Tuesday, October 27, 2009

YourPictureBook.com Photo-Personalized Book {Review & Giveaway}

I've previously mentioned it, but I'll say it again. Around here, we like books.

I have a pile checked out from the library waiting for me right now... that I'll hopefully get to before I have to return them. Both Big Sister E and Little Sister B have bookshelves in their rooms piled high with books that get taken down and re-shelved daily.

From baby board books with only pictures to large, intricate books covered with words, they both love to look at books. Big Sister E will sometimes turn to me while we're playing and say, "I need to go upstairs and read books." With that, she'll leave me and Little Sister B and head to her room to rest and lose herself in the stories that she sees in the pictures. How can I say no?

So what could make a book better for a 3-year-old that is already enamored with them?


I wouldn't say that this book is "better." I would say that it is "beyond the coolest book that we have ever seen or even imagined." Or something like that.

Around 4 years ago, mother of 3, Marile Hendrickson, was reading a book to her daughter that had her name personalized in it. After realizing that her daughter wondered why her picture wasn't in the book if her name was, Marile and her husband set out to create a line of books in which the child could not only hear their name but see themselves in the illustrations. From there, YourPictureBook.com was born.

What makes a YourPictureBook special? Simple. When you send in a picture of the lucky child in your life, their skilled digital artists convert it to appear almost like a painting. The photo blends right into the illustrations in the book, making it seen as if the entire thing was created at the same time. There is definitely a significant amount of time and attention spent on each book ordered from YourPictureBook and the results, which are both beautiful and educational, speak for themselves.


As I knew it would, Big Sister E's face lit up when she saw her Can Count book. For a moment or two, she looked at her picture and then, tentatively, she reached out and touched it. "Who's that in the book?" I asked. She turned and looked at me with a huge grin. "ME!"

First thing in the morning and still in her pajamas. "There's me... and there's me.... and there's me..."

Without fail, every page brought a smile to her face as Big Sister E was able to not only hear her name in the words, but see her own picture in the illustrations. "I'm at the circus!" she pointed out happily. "There's my teddy bear!" She showed me. Whether her image was fully displayed interacting with the characters or blended into the background, Big Sister E's photo was seamlessly part of the story.

Right now there are 3 title choices available at YourPictureBook.com: Can Count, Noah's Ark and Moon Dirt Milkshake. Or, if your child is a budding Picasso, coloring book versions are also available where your child's photo is converted into a black and white sketch amongst the pictures for your little artist's delight.

Ordering from YourPictureBook.com couldn't be easier. Simply choose your favorite photo of your child and upload it to their website, where you also enter the name and dedication you would like displayed in the book. For me, the most difficult part of the process was getting Big Sister E to stand still and smile at the camera, as she tends to turn away or close her eyes whenever I bring it out.

Can't get a head-to-toe photo of your child? Or are you ordering this as a gift and you don't have a full-body picture of the lucky recipient? YourPictureBook makes it easy for you and has versions of their books made for "full body" photos and for "half body" photos so almost any picture will work for their talented artists to create a masterpiece just for you.

If books aren't what you are looking for, YourPictureBook.com also offers a large selection of photo-personalized DVDs and posters that are sure to grab the attention of any child (or Dad would probably think The Incredible Adventures of "Amazing Dad" is pretty cool, too). My nephew loves football, how fun would it be to see his reaction if he was featured as an NFL draft pic?

Yes, Sports Fans, all 32 NFL teams are available.

At the beginning of next year, YourPictureBook will be adding two more great titles to their book collection that, based on their existing selection, will also be wonderful. Even if you don't win this giveaway, I highly recommend YourPictureBook.com as a site to visit for amazing gifts for this holiday season. Plus, who doesn't love a discount? Right now, enter the coupon code mommyshipfree at checkout and receive free shipping! And, thanks to their generosity...

One lucky person will win their choice of any hardcover book from YourPictureBook.com! Just in time for the Holidays!

To enter to win your choice of hardcover book from YourPictureBook.com: Visit YourPictureBook.com and tell me the book title you would choose and which child in your life would be lucky enough to receive it. Please do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile. I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted)
1 Extra Entry (per method) - Follow YourPictureBook on Twitter or become a friend of YourPictureBook on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway. See the list on the top of my right sidebar - there are some really great ones going on right now and coming up!
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

Amazing kids' book #giveaway @thxmailcarrier from @YourPictureBook! Their photo in the story is the best gift! http://bit.ly/1qryp4 #Win!

