An Award, An Inspiration, A Quiz and A Giveaway
by Jenners • 12/16/2008 • Book Talk • 65 Comments
The Award
A while back, Cathy over at The Semi-Happy Homemaker gave me this lovely award:
The text that went with the award was: “These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”
OK…so I’ve included the text but I’m going to depart from the format (is this a blogger sin — akin to ignoring a chain letter?) and instead of just listing 8 deserving bloggers, I am going to do my own thing, which brings me to:
The Inspiration
As I find more and more blogs to read, I find myself increasingly inspired by all the good writing and good ideas out there in blogland. So I’m going to begin “inspirational” posts — by which I mean posts that are inspired by other blogs. I think this will be a great way to highlight some of the neat blogs I am finding and write posts that have been inspired by these blogs. (How many times have you read a post and thought “I’ve got to do something like that!) So, for my first inspirational post, I’d like to draw your attention to a wonderfully interesting blog called The Life & Times of Michael5000.
Full disclosure: Michael5000 is an old college friend of mine who is one of my blog mentors and inspirations. He has three wildly different blogs (one on quilting, one on his adventures in reading the Bible and the one I mentioned above). Not being into quilting or in-depth Bible reading, I tend to stick with his “personal” blog, which contains a little bit of everything. Perhaps his blog mission statement will give you an idea of what you are in for:
The Life and Times of Michael5000 aims to be the Internet’s preeminent provider of difficult pop quizzes on arbitrary topics. It further seeks to delight its community of creative, engaging, drop-dead sexy, and bracingly intelligent readers with glib little posts about the creative arts and dork culture generally, including but not limited to literature, film, the visual arts, music, history, geography, and college football.
His quizzes — which are published on Mondays and Thursdays — are insanely difficult. The Monday quiz provides pictures that you must identify, and the Thursday quiz provides information that you must put in sequential order. They are really freaking hard, and you must only use your brain — no Googling, no reference books. I’ve come close to doing relatively well a few times, but I’m usually just floundering around and making guesses. If you want to challenge yourself, I recommend checking out his blog on Mondays and Thursdays. There is also an incredibly byzantine scoring system for regular players that I don’t pretend to understand.
So, inspired by the Monday and Thursday quizzes over at Michael5000′s blog, I am proud to present my own quiz….
The Quiz About Children’s Books
The quiz below is multiple choice quiz focused on children’s books. These are primarily books that I enjoyed as a child or that I’ve enjoyed reading with the Little One.If you want, you can post your answers in the comments section and I will share the correct answers at a later date. And, if you continue on to the giveaway section, you’ll find that taking the quiz can actually earn you extra entries for the very first (and possibly last as my husband thinks this is completely ridiculous) Life With A Little One and More Giveaway! But first, the quiz:
Question A: In what city, did “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey take place?
- New York
- Boston
- Philadelphia
- Minneapolis
Question B: What did the Very Hungry caterpillar NOT eat?
- One nice green leaf
- One piece of chocolate cake
- Five oranges
- Two green beans
Question C: What color was Harold’s crayon?
- Yellow
- Blue
- Purple
- Red
Question D: What was the name of Mike Mulligan’s steam shovel?
- Phoebe
- Amy
- Mary Anne
- George
Question E: What was unusual about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house?
- It was upside down
- It was underground
- It was made of candy
- It floated above the ground
Question F: What was the name of Babar the Elephant’s wife?
- Marjorie
- Ellen
- Celeste
- Morticia
Question G: Who was the monster at the end of There’s A Monster At the End of This Book?
- Grover
- Maurice
- Alan
- The Snazzle-Snozzle
Question H: What type of animal is going to bed in “Goodnight Moon”?
- A penguin
- A horse
- A mouse
- A rabbit
Question I: What kind of tree did the Little Prince have trouble with on his planet?
- Oak trees
- Thorn trees
- Baobab trees
- Gum trees
Question J: Who was Ramona Quimby’s sister?
- Millicent
- Joanie
- Beezus
- Karen
The Giveaway
So now for the good stuff! My giveaway is a $20 Target gift card! Not as fancy as some other blogs, I know, but I don’t have corporate sponsorship — just my exasperated but very indulgent husband! But $20 can get you something nice at Target so it isn’t too shabby. Here is how you can enter:
- To earn 1 chance to win: Simply enter a comment for this post
- To earn 2 chances to win: Answer the quiz questions in this post
- To earn 3 chances to win: Get a score of 100% on the quiz questions in this post (use only your own knowledge … no Googling or research!)
