Mega Xmas & New Year Giveaway : Secrets Of A Christmas Box Gift Sack
GIVEAWAY CLOSED!
AUTHOR: Steven Hornby
PUBLISHER: Ecky Thump Books, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-9815883-0-8
READING LEVEL: 8-12
Synopsis :
In the secret world of the Christmas ‘Tree-Dwellers’, Larry, a glass snowman, wakes up from the long sleep in the Christmas box, to find his brother missing from the tree. With friends, he escapes into the house to search for him, and embarks on a series of fantastical adventures.
Though I have a fondness for fantasy books, I wasn’t really as enthusiastic to review Secrets Of A Christmas Box when it arrived at my doorstep. I mean, how exciting can a Christmas themed story book be? Truth be told, it was the gorgeous cover and the fact that the book came in hardcover (I’m a sucker for hardbacks) which prompted me to read it. The first few chapters were a little draggy for me but when I read pass Chapter 8, I was hooked! The excitement and suspense began when The Tree-Dwellers made the fateful decision to defy the Tree Lord by breaking the ultimate rule : NEVER LEAVE THE TREE. I was eager to find out how Larry, together with his girlfriend Debbie, his dog Tinsel and Splint, the newest addition to the Ferguson’s tree ornaments, were going to fare in their journey to find Terrence.
You know how it is when you were little and despite what your parents said, you ABSOLUTELY believed that toys can come to life when humans are asleep? Well, this book feeds on that imagination and belief. I was drawn into the magical world of these Tree-Dwellers and enthralled by their charming characters. Secrets of A Christmas Box has certainly brought out the child in me.
Just a note of caution though, if your child is into happily- ever-after Disney style story endings, this might not be the book for him/her. The ending may leave a bittersweet taste for some readers but I thought it was a rather creative way to make the story stand out from the usual Christmas themed books.
The author, Steven Hornby, actually recommends readers to start reading one chapter a day. There are 24 chapters, so if you start on Dec 1st, you’ll be able to finish it by Christmas Eve ~ a fantastic idea to build up the mood to usher in Christmas.
BUY IT : A story about love, friendship and courage, Secrets of A Christmas Box is not for the timid child but would make a delightful bedtime story for those who are more adventurous. You can purchase the book online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
WIN IT : We’re giving away a GIFT SACK containing a SIGNED copy of this fantasy novel and other goodies to TWO readers. Other goodies include a set of limited edition stickers, ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’ balloons, ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’ postcards and ‘Secrets of a Christmas Box’ pencils.
To participate, here are the requirements:
- One mandatory entry – Visit www.secretsofachristmasbox.com and tell us one fact about the author, Stephen Hornby.
- Three additional entries – Just place our Mega Xmas Giveaway badge on your site and leave your url.
- Five additional entries – If you blog about this giveaway with a link back to this post. ***
- Entry is open to US and Canada shipping addresses only.
- Giveaway closes on 2nd December 2009 and winners will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.
***Requirements were recently changed but for those who had tried the Technorati option, your entry is still valid.
Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/0
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November 22nd, 2009 at 10:28 pm
He grew up near Preston in the north of England:)
thanks
wadesherry@hotmail dot com
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:12 am
Stephen Hornby was the lead animator for I, Robot and many other movies!
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:56 am
He is from Preston, England.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:09 am
Stephen won a VES Award for his animation work on Gollum from LotR.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 am
He has been on the animation team for a lot of movies, in particular Meet The Robinsons’s.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 am
He has been busy as a lead animator on “I, Robot” (2004), “King Kong” (2005), Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s” (2007) and “Glago’s Guest” (2008), and more recently Dreamworks’s “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (In Theaters 2010).
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 am
He lives in Burbank, CA.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:18 am
he was the lead animator for the movie How to train your dragon that will be out in 2010!
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
HE IS FROM PRESTON IN ENGLAND.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 am
I learned that he attended Lancaster University for Design Communication for 3 years.
dmkayes@gmail.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
He is an animator for Dreamworks which made Kung Fu Panda.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 am
I have your Mega Xmas Giveaway badge
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 am
I have your Mega Xmas Giveaway badge 2
Http://macmomof3.blogspot.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 am
I have your Badge 3
http://macmomof3.blogspot.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 am
I submitted your blog as my favorite on Technorati. They are currently not diplaying favorites the message said.
