"Must-Have" Mother's Day Book for YOU & A Giveaway!!!

Love. Encouragement. Wings.

Those are 3 things that come to my mind when I think about the women who surround me, such as yourselves. Day in and day out, you are giving so much to your families. And with Mother's Day just around the corner, I think it's time to celebrate you.

Last year at this time, I discovered a most wonderful picture book at my local bookstore. What was it? Mom Says I Can by Judy Cooley. The title caught my attention right away. The illustration on the cover had me wanting to find out more. Take a look.

Isn't it GORGEOUS?

I love this book so much, that I wanted to share with all of you more about it. And so I wrote to the author and even had the wonderful opportunity of being able to speak with her on the phone yesterday. I wanted to ask her more about the inspiration behind this most beautiful book in hopes that we can all learn something from her both as a mother, writer, & illustrator.

With her permission, I'd like to share with you some of the magnificient paintings that I know will just capture your heart.

I asked Judy about how she first got started as an illustrator. I found it so intriguing to hear that she actually did most of her paintings while her children were young. She realized that after having her first baby, it was also important to do something for herself. And so her dear husband purchased her some watercolor lessons because he knew how much she enjoyed art. Isn't that wonderful? So what started out as a hobby, then grew. She found a mentor who could offer her constructive criticism, opened up a little art show in her own home with about 40 different paintings, and it went from there. OK, tell me that isn't just amazing. I LOVE A GREAT SUCCESS STORY. LOVE IT.

I asked Judy about what painting from the book was her most favorite and why. She shared that after working on 10 different paintings, she was not pleased with what she had done. She was in a rut. She then called her publisher and said, "I'm going to need another year." Judy saved up her pennies & went to Italy to study some more there. She came home and scrapped EVERYTHING. She started over. Her first painting was the boy in the box. While painting it just came back to her, "I really DO love to paint."

For any of you out there who've ever had to deal with your little "models" not cooperating when you want to take a picture, you will relate very well to this. Before painting, she would take photographs of the little boy she was modeling the book after. Dressed in a variety of costumes and having to strike certain poses...well, I'm sure you can all imagine. Who else has a 3-year-old out there? :) She told me that most of his pictures were actually taken with a mouth full of Skittles! I said, "What a lucky little boy to have himself portrayed throughout the book!" Judy responded, "I don't think he felt lucky at all!" And don't you dare say he was cute. He would respond, "I'm not cute, I'm cool!" And so it goes, that in the book you'll read, "...But today, I'm super cool Max." :)

These are just a few of the illustrations from this beloved book. The storyline is very special as well, and as you read it with your child, you can't help but just want to cuddle in together as you read about Max and his mommy.

Max has an imagination that takes him to grand adventures of being a pirate, a cowboy, a pilot and even a superhero!

And finally, I asked Judy about what her best advice would be to moms out there. She simply said, "Play more." I think that couldn't be more perfectly said. It's so true. Our little ones grow up way too fast!

Thank you, Judy, for taking the time to share with me more about this book, and even more...about YOU! What an inspiration!

How would you love to win a signed copy of this beautiful hardcover book? What a wonderful keepsake for yourself or to give to someone you love at Mother's Day. You can do so through a few different ways!

1. Leave a comment on this post regarding what you think about Mom Says I Can and/or something you found to be inspiring about the interview with author, Judy Cooley.

2. Leave a comment to tell us all something about your own mom! How did she encourage you growing up?

3. Become a follower to my blog! If you already are, let me know by making another comment here!

And that's it! That is a total of 3 entries!

You have from now until Tuesday, May 5 to enter! I'll announce the winner next Wednesday so that there is enough time for you to receive this by Mother's Day! I promise...it's a keeper. :)