Giveaway: Dotty by Julia Denos
November 05, 2010
Do you remember the Picture Book post I did a while back about Dotty? It was I think the most popular post of that month, and I had so many of you email me thanking me for the review, as well as people who mentioned that they loved it just as much and went out and bought it. Horray! I love that. Especially as an illustrator myself, I love sharing wonderful experiences that picture books offer!
So I thought to myself, I am just going to contact Julia (the illustrator) and see if I can’t do a giveaway? What the heck…the internet is a nice and friendly world right?…and it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Well, a few days after asking about it, I got this sweet package in the mail with TWO autographed books complete with sketch of Dotty and set of 4 stickers. AH! I need to tell you that if I wasn’t an honest person, I would be keeping them for myself!!! These are so precious! Really…this is one of my new favorite pictures books.
Dotty is the story of Ida who goes to first day of school with her imaginary friend Dotty. But it’s just as well, since the rest of her class has imaginary friends too. As the year wears on, Ida realizes that the rest of the kids have “grown up” and think imaginary friends are for babies, and Ida is put in a tough spot because she still has Dotty. This picture book explores the emotions and playfulness of children with big imaginations, and has a VERY satisfying ending. You can read more of my review here.
Julia is a darling person. I’ve follwed her blog for a while, and I think you’ll just fall in love with her work! She’s working on some really great books right now, and I can’t wait to get hands on all of them.
Here’s a little about her:
Julia is a recently married illustrator living in Quincy, Massachusetts just outside of Boston where she graduated with a B.F.A. in illustration from the Art institute of Boston at Lesley. She worked in a flower shop, followed by a children’s bookstore where she was working when she landed her first job in 2007. Since then, she’s illustrated 8 books for children, with several more on the way. Her 8th book, coming out in Janury looks delightful: what a dream to illustrate a Picture book on Audrey Hepburn!! So jealous.
She has a darling studio apt in Quincy which is gorgeous, with plenty of natural light!
She is just a darling person, and I’ve been so happy to get to know the person behind the books that my children love so much. You can get to know her a lot better here on this wonderfully thorough interview. Thanks so much Julia for this great giveaway!
Giveaway instructions:
- leave a comment making sure to enter your name and email where it asks you to
- comments will be closed on Sunday Nov. 7th at Midnight EST
- TWO winners will be chosen to receive an autographed copy of DOTTY
- Winners will be contacted via email
Best of luck!
**COMMENTS CLOSED**


















































What a charming book. I would love to win this for my niece Claire. Thanks for the giveaway.
wordygirl at earthlink d0t net
I LOVE to buid our family picture book collection. I took note of this one when you reviewed it, as my son will be soon starting school. It would be wonderful to read this one to him in the lead up to this big event in our family!
We are very big book fans in this house and would adore one of these beautiful books. Thanks so much for the chance to win one…
Wow! What a great illustrator! The book looks amazing. I would love to have it,
thank you for introducing it to your readers.
what a beautiful book,i love adding to my blog list…
Definitely be looking out for her books now.
I love julia’s work looking to her for inspiration when I studied for my Children’s Book Illustartion MA. I didn’t know she had a blog I am going to check it out right now…
My kids would absolutely love to own this charming book! Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to win one of these beautiful books.
Would love one of these books. So cute!
Oh my, my little girl would love this book. This sounds like a delightful book that we would love to have in our collection.
I’m off to check out Julia’s blog.
Thank you for the opportunity to have a chance to win a signed copy of Dotty.
Beautiful book! My daughter (3 years old) has just introduced me to her first imaginary friend…baby Lion! It is the cutest thing ever – she would love the book
I’ve had this book on my “to purchase” list since seeing your review. What a wonderful giveaway. I hope I’m lucky enough to win!
Count me in!!!