- To earn 5 chances to win: Link to this post on your own blog
I will run this giveaway until Saturday, December 20th. On Sunday, I will try to figure out my own complicated entry system and will randomly draw the winner. I will post the name of the winner and the quiz answers on Monday, December 22nd. I will then ask the winner for their address and will then mail them the $20 Target gift card. I hope you have fun playing and good luck!
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Deborah
Term Life Insurance
I would like to win.
donna444444@yahoo.com
Wow, homage!
A: I have no idea. Boston? Boston seems like a Duckling town.
B: Let’s say chocolate cake. That is the non-natural item.
c: I believe Harold’s crayon was purple.
D: Mary Anne seems like a reasonable bet.
E: I loved Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! But clearly remember nothing. Was it perhaps upside-down?
F: Babar’s wife is Celeste.
G: Christ, I dunno. Maurice? (Some people call him “The Gangster of Love.”)
H: Hmm, either a mouse or a rabbit I’d bet. Let’s say rabbit.
I: Baobab, mayhap?
J: Beezus rings a bell.
Ta!
Question A: In what city, did “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey take place?
2. Boston
Question B: What did the Very Hungry caterpillar NOT eat?
4. Two green beans
Question C: What color was Harold’s crayon?
3. Purple
Question D: What was the name of Mike Mulligan’s steam shovel?
3. Mary Anne
Question E: What was unusual about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house?
1. It was upside down
Question F: What was the name of Babar the Elephant’s wife?
3. Celeste
Question G: Who was the monster at the end of There’s A Monster At the End of This Book?
1. Grover
Question H: What type of animal is going to bed in “Goodnight Moon”?
4. A rabbit
Question I: What kind of tree did the Little Prince have trouble with on his planet?
3. Baobab trees
Question J: Who was Ramona Quimby’s sister?
3. Beezus
I read three books a night to my little one, so I remember quite a bit. Wow! Hope I got ‘em right.
I like the quiz idea. It will be fun to try!
Hello,
I’ll just have to guess on many of these since I can’t remember quite a few…
A. Boston
B. Two green beans
C.Red
D. George
E. It was upside down
F. Celeste
G. Alan
H. A mouse
I. Gum trees
J. Beezus
Happy Holidays!
NYC Freelancer
And I’ve linked to you here:
http://www.dailydoseoffreebies.blogspot.com
I linked you here.
http://winningmommys.blogspot.com/2008/12/20-targget-gift-card-giveaway.html
I love target they have great clearance.
I can’t remember all the answers but it brought back good memories
I loved the ramona books as well as babar, and especially mike mulligan, that was my favorite! Thank you! And thanks for the kind giveaway! 
~Hannah
I am posting this on my bog.
http://carolsbloggys.blogspot.com/2008/10/contests-from-our-bloggy-friends.html
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
A. BOSTON
B. TWO GREEN BEANS
C. PURPLE
D. MARY ANNE
E. UPSIDE DOWN
F. CELESTE
G. GROVER
H. RABBIT
I. BAOBAB TREES
J. BEEZUS
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
Thanks for the contest. I assume everything goes in a separate post?
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
Nice giveaway. I’m ashamed to say I would flunk the test!
nanja[at]comcast[dot]net
What a lovely giveaway! Thank you!
I know a lot of the answers but not all, so I won’t even try. Hope you meet lots of new blog friends doing this! Thanks again for your kindness.
I could really use that gift card!
Thanks!
Amy B.
adennispac@yahoo.com
Thank-you for the wondeful giveaway and have a Happy Holiday everyone!
A.Boston.
B. Chocolate Cake(?)
C.Purple
D.Mary Anne
E.it was upside down
F.Celeste
G.Grover
H.Rabbit
I.Baobab trees
J.Beezus
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com
hooray for target!
fun quiz
Ok, here’s my best guesses:
A:2
B:4
C:3
D:3
E:2
F:3
G:1
H:4
I:3
J:3
I got one wrong– boo.
Thanks for the chance!
I love the idea of the quiz, here goes, no cheating, I promise.
a. Boston
b. 4
c. 3
d. 3
e. 1
f. 3?
g. 1
h. 4
i. 3?
j. 3
I follow you. cdziuba@aol.com
My answers, and Lord knows if they’re all right:
A 2
B 4
C 3
D 3
E 1
F 3
G 1
H 4
I 3
J 3
Now you’ve got me thinking! Great giveaway. cdziuba@aol.com
Great idea for a quiz. It made me realize how much I don’t know yet. llol
Here they are for better or for worse. My daughter loves Make Way for Ducklings. Wish it were set in Wisconsin
Thanks for the fun giveaway! I’ll be linking to it tomorrow.