2 Extra Entries per follow method (leave 2 separate comments for each type) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries (leave 3 separate comments) if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries (leave 3 separate comments) if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and YourPictureBook.com. Please leave an address where it can be found.
5 Extra Entries (Leave 5 separate comments) if you make a purchase from YourPictureBook.com during this giveaway. Tell me what awesome item you picked!

Giveaway will end on November 9th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to residents of the Continental US only.

A HUGE thank you to Marile Hendrickson at YourPictureBook.com for providing me with a Can Count book for review as well as any hardcover book for one lucky giveaway winner. Big Sister E loves/cherishes/adores her book and now when I hear, "You NEED to read me THIS," I can be fairly certain as to what she will be holding.

184 comments:

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

I like the Can Count Book and it will be for my 21 month old daughter. She would love this!

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

I am an RSS follower #1

Crunchy Green Mom - Suzanne said...

RSS follower #2

Bombtastic Belle said...

I'd do the Noah's Ark and it'd be for my nephew.
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bombtastic Belle said...

i entered the kokopax giveaway
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bombtastic Belle said...

i entered the bumbo giveaway
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bombtastic Belle said...

i entered the 100 postcard giveway
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bombtastic Belle said...

i entered the sprout giveaway
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

I would choose Noah's Ark for my nephew. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber #1
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

email subscriber #2
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

I follow your blog. #1
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck said...

I follow your blog. #2
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I like the Can Count book for my daughter. She would love it!
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am an email subscriber #1
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I am an email subscriber #2
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog #1
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog #2
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the kokopax giveaway
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I entered the sprout baby giveaway
juliehaddock@hotmail.com

Organize Your Life said...

What a brilliant idea - we all have them hiding in our brains somewhere!

I found you on Friends following friends on MBC. I would love to see you follow/comment at my blog Organize Your Life Now

Thanks,
Claire McFee
Author

Organize Your Life Organizers

Mijal Photography said...

I would love the Can Count Book for my 3 year old son.
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

karenmed409 said...

Noah's Ark for our youngest guy Hunter
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

karenmed409 said...

new follower on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5232374203
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

karenmed409 said...

email subscriber 1
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

karenmed409 said...

email subscriber 2
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

karenmed409 said...

Following YourPictureBook on Twitter

karenmed409 at comcast dot net

wigget said...

i would get noah's ark for my son

wigget said...

entered kokopax giveaway

daizee said...

I would choose Moon Dirt Milkshake for my son!

Unknown said...

I would pick the can count book for my nephew liam!

Thanks for entering me! Great Contest!

Janna Johnson
janna@FeedYourPigBlog.com
jannajanna@hotmail.com
www.FeedYourPigBlog.com

Unknown said...

follow yourpicturebook on twitter as feedyourpig

mogrill said...

The Can Count book is adorable!! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

karenmed409 said...

daily tweet http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5262203002

Zaira said...

I would get the Can Count Book for my baby Julian. It is so cute!

zairabear@gmail.com

Zaira said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zaira said...

I followed you publicly! #1

zairabear@gmail.com

Zaira said...

I followed you publicly #2

zairabear@gmail.com

Zaira said...

I entered the Thinkbaby feeding set giveaway!

zairabear@gmail.com

karenmed409 said...

daily tweet http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5290433433

karenmed409 said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5317326839
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

Heather O'Donnell said...

Noah's Ark book for my son

karenmed409 said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5340051702
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

karenmed409 said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5369544671
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

Unknown said...

I would choose the Noah's Ark book for my niece because she loves animals
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Twitter Follower and tweeted
http://twitter.com/starryeyed24/status/5369678678

tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Entered the Name your Tune CD giveaway
tanyainjville@yahoo.com

Brandi said...

I would choose Moon Dirt Milkshake for my son, Timothy!

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

following picture book on twitter!

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

entered name your tune

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

entered sippy straw

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

I'm sorry I forgot the main entry - got too excited. I know I should know better!!

I'd love Noah's Ark for my daughter!

