What's Soft and Cuddly...

And always heart-warming? Your favorite plush toy, of course! I still love all my stuffed toys, and I guess, I always will! But have you ever wondered why? Sure, they're cute, soft, and cuddly but, why do they just tug at your heart strings? Why is it always so hard to let them go? Even when you grow up?

Well, read Margery William's The Velveteen Rabbit and wonder no longer. This lovely, timeless, Easter treasure tells you why all stuffed toys are special, and why they will always have a real place in your heart of hearts!

So when you cuddle up tonight with your stuffed toy, whether it's a rabbit, or a lamb, or a bear, or an elephant, give it an extra, tight hug and a sweet, soft kiss! Remember its whisper. It's an endearing life lesson. Stay real!
Sweet dreamszzzzzz...

'Tis the Wearin' of the Green

And surely, it's a welcome sign of Spring!

Still looking for that elusive crock o' gold though? Look no further. In Kathy Tucker's and John Sandford's The Leprechaun in the Basement, you'll stumble onto a lore so golden, it'll warm your heart this Saint Patrick's Day.

It's a wee bit of a tale of makin' do with what you've got when times are hard. Even Mr. O' Leary, that cantankerous, miserly, little ol' man, knows all the gold in the world doesn't change your luck in a jiffy. He'll ne'er say it but, it's a good thing to harness the power within you. Maybe, that's the reason leprechauns don't easily part with their gold. Could it be, wily leprechauns want you to know luck is something you create yourself?

Still, I'd think long and hard before you toss that shamrock away. Or that emerald charm. Or (OMG!!) those battered, tattered, old, green shoes! Aye, mi darlins, there's just somethin' about wearin' the green.

Don't believe me? Ask Mr. O' Leary.

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!

Have you met...

Your "daemon" or animal spirit? In Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass each person's spirit lives outside his/her body and takes the form of an animal! It's a fascinating idea - you'll always have someone to talk to, like a best friend!

Mine is Archeleron, the honey bee, which means I'm sociable (why else would I have a blog?), modest (OMG!), inquisitive (that's why I read, read, read!), responsible (truly hope so!) and proud (in a good way!)! And that's why I have a honey bee on my latest Tudy Tee - the Tudy Bee Tee!

Visit the Golden Compass Movie site to find your own animal spirit!

A Heart-felt Tale

I love stories about unlikely heroes and you have to admit, a tiny mouse is as unlikely a hero as you can get! In the Newbery Award winning The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo tells the story of a brave mouse, a grateful princess, some red thread, and how Light and Love can change everything! You just have to believe in yourself! It does have a few harrowing parts (specially if you don't like rats and dark places!) but it's a short, sweet, heartfelt story. I'm sure you'll love reading it! I know I did!

And so did my cat, Meowry, even though she refuses to admit it! (Sigh!) Have you seen her? Is she out chasing mice again? Go to Tudydoll.com and click on the TudyPet door. Track Meowry and take her home to me... purrlease!

Straight Talk... From The Heart

Hello, Cupid... start pickin' on me <3

Valentine's Day is this February 14. It's my favorite pink, red, and purple all over holiday. It's celebrated in many parts of the world so, take heart, love is everywhere.

What makes Valentine so special? It's saying what's in your heart that makes it special. It's taking time to share small tokens of affection with friends, family, loved ones, and... boys who just happen to be friends. (As if!!!)

So in honor of this most lovable, huggable of all holidays, I'm playing TudyCupid. I'm spreading the love! You know I'm all heart when I start sharing my fave list for Valentine gifts.

So here it is. Treat someone special or just indulge yourself, these gifts will tug-at-your-heart 4ever:

1. The Sweetest, Softest Lambie On Earth
bathandbodyworks.com
Honestly, I just heart this! This pillow is awwwfully soft and indulgent, you'll want to take Lambie with you everywhere. Couple it with a Lavender Chamomile or Lavender Vanilla Pillow Mist and you have a match made in slumber heaven. "Good night, moon ..... "

2. Hallmark's Byron Bear and Chocolates
hallmark.com
Too cute, too cuddly and just a Tudylicious treat! The bear is a keeper and the heart-shape box, an heirloom. (Or is it the other way around?) Either way, it's the purr-fect Valentine for anyone on your short list.

And if you can't get the bear, don't despair! The red bull, El Toro of Love, should warm your heart just as well. (OMG! He's sooo caliente!)

3. Dear Valentine Letters (Mad Lib Series)
thetudybookshop.zlio.com

Confused? Confounded? Where's your muse when you need her? Look no further. These letters do the trick! Just fill in the blanks and you'll have your Funny Valentine letter-perfect and post office ready in no time. (And the stickers just mean you sealed your letter with a ____?)

