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You are here: Home / All categories / Author Profile: Maria Dismondy and a GIVEAWAY

Author Profile: Maria Dismondy and a GIVEAWAY

October 29, 2012 • 69 Comments

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I’m super excited to announce our next author profile: Maria Dismondy.  I had the great pleasure of conducting a cyber- interview with Maria for this post and you are in for a good read!  And, after you’ve gained oodles of information about Maria and her books, you will have the chance to receive an autographed copy of Maria’s newest book!  So, let’s get started.

Maria Dismondy is the author of three wonderful books (and one on the way) that are all centered around nurturing good character in our children.

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun is all about having the courage to be who you are.  The main character, Lucy, is teased by a boy named Ralph.  Even though Ralph isn’t the nicest person, Lucy steps in when he is in need of some help.  Here’s a look at the trailer for the book.

The Juice Box Bully was co-written with Bob Sornson.  In this book, kids learn to stand up to bullying.  This book is no longer available for purchase, but you may be able to find a copy at your local library.

Pink Tiara Cookies for Three is her newest book.  In this story, a friendship between two turns into a friendship of three with some challenges.  The girls learn about teasing and how to nurture their growing friendship.  Check out the trailer below.

And coming in early 2013, The Potato Chip Champ will roll out.

So, let’s read a little more about this mom, author and educator!

Maria, when I read on your website that you grew up with the Smurfs , Cabbage Patch dolls and New Kids on the Block, I was immediately transported back to my childhood. Do you have a favorite childhood memory about reading or writing?

I got my first diary when I was in kindergarten. I wrote in it every day, about the weather! It had a Precious Moments character on the front, complete with a lock and key. If anyone wants to know about the weather from the early 80’s, I’ve got it covered! Since then, I have grown to love writing in a diary and have 19 filled journals hiding out in my house.

You have written three books that all center around a positive message.  Why is this so important to you?

My background is in Child Development and Education. I taught for many years and saw what was happening to children. First graders were worrying about how they looked and what they wore to school. A kindergartener told me she looked fat. It was absurd and I was furious. I knew that I needed to do something to educate parents on increasing their children’s self-esteem and helping build their character. I also wanted to reach out to students and anyone who worked with children, not just parents. I am happy to say that I have spoken to over 50,000 children since the start of my journey, spreading inspirational messages about believing in and accepting themselves!

Your book, Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun is being turned into a musical. How did you celebrate this wonderful news?

Until I see it on opening night, I am trying not to celebrate! It feels too good to be true!

What are some things you do at home with your girls to promote good character?

We read three times a day (my husband reads to them first thing in the morning with his first cup of coffee! Then it’s before nap and before bed). I find that when I don’t have the words to teach my girls something, there is an author out there that does. We also spend time discussing what happened in the books we read and I refer back to the books. For example, when something happens in our day, I might say “Hey, remember when Fancy Nancy blah, blah, blah?”

We also spend time talking about our feelings. I think if children can recognize how they feel and how their actions make others feel, this is the first step to a lifelong journey of showing empathy. Empathy is the missing element in bullying situations. Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes is an excellent trait to have.

Tell us about your Happiness Project.

In December 2011, I read The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin. I decided to conduct my own project during 2012. Basically, you pick different areas of your life to focus on each month. You go back each month and review  your progress. It has been a fun journey and has helped keep me focused on what’s important in my life.

Do you have any literacy rituals in your family?

Other than reading books throughout the day, we use books on tape and cd to help us get our showers in the morning. We have an old boom box on the floor of our bedroom. We let my three-year old pick out the books she wants to hear and her and her baby sister will listen for a good 20 minutes. That’s enough for me to shower, dry my hair and throw on some clothes and makeup! Once a week, we make a trip to the library. My three-year old picks out five books and we keep them in a basket next to her bed (so they don’t get mixed into our family book collection). Finally, we keep books in several areas through out the house (our bedroom, the girls’ rooms, family room, playroom, and in our car.)

If you could give parents one piece of advice about reading and/or writing with children, what would it be?

Make reading a daily activity. Talk about literacy throughout the day. It will start to click with your children early on. They will begin to recognize print in the environment (for example, my three-year old can recognize the words Target and Costco among other stores we visit frequently!) Visit my blog for other fun ways to incorporate literacy into daily routines! Sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. You’re child will receive an age appropriate book every. single month until they are five years old!

Maria, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to the Growing Book by Book readers.

Now, for our GIVEAWAY!!!

When I contacted Maria Dismondy about doing a profile on her and her books, she graciously offered to give away one autographed copy of her newest book, Pink Tiara Cookies for Three to one lucky Growing Book by Book reader.

