Happy New Year and a Giveaway!
Marcia Strykowski
♦ January 1, 2017
♦ 88 Comments
As a New Year’s resolution, I’m determined to get a little more writing done. With that intention, I’ll be blogging less frequently this month. I still intend to moderate comments (your chance to win a prize) and I look forward to hearing from you. As for 2017, I’ve already thought up many fun ideas for upcoming posts. I can’t wait to share them with you.
But for now, below are five of my most popular blog posts from the past year. Also, you might like to check out some of the other menu tabs, such as Spotlights or Recipes & Crafts.
Five Popular Posts from 2016
New Picture Books, click here! What’s your favorite?
Jane Yolen’s Picture Book Boot Camp, click here!
Little Free Libraries, click here! Any near you?
Vintage Paper Dolls, click here! Paper dolls old & new.
Raymond’s Fire Engine, click here! (Although there weren’t quite as many comments on this post as on the other four, the day Raymond’s Fire Engine ran still shows more views than any other day in the history of this blog.)
And now for my contest giveaway! Two people who leave comments on this post will win a free book (signed plus swag). Either Call Me Amy or Amy’s Choice, your choice. All names will be put into a hat and then my daughter will pull out two and present me with the winners (to be announced at the end of January).
I’m looking forward to hearing from you and in return, sending wishes for much joy, peace, and good health. Thanks for continuing to be a part of this blog!
Marcia Strykowski 
What a nice giveaway! Love the idea of a free library. Hope you have a great 2017!
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Nice to meet you, Jessica! Thanks for your comment & Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year! Looking forward to another year of reading, and waiting for what you have coming next!
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Thanks, have a wonderful 2017, Michele!
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Marcia, I remember each of those posts, especially The one about your dad. Happy New Year to you and kudos for trading blogging time for writing time!
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Very kind of you to say, Joyce. Hope your writing goes well in the coming year, as well!
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Happy New Year!
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And to you, Anabel! 🙂
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Happy New Year to you as well.Those were all great posts. I loved Raymond’s Fire Engine!! Happy writing Marcia.
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Thanks, Darlene, hope you’re off on a great start to 2017!
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Happy New Year, Marcia! Glad you will be writing more!
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Thanks, Donna, hope you have an amazing year!
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Well, Marcia, you know I can’t resist a contest! So, though I read all your blogs when you first posted them, I want you to know I’m still enjoying them. Happy New Year, and good luck with more writing!
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Great to know you’re enjoying all the posts. Thanks, Louise, and Happy New Year!
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You are a truly professional blogger! I applaud your decision to write more, even if it cuts into blog time. I’m looking forward to whatever posts you produce.
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Thanks, Anne. I hope to get a good start on a project and then keep right on blogging soon after.
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Stepping forward into 2017 with enthusiasm…and glad to have your posts to keep me company, Marcia! Wishing you a happy and healthy and productive New Year. 🙂
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A wonderful New Year to you, too, Vivian!
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Happy New Year with Joy and Creativity! I love the library little house, I am trying to make free room in my school to have one so that i urge my students to read more! Here in Greece, kids avoid books and now with the recession think books aren’t necessary .Best wishes for you Marcia!
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Wishing you a great year and lots of luck with your school library. Thanks for stopping by!
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Thanks for a great post. I love going back and reading about books I may have missed.
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It’s easy to miss new titles, so many great books!
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Hi, Marcia. Your post about your father, Raymond’s Fire Engine, was your #1 and needs to become a book (hint, hint). Picture Book Camp and Little Free Libraries were absolute favorites, as was your trip on the ferry to the island in Maine (not on this post). I dearly love all that you write- thank you! I’m glad to hear that you will be doing more writing this year. I think my favorite picture book is The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles. Best to you and Happy New Year, my friend.
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Thanks so much, Jennie! Uncorker of Ocean Bottles is definitely one of my top favorites of the year, as well. Wishing you and your students a wonderful year full of fun and meaningful experiences (as I’m sure they’ll have with you in charge)!
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Thank you Marcia. On the side, I hope The Poet’s Dog wins the Newbery this year. Wishing you the best in the new year ahead. Happy writing and happy reading!
