Thursday, April 14, 2011

"Spud & Chloë at the Farm" Blog Tour and Book Giveaway!

I have been a fan of Susan B Anderson's work for a long time. In fact, I own all of her books and even the magazines that her patterns are featured in. I still remember the day I bought Itty-Bitty Hats at a Borders Book Store in Connecticut while driving back to NY from MA. The book peeked my interest because it had cute and unique hat patterns and the spiral bound binding.

I knew Susan's new book, Spud & Chloë at the Farm, was coming out soon and was looking forward to seeing it. So, I was extremely thrilled when Artisan Books asked if I would like to be part of the blog tour for the book. Lucky me!
Spud & Chloë at the Farm
Well, let me tell you that Melody has fallen in love with the book the day it arrived on our doorstep. She has been trying to convince me every day to let her have the "gook". That's what she calls a book. She goes to my book shelf in the mornings and pulls it out and say, " Mama, me, gook, me?" I shouldn't be surprised that the book would appeal to children. The book contains pictures of 13 adorable knitting projects and in the back, a 9 page illustrated story of Spud & Chloë.
Spud & Chloë at the Farm
I figured that she would be the perfect person to lead you through some of the inside peeks of the book. So here goes Melody's first book gook review. Please cut her some slack. Since she is only 3 yrs old, her comments are brief.
Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Oh sheep! I lub sheeps!"

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
I told her that the doll was named Chloë. She said,"Chloë red dress. No blue." Clearly, she is asking me to make Chloë for her, but in a red dress.

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Pig! Pink! Oink, oink, oink."

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Wow, more sheep!"

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Chick-in! Mama and baby chicks."

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Baby mouse."

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Oh cute kitty!"

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Wolf?" I told her it was a dog and she said,"Oh doggy, woof woof!"

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Awww...so cute!"

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
"Story! I lub stories."

Spud & Chloë at the Farm
Since Melody will not relinquish her copy of the book, Artisan Books has generously offered to give one of you lucky readers a copy of the book. Please leave a comment telling me which is your favorite character/animal from the book. The last day to comment is April 21, 2011. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Good luck!

271 comments:

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LaBean said...

I read the title and immediately got the notion to sing, "Ee I, Ee I, Oooh! lol Yeah, I'm a big kid. It's adorable how much Melody loves that book.

Aww, just one? Hmm I like the mice the most. I've always adored pet rodents.

CelticCastOn said...

Good job Melody!!
I lub the sheep too, spud is cute but I'm partial to black sheep :)

Cami said...

i agree with Melody. I love the sheep! They are adorable.

Kelly-ann said...

Best book review :) That pig pattern is so adorable...it would be so hard for any child to pick out their favorite though.

Hannah said...

Eek, so cute- I would love to have this book! It looks like just my favorite sorts of knitting projects!

AtPlayWithFiber said...

The girls would like the cat but if there was horse, my youngest would LOVE that!

margot said...

The hen and chicks (still in their shells!)!

Jules said...

What an adorable book! I thought it would be the sheep, but then I saw the dog. So cute! And the gook review was even cuter. Well done, Melody!

Abby said...

I really love the black sheep, but also the mice! They are so cute!

Unknown said...

Oh, Melody, you are so adorable! If I have to pick a favorite I'd say I looooove the sheep! However, I really want to make each and every animal as well as Chloe!

Meredith said...

That adorable cow looks so forlorn. I think that is the one that I want to make sure gets a home first! So sweet and I think my 7mo son would love him.
Fantastic review of the book! Your daughter is adorable (and has great taste in knit designers, too! Hee!)

jlr said...

I, too, am partial to black sheep!

Lynda Wilkinson said...

My favorite animal in the book is Chloe herself. I think she would look good in a red dress too!

OzKnitter said...

I have to say that Spud's my favourite. Really, what knitter can resist a sheep?

Melody's looking so grown up, such a big girl now!

EMAL said...

As for the first animal I would make, definitely the mice!! They are too cute!!!!

Unknown said...

Goodness! My daughter would LOVE this. Especially the Wolf. And the chicken. I kinda like the cow.

Diane Granger said...

I have to say I'm a sheep lover too!

chaddy233 said...

