50th Anniversary of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Thanksgiving is over and now Christmas season is upon us. People are frantically shopping and I just finished addressing all of my Christmas cards to send out. A few flurries have fallen here within the last couple of weeks and I can feel the spirit of the season rising up in people. My absolute favorite thing about the season is the time to spend bonding with family. There are so many activities to bring you together during winter, like going out to look at lights, baking cookies together, or cuddling up and watching the holiday classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

My parents especially cannot believe it but Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first broadcast! Fifty years, it’s amazing that this classic is still an absolute staple for the holiday season! What an accomplishment, what a sweet and fun film that my kids and grandparents all loved together. It brings such a warm feeling to my heart to think that a movie about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his dentist friend, Hermey, could bring generations of families together like this. My children’s grandpop sitting in front of the television on Christmas Eve singing along to “We’re a Couple of Misfits” with them, it delights me and reminds me of watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with my grandma. Rudolph is the longest-running and highest-rated holiday TV special ever and I just don’t foresee this tradition ever getting old!

 The anniversary celebration includes a major tie-in with the U.S. Postal Service, tribute promos from CBS, a collector’s edition DVD with new bonus material, a new stage musical, theme park and in-mall entertainment, and a social media campaign – #ShineBright – that celebrates uniqueness in association with PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

My husband is all about Rudolph too, and he’s got so many memories of watching it with his grandparents himself. A few years ago, we found a toy Hermey at a yard sale and even though he didn’t work anymore, my husband absolutely had to have him and now we use him as a holiday decoration! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has always been a huge hit in our home. Sitting by the fire and watching until dinner, waking up on Christmas morning and watching until your parents get out of bed, this classic is essential to the celebration!

Square Fish, an imprint of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, is releasing 6 new Rudolph-themed books that span a variety of formats, including the first ever graphic novel starring Rudolph and company, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE ISLAND OF MISFIT TOYS, by Brendan Deneen. Other formats include a classic storybook, a picture book, slide-and-find and lift-the-flap board books, and a ‘My Reader’ edition specifically designed for beginning readers. There’s something for the whole family!

I received six adorably sweet books about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reinder, too! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Lift-the-tab and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Slide and Find are for ages 2-4 and my three year old and one year old are just loving them! My three year old can’t read but she knows each character so she enjoys going through the books and moving the tabs to show me who’s underneath. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Rudolph Saves the Day is intended for ages 3-7 and my tiniest girl is already dying to take all of the stickers out from the back of the book!

I’ve got two little budding readers that the Level 2 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: My Reader are perfect for. There are many small words with larger letters, making it much easier to practice reading while also finishing up the story on their own. They are both excited to be able to read Christmas stories to US on Christmas Eve! Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer: The Island of Misfit Toys is a graphic novel for kids 7-12 and it’s pretty much a thick comic book with chapters, which is so fun to read! My personal favorite is the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Classic Story Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition intended for ages 4-8. The cover gives a nice classic look, there isn’t too much text per page so it’s doable for my new readers, and it’s the type of book that I can see being passed down.

Also, I was in the store recently and I just have to mention that I am loving all of the sweet little Rudolph 50th anniversary toys and goodies I am seeing. They had a Clarice lovey blanket for babies, and a Rudolph car seat dangle toy with a nose that lights up and plays music.

My whole family loves Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and we’re excited to add these new books to our holiday tradition each year!

Buy:
You can purchase a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 50th anniversary special edition DVD and new books at your local WalMart, Toys R Us, etc.

Connect:
Follow Macmillan Kids on Facebook and Twitter to follow their latest news, specials, and more!

Wouldn’t you just LOVE to win these 6 Rudolph books for a little loved one of your own?!

THE GIVEAWAY:

One (1) winner will receive six (6) Rudolph children’s books.
Open to US only. Ends 12/15

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*No purchase necessary. Open to residents of US only. Giveaway ends December 15, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. (PST). ONE ENTRANT PER HOUSEHOLD/IP Address! I check all entries – cheating will not be tolerated. Winner will be notified via email and needs to reply within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Please make sure you check your spam folder – I will not be responsible if you did not receive winning email notification. Winners name(s) will be displayed on the post, and will also be posted on Winners List shortly after drawing has occurred. Winners will be chosen randomly by Rafflecopter. Screenshots of winners available by request. Prize will be shipped directly from sponsor or their PR Agency unless otherwise noted. Eighty MPH Mom is not responsible for prizes lost in transit, although every attempt will be made for prize delivery.

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*Tiffany received the above product(s), free of charge, to facilitate this review. All opinions are those of reviewer only.