Trip to New Orleans Confirmed!!! (Sept 13-18, 2009)

Regarding my "Sparky the Wonderfish Hope & Literacy Tour: New Orleans", so much is happening very fast... I am traveling to Arroyo Grande to visit my friend Joanie September 4 thrugh 6, both for her birthday (I will also pick up my Sparky the Wonderfish Costume, made by her sister for my Sparky events) and plan for my New Orleans trip this month (Sept. 13 to 18 to meet and location scout). We are using this "story of how love creates magic" to help rebuild Hope & Literacy along the New Orleans disaster areas. The project is aimed toward the educational wants and needs of the children effected by these disasters. I will reach 20 schools, 5 libraries and 2 hospitals. I am planning a Concert Fundraiser to conclude my tour in New Orleans next year, which will raise money to build at least one new green school and library. I plan on a meeting with the "Make it Right" foundation... Upon completion of this project/documentary, I will leave behind an agenda of mentoring students to read & write at that school and library!

Note: It has been my singular vision... what I want from my book of 'love creating magic' is to encourage and give back... I am thrilled to see it earnestly taking hold!

Gillian and Sparky the Wonderfish

See you soon!

Barnes & Noble Photos from Long Beach Sat. 8-22-09!

Hello-

The book event went well. I was told not that many kids go to this location.

The kids that were there were pretty cute. The parents said it would be OK to show photos.

This week coming up I don't have any specific Sparky events planned so I will be continuing my NOLA research for my Sparky Hope & Literacy tour. I also sold autographed books to a woman who is going to auction them to raise money for autism. That feels good!

Enjoy the photos!

Gillian

Totz Only Event Photos 8-20-09!

Hi -

We shot video for the most part, so I only have a couple of still photos from this event.

We had a good time! I had merchandise with me as well as books, coloring pages and stickers, creepers, bibs, book bags, buttons etc. 35 kids were there as well as 20 parents... Totz Only is a very cute store, I recommend it highly!!! Very great and original clothes and toys on sale there!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky the Wonderfish

iPhone Video Barnes & Noble - The Grove, Kids Entering... 8-18-09

Hello-

We have begun filming events leading up to my Gulf Coast, New Orleans Parish Documentary, "Sparky the Wonderfish Hope & Literacy Tour". Most of what we shot today is on a bigger HD camera so it sits on the hard drive for awhile... Suffice it to say, I wanted to show a little something from todays event so I grabbed an iPhone and shot the 100+ kids just starting to arrive... It was a great event! We all had fun. I read Sparky twice due to popular demand and new people coming in... We also COLORED Sparky and I gave FREE stickers! The book pages were projected on a big screen behind me so, the kids had better viewing!

Check it out!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky

Sparky at the 8th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair (Sun. October 4, 2009 - All Day)!

8TH ANNUAL WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR

8TH ANNUAL WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR

Sunday, October 4, 2009 10AM to 6PM West Hollywood Park 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood

400+ AUTHORS & ARTISTS Literary legends, celebrity guests, poets, storytellers & LA authors

CHILDREN’S AREA Kids’ Stage with storytelling, music, theater & dance. Arts, crafts & games hosted by exhibitors

***Gillian & Sparky the Wonderfish will receive BOOTH Assignments soon and will keep you posted!

Roz Helfand
Coordinator
West Hollywood Book Fair
323-848-6515
rhelfand@weho.org

Gillian Reads & Signs at TOTZ ONLY, (August 20, 11:00AM)!

FREE EVENT

presents

SPECIAL AUTHOR EVENT Storytelling, Singing, and Booksigning GILLIAN LEE HUTSHING "SPARKY THE WONDERFISH" Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:00 am - 12:00 pm About The Book. . . Sparky the Wonderfish: A Story of How Love Creates Magic is a charming true story of triumph over adversity. Based on a true story, Sparky the Wonderfish, is about a little girl who manages to save a tiny feeder fish from becoming dinner for six ferocious Oscar fish. Although feeder fish aren't expected to live longer than days, the real-life Sparky lived happily for thirteen years in his bowl, and thanks to the little girl in the story, the fictional Sparky thrives as well, About The Author. . . Gillian Lee Hutshing knows a good story when she sees one. As a feature film editor in Los Angeles, she has worked with acclaimed director's Sir Ridley Scott, Peter Weir, Kevin Costner among others. Sparky the Wonderfish is a story of how love creates magic. Gillian is currently working on a series of books to teach children big words in a fun and humorous way. She is also involved in many children's charities and literacy programs throughout the US. To Learn More About Gillian Hutshing, Visit Her Website: www.gillianleehutshing.com FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AND OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS AT TOTZ ONLY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.totzonly.com We hope to see you there.... Your Friends @

Sparky HELPS: Charity & Literacy - Schools, Hospitals, Libraries... Next Stop New Orleans, LA*

Hello-

Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic is a story of triumph over adversity, the underdog thriving against all odds...and about love! I have been donating books to schools, libraries, hospitals etc. as well as doing readings and signings for literacy and outreach programs throughout the Unites States and overseas.

This is a partial list so far of the places I have donated books.