What wool lover wouldn't love the sheep? Baaaahhh!

Michelle said...

I would have to say the mice and hay bales are my favorites! We have a pet mouse, and our little Forrest likes to run. I could see him frolicking with mousey friends! lol

Melissa said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Melody's Review of Spud and Cloe at the Farm. I think its the cutest thing I have ever seen!!! I'm just melting reading it. :-D

I already own Susan's book so don't include me in the drawing.

Anonymous said...

The sheep! Definitely the sheep! Seems like Melody is adjusting well to her big-girl bed. Her room looks so nice and cheerful!

Alisa said...

I love the wolf, er dog. Although they are all too cute for words.

Vicki Knitorious said...

Most adorable book review (and reviewer) ever!! I love that second little sheepie -- they're all so cute!

Debbie T said...

Oh my goodness...that little black sheepie is just adorable!!! Loved loved loved Melody's review. Just too precious!!!

Ang said...

I love, love, love the sheep! Love the photos on your blog!

Anonymous said...

Chicken and chicken and more chicken. Lovely book.

Susan
Elora, Ontario

Anonymous said...

Got to be the black sheep! LOL

Great pics :)

Julie D said...

Love the piggy!

Sharon F said...

I love the sheep can't decide if white or black are the best...

trish v said...

I love Spud, but the cat would be my first project....my 5 year old wouldn't have it any other way :)

Doula Mommy said...

That is so sweet! I love her review! I love Chloe and can't wait to knit her!

tothfamily25 said...

Oh Geez , just one love the little kitty

Unknown said...

Wonderful book review! I think she has a future as a critique!
I most want to make Chloe, for my twin daughter, Chloe!

Unknown said...

Now THAT is what I call a great gook review! Wonderful!!
And it was a perfect preview of the book for me... I think I would start with the "Woof" first. Love it!
Terri

Keri said...

What a wonderful book! I love all the little handknitted animals - I would love to make one for my daughter! :)

ab said...

MOST Adorable "gook" review EVER!
I have a feeling my 2.5 year old might feel the same way!
We're wooly sheepy lovers here, but my daughter is saying she likes the "Mowwww" Cat, best.

Erin Joy said...

What a great book, er, gook review! Those wee mice have got to be my favorites.

Michelle said...

Great gook review Melody:)

I love the chick-ins:)

Anonymous said...

I lub the sheep too!!! Especially the black one.

And I agree...looks like a wolf ;)

Best gook review ever!

-Nikki

barb said...

My 5 grandchildren, who I am stay-at-home gramma to, would love this "gook" as much as Melody. I have all of Susan Anderson's books, except this precious book. Seeing that my nursery theme is The Little Red Hen, these animals will be the perfect toys to add to the toy box.

Thank you for offering this great giveaway.

barb

yerkeb on rav

Andee said...

The kitty is adorable!

Kate Foos said...

I think the characters are all so adorable. Spud is super cute but so is the black sheep. The cat is running a close third. I think Spud has my vote for first place.

jessica kuntz said...

I love the cat, as would my kids

ohdessa said...

This is the cutest book review ever. I love the little dog.

Sayschnicklefritz said...

Apparently I identify with the black sheep, andhe (yes, he) is my favorite.

Kristin said...

The mice!!! so cute

Betty Rockit said...

best book review ever! she's so cute! and the book looks adorable also.

Patricia said...

I love them all! But really, I think Spud is my fav!
jwandpjc@yahoo.com

PuffinKnit said...

This looks absolutely beautiful, i love them all but i think the piglet is my favorite!

thewalshfam said...

Melody is too cute! What a great reviewer! I love the chick-ins too!
Katie
rnmama on ravelry

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this book for my girls! (3yrs and 10 mths) I love to knit and they love books!
thanks!!!

mommieof4munchkins said...

What an adorable little girl! My favorite is the cow, to cute.

Jane said...

Melody did an excellent job of reviewing the book!

Melanie said...

cuuuuuuuuuuute :) love it!
brown sheepie!

Alissia H said...

so adorable Melody!

I think I like the chickens best. Or maybe the black sheep.

Marilyn said...

Spud is my fav.

Sue said...

