It’s pink, it sparkles, it’s autographed, and it could be yours.
We have not one, but two Kylie Jean inspired cowboy hats to give away to two lucky readers! Plus, we’ll add in a complete set of the Kylie Jean series, eight books in all! Simply leave a comment on this post by Tuesday, Feb. 28 to enter our giveaway.We recently sat down with author Marci Peschke to chat about the charming Kylie Jean series…
First of all, congratulations on recently winning the 2011 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Blueberry Queen.
Thanks! I am very honored and excited to receive such an important award. I think it is great that the Moonbeam Award is given for positive books for children and Kylie Jean is such a positive girl.
Kylie Jean was an instant hit with readers. Reviewers lauded the books as “cheerful and fresh,” “delightful and charming,” and “a winner,” to quote just a few. What is it about this spunky Southern belle that resonates so much with readers?
I think it is her can-do spirit and her sense of fun. She always wants to try new things!
The inspiration for the books came from a very real Kylie Jean. Tell us a little bit about that.
The real Kylie Jean is my niece. She is a little southern belle and really does have a dog called Ugly Brother! Some of the things that happen in the books are inspired by things that happen to her, but most of them are made up. In the fall I was a guest author at the real Kylie Jean's school. She is in the third grade now. It made her an instant celebrity! She loves sharing the books with her friends and I have even included her best friends' names in some of the books. She says, "It's really fun to have an author for an aunt."
Kylie Jean’s adventures continue this spring with four new titles on dancing, football, singing, and spelling. How did you decide on these new adventures?
I took dance lessons as a girl, so dancing queen seemed like a theme many girls would relate to. Since I live in Texas and football is such a HUGE part of our culture I just had to write a football book! Singing queen was inspired by some little girls that I saw on the internet singing the national anthem. Most schools have spelling bees and being smart is important, so I thought an academic competition might make a nice story. I am always on the lookout for good ideas!
In addition to writing children’s books, you also work as a school librarian. How does your day job influence your writing? What do your students think about your success?
I love children's books! When I was a classroom teacher I had a class library of over 3000 books. The kids at my school love knowing a real author. They come into the library and ask if any of my books are available. Usually they are ALL checked out and I have several copies, so it’s pretty exciting for them.
Are you working on more Kylie Jean titles?
Yes! I just finished Pirate Queen. Pirates are a passion of mine, so out of all of the books I have written, it’s my favorite Kylie Jean story. Arrgh!
Don't forget to leave a comment by Tuesday, Feb. 28 for a chance to win! Good luck!
i love kylie jean books marci peschke is our librayan for thouse sorry maybe bad luck for you guys but good luck for us BYE
Posted by: yenisley | March 1, 2012 at 07:57 PM
i love kylie jean books i have drama queen
Posted by: yenisley | March 1, 2012 at 07:53 PM
Wow! What a fantastic response! Thank you to everyone who entered our Kylie Jean giveaway! The contest is now closed. We'll be notifying two random winners this week.
-Jennifer, Capstone
Posted by: Jennifer Glidden | February 29, 2012 at 09:52 AM
Can't wait to read these books. I'm sure my students will love them!
Posted by: Velma vela | February 28, 2012 at 06:56 PM
We have one Kylie Jean book and can't wait for more! Congratulations to Marci Peschke on her recent Moonbeam Award!
Posted by: Whitney Benton | February 28, 2012 at 06:02 AM
Kylie Jean is great! All little girls should be that spunky!
Posted by: Kim Hughes | February 27, 2012 at 11:41 AM
I can't keep the Kylie Jean books on the shelf. As soon as one girl turns it in another snaps it up.
Posted by: Mary Bilbrey | February 26, 2012 at 07:47 PM
Our students love Kylie Jean. Thanks for sponsoring this giveaway.
Posted by: louise zirk | February 26, 2012 at 07:37 PM
My daughters Paige and Payton would love these hats. We are in the phase of Pink and Purple in my house. Plus anything with sparkles or jewels on it is like a big thing. I teach 1st Grade, and I plan on taking a closer look at your books this week. Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Ben Anderson | February 26, 2012 at 04:52 PM
I love these books! I teach a 1st grade class here in Oklahoma and I know my students would be thrilled to receive this prize package!
Posted by: Jennifer Knopf | February 26, 2012 at 02:44 PM
Oh these are just too cute! I know my kindergals would absolutely LOVE that cowboy hat with the crown! Pick me, pick me!
kellybrown28021@gmail.com
Posted by: Kelly Brown | February 25, 2012 at 05:23 PM
How Cute! My class LOVES the Spelling Queen. Thanks for the chance!
Posted by: Ashley Cahill | February 25, 2012 at 04:30 PM
The hats are adorable! I would love to win the set of books!
Posted by: Barbara Klinger | February 25, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Awesome!!! I'd love to win this! :)
Posted by: Lisa Arledge | February 25, 2012 at 03:24 PM
Thanks for posting this offer!
Posted by: Lisa | February 25, 2012 at 03:13 PM
My daughter would absolutely ADORE these books. She LOVES anything PINK and right now in her dance class is dancing to several country songs. Kylie Jean sounds a lot like here. I can't wait to check out these books.
Posted by: Dan Horn | February 25, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Wow! These look books look perfect for my daughter - she loves pink, adventure, and lots of books. Thanks for writing great new books for girls.
Posted by: Monica Horn | February 25, 2012 at 11:17 AM
The girls at our school love Kylie Jean! I am going to have to shift a whole section of books to make room for the new titles!
Posted by: Carol Burr | February 25, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Thanks for the chance to win, sounds great!
Posted by: Sam Kelley | February 25, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I am a librarian in Nacogdoches, Texas. My students love love the Kylie Jean books! I also read them and love them. We can not wait to get the new ones.
Posted by: Betty Sanders | February 25, 2012 at 09:12 AM
I would love to add Kylie Jean to my classroom library!!! The hat with tiara is a big bonus! Thanks!!!
Posted by: Lyssa Sahadevan | February 25, 2012 at 07:40 AM
Kylie Jean IS every little girl. And a pink cowboy hat to go with it? Yee Haw!
Posted by: Katy Ackerson | February 24, 2012 at 10:58 PM
I love learning about new books. And these are pretty hot.
Posted by: Tammy Goettl | February 24, 2012 at 09:54 PM
My girls love the Kylie Jean series. Definitely good reads.
Posted by: Kelley Peoples | February 24, 2012 at 07:28 PM
This is my first encounter with Kylie Jean, but I have some girls that I KNOW would adore these books! Thank you for the opportunity for a chance to win them. In the meantime, I'm going to go order the first ones right now! :)
Posted by: diiana White | February 24, 2012 at 07:13 PM