A.2
B.4
C.3
D.3
E.1
F.3
G.1
H.4
I.3
J.3
I sadly don’t know the answers to any of these except for Grover is the monster at the end of the book! So for points for taking the quiz here are straight guesses!
A. 3 (Philadelphia)
B. 1 (Green Leaf)
C. 4 (Red)
D. 4 (George)
E. 2 (It was underground)
F. 1 (Marjorie)
G. 1 (Grover!)
H. 3 (A Mouse)
I. 2 or 4 (a thorn or gum tree?)
J. 1 (Millicent)
Thanks, this was fun!
-Claire
Ok, I’ll try to answer these questions. I so want a Target giftcard. I love that paradise away from home and am already picturing how I would spend 20.00.
A: 2. Boston
B: 4. Two green beans
C: 3. Purple
D: 3. Mary Anne
E: 1. It was upside down
F: 3. Celeste
G: 1. Grover
H: 4. A rabbit
I: 3. Baobab trees
J: 3. Beezus
Now I am off to go blog for my 5 chances to win, although I don’t want anyone else to enter because I want this so bad! I will be happy for the winner though. Good luck everyone!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I blogged about the giveaway!
http://www.insearchofgiants.com/2008/12/oher-giveaways.html
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 3
E. 1
F. 3
G. 1
H. 4
I. 3
J. 3
(I’m not sure about the first one or Mrs. Piggle Wiggle – but The Monster at the End of the Book was my favorite when I was a child!!!)
I have a 4-yr-old and a 3-yr-old, so I appreciate your blog so much!
Wow! it’s been a long time since I read these books. Maybe I could buy some of these books with the gift card. Thanks to Beth for posting the link! ~Deanne M.~
Question A: In what city, did “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey take place?
2. Boston
Question B: What did the Very Hungry caterpillar NOT eat?
4. Two green beans
Question C: What color was Harold’s crayon?
3. Purple
Question D: What was the name of Mike Mulligan’s steam shovel?
3. Mary Anne
Question E: What was unusual about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house?
1. It was upside down
Question F: What was the name of Babar the Elephant’s wife?
3. Celeste
Question G: Who was the monster at the end of There’s A Monster At the End of This Book?
1. Grover
Question H: What type of animal is going to bed in “Goodnight Moon”?
4. A rabbit
Question I: What kind of tree did the Little Prince have trouble with on his planet?
3. Baobab trees
Question J: Who was Ramona Quimby’s sister?
3. Beezus
I’m not sure all of these are right. Some of them I guessed…so we’ll see how it goes. What a great giveaway and quiz.
It’s been too many years since I read most of those books to my son. But I do know that H is 4 a bunny rabbit.
How fun!
In all honesty, these are the only questions I know.
B 4
C 3
J 3
I’m embarrassed!
I’ll give this a try. I read children’s books all the time but I NEVER pay attention. Even when I’m the one reading them.
A. New York? Total guess.
B. Nice Green Leaf?
C. Blue?
D. George?
E. Upside Down?
F. Marjorie?
G. Maurice?
H. Mouse?
I. Baobab?
J. Beezus
Hello! Found you from C.Beth's blog. Love the idea of the quiz and children's books are a personal favorite! I think I know most of the answers (see below). As for the inspiration, that is my personal mission. I will put your link on my blog as I have a Check It Out at the end of each post with some site that inspires me. http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Answers:
Boston
2 green beans
Purple
Mary Anne
Upside down (?)
Celeste
Grover
Rabbit
Baobab
Beezus
Thanks for providing a fun diversion. Now I am off to check out the Life & Times of Michael
Erin, TesoriTrovati
Your first giveaway–how fun! I love these books…let’s see how many answers my addled brain can remember…
A-Boston
B-Not sure, but maybe the green beans?
C-Purple, of course!
D-Mary Anne
E-Upside-Down, I think
F-Mrs. Babar is Celeste
G-is for Grover!
H-Rabbit
I-Baobab
J-Beezus (for Beatrice!)
I’ll post a link too!
Question A: 2. Boston – it helps that this is my adopted hometown
Question B: 2. One piece of chocolate cake – this is a guess
Question C: 3. Purple – love this book!