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet! http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5392079083

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

Email subscriber #1
pennypinchingmama at yahoo dot com

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

Email subscriber #2
pennypinchingmama at yahoo dot com

Bridget3496 said...

I'd pick the can count book and this would be for my grandson

Bridget3496 said...

yourpicturebook fan on FB- Bridget Combs

Bridget3496 said...

following your picture book on twitter- @bridget3496

Bridget3496 said...

follow you on twitter- @bridget3496

http://twitter.com/bridget3496/status/5414940134

Bridget3496 said...

1 follow on google friend connect

Bridget3496 said...

2 follow on google friend connect

Bridget3496 said...

1 email subscriber- brdgcombs at aol dot com

Bridget3496 said...

2 email subscriber- brdgcombs at aol dot com

Bridget3496 said...

1 rss feed- brdgcombs at aol dot com

Bridget3496 said...

2 rss feed- brdgcombs at aol dot com

karenmed409 said...

daily tweet
http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5424851772
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet! http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5425095761

AStarrA said...

I would choose the Moon Dirt Milkshake, seems like such a fun. It would be for my daughter :)
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Follow YourPictureBook on twitter
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Facebook fan of YourPictureBook
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Follow on google
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Subscribe with RSS
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5425502779
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Follow on google 2
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Subscribe with RSS 2
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Subscribe by email 2
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

Entered Bumbo Baby Sitter Seat
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1533642928&share_id=169115023902&comments=1#s169115023902
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1533642928&share_id=169115023902&comments=1#s169115023902 2
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

AStarrA said...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/posted.php?id=1533642928&share_id=169115023902&comments=1#s169115023902 3
disintegratingstarr@hotmail.com

Elizabeth Turner said...

It would be "Jack's Adventure on Noah's Ark" for my baby Jack!

elizabethglassturner (at) gmail (dot) com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

I would choose moon dirt milkshake for my daughter!!

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

entered the sippy cup cleaners giveaway

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

blog follower #1

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

blog follower #2

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

email subscriber #1

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

email subscriber #2

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Desi @ Wee Share said...

entered name your tune cd giveaway

Desi
drgdlgletterboxers@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I would choose the Amazing Kid book for my grandson. JD

SamneneD@aol.com

Bridget3496 said...

daily tweet

http://twitter.com/bridget3496/status/5443972247

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5447675159

Samantha said...

I would get the Can Count book. It would be difficult choosing which triplet to give the book to, so I would have to purchase 2 more!

Strand Family said...

I would get moon dirt milkshake and give it to my daughter babystrand@gmail.com

Strand Family said...

You are in my RSS feed
babystrand at gmail dot com

Strand Family said...

You are in my RSS feed
babystrand at gmail dot com

Kara said...

I like the Can Count book best. I think I would choose it for my four year old daughter, Elise.
millkara (at) gmail.com

Kara said...

I have your button at http://recesstimeoriginals.blogspot.com/
millkara (at) gmail.com

Kara said...

I have your button at http://recesstimeoriginals.blogspot.com/
millkara (at) gmail.com

Kara said...

Blogged about it here:
http://recesstimeoriginals.blogspot.com/2009/11/win-book-with-your-childs-picture-in-it.html

millkara (at) gmail.com

Kara said...

Blogged about it here:
http://recesstimeoriginals.blogspot.com/2009/11/win-book-with-your-childs-picture-in-it.html

millkara (at) gmail.com

Kara said...

Blogged about it here:
http://recesstimeoriginals.blogspot.com/2009/11/win-book-with-your-childs-picture-in-it.html

millkara (at) gmail.com

Mandy from Burkett Blessings said...

My 5 year old daughter would LOVE the I can count book!!!

Mandy from Burkett Blessings said...

I entered the bumbo seat giveaway!

mandy-burkett at sbcglobal dot net

Mandy from Burkett Blessings said...

I am a follower!

Mandy from Burkett Blessings said...

I subscribe via email.

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5461378927

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5461378927

Heather said...

Love to get the I can count book for my 2 year old

heatherdemke(at)gmail(dot)com

Nadia said...

I would love the Can Count book for my 2 1/2 yr old

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet! http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5484101780

karenmed409 said...

tweet 11/6
http://twitter.com/karenmed409/status/5486435458
karenmed409 at comcast dot net

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5491554789

mverno said...

i'm a football star mverno@roadrunner.com

Marie said...

