LA Times Festival of Books UCLA '09 Photos & Positive Feedback!

From Jim in photo #2, wrote me these kind words...

"Having taken my 6 year old granddaughter to several book readings at our local Library. She has never responded with such enthusiasm and infectious interest to any other children's book before. SPARKY THE WONDERFISH : A story of how love creates magic has become her favorite children's story. She's now looking forward to seeing the movie and playing with Sparky the Wonderfish toys."  

And Hi!

The LATFOB 2009 went well for Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic

I sold about 15 books total which I hear is good for a festival which can be mostly about exposure and give-away items, which I did too... coloring pages, bookmarks, cards, flyers, coloring pages etc.  Here are a few photos of the festivities!!!

On Thursday I read at a school for 800 students!!!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky the Wonderfish!

"Sparky the Wonderfish" Gulf Coast Hope & Literacy Tour!

Follow me on Twitter!  SparkTheGulf  -  http://twitter.com/sparkthegulf

WE CANNOT FORGET THE GULF COAST!

Moving forward with plans...

We are working very hard on the "Sparky the Wonderfish Gulf Coast Hope & Literacy Tour" taking my children's book "Sparky The Wonderfish" and using this "story of how love creates magic" to help rebuild the Gulf Coast disaster areas, aimed towards the educational wants and needs of the children effected by these disasters i.e. schools, libraries, hospitals.  There have been many more hurricanes since Katrina which have continued to batter the Gulf Coast. We need to increase attention in these areas and support the children who continue to suffer from these hurricanes and devastation to their lives and their hope for the future. I am planning a tour along the Gulf Coast reading and donating books and supplies. I have joined forces with an artistic director for an internationally owned private school on the central coast. Her brother lives on the Gulf Coast and is helping us connect with the right people there.  I will be traveling to the Gulf Coast to do further "boots on the ground" research to determine the specific stops we will make and what the exact needs are as far as books and supplies.  We are also pursuing print and media attention to support our efforts and we need your support.  We are interested in joining forces with organizations or corporations who would help contribute to this cause (or if anyone knows how to forward this plan to Oprah or Ellen...) We appreciate any and all sponsorship!!!  My goal is to renew interest along the Gulf Coast by reading and donating my books and supplies to the kids as well as to raise money to build at least one new green school and library.  We need to get peoples lives back on track and increase HOPE & LITERACY - it's been messed up along the Gulf Coast for way too long!!!

I started a new business for extra income so I can continue to work on my books!

Hello-

Yes, I started my own business as an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay cosmetics.

I love it so much!  It gives me total freedom to work around my writing instead of fitting writing in with my work schedule.  Everything about it is on my terms with complete flexibility to build my business and write and do my book events or even take a film job, all as I see fit.  How great is that?  So great!

Please contact me for a Sparky the Wonderfish reading and or Mary Kay beauty products!  We could have a party doing both, something nice for mom or dad and the kids!!!

Mary Kay Inc.

Gillian Hutshing

Independent Beauty Consultant

gillianh@marykay.com

http://www.marykay.com/gillianh

A lot of great things are happening...

Yesterday I received an email from Adriana Rosales the Library Coordinator at the Washington Accelerated Elementary School to Read & Sign Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic Thursday, April 30th.  Grades K through 5, the school has over 800 students.  They will be pre-ordering books for the event.

As a member of the Advisory Board for The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS)

the President of GLAWS has asked me to Chair the Booksellers Events.  We are joining forces with Barnes & Noble Booksellers.  Our first event is June 13, 14 2009 at The Grove location.  I believe Sparky and I will be kicking off the event.  We are planning to do one Barnes & Noble Booksellers event per month.  Hopefully we can begin the same situation with Borders Bookstores as well.  I would like our first in that series to be the Borders Torrance, CA location.

Good news!  On Friday I called the Barnes & Noble on Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles.  (I went there a few weeks ago and was told they were sold out of the 25 books they purchased for my book signing.)  I asked if they were going to re-order.  I was told, they had already reordered and stocked 7 more books and would continue to do so.  He said at their store alone, they sold 14 books in one month.  He said that is a very good number and suggested I contact more locations to stock Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic...  because it is selling so well!  

Sparky and I have been chosen to be a featured author and title at the LA Times Festival of Books at UCLA on April 25th, 26th.  

I will be signing books at booth 631. 

Saturday, April 25th - from 12:00PM until 2:00PM

Sunday, April 26th - from 2:00PM until 4:00PM

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