Win or lose, I’ll be checking this book out at the library
love the book!! will be looking for it next time I’m at the book store
What a great looking book. The Audrey Hepburn one looks amazing as well!
Thanks for offering this giveawy. I can’t wait to see Ms. Denos’ new book! Just as a small aside, I am also a graduate of Lesley University. Keeping my fingers crossed!
These illustrations are so wonderful! My little girl would LOVE Dotty. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
This book looks simply splendid! My girls would love it.
We love to read together and it would be so fun to add new book to our collection. I hope I win.
We love Dotty!! Being an elementary school teacher and mom of two-year-old twin girls, I fell in love with Dotty. The illustrations are beautiful and my girls are crazy about polka dots–Dotty more than fits the bill! Such a sweet story to grow up with!!Ooooh, we have our fingers crossed over here in upstate NY.
What a great surprise this would be for my daughter!
I’d love to win this book for my daughter, Tillie.
Thank you for this chance! Would love to win this book for my niece Renee!
The illustrations are so fantastic!
I’ve been following Julia since your previous post. I adore her art and my 2 boys would love the story and illustrations as much as me!
How fantastic! I am all over that Audrey picture book when it comes out- Audrey is my all time favorite!
Hooray! Love love love DOTTY : )
Looks like a wonderful and engrossing book that my nieces would love to read with grandma.
WOW! My imaginative kindergartener would LOVE this book. It’s right up her alley! Perfect for her.
What a beautiful book! My 3 girls would love to have this one in their library.
what a beautifully illustrated book! Thanks for the give away. Crossing my fingers!
What a lovely book. Thank you for the chance to win.
What an adorable book!
Oh, what a fabulous giveaway! We got this from the library on your recommendation, and are having a hard time bringing it back. We would treasure this! Thanks for all the extra info on this author.
I love the artwork. It makes me smile.
What a wonderful give-a-way- thank you!! Can’t wait to check out this book.
This book looks wonderful. My little girl would love a copy of the book – and imagine, autographed too!!
I love your illustrations and your blog
How wonderfully generous of her! I would love a copy if this book.
What gorgeous illustrations! I am just tickled to have a chance to win. I must look up her Audrey book in a few months.
What a darling book! Beautiful illustrations and illustrator!
I love the pictures. They are gorgeous. Plus April did a fantastic job on her redesign.
Beautiful illustrations! What a very talented person!
What a cute idea… with the imaginary friends! I love it. Glad you got to know this lovely lady so that we could too!
We love Dotty!!! And so far, we’ve just worn out the library’s copy- but it is on my daughter’s wishlist! We would love to own one, thank you so much!
This illustrations are beautiful. Such a fun giveaway! Thanks Sarah!
My little girl would love this! What a beautiful book.
I would love to win this book!
That looks like such a sweet book, I think my daughter would love it! (anita@monery.net)
I love the illustrations and would love to add this to our home library.
my daughter would love this! thanks for the giveaway!
I continue to build my children’s book library because I love them…the illustrations must be fabulous…and now I am the grandmother with great books. I love to snuggle up with a little one and see how their mind works as I read them wonderful stories that have amazing illustrations. Please count me in. Thank you so much.
Looks fantastic — thanks for sharing!!!
so nice! beautiful illustrations.
OH!!!! Oh my goodness! Her illustrations are SO wonderful!
This book looks amazing! I checked out her blog and love her illustrations.
How did I miss that review? Now I’m thoroughly intrigued and want to read it
LOVE it. I need more picture books for inspiration and for reading to my four littles.
This looks darling.
Darling book. Would love to add to my little girl’s library. Her illustrations remind me of the book we have “Ella’s Umbrellas” that we love
I want to read it too, thanks for sharing these great finds.
I NEED to get my hands on that Audrey book! The Dotty book looks so cute! I’d love to gift it to my new niece!
How fun! I would love a chance to win one of her books! Yay!
What wonderful illustrations! I would love to win one for my daughter.