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Another wonderful book choice. It’s always interesting which titles end up on top for prizes, we shall see! 🙂
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Indeed!
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Happy New Year, Marcia! (I already have both books so don’t enter me in the giveaway.)
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Happy New Year to you, too, Yvonne. Thanks so much for your support!
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I love the idea of little free libraries. Wish I could find a good place to start one.
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Yes, location makes all the difference which is probably why I haven’t pushed to make my dream of having one a reality yet. I live on rather a quiet street. Thanks for visiting, Meghan!
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Hello Marcia, that all sounds really exciting! I can’t wait to see all the fun posts you have in store. I had a hard job picking my favourite posts from your blog because I enjoyed them all, and I’ve enjoyed revisiting them today. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Wishing you the very best New Year, thanks for being such a wonderful friend. Barbara. xx
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Hi Barbara! Your posts are all equally wonderful, as well–love all the vintage books and places you visit. Funny how we both did a 5 favs of the past year (and I hadn’t even peeked at your full post yet!). Hope you’re starting off your best year yet with many fun experiences ahead. Thanks for your friendship! 🙂 xx
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Hi Marcia, I smiled when I saw we had both done a similar thing. I’m sure I saw the idea on someone else’s blog, but I don’t remember where it was! 🙂 I’m sharing my five favourite blogs from around the web (including yours) next week. I intended to do it this week but then Terry did such a lovely post, and I was desperate to share it.
Thank you for your good wishes and your friendship which I treasure. xx
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That’s for sure, ❤ Terry's post! Thanks again for including me in your next one. The internet's an amazing resource. So happy to have connected with you through blogging even though we live thousands of miles apart. Take care, Barbara! xx
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Love your blog, Vivian!
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Thank you very much!
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Hard to pick, because I truly enjoy all your posts! But, I really liked your New Picture Book post. Here’s to a Healthy and Blessed 2017!
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Great to hear which post is your favorite. I’ll have to do another one about picture books after the winter orders come in. Happy New Year, Lynn!
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Lovely post – I like the one about the picture books best. Happy New Year to you.
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Thanks, hope you’re having a great start to the new year!
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HI Marcia– I remember all these posts! I think my favorite are your posts of kid’s books recommendations! You’re so much more in touch with what is coming out– really worthwhile books. And also love your travel/outing posts– with places you’ve been on the east coast. Always so interesting, makes me want to travel east! I’m curious on what you’ll be writing! Hope it’s a continuation on your books. Hope your 2017 ahead is a wonderful year, friend. Thanks for all the thoughtful, fascinating writing you send out. hugs hugs.
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Thanks, Rhonda. I always appreciate your comments and I’m looking forward to seeing what delicious meals/desserts you create during 2017. So glad to hear you enjoy reading about places I visit on the east coast. As for writing, I’m working on a new kids novel (unrelated to the Amy books) and several picture books. Have an amazing new year! xo
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Oh! Marcia let us know about them as they come around! How exciting!
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Oh, I will! Although coming up with ideas and revising many many drafts is the easy part. The submission process itself can take forever and sometimes having a publisher choose your manuscript out of thousands of others can be as tricky as winning the lottery. We shall see!
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It does sound like a hugs project to me Marcia– like people who write symphonies or build rockets– how can you possibly put all those parts together?? Praying it all goes well and smoothly through the whole involved process. Can’t wait to hear more down the road… xo
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Thanks again. xo
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The dolls post is my favorite.
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Thanks so much for letting me know your favorite, Darla!
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Fun to see your most popular posts! Wishing you the best of luck getting more writing done in January. I am trying to get more writing done this month too. I have a deadline to meet and am hoping I make it. 🙂
Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway. I would love to win a copy of either book. I will pick Call Me Amy though. 🙂
Wishing you the happiest of new years! 🙂
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Good luck to you, too, not always easy to squeeze in more time, but we can do it. Thanks for your interest in the giveaway, you’re in the hat! 🙂 Happy New Year!
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Marcia, may January be very productive writing month for you!
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Thank you, Deb. I’m working on it!
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I’d recognize you and the marvelous jane Yolen anywhere!
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Ha, and with that comment to take me through the day I’ll pretend we’re both famous! 🙂
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I enjoy all of your posts, these and others are favorites too. I remember the Chihuly glass one and another about a giant sunflower field. Your photography skills bring all these far places to life for me. Love your books, too!!
