Elaine Ambrose

Bestselling Author, Ventriloquist, & Humorist

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Gators & Taters

“Magic Potato” Wins Children’s Book Award

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The annual Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards contest has announced this year’s medal-winning books “in recognition of exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s life-long reading.” The Magic Potato – La Papa Mágica – Story Book in English and Spanish by Idaho Author Elaine Ambrose won the Silver Medal for bilingual education.

Entries for the 2018 Awards were submitted from across the United States, Canada, and six countries overseas.  Moonbeam Award winners will be honored at an award ceremony November 11th at the Traverse City Children’s Book Festival in Michigan.

Authors enjoy naming characters after family members.

The Magic Potato describes the adventures of a flying potato giving rides to children as they explore Idaho. The bilingual text in English and Spanish teaches key phrases in both languages and includes numbers, colors, and days of the week. The book was adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education for the statewide curriculum and was awarded to children who won the essay writing contest at the last Idaho Potato Drop. Mill Park Publishing, owned by Ambrose, published the book and sponsored the writing contest. The book is illustrated by Patrick Bochnak and translated by Emily Nielsen. It’s available at retail stores, online, and in paperback and eBook formats.

 

Another children’s book written by Ambrose recently won a medal for children’s literature from the 2018 Independent Press Awards.  Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories features seven original stores designed to be read aloud to children. The book is available at retail stores and online in paperback, eBook, and audiobook read by the author.

Four books written by Ambrose have won six national writing awards in the past four years, including INDIES Book of the Year Finalist. Through her children’s books, Ambrose celebrates her childhood on an Idaho potato farm near Wendell. Her nonfiction bestsellers include Midlife Cabernet and Midlife Happy Hour.

Ambrose’s memoir Frozen Dinners will be released next month by Brown Books Publishing Group. The premiere party is November 8 at Telaya Winery in Garden City, Idaho.

Award-Winning Children’s Book Now an Audiobook

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Growing up on an Idaho potato farm prompted me to write the lead story in my children’s book, Gators & Taters – A Week of Bedtime Stories. A visit to Ireland sparked my interest in folklore and inspired this collection that includes stories I once told to my children and now read to my grandchildren. The book is available as an audiobook for $6.95. I read the narration and the recording lasts an hour.

The book was designed to be read aloud to children. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can celebrate the tradition of storytelling and inspire children to wonder about characters, places, and adventures. These seven delightful stories bubble with lyrical language, captivating scenes, and gentle messages.

Research proves that reading to a child is one simple but powerful parenting technique that helps children get a head start in literacy skills and go to school better prepared. Reading to children also strengthens the bond with the caregiver and encourages imagination. No batteries required.

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Awards and Honors for Gators & Taters

  • * One of 50 Children’s Books Selected for Bowker’s National Recommended Reading List
  • * Selected for Idaho Public Television “First Books” Program with Statewide distribution to underprivileged children
  • * Selected for State of Idaho “Read Out Loud Crowd” Program
  • * Selected for the Summer Reading List for the Log Cabin Literary Center in Boise, Idaho
  • * Selected for the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program in Boise, Idaho

“These warm, funny stories have creative imagery to be exciting and narrative rhythm to be soothing. In a busy world where children need reassurance, these imaginative stories provide respite and hope.”

  • Janice Fletcher, Ed.D, Director, Child Development Laboratory, University of Idaho

Hootnflute

The sequel to Gators & Taters was titled The Magic Potato – La Papa Mágica, a bilingual storybook that was adopted for the Idaho statewide school curriculum.

Author’s Note: I wrote Gators & Taters when I had a different last name, and I had to keep that name after a divorce because the book is copyrighted and cataloged in the Library of Congress under the former name. A new print edition, using my current and forever name and including 35 new original illustrations will be released in the spring of 2017.