Oh what an adorable review. Melody looks so happy with it too. I have to say that I have her other 3 books as well but the animal one looks fantastic too, and I have to say I adore Spud!

Flo Flo said...

I love Spud!

Dagny said...

The sheep would be the first on my needles!

kendraja said...

I like the barn kitty!

Unknown said...

my favorite is melody, but she is not in the book, so that wonderful sheepy or the dog. love dogs. i want this book! thanks!

Partly Cloudy Knitter said...

Wow! My grandchildren would love all those cute animals!

Cynthiacc said...

Oh, I really want this book now! She did a wonderful job of reviewing the gook :) very sweet!

Rima said...

I lub this gook too! I think the sheep is the best!

ugliducklyn said...

I love the review of the book and if I had to absolutely postively choose just one character from the book it would have to be that black sheep. :)

txjan said...

Every toy is adorable so it's hard to choose just one, but I like Melody's "baby mouse" and the hay bales!

LittleWit said...

The sheep are totally adorable!

Judi said...

I love the kitty cat! That will be the first animal I make after I win the book :-)

Zowmom on Ravelry

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Please don't enter me - it would not be fair. I don't knit. But how I wish I did. That is the cutest thing I've seen all day, and what a lot of fun Melody is having!

ajdag said...

your daughter is cute! i think the cat is my favorite. Thank you for sharing

emeraldkrystal said...

The piglet is my favorite. The second I saw it I was telling my husband that I must get this book just so I can make the piglet for my son!

Hansons said...

I love the sheep! They are adorable and are just begging to be cuddled! My girls would love some of these farm animals!

LizzieK8 said...

Sheep, sheep, sheep, sheep, and, oh I like the sheep.

Peggy said...

Of course, the sheep, so I can get more wool!

DEAN FAMILY said...

The black sheep is my favorite! I love how much your daughter loves this book. I can't wait to try out some of these patterns for my little boy.

rhianneholmes{at}hotmail{dot}com

honeybee33 said...

the sheep are heavenly ... and the chicken and her chicks are irresistable ... but, as a master knitter with 40 years of experience, I am absolutely stunned and mildly embarrassed to report that I have become OBSESSED with those silly lil haybales. /:~\

Gina Power said...

I love the mice! The cat is cute too.

Susan said...

I love this book! Thanks for the giveaway!

LAUREN said...

I love the sheep!

Tooty said...

I love the baby mouse...er...mice on the haybales. My 3-year-old granddaughter would absolutely LOVE this book. I really really hope I win.

Unknown said...

I LOVE Chloe best, but I am biased as it is my daughter's name. :)

mhchong said...

Love the pics of your daughter with the gook... so adorable. My daughter is 8, but I know she'd love the book just as equally. I'd have to go with Spud as my favorite character, and of course Chloe comes in a close 2nd.

Princess and the Bear said...

Oh I love the book so much, i adore your little story too :)
I'm with Melody, I love the 'wolf' :) I think my favourite is the chicken because I would LOVE some chickens of my own :) x

Ellen Barnes said...

So excited about this book. I'm thinking I will make the cat first. I love the colors used in the book it looks just like my baby Gatsby.

amyjorob said...

I love the dog!!!! I would love to have this book for my soon to be little girl!

Montymoo said...

I just love the black sheep. I would make him first, then the mice. This book would be perfect for me to have around when my nephew comes to visit. He will be 3 in July, and loves animals of all kinds!

When all is said and done said...

I love the Mama Hen and her baby chicks!

rinebird said...

I am a sheepster,that is the lover of the sheep in the book.Great to have a 3 y/o perspective.

caiming said...

The second I saw this "gook" previewed, I know I will own it somehow, especially raving endorsement from M! I "lub" the baa baa black sheep too!

Unknown said...

Me lub sheeps too! What a cute book. And the reviewer is adorable!

kmvdvm said...

i love the black sheep!!!

Peggity said...

The mice frolicking on hay bale hills are my favorite.

Debbie1085 said...

What a cutie Melody is!!
It has to be those little mouses on cheese!!
Enter me in the drawing, please!

verver said...

I love the kitty--reminds me of my first cat.

Lucinda said...