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Thanks so much, Ashley. I really appreciate your support!
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It is fun to revisit some of your top blog posts! I look forward to reading more of them this year! They are always filled with fascinating details on varied subjects with wonderful pictures! Best of luck in your writing endeavors! Enjoy your writing! Happy New Year! :)..
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Thanks for the encouragement, Bette. Happy New Year to you, too!
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Best of luck with your writing! New visitor here. 🙂
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Welcome, Misha, so happy you stopped by!
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It’s fun to see a recap of some of your 2016 posts. Happy New Year! I hope that you have a wonderful 2017.
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A wonderful new year to you, too, Sheryl! 🙂
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Hi Marcia! I really like this post and the sunflower field, and thanks for sharing all of these with us. Happy New Year and all the best in 2017! xoxo
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Oh, thank you, Lilly! Happy New year! xo
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Hi Marcia, you get a mention on my blog this week, I hope you like it. Love Barbara x
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Oh, great, I’m off to check it out! Thanks, Barbara!
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We have free libraries around my town. I can never resist peeping in to see if there is anything I would like. Sometimes I find something.
Very nice photos.
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Lucky you to have little free libraries! I usually have to travel a bit to run into one. Thanks for your visit, Sharon!
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Dear Marcia I came from visiting Barbara’s blog. Your paper doll post was wonderful. I so relate to the old catalogs and cutting up clothing. Had forgotten about Betsy McCall – how could I? Paper dolls were my favorite thing and your post brought back the loveliest memories. Thank you so much for sharing and visiting me. Signed up to get your posts in my email. Will be looking forward to many more visits. Have a lovely start to 2017.
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Hi Deborah! Fun to find another Betsy McCall fan. Thanks so much for your ‘follow’. I look forward to reading more of your posts, as well. Happy New Year! 🙂
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Happy New Year to you too. Have fun taking more time for writing. That’s a great resolution! Happy Writing. 😀
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Thank you, hope you’re off to a great start this year! 🙂
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I also like the idea of little free libraries. My friends and family know they are welcome to explore my book shelves and do so quite frequently.
Elizabeth
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Nice to meet you, Elizabeth. Sounds like you have a good and generous collection of books!
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Happy New Year, Marcia! I remember all these posts, especially the one on your dad. I also love your post on taking a steam train (the one where you could post a letter from the top of the mountains, was it?). Thanks to you, I read a terrific PB that I’m sharing this week on my blog. Your posts are always such a treat and I can’t wait to discover more this year.
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Happy New Year to you, too, Claudine. Yes, the cog railroad has a little post office on top of Mt. Washington. 🙂 I’m off to check out which PB you read!
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My frequency of blogging has gone down lately too, and I have a feeling will be sticking around for this year too. Life has just gotten so busy lately !
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Definitely, so much to do and so little time. Thanks for popping in, Leandra!
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Hello Marcia, I hope your writing is going well, thank you for taking time out to visit my blog. I appreciate it, Barbara. (Please don’t spend time replying to this I know you are busy) 🙂
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Wonderful that you are writing! No need to reply, write instead. I love that you visit my blog-i really enjoy your comments. i look forward to reading about your new project.
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Thanks for your visits, too, Colleen, great to hear from you!
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I’d love to win one of your books!! I’ve already read both from the library a couple of years ago, loved them. Happy new year and happy writing!!
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Good luck in the giveaway, Kaitlyn, and thanks for your support. We’ll be picking winners in a few days!
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thanks much for visiting my blog – am especially glad its led me to your lovely site 🙂 wishing you the best with your writing. also want to mention that I looooove libraries! have posted several times about the Los Angeles system as well as the heroic efforts of librarians to bring public libraries to U.S. – so glad you’re one of the champions 🙂
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Thanks, Daal, nice to hear from you. I’ll have to check out your library posts. Sounds like you’re a great champion of them, as well! 🙂
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I’m excited for you Marcia! You have so much writing talent and I look forward to your new creations. I love the eye-candy of your blog and the topics you post that give so much joy!
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What a nice surprise to find your kind comment. Thanks so much, I appreciate it!
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