I would get Noah's Ark for my son.

mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net

Rachel Quist said...

i think we would try a coloring book

Marie said...

I entered skin md natural shielding lotion.

mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net

Marie said...

I entered name your tune cd
mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net

Marie said...

I entered sippy straw cleaner

mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5516844911

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5518721961

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5531901578

Amanda said...

I would choose Noahs Ark all the way! My daughter is a total animal lover and would go crazy to see herself in a book alongside all those animals!
amandadean526@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Moon Dirt Milkshake!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

ReggieMann said...

I would choose Can Count for my niece

ReggieM1961 (at) gmail (dot) com

ReggieMann said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect #1

ReggieM1961 (at) gmail (dot) com

ReggieMann said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect #2

ReggieM1961 (at) gmail (dot) com

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5545662906

Bridget3496 said...

daily tweet

http://twitter.com/bridget3496/status/5552221791

Unknown said...

I would go with Noah's Ark for my daughter

Unknown said...

I follow your picture book on twitter Jammie79

Unknown said...

requested your picture book as a facebook friend Jammie Morey

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Jammie79/status/5553035078 i follow you and tweeted

Unknown said...

I follow your blog #1

Unknown said...

I follow your blog #2

Unknown said...

I subscribe via email #1

Unknown said...

I subscribe via email #2

Unknown said...

http://www.theneatthingsinlife.com/ i got your button #1

Unknown said...

http://www.theneatthingsinlife.com/ i got your button #3

Angela G said...

I would choose Moon Dirt Milkshake for my son.
ag1414@hotmail.com

Angela G said...

I follow YourPictureBook on twitter.ag1414

Angela G said...

I follow with google friend #1

Angela G said...

I follow with google friend #2

Angela G said...

I subscribe to your feed #1

Angela G said...

I subscribe to your feed #2

Angela G said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber #1

Angela G said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber #2

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

tweet!
http://twitter.com/PennyPinchingMa/status/5560063981

Lisa R said...

I would love to get the I can count for my 21 month old niece

Lisa R said...

Google follower 1

Lisa R said...

Google follower 2

Jenbutterfly said...

I would pick the Can Count book for my daughter who loves counting!

jenbutterfly12 at yahoo dot com

Jenbutterfly said...

I follow your picture book on twitter. (jenbutterfly)

Jenbutterfly said...

Tweet, Tweet.

http://twitter.com/jenbutterfly/status/5564038964

Jenbutterfly said...

I follow your blog (jenbutterfly12)

Jenbutterfly said...

I follow your blog #2. (jenbutterfly12)

Jenbutterfly said...

I subscribe to your feed.

Jenbutterfly said...

I subscribe to your feed #2.

susansmoaks said...

i would get i'm a football star for my nephew

susansmoaks said...

added as a friend on facebook
tony l smoaks

susansmoaks said...

http://twitter.com/mrstls/status/5565702852

susansmoaks said...

rss feed subscriber #1

susansmoaks said...

rss feed subscriber #2

AStarrA said...

http://twitter.com/AStarrAMama/status/5571133067

Pick me, pick me haha :P

JeNN said...

Moon Dirt Milkshake... i would give it to my nephew Joey. He would love it... and since i would love for him to grow up reading books like these so he will continue to read for the rest of his life...

JeNN said...

following you on twitter

JeNN said...

twitter

JeNN said...

twitter

Miranda Ward said...

The Can Count Book!

Donna said...

I would like the Noah's Ark book for my son.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I follow your picture book on twitter.(donnak4)
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

2.I follow on Google Friend Connect.
donna444444@yahoo.com

rbailey1958 said...

The Noah's Ark Book 4 A Niece
pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

I follow Your Picture Book on Twitter[pkbailey01]
pbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

Follower #1
pkbailey@charter.net

rbailey1958 said...

Follower #2
pkbailey@charter.net

Rajee said...

I like the Can Count Book and my future baby will be lucky...

rajee@momsfocusonline.com

Rajee said...

become their fb fan

Rajee said...

follow u on twitter and tweeted @momsfoucs

Rajee said...

have ur button 1

Rajee said...

have ur button 2

Rajee said...

have ur button 3

Rajee said...

follower 1

Rajee said...

follower 2