My username is Macmomof3
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
Technorati Favorite 2
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
Technorati Favorite 3
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Technorati Favorite 4
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
Technorati Favorite 5
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 am
sounds very cool based around christmas time but with a story line like no other
shopannies@Yahoo.com
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 am
Steven Hornby has a short film“Zzz Night”
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Posted the button on my blog
http://ohiogirlscrafthut.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-want-to-win-this.html
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
My ID is VanessaBrooks…I am trying to figure it out……
http://technorati.com/account/
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
#2 Badge on blog
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
#3 badge on blog
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
#2 for the technorati
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
#3 for technorati
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
#4 technorati
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
#5 for the technorati site
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 am
He was lead animator on two of my children’s fav movies: Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s” and Dreamworks’s “Kung Fu Panda” (2008). Thanks!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Extra entry 1 for badge http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/ Thanks!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Extra entry 2 for badge http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/ Thanks!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
Extra entry 3 for badge http://youthfultips.blogspot.com/ Thanks!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
He currently lives in Burbank, California, with his wonderful family.
sandym204 @ gmail dot com
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 am
I submitted your blog as my favorite on Technorati. They are currently not diplaying favorites the message said.
My username is jbranam
Extra 1
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
I submitted your blog as my favorite on Technorati. They are currently not diplaying favorites the message said.
My username is jbranam
Extra 2
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
I submitted your blog as my favorite on Technorati. They are currently not diplaying favorites the message said.
My username is jbranam
Extra 3
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:40 am
I submitted your blog as my favorite on Technorati. They are currently not diplaying favorites the message said.
My username is jbranam
Extra 4
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:41 am
I submitted your blog as my favorite on Technorati. They are currently not diplaying favorites the message said.
My username is jbranam
Extra 5
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 am
He joined the animation crew on “The Lord of the Rings” films in New Zealand
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
Technorati (id: remarker) but got message “Technorati is collecting Favorites information as usual, however not currently displaying them in the site.”
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
recieved the VES Award for his animation on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional character, Gollum.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm
He lives in Burbank, California.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
He currently lives in Burbank, California, with his wonderful family.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I learned he is a multi award winning animator.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I learned he was an animator on King Kong. Thanks for the chance.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:01 am
Steven is the lead animator in several movies.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:03 am
I have your mega Christmas button at http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/
#1
November 24th, 2009 at 1:04 am
I have your mega Christmas button at http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/
#2
November 24th, 2009 at 1:05 am
I have your mega Christmas button at http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/
#3
November 24th, 2009 at 1:16 am
I blogged this giveaway at:
http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-box-book-giveaway.html
#1
November 24th, 2009 at 1:17 am
I blogged this giveaway at:
http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-box-book-giveaway.html
#2
November 24th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I blogged this giveaway at:
http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-box-book-giveaway.html
#3
November 24th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I blogged this giveaway at:
http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-box-book-giveaway.html
#4
November 24th, 2009 at 1:19 am
I blogged this giveaway at:
http://themercadonews.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-box-book-giveaway.html
#5
November 24th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Aside from the busy hours at Dreamworks Animation, he has already begun work on the sequel to the Christmas novel, and also a new fantasy adventure, “The Mist Catchers”.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:02 am
He currently lives in Burbank, California
November 24th, 2009 at 7:09 am
He has been busy as a lead animator on “I, Robot” , “King Kong” (, Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s” and “Glago’s Guest” , and more recently Dreamworks’s “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon” .
November 24th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I have learned that he Since then, he has been busy as a lead animator on “I, Robot” (2004), “King Kong” (2005), Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s” (2007) and “Glago’s Guest” (2008), and more recently Dreamworks’s “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (In Theaters 2010)
November 24th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I own CoolCanucks.ca, which is a Canadian Contest and Freebie Site. This giveaway is shared here:
http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/29593-parent-reviewers-christmas-gift-box-sack-giveaway-dec2-canada
November 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
He lives in Burbank, CA
November 24th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
He animated Gollum in Lord of the Rings!
November 24th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Steven Hornby grew up near Preston in the north of England and has been in the entertainment industry
for nearly 15 years.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
He’s lead animator on “I, Robot” (2004), “King Kong” (2005), Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s” (2007) and “Glago’s Guest” (2008), and more recently Dreamworks’s “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (In Theaters 2010).
November 24th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Stephan Hornby was Born in Preston, England, he attended Lancaster University for Design Communication for 3 years
November 25th, 2009 at 5:58 am
He is the lead ani,ator on “How to Train Your Dragon” coming in 2010
November 25th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Stephen was a lead animator on a bunch of great films including I robot
November 25th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Aside from the busy hours at Dreamworks Animation, he has already begun work on the sequel to the Christmas novel, and also a new fantasy adventure, “The Mist Catchers”.
