With gift giving season quickly approaching, many moms will be looking for something different and unique for their kids. My Storytime Friends will be that gift you are searching for. We are also giving away a My Storytime Friends bear to one lucky reader (see how to enter below)!I recently ran into an old friend who has connected with this company, and wanted to tell me all about their new products. He provided me with a complimentary sample to review*. What initially excited me about My Storytime Friends was that it was founded by the former president of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company – William York. Remember the beautiful bear packaged in a box that looks like a home?
My Storytime Friends has taken that several steps further. The company has combined the things children love - books, animals and fun - and packaged them in such a way that encourages children to explore, learn and interact.
Currently, the company offers six colors of bears to choose from. Early next year, they will 
release their line of six African Animals, and later in 2010, another new set of stories and plush animals. Each animal is packaged in a colorful box, which includes a 32-page hardcover storybook, and a unique code for lifetime membership and online access to free stories, downloads, activities and more.
All of this for only $39.95. In my opinion, this is a great value for everything you get. Read on...
My youngest son is 5 and loves books. He has also recently taken an interest in the computer. My Storytime Friends encourages reading activities for children ages 3-8. The book we received with our bear is entitled A Winning Dream.
All of the books include key messages of empowerment over adversity, attaining dreams, and aspiring for the future. Messages that children of all ages should hear over and over again. These stories come to life with cheerful characters, rich illustrations, and realistic dialogue that families can enjoy together.
A book and a bear might seem like a common gift to give, but what really excites me about this product is the lifetime membership to mystorytimefriends.com.
The website has many fun features, including:
- The Library - where you'll find 12 new stories each year (one per month) that can be downloaded and printed or listened to (MP3 file), or you can get a hardcover version mailed to you for only $6.95, shipping is free. There are other options as well, including reading an interactive flip-book of the story online or downloading the book in black and white so your child can also color the pictures.
- The Friend's Store - have fun dressing your new friend in different, brightly colored outfits that can be ordered at the store.
- The Post Office - here you can help your child write an online review about the book, write to a Storytime Friend, access monthly activities (flash cards, activity books, story cards, reward certificates, etc.) and more! Parents and caregivers can also access the Themes & Values section, which offers a breakdown of the values and themes in each story and how to discuss with children. Also at the Post Office, visitors can access an additional 12 stories per year (one per month) that can be printed. These are "read myself" stories for younger readers. I love this section since my son is just starting to read.
- The Newsstand - here you can access the latest news and special offers, suggestion box, and reviews and comments from other online visitors.
For a full list of membership benefits, click here...>
This means that each teddy bear, each piece of accessory clothing, and each printed book has been tested at every level of production and found to meet all of the latest requirements in the U.S. and the E.U., the regions where child-safety standards are strictest worldwide.
The materials (fabrics, dyes, fasteners, etc.) and assembly methods of their products comply with ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International standards under the most current 2009 U.S. guidelines for lead, effective under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
I would love for you to win one of these beautiful bears to give to your child this holiday season. One My Storytime Friends bear will be given away to one lucky winner chosen at random from all entries received before the deadline. Open to residents of all countries 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited.
Here is what you have to do to enter:
- SUBSCRIBE. You MUST be a subscriber of The Mom Entrepreneur blog. Our awesome giveaways are for subscribers only. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can do so via email or in a reader.
- VISIT. You must visit My Storytime Friends and view their beautiful bears.
- RETURN. Come back to this blog post and in the comment section below tell us which bear is your favorite from their website. Be sure to include your email address so we can notify you if you win. (1 entry)
- TELL OTHERS. Get another entry if you blog about this contest, tweet about this contest, share on Facebook, Stumble, Digg, etc. (Be sure to come back and comment letting us know how you spread the word). (unlimited entries)
- EXTRA ENTRIES: Get extra entries if you Follow us on Twitter: @tracibisson, @TMECoopShop - If you already do, just leave a comment - Love ya'! (up to 2 entries)
- WAIT. Now you need to wait patiently until 5pm EST on December 9, 2009 to see if you are chosen at random as the winner. Winners will be announced on The Mom Entrepreneur blog and sent notification via email if provided.
Contest begins December 2, 2009 and will end on December 9, 2009 at 5:00pm (EST). GOOD LUCK!
(*I received a My Storytime Friends bear free from The de Sales Group. The company sent this to me and did not charge me for it. That being said, I am under no obligation to write a good review or to write any review about this product, and what I’m writing here are my own opinions based on my personal use of the product.)
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