I have to say I love SPUD. Why? Because in the animal world, Sheep are my very best friends, happily giving up their fleece to keep us all warm and cozy. :)

*alicia* said...

freaking adorable book!!! I must make one of those farm dogs! ahhhhhdorable!

remmy said...

Your daughter is adorable.

The farm animals are all so happy and fun looking. I think my favorite is the pig and the cat.

remmy on Ravelry

~A~ said...

I love Spud & Chloe! When I looked at this book, I fell in love with the little mice and their blocks of cheese! :)

katherinelynn_04 said...

I am in love with this book! The little sheep are so cute.
katherinelynn_04 (at) yahoo.com

Barbara R. said...

Piglet without a doubt!!!! She is adorable!!! XO thank you for making such a great book!!

judy said...

I am going to have to go with Spud he is just too cute!

Zenitude said...

My favorite character is the black sheep. I love how textural he is. Would be so much fun to win!!
woolyknitnsbits at live dot ca

Artifax said...

Gosh, hard to decide on a favorite character. I think my favorite is the black sheep, but I love those cute little mice too!

enquiry@jeweledonline.com

Small and Moody said...

I LOVE the black sheep!!! The entire book is completely adorable!!!

shannon said...

Spud, definitely!

mountain girl said...

I love Chloe!

Francie said...

Best book (gook) review ever! I like Spud the best. Or maybe it is the mama chicken and those cute chicks in the eggs. Oh, alright, they're all cute!

Thanks for the chance to win.

Francie
francieos@yahoo.com

Bonney said...

I love, love, love the fox!

Theresa said...

Very, very cute review. My little one is a big fan of sheep and kitties, so I think I'll have to make Spud first and the kitty second. Thanks for the giveaway!

Jessica said...

Spud is my favorite! However, since I'm the black sheep of the family, I would probably make him first! :-)

tomobeans said...

oooohh, i love that orange cat, of course!
Melody is so cute!

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

I borrow these words of wisdom from Melody:

"Pig! Pink! Oink, oink, oink."

Joanne Snyder said...

I love the little chicks in the eggs with the mama hen...Love the baby mice too!!!

Gracey is not my name.... said...

Honestly my favorite from the post was Melody! She is adorable! But for animals, I'm partial to the sheep....love the red bowtie, but I'm a fan of black sheep....

annemarie said...

Love the cow and love the book.

Anonymous said...

I love the book-so clever! and the black sheep is my very favorite.

Melanie said...

my three year old is obsessed with the book trailer and desperately wants me to make her the cow. :)

Madeleine said...

I particularly lub the mice, but I think they are all terrific!

Unknown said...

Great book review Melody! I agree, I lub all the animals. I'll say Spud is my fav.

Susan said...

Love the mice. Would go with the curly snake from itty-bitty toys.

tammy said...

would love to add to my susan b anderson collection...love the chicks!

Karin said...

Don't include me in the lottery, I just wanted to comment on how very very cute your sweet little girl is, reading that book! And what a great book it is!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's so awesome Melody is having so much fun with that book. With all the fun animals, I can see why. I think Im in love with those little mice on the cheese blocks. I know I would have to make them all though.

Good luck to everyone :D

melonkelli said...

I love the cute striped kitty!

Jani said...

It's hard to pick just one, but I do love the "Chick-in" and the "baby chicks" . . . Melody is completely adorable! Thanks for the contest.

Sharon Snelling said...

I just love that little Spud. Also like the other animals I see. What a beautiful little girl. Thanks for the contest.

marylouc said...

Why, Spud of course! I've long loved Susan B. Anderson's work. I learned how to knit (again) with Itty Bitty Nursery. I'd love to win this charming book!---MaryLou

bschlot said...

This is such a cute book! I would totally love to win this. With 6 young granddaughters, 11 months to 10 years old, this book has something to fascinate all. I would probably knit the little chicks first. My grandma on my dad's side of the family use to keep lots of hens, and every spring she also had several little chicks, which she would share with any of us 8 granddaughters when we visited. It was always a treat to help her gather eggs!

Lucy said...

I think that the mice and cheese are super cute
hypersky5athotmaildotcom

Kimberlie Ott said...