Thanks to you to let us know such wonderful books.
What a cute book! I’m pregnant and starting to collect books for the baby! This would be great for when the baby starts school!
I love this! I know a little boy who would really love it too. I also have an Aunt Dottie who would enjoy it – I think I’ll have to buy a few extra copies.
I love Julia’s illustrations! I have bought a few of her books for my nieces who love to read and love her work.
OOOH i would love to add this to our library!
Oooh! I love this book! It’s so colorful, beautiful, and reminds of a modern/vintage twist for the illustrations in the book. Thanks for the chance to place this in our little library for inspiration! LOVE LOVE LOVE!
How sweet! I’d love that book for my little girl!
Oh this is wonderful, that Audrey Hepburn looks beautiful!
Ohhhh! Would LOVE to win this for Marissa! She is not only a 6-year old painter, but also writes and illustrates at least 6 books of her own each week! I’ll soon run the risk of running out of places to save them all!
How beautiful! I love it!
I love children’s books.
Thanks for exposing us to this wonderful illustrator. Her book on Audrey Hepburn looks fabulous – must buy that! Would love to win Dotty!
This would be a great addition to my collection of children’s books that inspire me. As an illustrator I need all the inspiration I can get!
Looks absolutely delightful!
I love books and this one looks soooo cute and fun.
Somehow I missed your earlier review. Thanks for the recommendation. Looks great!
You both do such delightful, gorgeous illustrations, it’s hard to not love both of your blogs! I have a very imaginative little boy (and new baby girl) so I think this book will be very well-received in our home. *fingers crossed!*
how lovely, great introduction and giveaway! love her illustrations
How I love your blog! What a great giveaway!
Count me in.
Sign me up.
Crossing my fingers …
apriljnelson{at}hotmail{dot}com
I’m a total children’s lit bibliophile. I would love t have this book in my collection for my daughter!
This would be so perfect for my daughter! Great giveaway!!
this looks like a lovely childrens book! perfect Christmas gift for a little one.
The book looks amazing, and she is just darling. My big boy has a vivid imagination and I’m sure would totally dig this book.
I love it!
My little girl would love this!
i am not sure who would love this more…me or my 3 girls! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!! it gets better every week.
Awesome giveaway! Thanks–to you and to Julia–for the chance to win such a sweet little book.
Gorgeous! I love books with a passion. Hope to win.
Totally gorgeous, so happy to have found out about this book and another great illustrator. Catherine x
oooooo, pick me, pick me, pick me, I know how to beg.my youngest daughter can pull off the Audrey Hepburn look, but I’d rather she not cut her hair that short again.
My daughter just started kindergarten this year. So far school has not impeded her imagination, thankfully! I’m sure she’d love Ida and Dotty.
Grandchildren who love books. A secret desire of my own to illustrate. Woul LOVE to win!
Oh how lovely. Thanks for a chance to win an autographed copy. Would love to wn!
Very sweet illustrations! Love it.
What lovely, beautiful illustrations!! I have loved each and every book you’ve recommended – if I don’t win it, I’ll have to buy it ♥
I LOVE children’s books! (Oh…my kids do too…lol)
i love beautifully illustrated books. this would be a great one to add to my children’s collection. my fingers are crossed.
Lovely illustrations! I would be so excited to win! Even if I don’t thanks for sharing such a lovely book & illustrator. ~Thanks for the chance, Theresa
What a beautiful book (illustrations and theme)! Thank you for the chance to win!
ej
ejohn97@gmail.com
This book is exactly one that both my daughter and me would love to cuddle up with on a cozy day. Thank you for giving us the chance to win it.
I would love to win a copy for my little girl!
What a darling book idea. Would love to win one for my kiddos. Can’t wait to see the Audrey Hepburn book (for me!)
I agree. What a great idea. Thanks so much for offering this wonderful opportunity!
P.S. I used to live in Ogden UT for almost 7 years as a girl. I sure do miss those mountains.