Giveaway Guidelines

It’s super easy!  Just leave a comment on this post.  There you go!  Entries will be accepted until 11/5/12 at 9:00pm (CST).  The lucky giveaway winner will be randomly selected the week of 11/5/12 and announced on this site.  I will contact the winner via email also.  The winner has 3 days to respond with a mailing address or else another winner will be selected.   We can ship to USA addresses only.   Good luck!

Thanks for reading!  I would love for you to subscribe to our RSS Feed, like us on Facebook or follow us on Pinterest.

Please see the linky party directory at the bottom of this page to see where the post has been linked.

 

 

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69 Comments Filed Under: All categories Tagged With: books by Maria Dismondy, Literacy Guest Spotlight Q & A, Maria Dismondy, Pink Tiara Cookies for Three, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun, The Juice Box Bully, The Potato Chip Champ

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

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  1. Carol says

    November 16, 2012 at 6:58 am

    found this from Two Sisters newsletter! have already shared with my staff!

    Reply
    • Jodie says

      November 17, 2012 at 2:22 pm

      Great and welcome!

      Reply
  2. Rachelle says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:14 pm

    Love the interview – not your typical questions. Just got an new old car with tape deck but no CD, looking forwarding to pulling out some books on tape for our car rides.

    Reply
  3. amy says

    November 4, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    this looks very cute, id love to read it to my daughter.

    Reply
  4. Christian Alejandro N. says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    Great post! There are a lot of great books out there that I didn’t know about, so keep up the great work!

    Reply
  5. Kate says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I have enjoyed reading to my grandchildren as much as they have enjoyed listening in the past seven years. And next year another will be added to the family and these books will be used again. It is a very bonding time for us. Love that you are doing this giveaway. Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Kendal Barriere says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    I would love to win the book!

    Reply
  7. samantha w says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    these look like cute books

    Reply
  8. Megan L says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:18 pm

    These books look great!

    Reply
  9. shane oleary says

    November 4, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    it would be my first autographed book, a nice addition to a decent collection

    Reply
  10. Adrian says

    November 4, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Thank you!

    Reply
  11. AEKZ2 says

    November 4, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    These books are great! My daughter could really learn a lot.

    Reply
  12. Carmen says

    November 4, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity. What a great giveaway:)

    Reply
  13. gigi says

    November 4, 2012 at 12:17 pm

    These sound like books that are not only fun to read, but also are about subjects we should all be discussing with our kids. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  14. Diana Hatch says

    November 4, 2012 at 9:06 am

    This looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    November 4, 2012 at 8:33 am

    This is a wonderful give away. I would add this to the bed time reading. Thanks for giving me the chance

    Reply
  16. Brandy Fisk says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:34 am

    Love to win these!

    Reply
  17. Vanessa says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:26 am

    I’d love to win this for my son’s class library. They all love books and are devouring them faster than the teacher can bring them in! momlovesdeals at gmail dot com

    Reply
  18. Julie says

    November 4, 2012 at 7:23 am

    Would love this for my daughter.

    Reply
  19. Nicole Sender says

    November 3, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    I’d love to win Pink Tiara Cookies for mt grand kids. New fb follower.

    Reply
  20. Jenny Stanek says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    I would love to win this!

    Reply
  21. michelle mcafee says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    So cute. I would love to win this for my niece. Thanks!!!

    Reply
  22. Mia McGregor says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    These books look great! I bet my niece would enjoy them if I won. Thanks!

    Reply
  23. Emi says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:42 pm

    I love Pink Tiara Cookies for 3 – great book ideas!

    Reply
  24. Lacey Austin Behl says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    Looks like some really great books! I have two little boys who would really enjoy!

    Reply
  25. Debbie M says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    I would love to have this for my kids

    Reply
  26. Jessica Barnett says

    November 3, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    i learned something new! I have not heard of this but know that my daughter would absolutely love it! thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  27. Sandra C says

    November 3, 2012 at 6:12 pm

    This books sound perfect for my granddaughter. I’d love to win one.

    Reply
  28. Sue Bunting says

    November 3, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    We love to read and these books sound wonderful!

    Reply
  29. heather says

    November 3, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    we treasure books around here. my 3 year old would love to read from a new-to-us author

    Reply
  30. Audrey Griffis says

    November 3, 2012 at 4:59 pm

    we’d love to read these books thanks for the chance 🙂 ihave a new reader in the house 🙂

    Reply
  31. Sara says

    November 3, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    My children would love these books. We try to read at least two books a day so these would be the new books.

    Reply
  32. rachael says

    November 3, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    My daughter loves to read! We are always trying to find new books for her. This is such an amazing giveaway.. We would be so blessed to add this book into our collection. Thank you!!

