My hero, The Honorable Al Gore wrote me!

Hello there!

I received my letter back from the Honorable Al Gore and here it is...

Hi-

While I was on my latest book tour in northern California, and just six days after my letter was received at The Honorable Al & Tipper Gore's office, I got an email requesting my home address for a response to my package and letter.  I called yesterday to check in and was told that they have been swamped the last few months and I will probably receive something in the next couple of weeks. 

Waiting, excited...

Gillian & Sparky

My 2 new best friends from the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula!

I had a fantastic time at The Center for A New Generation (founded by Condaleezza Rice) & The Boy's & Girls Club of the Peninsula.

The kids asked great questions, they colored Sparky coloring pages and Amy who set it all up said the kids were so engaged that it reminded her why she chose this for her career...  So satisfying!

The Laureate School...

The brilliant kids of the Laureate School...  And my friend Joanie seen in the first photo who was very instrumental in all this coming together and so well.  I can't thank her enough!

Another sign?! Closer to my Dream?

Hi-

News flash!  In a stunning turn of events, I heard that the Obama's went to chill out from a stressful day by reading to 2nd graders!  This on the heels of me writing a letter and sending my children's book 'Sparky the Wonderfish' to them about just that.  I heard him say he wanted to have readings for kids in The White House to promote literacy in the US, but he is spontaneously doing it ALREADY.  I want so much to be a part of this effort. (Dave Cook of Vote Blog writes) "...According to the White House, the charter school was founded in 2000 by a group of Washington public school parents working with teachers and other education professionals interested in reform.  The building the Obama's visited serves 244 students Grades Pre-K through 8.  The student body is 39 percent African-American, 24 percent Latino and 34 percent white.  More than half the students qualify for reduced-price lunch.  Student achievement in the school ranks in the top one-third of D.C. public schools...  One student wanted to be a veterinarian.  "We had a fish.  I've got to admit the fish died,"  the President said.  Mrs. Obama added, "The girls say we keep killing them." ...enter Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic, my true story of a tiny feeder fish who survives being dinner for six big mean Oscar fish and lives happily for 13 years!

Sparky wants to do more good deeds, wish him luck for Washington D.C. & The White House!

-Gillian

Letter to the Honorable Al Gore -

2 Readings at The Center For A New Generation (Feb. 17th)!

Hi there-

I was watching "The View" Thursday morning.  On it was Condoleezza Rice who discussed a children's foundation she started to increase literacy for children grades one to eight.  It is based in Menlo Park, California.  I jumped up and Googled it.  I left a message saying I was doing readings and signings all over the country for just that reason.  I got an excited call from them not more that ten minutes later!  Now, I have a Reading & Signing, Q & A and Coloring Session for two different age groups set up for Tuesday February 17th at 3:30PM and 4:30PM!!!  They also asked me to be a part of an auction event scheduled for May of this year.  I said I would love to!

Sparky and I couldn't be happier!!!

Gillian

Sparky Travels to The White House!!!

Hello-

The night before the inauguration of President Barack Obama, I watched a retrospective of his life on television.  On it he said he wanted to invite kids to The White House for children's book readings to help encourage literacy in the US.  I was stunned and amazed that he was planning something so perfectly in tune with what I am doing with various programs, charities, schools, libraries, etc.  I wrote him a letter and sent a signed copy of Sparky the Wonderfish: A Story of How Love Creates Magic book.  I included a coloring page, stickers, postcard, business card, bookmark and information sheet along with it.  

How in keeping with what I am about, and how exciting to make a bigger impact would it be if I am invited to join in his efforts at The White House?!  EXCITING!

I will keep you posted...

Gillian & Sparky the Wonderfish

P.S.  By the way, if you scroll down to November 14th on this blog, you will see a photo (from Barnes & Noble Booksellers in LA) of 'Sparky the Wonderfish' on display right next to Michelle Obama's book!  Is it a sign?

Interesting observation!

Hi-

It's Friday, January 16th at about 4:00PM...  I was just washing my lunch dishes (pasta alfredo with chicken, and a gorgonzola and tomato salad - yumm!) it occurred to me I always thought my Sparky book would appeal most to kids 3 - 8 years old.  The more Readings, Signings, Q & A's that I do however, the more I realize kids as young as 1 & 2 years old are keeping focused and entertained and kids as old as 5th & 6th grade, are going crazy for it.  