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
November 25th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I fave on technorati # 1
vickiecouturier
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
November 25th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I fave on technorati # 2
vickiecouturier
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
November 25th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I fave on technorati # 3
vickiecouturier
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
November 25th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
I fave on technorati # 4
vickiecouturier
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
November 25th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I fave on technorati # 5
vickiecouturier
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
November 26th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
He was a lead animator on “I, Robot”, “King Kong”, and Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s”, among others.
November 26th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
What a fabulous prize package. The cover of the book is so ethereal looking! Steven was a member of the animation crew for The Lord of the Rings! Many thanks, Cindi
November 27th, 2009 at 2:10 am
He is a member of the animation crew of a new movie How to Train Your Dragon-out in 2010.
smchester at gmail dot com
November 27th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I learned that he he attended Lancaster University for Design Communication for 3 years.
November 28th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Steven has just completed the children’s fantasy novel, “Secrets of a Christmas Box”
November 29th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I learned that Steven is an animator at Dreamworks who worked on Kung Fu Panda. The first thing I thought when I saw the amazing cover artwork was what a cool animated film this book would make. And Steven does have the inside edge… We shall see. Thank you for the chance to win.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:51 am
He was lead animator on “Meet the Robinson’s.” I love that movie.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:45 am
He was on the crew that animated Gollum in LOTR! Very cool!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:22 pm
He worked on the animation crew for Lord of the Rings.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I learned that Steven Hornby is a multi award winning animator.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 am
I learned that he was an animator on Kung Fu Panda. Thanks for the contest!
December 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 am
Mr. Hornby was an animator on “King Kong”!
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:31 am
Born in England
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:02 am
He was a lead animator in I, Robot.
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:45 am
It took him 3 years to write this book and it was released September 2009. He is also good looking
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 am
He joined the animation crew on “The Lord of the Rings” films in New Zealand
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
He worked on the animation for “The Lord of the Rings” including GOLLUM!!! How cool!!! Thanks.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Aside from the busy hours at Dreamworks Animation, he has already begun work on the sequel to the Christmas novel, and also a new fantasy adventure, “The Mist Catchers”.
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
He is a multi award winning animator.
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Stephen was lead animator on popular films such as “I Robot”, “King Kong”, “Meet The Robinsons”. He is from England and now lives in California.
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
He’s already working on the sequel to the book and it’s called The Mist Catchers. Thank you!!
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:42 pm
In 2000, after working on a set of commercials in Europe and Australasia, and his own short film, “Zzz Night”, he joined the animation crew on the Academy Award winning “The Lord of the Rings” films in New Zealand, which is where he received a VES Award for his animation on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional character, Gollum.
Thank you!
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I learned that Stephen Hornby was born in Preston, England.
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Aside from the busy hours at Dreamworks Animation, he has already begun work on the sequel to the Christmas novel, and also a new fantasy adventure, “The Mist Catchers”.
December 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
http://kngmckellar-glorias.blogspot.com/
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:48 pm
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:51 pm
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December 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 pm
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#5
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 am
He is an animator from Dreamworks
Thanks for the great contest!
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 am
In 2000, after working on a set of commercials in Europe and Australasia, and his own short film, “Zzz Night”, he joined the animation crew on the Academy Award winning “The Lord of the Rings” films in New Zealand, which is where he received a VES Award for his animation on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional character, Gollum.
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 am
I learned that he is an animator for Dreamworks, thanks!
December 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 am
He has worked as a lead animator on many blockbuster hits!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:29 am
He lives in Burbank California
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 am
Stephen Hornby was the lead animator for I, Robot and many other movies!
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:55 am
Stephen works at Dreamworks Animation and was the lead animator for Kung Fu Panda.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:05 am
He is a multi award winning animator!
heatherstamper09@aol.com
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:55 am
Steven Hornby lives in Burbank, California.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
Mr. Hornsby was part of the animation crew on the Academy Award winning “The Lord of the Rings” films in New Zealand
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 am
I have your Mega Xmas Giveaway button on my sidebar..#1
Cakeblast.com
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 am
I have your Mega Xmas Giveaway button on my sidebar..#2
Cakeblast.com
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:52 am
I have your Mega Xmas Giveaway button on my sidebar..#3
Cakeblast.com
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 am
Aside from the busy hours at Dreamworks Animation, he has already begun work on the sequel to the Christmas novel, and also a new fantasy adventure, “The Mist Catchers”.
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
The handsome and talented, Steven Hornby, is the lead animator on “I, Robot” (2004), “King Kong” (2005), Disney’s “Meet the Robinson’s” (2007) and “Glago’s Guest” (2008), and more recently Dreamworks’s “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and “How to Train Your Dragon” (In Theaters 2010).