Question D: 1. Phoebe (?)
Question E: 4. It floated above the ground (?)
Question F: 3. Celeste
Question G: 1. Grover – another fave!
Question H: 4. A rabbit – Molly’s favorite
Question I: 3. Baobab trees (?)
Question J: 3. Beezus – was obsessed with these
I got to you from my beautiful sister’s site, C. Beth Blog. Please visit me at The Vegan(ish) Experiment!
I see your comments on some of the blogs I have commented on so I thought I’d check you out. I don’t know all the answers to your quiz–but I do love literary trivia, but I have loved many of those books.
Hey! Thanks for your comment. I think I’m going into blog withdrawls.
Life has been caraaazy around here. We’ve been out of town a bit, doing the holiday party thing, working, getting stomach bugs – the whole 9 yards. It’s been a week since I’ve posted, and I was posting nearly every single day before. I work the next 2 days, so we’ll see what I can actually pull off as far as posting goes. I’m hoping to get something in for Mama Kat’s workshop tomorrow. I haven’t even been over there yet to see the assignment yet. Ok, gotta go get some dinner. I’m hoping to do your quiz, too. Just gotta come back at a different time. Thanks again for checkin’ in, oh! And for that link to the writing site. Gotta check that out, too.
Just wondered upon your blog while blog hopping and thought I would play along. My dad always said when given a multiple choice question, make a choice. So here goes it.
Question A: In what city, did “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey take place?
Boston
Question B: What did the Very Hungry caterpillar NOT eat?
One nice green leaf
Question C: What color was Harold’s crayon?
Purple
Question D: What was the name of Mike Mulligan’s steam shovel?
Phoebe
Question E: What was unusual about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house?
It was underground
Question F: What was the name of Babar the Elephant’s wife?
Celeste
Question G: Who was the monster at the end of There’s A Monster At the End of This Book?
Grover
Question H: What type of animal is going to bed in “Goodnight Moon”?
A rabbit
Question I: What kind of tree did the Little Prince have trouble with on his planet?
Gum trees
Question J: Who was Ramona Quimby’s sister?
Millicent
Thanks for letting me play!
Very cool that Michael5000 is a friend of yours! I attempt the NYT crossword puzzle every day. M-W are fine, Th sometimes gets completed, the rest of the week tends to have a lot of blanks!
OK, I don’t know all of them, but I’ll try:
A. Boston
B. two green beans
C. purple
D. Mary Anne
E. it was upside down (I think?)
F. Celeste
G. Grover
H. rabbit
I. ??
J. Beezus (?)
I blogged about it here: http://athomewithbooks.blogspot.com/2008/12/weekly-giveaway-roundup_17.html
Great idea!! I’m not going to answer the questions as I MUST get off the computer (and wouldn’t do well)–but I’ll hopefully get a link on my blog soon!
Thanks for doing a giveaway!
Boy…I can sure tell my kids are grown…the only one of those characters I even recognized was Barbar the Elephant lol! I am gonna check out your friends blog…Maybe I can do his quiz better than this one!
Hey, I’m handicapped by not having a little one to read to, but this is a pretty classic list, so at least I have a shot at it. . .
A 2
B 2
C 3
D 1
E 2
F 3
G 1
H 4
I 3
J 3
Thanks for your support for the Michael5000 blog empire, of which I am an inevitable fan!
I only know 4 answers – so I won’t enter – some of those books I have not read
I only know 4 answers – so I won’t enter – some of those books I have not read
What an excellent giveaway!
Question A: In what city, did “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey take place?
Boston
Question B: What did the Very Hungry caterpillar NOT eat?
One nice green leaf
Question C: What color was Harold’s crayon?
Purple
Question D: What was the name of Mike Mulligan’s steam shovel?
No idea here
Question E: What was unusual about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house?
It was upside down
Question F: What was the name of Babar the Elephant’s wife?
Ellen
Question G: Who was the monster at the end of There’s A Monster At the End of This Book?
?
Question H: What type of animal is going to bed in “Goodnight Moon”?
A rabbit
Question I: What kind of tree did the Little Prince have trouble with on his planet?
?
Question J: Who was Ramona Quimby’s sister?