During the Q & A's, the kids ask me all kinds of questions about how to write a book, about the inspiration and the illustrations... about Sparky's life, other sea creatures and animals.  They ask if I'm writing a sequel, do I have other books, when are the "Big Word Books" coming out...  Teachers tell me with a lot of these kids it is difficult to get them to read at all.  Teachers have said, after hearing Sparky read to them and getting their questions answered,  the same kids are not only excited to read, but are interested in writing as well!  It is remarkable.  There were 90 plus kids for a couple of events and afterwards they swarmed me like a rock star.  They wanted autographs, photos taken, they argued about who would help me to the car with my stuff.  WOW, cool.  Love creating magic...

Anyway, just felt like jotting down a few quick thoughts.  Now I am going back to my Cafe Press account, where I am redesigning and adding many more products to my Sparky the Wonderfish Shop.  That is where, on my site it says "Purchase Gifts & Clothing".

By for now!

Have a great weekend!

Gillian & Sparky 

Reading / Signing / Q & A San Rafael Elementary School! (Wed. Jan. 14th 2009)

Hi There-

We had a great time Reading and Signing for the "Book Club" at the San Rafael Elementary School in Pasadena today!  One was for about 90+ students in the school auditorium...  from 12PM to 12:45PM for 4th and 6th Graders; the second Reading & Signing was from 1PM to 2PM for 1st and 2nd graders.  Both the kids and I had a wonderful time.  They asked great, interesting questions.  I signed lots of Give Away postcards and everyone had a good time!  The wonderful Library Coordinator, Adriana Rosales worked very hard putting together a very organized and good looking event!

Adriana and I also discussed doing more readings at another school she works at with a student body of 800 students.  Hopefully in February or March, 2009.

Here are some photos from the day!

See you soon,

Gillian & Sparky

Joining forces with THE WONDER OF READING!

Hello-

Last week at the Euclid Ave. Elementary School Grand Opening several really cool things happened.  Besides it being so fun already, I was approached by a woman from THE WONDER OF READING program.  They supplied the books for the new library at Euclid Ave.  The Wonder of Reading focuses on Los Angeles's most disadvantaged children.  They use the 3R's Program (Renovate, Restock and Read).  They have successfully renovated 187 libraries and overseen the purchase of more than $2,000,000 worth of new books.  The Program Coordinator, Eliza Karagezian asked me to join in their efforts and read at as many of their schools as I could, and I said YES, I would love to.  That is what Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic is all about, helping the underdog and triumph over adversity.  So I am thrilled to help with their literacy program.  I will be joining forces with them starting in early 2009.

I was also asked by the Principal to return to the Euclid Ave. Elementary School to read Sparky to more of their classes.  I think they are going to make Sparky the Wonderfish their book of the month, which would mean all grades will be reading Sparky and doing a book report on it!  So great!

Sparky's Private Reading was Amazing!

Hello again!

Sparky and I had a terrific time on Sunday reading at a private home!  They made this adorable Sparky cake which was so sweet.  I read the book and gave out stickers and we all colored Sparky Coloring Pages.  The kids really liked it and I got the chance to have long conversations with the parents.  It turned out that one of the mothers had worked with Sir Ridley Scott on several films (I worked with Ridley editing his "Blade Runner: The Final Cut").  She is also friends with one of the producers of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth".  She said she would pass my Gulf Coast dream of a Reading & Donating tour on to her (for the children affected by hurricane Katrina & hope to give money to Global Green for their rebuilding efforts).  I have spoken with Global Green and to The Wonder of Books to see if we can all join forces...

I'll keep you posted,

Gillian

This is a picture of little Emily and Grace Delossa and artwork by Emily.

Barnes & Noble Raffle Winner's Coloring Page!

Hi-

I am finally getting around to posting the Coloring Page that the Raffle Winner colored when I had my Barnes & Noble Reading / Signing on November 8th at the Westside Pavilion.  The little boy's name was Christopher.  After I read the book to about 20 people I gave away Sparky Stickers and then everyone Colored Sparky, even the parents!  Then I decided to Raffle off a FREE Signed Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of ow love creates magic book.  Christopher was very excited and happy to hear I would post his art on my website!