I adore the Mother chicken with her chicks..........tooo precious.....thank you, this book looks so sweet, can't wait to see if I am picked!!!

AraS said...

I love all of the designs! I'd probably knit the mommy chicken and her chicks first :)

Alicia said...

I love the sheep and the kitty! I can't wait to get my hands on this book!
thanks for the chance to win one ;p

Meika said...

What a gorgeous book! It is going straight on my must buy list! I think Chloe is going to have to be made...maybe three times over for my three girls!

Danielle P said...

My favorite character is that sweet little girl commenting on the book ;)

Auntie Sue said...

The cutest animal on the farm is the black sheep...hands down I have to agree with all the others...I want them all for myself!

Jill said...

I'm a big fan of spud!

jillshoke on ravelry

dendiane said...

I really do love all the animals but my favorite is the black sheep. All black sheep need to be loved a little more : ). But then my next favorite would be the dog.

darcy said...

Every time I see another animal I want to make it my own. Someday when I become a grandmother (and I hope it's soon), I think it would be fun to have all the animals while I read the book!

Anonymous said...

My newly 4 year old grand-daughter wanted real chickens for her birthday (12th April). She got them together with a brand new chicken coop and run... plus 2 eggs on that day too. By the way, her name is Chloe (can put the accent on the "e"...)!

Grand-maman

forevermore said...

Call me silly, but I've never made a fence! So, I'm looking forward to that!!! All the characters are just precious.

Unknown said...

Oh yes - these are adorable! My granddaughter would absolutely love this book and these animals! She hardly has room on her bed to sleep - asked her dad to build her a "animal case" like a bookcase for her critters.
Thank you for the fabulous give away!

Anonymous said...

I love them all but the mice and hay are just sooooo cute. anewtater on Ravelry

Edith Schmidt said...

Oh my favorite is the pig! Mainly due because my daughter's nick name is piglet.

nelle said...

The mice and cheese!

nelle@bex.net

Chris said...

I would have a hard time choosing my favorite character from the book...even the picket fence is adorable!! Love Susan's books, and your post is simply adorable!

grammynan said...

It has to be the little black sheep. So cute. I just love Susan's books, patterns, blog, etc etc. thanks for the opportunity.!

Robin said...

I want to make the kitty.

Becky B said...

Chloe, definitely Chloe would be first on my needles! I absolutely love Spud and Chloe yarn and the book. If I win I will donate the book to my local library and make them put it in the children's section. Thanks for the opportunity! Becky

Karen said...

The farm dog catches my eye. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

Kelly said...

Aw Melody is so darling! I would love a copy of this book. Thanks for hosting the drawing! -kellery on ravelry

Anonymous said...

Susan does it again with this great book. Would love to win it!

Anonymous said...

They are all adorable but the mice and cheese are just precious. Melody's comments make them even more special. Thanks for hosting the giveaway
Leda

caroline said...

i love the dog, he is sooooooo cute
Caroline

Unknown said...

Black sheep all the way!

Susan R. said...

This "gook" is a "gotta-have"! Best book review ever!

deb said...

I absolutely love the black sheep! And Melody is a keeper too. Are you gving her away as well? Jk. She's adorable. Deb.

pelicanknits said...

I plan to make the whole group for my granddaughter Allison

paulette fritz said...

The book is so cute and I can't wait to knit everything. I have 8 grand children and I love to knit and crochet toys for them.
Paulette.fritz@gmail.com

L said...

I love the Kitty! Reminds a me of a kitty I once had.

andrea said...

Good "Gook"! Absolutely love the sheep. These books double as coffee table books in my house. They are so beautifully printed and the patterns appeal to everyone!
Andrea W
KnitAweigh- Ravelry

pookie said...

I just love spud. he is so adorable in his little red bow tie.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Spud and Chloe and I would love to knit everyone in this book.
VCR- Ravelry

Ellen Bishop said...

Chloe is incredible...although I really love them all!!! EllenLBishop

Unknown said...

They're all adorable, but I'm torn between Chloe and the black sheep.

Hilary said...

I love the black sheep and the baby mice the most! Thanks for the giveaway and the book report!

hilarypeterson (at) gmail (dot) com

Patti H said...