Lovely illustrations! I’m four months pregnant and I would love to have this for my baby girl.
i love this little book! the illustrations are so hip and fun- i can’t wait for that one about audrey to come out. she’s a bit of an idol for me. you can never have too many fabulous children’s books!
Wow – what a dream! Thank you for sharing these awesome books and illustrators with us!!
What a lovely illustrations, full with charm!
I have never won a giveaway, maybe this time?..
Thank you for the opportunity!
so cute. I need some girly books for my baby.
Great giveaway – sounds like a darling book!
She looks just like my high school French teacher, that’s compliment. Can’t wait to go and take a look at her book. Thanks for the great giveaway Sarah
This book looks great! My daughter would love it. She is 6 1/2 and we still have her imaginary friends “Jill” (the boy) and “Marie”.
Fun giveaway!
darcy
Such a cute book. Thanks for a great giveaway!
I really want to see this book, but my library doesn’t have it. Thanks for the giveaway!
So Lovely. Would love to win.
So cute- would love to win!
I love the creativity and individuality that this book both exhibits and encourages. What a fun one to add to the collection!
What a sweet book. How fun it would be to receive a autographed copy of the book.
i just loved this post. what a wonderful way to start a
weekend.
wow! what a wonderful artist, book, post and way to start a weekend. i already feel like a winner.
What an adorable book. I love it!
Such a cute book! I hope I win!
I will definitely be looking for that book if I don’t win it!
I’d love that book to share with my little bits!
Love her illustrations!
What a great book!
Captivating illustrations! My daughters would love this book!
OMGoodness, I must have missed the original post, Aren’t her illustrations just DARLING!!! Thank~u sooooooo much for sharing her again!!!!
Gab xx
I love Dotty, what a great Christmas gift this will make, and I cannot wait for her book about Audrey Hepburn! Ah!
I already bought one after your posting but would love another with the autograph!
Absolutely DARLING!!! LOVE all the beautiful illustrations!! You both are amazing artists! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway ♥
Gorgeous! I hope I win!
I really love her work. Those Audrey Hepburn illustrations are awesome!! Thanks for the giveaway.
I love Julia! I can’t find her books here in the Netherlands though.
My girls would love this especially the eldest who is starting school in January. Thanks…
we love this book. our library copy has lived at our house for weeks! thanks for a chance to one this! its a great one!
Wonderful! Thanks for the chance.
Oh, this looks like a lovely book! Would love to win for my granddaughters!
Dotty! Evie will love you!
I’m french and I discovered this illustrator thanks to your blog…just for that I thank you…
Hum, well, it will be also great if I was lucky!
thanks for your sweet giveaway…(sorry if there are english mistakes)
Great giveaway, it looks like a great story.
I can imagine that my daughter would really enjoy reading this book with me. Thank you for the chance to win!
Wow! What a great treat! I’d love to win this for my daughter!!
This book sounds perfect for my daughter who has two imaginary friends of her own! Thanks for the chance to win!
Oh please choose me!!!!! My kids would LOVE that book! It would especially be a perfect story for my extremely creative and imaginative daughter!
My kids and I love this book. We borrowed it from the library and just renewed it for a second time. It’d be great owning it. Thank you.
Such a darling book!
So wonderful! I would love to win.
wow – what a great giveaway!!!
I love Julia’s illustrations. They remind me of illustrations from the 1060′s. I would love to win!!!
Thanks for arranging such a nice giveaway.
This looks like such a sweet book. My kids would love it.
Darling/fabulous illustrator. Love the pic of her studio. So nice to see other artists work space! She’s amazing!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this! My children adore reading and they would adore these books! The illustrations are beautiful!
We LOVE reading and are always on the lookout for new, interesting books. These are just beautiful and we would be proud to own them. Thanks for the chance.
Sherry
I love, love, love Julia’s work too! It is so beautiful. Thank you for hosting this giveaway. It would be so fun to win. My girls would love it!