See you soon!

Gillian & Sparky

Photos from Euclid Ave. Elementary School Library Grand Opening! (Fri. Dec. 5th 2008)

The Euclid Ave. Library Grand Opening was amazing!  Hundreds of people were there as well as press, for the event.  During the event the kids sang songs about reading and about the new library.  There was then a ribbon cutting ceremony and I read Sparky to a select group of kids.  They were awesome and so sweet.  They had me sign all of the Sparky items I gave them like the postcards and coloring pages.  Two of the kids asked to help take all of my gear to my car, which was so sweet!  The Principal of the schools invited me to be their next book of the month and come back to read to many of their classes.  I also met the coordinator of "The Wonder of Reading" who supplied the new library with new books.  She asked me to join forces with them and read Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic to all of the LA schools that they represent this coming year!  Sparky is (hopefully) BLOWING UP!!!

Talk soon,

Gillian (and Sparky of course!)

Pasadena Reading & Signings were AWESOME!

Last week I read and signed Sparky at four libraries in Pasadena.  At the first, there were 80 kids.  2nd and 3rd graders who LOVED Sparky.  We had a Q&A afterwards and the kids asked so many wonderful questions and got very excited about the writing process.  Their teacher invited me to their school and to meet the principal.  They invited me to do more readings at the school on January 14th!  These are some photos from all the fun that week!

See you soon,

Gillian & Sparky

Photos from Hastings Reading & Raffle Winner Art!

Hi-

These are photos from the Hastings library reading from december 3rd.  It was all little babies and kids 1, 2 and 3 year olds...  Later that day I had another Reading & Signing for kids slightly older and I held a raffle and gave away a FREE autographed Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic book to the winner!  As always, I let them know that I would post the winning artist's coloring page here on my website.  This winner was Olivia Leddie!  The fun was a blast for us all and I can't wait to do it again!!!

More soon,

Gillian

Barnes & Noble Reading / Signing was Awesome!!!

My reading & signing of Sparky last Saturday November 8th was AMAZING!  They went all out.  They had posters all over the store in the front of the store and downstairs where the kids section is.  They had my bio and photo at the front counter with my book right next to MICHELLE OBAMA's book at the main register!  Can't beat that, really...  The reading was really fun.  Afterwards everyone colored Sparky and I raffled off a FREE copy of my book!  I also donated a Sparky the Wonderfish book to the LA Children's Hospital.  Also, they asked if they could book me for readings at other Barnes & Noble locations and of course I said YES!!!  Here are some photos!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky

Letter of thanks from Boys & Girls Club!

Hi-

I received a very nice thank you letter from the Executive Director of the Venice, CA Boys & Girls Club thanking me for my donation of a Sparky gift pack which included a signed copy of the book, also a baseball cap, T-shirt, book bag, and journal.  The letter said, "...thank you very much for your suport of our 3rd Annual Westside Champion of Youth Dinner & Silent Auction.  Your generous donation of a Sparky Gift Pack to our auction is acknowledged and greatly appreciated.  Your support will help us deliver exciting and educational programs to over 4000 youth each year...support such as yours is very meaningful and will help enable young people who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens."

Erikk O. Aldridge

Executive Director

Received Letter from Writers Digest Awards!

Hello-

16th Annual International Book Awards...

No, I didn't win the award but they really loved Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic.

Here is what they wrote.  "The illustrations in Sparky the Wonderfish are a knock-out.  They have a childlike charm and simplicity and a luminescence.  This is a very sweet story that will appeal to a wide range of young readers, many of whom have been nose-to-nose with the feeder fish tank at the pet shop.  and the fact that this is based on a true story only makes it more appealing.  The book is professionally presented with a very pleasing and eye-catching cover.  There is the right mix of active illustrations with text on the pages and the story has a good message about the pay-off of persistence. Great Job!"  "This category was highly competitive and this book was among the best submitted.  Keep up the wonderful work!"

Structure, Organization, Grammar ****

Cover Design *****

------------------------

Team Sparky, signing off for now...

Somebody Blogged about Sparky!!!

Hey-

Someone who met me at the WeHo (West Hollywood Book Fair) Juliansblog.com wrote me that he loved the book and added this to his blog site.  What a sweetie!!!