This week's giveaway is what we in Texas call a twofer: one lucky reader will get both Crazy Eights and Other Card Games by Joanna Cole & Stephanie Calmenson AND 101 Best Family Card Games by Alfred Sheinwold.
Card games certainly aren't the hippest things for kids to play with, but I believe they belong on a short list of toys/games that every kid should play with growing up. Pick just about any card game at random and you'll find that the skills needed to master the games are essential skills for children to master: grouping, ordering, counting, simple math operations, following directions, taking turns, and sportsmanship (among others).
Crazy Eights outlines games in a kid-friendly way; you can simply hand this over and let them have at it. 101 Best is more of a encyclopedia of family-friendly games that a parent or teacher could draw from. Of course, I'd encourage you to modify and extend the games (or encourage the kids to do so) to broaden their impact. As with any good resource, it's all in how you use it.
I think these are complimentary resources, so I'm giving them out together. If you're interested, just email teachforever@gmail.com by 11:59pm CST tonight and let me know how you intend to use these books. I'll pick the most compelling entry and send them both books!
If you've won anything from me in 2011, sorry, but you're not eligible this time around. Got to spread the love.
Good luck!