Tuesday, September 18, 2012

For the love of Trinket and a giveaway

Do you remember the first time someone told you a story that gave you shivers or that lived in your head for days? There can be such power in a story well told, and a gift in finding stories in the world around us.
In celebration of the release of THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET by Shelley Moore Thomas, I'm giving away a hardcover copy (I'm keeping another for myself, by the way!) and posting a little review:

What do you do when your father’s disappeared, your mother’s died, and all you’ve got is an old map and faint hope? Go on a quest, of course. I love Trinket—an eleven-year-old girl who discovers her talent and courage and never lets a challenge defeat her.
 THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET is an old-timey story that weaves Celtic folklore into Trinket’s journey of self-discovery. Trinket and her young friend, Thomas, earn their way and sometimes make their escape from gypsies, selkies, fairies, ghosties and more. From each experience, Trinket creates new tales and songs, which encourage her dream of becoming a bard.

“My mother’s last breaths begin this story, for each story has a beginning. That is the first thing a storyteller must learn.” Trinket learns not only beginnings but endings, of which there may be more than one. More importantly, she finds that the truth can be both painful and healing.
I enjoy sharing small samples of an author’s writing, so I’ll give you a taste of Shelley’s style:
The king said nothing. He turned to leave, gesturing with his hand, and all of the Gypsies stepped back together, as if in a dance. ‘Twas strangely beautiful as they all faded into their caravans and tents, leaving Thomas, myself, and the Gypsy girl alone together.

*
There were bones on the shore. Bones of large sea beasts called whales. Whiter than the clouds, they rose from the rocks like the ghosts of old tree branches.
*
Thomas made me think sometimes, which was a good thing and a bad thing. True, ‘twould not be the smartest course to follow a woman the village regarded as deranged. Follow her into the ocean, no less! And yet, I felt in my blood that there was a story to be found among the selkies. My mother once said that the secret to a good story was to listen to the hum in your veins.

In the back of THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET, Shelley wrote Author’s Notes about the folklore she used in the stories, such as this tidbit she shares about The Harp of Bone and Hair: “Harps made from bones and hair have appeared in folktales all over the world. More often than not, the bones used are human. However, there is an old tale of a babe stolen by faeries and a mother who bargains with a harp made of sea creature’s bones, which is the basis of this story.”

One of my favorite moments in this book comes in the Acknowledgments when Shelley tells her daughters: “My stories are always for you, first and foremost. So is my advice: never be afraid to live your dreams and tell your tales.”
And that is the heart of THE SEVEN TALES OF TRINKET.

Shelley’s blog StoryQueen’s Castle features her life as a professional storyteller, schoolteacher and author of ten children’s books, including the popular GOOD NIGHT, GOOD KNIGHT series.
 
Two launch parties are planned for Thursday, Sept. 20—one on her blog and one at the Barnes and Noble in Oceanside, CA at 6 p.m. where you’ll find Trinket swag, Shelley the StoryQueen and Irish dancers!

If you'd like to win a copy of this wonderful book, leave me a comment. In the spirit of Trinket, if you can, tell me a little anecdote of an early memory of a story that made an impression on you. And be sure to leave your email address so I can contact the winner chosen by random draw. I'll let this contest run through the weekend. If you want to Tweet or post, just let me know you did and you can add an extra draw for each.

To purchase Shelley's books:
IndieBound
Barnes&Noble
Amazon


14 comments:

Julie Dao said...

Congrats, Shelley!! Love the dedication. This book sounds wonderful. I'm planning on ordering a copy for myself even if I don't win the giveaway :D

larainydays said...

It sounds like a beautiful, fanciful tale. I'll never forget reading "A Little Princess" when I was in grade school. It was the first chapter book I ever owned. The indomitable Sarah has been a favorite heroine ever since.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Julie: This whole book is a gem. Can't wait for you to read it.

Laraine: Ahhhh, an indomitable princess who inspired a child and lives on in her heart--love it, thanks!

Laurel Garver said...

My 10-yo daughter will be all over this. And I adore the historic-style cover. Lovely. Please enter me! laurels (dot) leaves (at) gmail (dot) com.

I still distinctly remember a bedtime story mom told about a little boy who refused to go to bed. The bed was so hurt, it ran away! The boy gets sleepier and sleepier and eventually has to apologize and coax the bed to come back. To this day, I still tend to personify inanimate objects. LOL.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Laurel: What a great story! Sometimes it seems we're all chasing sleep and dreams. Perhaps, we need to be nicer to our beds. :D

Jemi Fraser said...

Yay for Shelley!!! She's completely awesome. Can't wait to get a copy for my classroom :)

I remember the first story I disappeared into - Anne of GG. It was such an incredible story. I was reading on a chair in the living room and my mom 'woke me up' for supper. It took me a few minutes to remember who and where I was! :)

Donna said...

Ohhh, I'm going to buy The Seven Tales of Trinket for a young friend, but it would be fun to enter the contest and win one for myself, too.

As a child I pictured myself wearing a beautiful dress and dancing alongside The Twelve Dancing Princesses" in the underground castle. I was sorry when their secret was discovered. I wanted them to dance forever.

Liza said...

When I was little I used to page through a book called Tales told in Holland. I don't know why we had it, but it was filled with beautifully painted pictures. The one that still resonates with me is the picture of a young boy in a suit coat and a top hat who appeared to have lost his balance from the stilts he was on. In the picture he is suspended in mid-air, about to fall into a dyke. I inherited the book after my father died. I just pulled it out and guess what? The copyright was 1926. Thanks for transporting me back to a happy memory.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Jemi; waking up from a story is the best! I love getting immersed in a story. I think your class will love this.

Donna: I can picture those dancing Princesses. I used to love an old book with princesses in a rainbow of colorful gowns.

Liza: yay for happy book memories!


Thank you all for these great stories. I'm sending this on iPhone and don't know how it will look

Hobo Annie said...

Oops! I tweeted my reply. That was embarassing :)
So, I was a horse story girl. Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry and The Black Stallion by Walter Farley were my favorites, and instilled in me a lifelong belief that if just the right human meets just the right animal...magical things can happen.
As far as memories go, I'll never forget riding in the backseat of my Grandpa's old red car with the tainfins, on our way to California, crying like a baby as I read Where The Red Fern Grows.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Annie: Wow. Those are great memories, complete with vivid detail and emotion. Are you a writer? *ducks* Ha ha.
And Tweets are good for the spreadage of the word. ;) Am I silly this morning or what?

Bish Denham said...

Congratulations Shelly. This sounds like a treasure of a book and one I know I'd enjoy reading and passing on to my public library.

cleemckenzie said...

This sounds like a great read! Congrats to her and all the best of luck.

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Bish: I hope Trinket graces many a public library. It will be a treat for kids everywhere.

Lee: Yes, it is!