Lovely illustrator, more than nice books. Tomorrow comes my birthday, on that day I would love to give them such a present:o)
O, such a cute book and great give-away. Thx.
Well I have just fallen in love with her work. (am really looking forward to the Audrey book!).
I’m sure that my kids would love the Dotty book!
I’m so glad you’re an honest person!
I’d love to win this book.
What a beautiful book! I’d love to read it with my girls!!
Such a wonderful book! I would love to share it with my two little ones!! Thanks.
Oh my goodness, I just love, love, love this illustrator’s work, and I would so much enjoy sharing this book with my family! Thanks for giving a copy to 2 lucky readers. We are all blessed to have our eyes opened to these fantastic children’s books!
Beautiful!! Perfect timing with my eldest starting preschool next year! It was nice to read a bit about Julia… I am so jealous of her studio though.. not fair.. so pretty. Meanwhile THE AUDREY ILLUSTRATIONS.. wow!!! I think my mother in law will even love a copy of that one when it’s done!
It’s my birthday tomorrow and this would be a fun gift!
I’m a huge fan of Julia’s beautiful work and would love to add this book to my collection
LOVE her illustrations!!! Beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win : )
Sarah jane thank you for continually introducing us to new and exciting authors and illustrators (not to mention continually inspired our universe with YOUR illustrations). My girls would love to win these books — I am going to go check them out just in case from the library tomorrow.
I absolutely love Miss Denos! I have been a fan of her books for a while and I would die if I could get my hand on one of these. I am studying illustration myself and am always inspired by others who have gone before me. Thanks for the post!
MelissA
What a beautiful giveaway. Thanks!
Fabulous book and giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win! Hugs, Judi
This would be a real coup on my part… My history of “winning” things is non-existent. However, I had to throw our name in on this one. My children adore books and we are always on the lookout for a new favorite. I usually judge a book by its illustrations; I think in a past life I illustrated children’s books.
Unfortunately, in this one I can only admire the work of others. We really cherish our children’s book collection. Thanks for the opportunity to add a keeper to it!
By the way, love your work & love your blog!
Love this book – already have it after your recommendation but I would love another copy!!!
Ok, I have to enter this one. I haven’t made it out to buy a copy of this, and my Lizzy’s “friend” is polka-Dotty. How fitting!
LOVE the illustrations!
Dotty looks simply delightful!
looks like such a lovely book!
My children would love this!
Such a beautiful book!
I love her work! Great post.
what an adorable book! lovely.
i hope i made it in time, i have a deep love of children’s books.
what an adorable book!
How perfectly sweet.
What great illustrations!
Oh Wow, thanks for the chance to win! I love Dotty and LOVE the fact that she has an upcoming Audrey Hepburn book. I have a little girl named Audrey, partially named after the actress and partially named after two grandmas. Thanks again for the opportunity to add this to our storybook collection!
How cute is she?!? Love the book and her drawings! This would be so adorable in my baby girls bedroom. Thanks for a great give away!
I too saw this book when you first mentioned it – read it at the book store but didn’t purchase… would love to have a copy all my own!
What a wonderful giveaway! If we don’t win we’ll have to look for Dotty in our local library — my three and a half year old girly girl Lily would ADORE her! Thank you for contacting Julia for us!
Love, love, love it!
Would love to have this book for my three little girls!
Ooh! I would love to give this to my daughter . . . Christmas is coming!
I would love this book!
What a cute book! Love the Audrey drawings too!
This book looks so sweet! My daughter would love it.
This book is darling, I really hope I’m not too late to enter!
I would love to read it to my grandchildren, they will love it !!! It will fit so nice on the book self next to “Lavender’s blue, dilly dilly, lavender’s green, When I am king, dilly dilly, you shall be queen” hanging on the wall. You are both like minded and fun.
Oohhh…I hope I win… I need more books for my kids!
What a cute book!
i love picture bookS!!