Play with Me Blog Tour: Review and Prize Pack Giveaway

Have you ever had a playdate with a book character? Try it out with Ellison from Play with Me, the first of Kat Chen's Playdate board book series. Enter to win a signed copy along with a $25 Amazon gift card!

My Review:

Tailored for toddlers and early readers, Play with Me is an engaging and interactive board book that suggests fun activities for a playdate through friendly and informative conversations. Ellison and his friend Rabbit are going on a picnic and YOU are invited! Join them in eating, drinking, reading, skygazing, joke telling and cleaning up. Ellison enjoys sharing what he likes and what he thinks. Be sure to answer his questions and check out his comments.

Short, simple sentences coupled with cute, colorful images make this book accessible and attractive to young readers. For those who are new to a picnic playdate, the story shows them what to expect and how to make it fun. Ellison's narration exemplifies how to start a conversation, how to exchange information and how to keep your companion entertained. His polite questions and words of affirmation encourage little ones to engage in the conversation and express themselves freely. Sometimes they are presented with multiple choices that offer them the opportunity to make a decision. There are also open-ended questions that prompt them to think or imagine.

Joyous and educative, Play with Me helps promote social and communication skills for young children, who may be inspired to host their own playdates.

About the Book:

Ages 1+ | 24 Pages
Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop | ISBN-13: 9780593659717

This board book series invites young readers to take part in a playdate activity of their choice, thereby empowering them with autonomy and validation. The picnic playdate models balanced and shared play, creating a positive experience that will provide readers with a reference for what caring and considered friendship looks like. Many toddlers and preschoolers consistently ask for someone to play with them, and this book provides just that for the quieter moments of the day. Simple language and gentle questions will help children develop their social skills by practicing conversations, all while engaging them in fun and familiar topics.

Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org

About the Author:

Kat Chen is the author of several bestselling contemporary and historical romance books. She also serves on the advisory board for Books for Newborns.

After becoming a grandmother and spending most of her free time helping with “the fun stuff”—conversations, crayons, and crawling—she was inspired to delve into children’s books and help kids master the art of simple conversation through shared play.

Learn more about Kat and her work at kat-chen.com. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

About the Illustrator:

Lorraine Nam is an illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York. She was born in Philadelphia and spent her childhood drawing pictures and folding origami to pass the time at her parents’ jewelry store. She now spends her days combining those two loves to create her illustrations.

She is the illustrator of the picture book biography on Neil deGrasse Tyson, Look Up With Me, and the upcoming Wei Skates On, by Olympic Gold Medalist Nathan Chen.

Learn more about Lorraine and her work at lorrainename.com. Follow her on Instagram and X/Twitter.

One lucky reader will win a signed copy of Play with Me and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Giveaway ends 5/2. Open to US only. Please complete your entries below. Good luck!

Play with Me: Book Giveaway

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Kat Chen. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.