4. Geronimo Stilton: All Because of a Cup of Coffee
thetudybookshop.zlio.com
And you thought love at first sight was a "latte" nonsense. Well, even the most methodical, no-nonsense, mouse editor gets bitten (and smitten) in this cleverly written, fast-paced caper. It's a great Valentine read! Cupid was right. There's no escaping the love bug.

5. M&Ms in pink, red and purple!
mms.com
You heard me! In pink, red and purple! You can customize your colors and then personalize your messages. It's the sweeetest, Valentine give-away for your school parties and get-togethers.

So have a Happy Valentine's Day. And don't forget, the most heartfelt gifts are still the ones you make yourself, the cards you cut out and personally sign, as St. Valentine did, "From Your Valentine"...

"In an old house in Paris..."

Do you remember Madeline, the "smallest one" of twelve, little girls who lived in that old house in Paris? It's a short and sweet read about an orphan girl who pooh-poohs tigers and has her appendix taken out, all told in rhyme. So if New York has the fawbulous Eloise, Paris has the brave little Madeline! But what I truly love most about this picture book are Ludwig Bemelmans drawings and paintings of Paris! I guess that's because I just adore Paris! With all its lights and gardens and beautiful bridges, it's Tudylightful!

The Book(mark) of the Month

Every month I come out with a new Tudy Bookmark! All you have to do is download the image while its still on line, print on card stock, laminate with contact paper (get this from any stationery store), cut out (be careful!), punch a hole on top, and add a matching ribbon. Start a bookmark collection, or give away to family and friends! But keep posted! They only last a month!

A Titanic Read!

If you haven't read the series yet, then start your new year with Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The 3 books in the series - The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, and The Titan's Curse - not only do justice to the magnificent Greek myths, they give them a whole new edge! And I do mean EDGE! Mt. Olympus in Manhattan and Hades in LA, Aries on a real big bike and Poseidon in a Hawaiian shirt - this is Greek mythology re-imagined with all the twists and turns of the original stories. Its truly labyrinthine! And wait until you meet Aunt M! Talk about stone-cold chills! Can't wait for book 4!

The 12 Raves Of Christmas

Here they are! And just in the jolly, good, ol' nick of time too, my Tudy-precious holiday givers and keepers!

1. The Complete Harry Potter Box Set
Why?
All 7 books come in a decorative trunk-like box - an irresistible, piece de resistance of pure, Rowling magic!
2. Ugg Boots and Slippers
Why?
Admit it, you'll wear them all year if you could.
3. Sprinkles Red Velvet Cupcake Mix from Williams-SonomaWhy?
It's red! It's delicious! And heaven help me, it's a cupcake!
4. The RipStik ( in pink or green please!)
Why?
No learning curves here. You'll be snowboarding and surfing in no time.
5. Cork, wedged shoesWhy?
It's a shoe-in! Height without the pain!!!
6. Pullip dollsWhy?
Could there be a cuter, 3-dimensional doll?
7. Cooking Mama: Cook Off: Nintendo Wii
Why?
All the cooking without the mess! Hello?
8. The 'Ology Collection: Pirateology, Wizardology, Dragonology, and Egyptology
Why?
Forget your gaming systems. Page after page after page, these books literally come alive on their own!
9. Harajuku Lovers WatchesWhy?
There's a paper doll in the watch. What's not to love?
10. Drawn to Life (Nintendo DS)Why?
Because you're the painter, artist and animator! Let's draw...
11. Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles
Why?
Creamy, smooth, and just a melt-in-your-heart treat for the holidays!
12. Disney's In the Realm of the Never Fairies: The Secret World of Pixie Hallow
Why?
Told you fairies were real!

Give 'em, keep 'em.
Either way, they're all Tudy-precious!!!

A Tale of Four Sisters

Take a break from the holiday rush and enjoy Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks. This National Book Award Winner is a tale of four sisters (!), a lovely estate, and a boy in need of friends. It's a story, in the words of Jane, the second to the youngest of the sisters, "of heart and truth and adventure." And Hound and those 2 rabbits are just adorable!

Do you have sisters? What are they like?

Me? I just love my sisters!

Sugar and Spice...

And everything - CHOCOLATE! With 57% of the vote, chocolates won as your Fave Treat. Candies did sweetly with 34%, cakes and cupcakes got third tier with 30%, and cookies crumbled with 27%. Thanks for voting on my Fave Treat Poll! Sweet!

Take A Bow Wow

Man's best friend chewed up 73% of the votes on my Fave Pet Poll. Our finicky, persnickety, feline friends pounced in second with 35% of the votes. Fish swam in third with 10% and birds flew south with 9%.

Thanks for voting in! Always a treat getting to know you...

Here's what Woofy and Meowry have to say about your votes:

And Kawaii? Sigh... Kawaii's flying south for the winter.