Beezus
Looks like I don’t know children’s books as well as I thought! EXCELLENT quiz!
okay… I am horrible with this stuff… but here I go…
NYC
oranges
blue
Amy
upside down
Ellen
Grover
rabbit
oak
Beezus
I only know Grover & Beezus for sure. ha
I don’t know the answers to all of them, but here are the ones I think I do know:
Boston (I still have my childhood copy of this book)
Two green beans
Purple
Celeste
Rabbit
Beezus
I think it’s great that you “strayed” away from the listing of 8 blogs! But, holy moly! I don’t know if I can answer these questions…but I am sure as heck gonna try!!
I love the twist you put on the tag. That is a great idea and I may have to do something like this in the new year.
Thanks for introducing me to a fellow quilter. I can’t wait to see more of his work.
I know some of the answers but not all of them so I’ll just zip my lips.
Wonderful post!! Love the idea of “inspiration blogs.” So glad you’re having so much fun with this!! I wish I had more time to devote to mine.
Yay!
A) 3
B) 4
C) 4
D) 4
E) 1
F) 3
G) 2
H) 3
I) 4
J) 3
….Wow, I just did horribly on that!
Here it goes. Total mortification in front of my mommy peers because I don’t know the answers, but want that extra entry!
A. Philadelphia
B. One Nice Green Leaf
C. Purple
D. Mary Anne
E. It was upside down
F. Celeste
G. Grover
H. A Rabbit
I. Gum Trees
J. Beezus
So those are my guesses (although I knew a couple). Don’t laugh too loud at my mistakes. If I happened to ace the test it would be a miracle!
Thanks for the cool contest!
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com
What a fun contest. I’m embarrassed that I only know 3 of the answers!
)
Some of these I know; others I’m just guessing.
a. (1) New York
b. (4) two green beans
c. (3) purple
d. (3) Mary Anne
e. (2) it was underground
f. (3) Celeste
g. (1) Grover
h. (4) a rabbit
i. (3) Baobab trees
j. (3) Beezus
I am loving this! What a great idea!!
In what city, did “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey take place?
2. Boston
What did the Very Hungry caterpillar NOT eat?
4. Two green beans
Question C: What color was Harold’s crayon?
3. Purple
Question D: What was the name of Mike Mulligan’s steam shovel?
3. Mary Anne
What was unusual about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s house?
1. It was upside down
What was the name of Babar the Elephant’s wife?
3. Celeste
Who was the monster at the end of There’s A Monster At the End of This Book?
1. Grover
What type of animal is going to bed in “Goodnight Moon”?
4. A rabbit
What kind of tree did the Little Prince have trouble with on his planet?
3. Baobab trees
Who was Ramona Quimby’s sister?
3. Beezus
Hmmm – here’s my best recollections:
A = 2 (I live here – I’ve seen the statue)
B = 2 (not sure about this one but I don’t remember any cake)
C = 3 (I just bought this book for a X-Mas gift for my niece)
D = 3 (I forgot all ABOUT this book! I’m not sure if I’m right on this)
E = 2 (Is this from Beatrix Potter?)
F = 3 (No clue – going with the French name)
G = 4 (not heard of this one – I just like #4 the best!)
H = 4 (classic – but then I started thinking too much with the mouse option)
I = 4 (another classic that I haven’t read in forever – guessing here)
J = 3 (ANOTHER one I haven’t read in forever – guessing again but I remember Beezus from SOMETHING so I’m hoping it is this)
How’d I do? :0)
Well. I am commenting. 1 entry, please!
I can only answer a few of those questions:
F. Celeste
G. Grover
H. Rabbit
I have not a clue on the rest, as they aren’t anything I have read/seen, etc.
Off to post about it! $20 @ Target is $20 @ Target more than I have! :p
a. Boston
b. Two green beans
c. Red
d. Mary Anne
e. 2 It was underground
f. Celeste
g. The Snazzle-Snozzle
h. rabbit
i. baobab trees
j. millicent
I know at least two are right. I’ve read all of them but have the worst memory!!
Sorry I just have time to read your blog, no blogging for me!!
Nina
Who-hoo! Giveaways are fun!
I know some answers, not all…
B. Chocolate cake
C. Purple
F. Celeste
H. Rabbit
J. Beezus (my favorite series of books as a child!!)
You’ll have to check back later for that video…we are having technical difficulties!
I love quizzes, but I’m so embarrassed to say I don’t know the answers to some of these! I’m kind of ashamed! *hides face*
I know Harold’s crayon is purple, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle’s house is upside down, Babar’s wife is Celeste, the animal going to bed is in Goodnight Moon is a rabbit, Baobab trees are in The Little Prince, and Beezus is definitely Ramona’s sister. But, I don’t know the others.