house off. It came off easily with no sticky mess, leaving me an awesome, perfectly customized decal:




Two lucky winners will each receive one signed copy of I Am Learning All the Time and one "Warning: Unsocialized Homeschoolers on Board" decal in your choice of colors. The contest will run until Monday, June 22 at approximately 6:00 PM (EST). The winners will be chosen by random drawing and will be announced here on my blog on Tuesday, June 23.


Here's how to enter:

Visit Distinctive Decals and look over the color choices for the "unsocialized homeschoolers" decal. Come back and leave me a comment, letting me know which color you'd choose if you win. Shandy, of Distinctive Decals, would also love to hear any suggestions about decals you'd like to see her make, so you can leave a decal suggestion in your comment, as well. Please make sure that you leave a way for me to contact you, either through your blog or an email address. Entries without contact information will be disqualified. Oh, and this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. I'm sorry to my international friends.


That's it. I thought I'd make it simple this time. Good luck!