I love the black sheep!

Christine said...

I love the sheep..so tactile.

MarieAnge said...

I love the mice running around on bales of hay? or pieces of cheese?
Reminds me of my childhood growing up on the farm.

Thank you for hosting this giveaway :)

MariAngel (Ravelry)

bitten78 said...

aww, having a 4 & 5 year old in the house I can't pick just one favorite! I love the little black lamb, but DD has been a mouse freee-aak since the day she was born. I have to say the only reason I haven't run to get this book is because the hubby will not be thrilled to see a giant box of yarn on the porch! because I have to have them all! thanx so much for the review, it really is the best one I've seen.

Teresa said...

I "lub" Spud!

Carol McAdow said...

"Oh sheep! I lub sheeps!"
Me too - So Spud it is.

Unknown said...

Spud and Chloe and their farm friends are so delightful. It is good for me to see how much a little girl can fall in love with such great whimsy. I will try and make them all for my two young granddaughters!

delmarknitter said...

they are all sweet including the model! Great giveaway
Delmar Knitter

Joan said...

"Oh sheep! I lub sheeps!" I love Melody's book review. So cute!

Michelle L said...

What a great book review! I'm sure I will enjoy the book as much as Melody.

Lynn G. said...

That was ADORABLE. I love the black sheep best.

Jackie WP said...

I love all of the very lovable baby animals. If I have to pick just one,I would have to pick mama chicken and baby chicks.
all are just toooooooo cute.
Jackie

Barbara L. said...

I just love this book. My favorite is the mama chick-in and baby chicks in their shells, but I also love Spud. I would love to win this book.

Ravelry ID: knityid

Jeannie D said...

Oh I adore the mice! So cute! I would love to have this book to add to my Susan Anderson collection.

she knits said...

All the projects are gorgeous but my DD7 would like Chloe 1st as then she will be able to take care of the animals as they get knit up :0)

Jodi said...

Lambies, puppies, and chicks....oh my! Which one is the favorite of I?? It's EWE! (I really love all of them!)

April said...

It is so hard to pick. I would love to make Chloe for my daughters, and I love the mother hen with her baby chicks. Adorable! april.maston@gmail.com

Alicia said...

I would love to hear my toddler's reactions when he see the 'gook.' Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

Laura T said...

I love the Farm Dog! Your daughter is sooo cute with the book! Thanks for the opportunity to participate in this great give-a-way:)
Laura T

Anonymous said...

I would love to have this book. My favorite is the pig. So cute!

Anonymous said...

I love the cat, as it looks exactly like my Henry. Would love this book. (I have 8 grandchildren who would love me to have it, too!) Thanks for the chance!

cupcakegirl said...

I think the dark sheep are adorable!!!

Angie said...

Love the hen and baby chicks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the awesome contest. I think Spud is the best and would love to make him for a friend who has a sheep farm.

Heather
crawfordgang@hotmail.com

Susan said...

Pick a favorite? You're asking the impossible! Thanks for the contest - and i am completely taken with the little black sheep.

Unknown said...

I love Chloe and Spud - they are too cute!

Lillian H. said...

I love the little mouse, but they all so so cute.

Unknown said...

I love the cat, my friend would love me to knit her that. Always like to try new projects!!

Lesley

Nettie said...

Melody is SO CUTE!! With her gook!
I think she's my favorite, but if I have to choose from the book I will say the sheep. I lub them, too!

Rebekah said...

cutest post ever! Melody is so adorable (and grown up)...no need to enter me in the drawing :)

Carol said...

I would love a copy of this book and to make every animal multiples of times! Can you imagine what beautiful baby shower gifts these would make! and you could keep adding more with each occassion, i.e. birthdays, holidays and special events. In fact, giving the book along with the knitted animals to a baby shower for a mommy knitter; need I say more!! Oh would I ever be so lucky?

Carol said...

I almost forgot: the chicken, definitely the chicken is my favorite :)!!!

Sherri said...

I love the sheep and I love Melody's gook review!

Gayle said...

Oh How I love the Kitty! Loved her the first time I set eyes on her.

Linda said...

I love them all but I think the sheep is a favorite.
Thanks!
cokelush at gmail

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