    Reply
  33. Haley Prather (Kasprzyk) says

    November 3, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    OMG My daughter would love this book! It’s right up her alley!

    Reply
  34. Andrea Reaves says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:43 am

    Thank you for the giveaway!! I would love to win this for my daughter

    Reply
  35. anne b says

    November 3, 2012 at 9:14 am

    Love books that teach lessons!

    Reply
  36. Kristie D. says

    November 2, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. I’m a librarian and know how important and essential reading can be. My niece and nephew are 2 (twins). They LOVE to read already. I love the Dolly Parton program too. It’s partnered with our local United way. I also LOVE Kohl’s Cares with various books and plush for $5 each. GREAT DEAL! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    Reply
  37. Cassie says

    November 2, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. You had me at the title…references to my daughter’s favorite color, princesses, and sugar all in one title?

    Reply
  38. Dawn S. says

    November 2, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    These books look so great! They would make a wonderful present 🙂

    Reply
  39. Ashley says

    November 2, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  40. Lorene Desjardins says

    November 2, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Would be great for my 6 year old. I enjoyed tour review alos

    Reply
  41. Mike Davis says

    November 2, 2012 at 1:10 am

    awesome giveaway– Im sure my Kaydnse and Willow would love it–thanks for the giveaway

    Reply
  42. Erica L. says

    November 2, 2012 at 12:13 am

    Cute titles! Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  43. Elizabeth says

    November 1, 2012 at 11:59 pm

    I really like the drawings, they take me right back to the young days when books were a lot more fun to read/look at.

    Reply
  44. Siobhan says

    November 1, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    I love giving the gift of books!

    Reply
  45. Danielle Williams says

    November 1, 2012 at 2:01 pm

    My sisters would LOVE these! thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply
  46. Nicole says

    November 1, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    Oh my nieces would like this so much!!!! 🙂

    Reply
  47. kym says

    November 1, 2012 at 11:57 am

    my girls would like the books

    Reply
  48. Cami says

    November 1, 2012 at 9:56 am

    My daughter would love this!

    Reply
  49. gail says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:51 am

    thanks for this giveaway!

    Reply
  50. Tricia says

    October 31, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    The happiness project is a wonderful tradition to start at this time of year. Great idea.

    Reply
  51. Jessica says

    October 31, 2012 at 10:45 am

    I would love to win theis for my 2 kids. They love to read with me.

    Reply
  52. Rosanna Castro says

    October 30, 2012 at 11:11 pm

    We would love to win these books!

    Reply
  53. Sunnie says

    October 30, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    These look like good books, my kids would like them a lot~!

    Reply
  54. Krista says

    October 30, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    Looks like some great books for any family library.

    Reply
  55. Mandi says

    October 30, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    My kids would love some new books to read.

    Reply
  56. Kate F. says

    October 30, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    My kids would love to read these!

    Reply
  57. Kelsie Rae says

    October 30, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    I love that these books teach good principles. Would love to win Pink Tiara Cookies for Three for my daughter!

    Reply
  58. Lori G says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    I would love to be entered, my daughter would love this! Thanks so much for the chance:)

    Reply
  59. Kathreen says

    October 29, 2012 at 9:32 pm

    I love the illustrations, they look wonderful! I know my nieces would love these books! Always looking for new books to give them, since they love all books!

    Reply
  60. Krista says

    October 29, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    Love the illustrations my daughter will love these!!!
    lollipopsandbooks@aol.com

    Thanks so much

    Reply
  61. Wendi says

    October 29, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    I love the titles! I made a comment on your facebook page. I would love any of these books for my twins. The graphics look amazing :o).

    Reply
  62. Nichole says

    October 29, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    I’m always looking for good books for my daughter and these seem perfect! Thanks for the chance on the giveaway!

    Reply
  63. cassandra says

    October 29, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    this is an awesome present for my children for Christmas and we would be blessed to have it

    Reply
  64. Chauncey Williams says

    October 29, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    My son would love these. Thanks for all the great book picks!

    Reply
  65. Julie Lynn Bickham says

    October 29, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    This is great, my daughter would love to read this.

    Reply
  66. Em Hutchison says

    October 29, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I really enjoy reading your posts about all these wonderful, great books out there! Thank you so much. I look forward to future posts!

    Reply
  67. Molly says

    October 29, 2012 at 8:47 am

    I love these titles! Too bad you can’t purchase “The Juice Box Bully” , seems like a timely topic!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Redirecting and Promoting Good Behavior says:
    May 21, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    […] Update (October 2012):  For more great book recommendations on this topic, check out our interview with author Maria Dismondy! […]

    Reply

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