Ocean Ave. Charter School, Santa Monica, CA

Hilltop Preschool, Los Feliz, CA

Playgroup Preschool, Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Family School, Los Angeles, CA

Tesoro de Valle School, Santa Clarita, CA

Wesley School, North Hollywood, CA

Coral Reef Elementary School, Miami Florida

John Muir Elementary School, Santa Monica, CA

The Growing Place School, Santa Monica, CA

Rancho Santa Fe Elementary School, San Diego, CA

Hillsides School: foster care, Pasadena, CA

The Laureate School, San Luis Obispo, CA

Crossroads School, Santa Monica, CA

San Rafael Elementary School, Pasadena, CA

Washington Accelerated Elementary School, Pasadena

Santa Monica Library, Santa Monica, CA

Venice Library, Venice, CA

Palms Rancho Park Library, Los Angeles, CA

Fontana Library, Fontana, CA

Pasadena Library, Pasadena, CA

Los Angeles County Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA

The Wonder of Reading, Los Angeles, CA

Center For A New Generation, Menlo Park, CA

Boys & Girls Club of The Peninsula

R.E.A.C.H. a Child! Central California

Pals Around The World TM

Andean Dream, LLC. Bolivia

Global Green, Santa Monica, CA

Boys & Girls Club, Venice, CA

MobiStories, Virtual Books for Kids

Mr. President & Mrs. Barack Obama, Washington DC

The Honorable Al Gore, Nashville, TN

Horace Grant, Los Angeles Lakers NBA

Los Angeles Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, CA

Children in Cozumel, Mexico

*New Orleans, Louisiana

I am planing a "Sparky the Wonderfish: Opportunity through Literacy Tour" (and documentary). We will use this "story of how love creates magic" to help rebuild the opportunities of literacy along the New Orleans disaster areas. Our project is aimed toward the educational wants and needs of the children effected by these disasters. I will read, conduct Q&A's... the kids will receive Sparky stickers, they will do coloring pages, interactive games, meet Sparky (costume) and I will donate the books & supplies that the children need. We intend for Sparky to reach at least 20 schools, 5 libraries and 2 hospitals. We also plan a Music Festival Fundraiser which will conclude this tour in New Orleans Parish next year. This SPARKY PROJECT will raise money to build at least one new green school and library room devoted to this literacy program. Upon completion of this project, Sparky will leave behin an agenda for mentoring students to read & write, play and interact for years to come! Help me HELP those in need! *We are working hard on our 501C3 but, If you have an idea to raise awareness for this Sparky Literacy Tour or the ear of a great sponsor please contact me! Thanks!

Gillian & Sparky

New iPhone Video Post!

P.S. This video was shot by Ten time Emmy Award Winning cameraman Jim Velarde on his new iPhone.

Photos from B&N Orange Event Saturday July 11, 2009!

Hello-

We had a fun event this weekend!  I got great photos and some video which I will post soon...

If you want to see photos, here they are!  Also, B&N Orange asked me back for some kids book fairs in the Fall.

I will have those dates by the end of the month and post them on my Signings & Events page.

Here are the cute photos!

Talk soon,

Gillian & Sparky

iPhone Video on Plane from Cozumel Mexico!

Hi!

We (my friend Jim and I) met an adorable girl, Olga (who is from Russia) on the plane home from Cozumel, Mexico.  During that trip, I realized that I have not been out of the country for over 10 years.  That is way too long!!!
Olga let us take a video of her saying hi, using the new iPhone.
Check it out!

Gillian

P.S. Olga loved the photo of the 'real' Sparky with my parrot Henry, so I posted it here above the video of her...

Sparky does good deeds in COZUMEL!!!

Hi There!
Sparky and I went down to Mexico last week, which was TERRIFIC!
I ran into the sweetest little girl, Ashanti and her mother, Donna and baby sister, Zindy!
I bought a cute black and red ankle bracelet from Donna. Ashanti went crazy for my Sparky the Wonderfish book, so I gave her an autographed copy!!!

Here are some photos...

Talk soon!

Gillian & Sparky

Make A "Sparky the Wonderfish" PUZZLE Now!!!

Hi!

http://five.flash-gear.com/npuz/puz.php?c=v&id=3455337&k=13062488
Cut & Paste this link into your browser and build you OWN Sparky The Wonderfish PUZZLE!
Give it a try, it's ADDICTIVE, in a GOOD way!!!

Love,
Gillian & Sparky

Where in the World is Sparky???

Hello!

I heard today that Sparky was sighted in Israel! He is also in Cozumel Mexico, Castaic CA, New York City, Miami Florida and New Orleans... Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Santa Monica, Santa Clarita, Los Filez, Burbank, Pasadena, San Diego, Washington DC, Madison WI, Menlo Park CA, Nashville TN! If you see Sparky out and about, I would love to hear about it AND see pictures... You know like the gnome thing. All of this is very new and exciting for Sparky and me. Sparky is a thrill seeker who loves to go places and see things. So if you see him out and about PLEASE let us know!!!

Thanks!
Gillian and Sparky

Barnes & Noble The Grove LA (June 14) Photos!

Hi!

The Barnes & Noble event at The Grove location was fantastic!!! (This is the Flagship Store on the West Coast) I had a video presentation on a big screen. I gave FREE Sparky the Wonderfish Stickers and Coloring pages and we colored Sparky! This B&N location purchased over 40 copies... All SOLD, except a few copies at this event!

*I have booked another event at this B&N Grove location, August 18th for over 100 Kids!!!

Ten time Emmy Award-winning cameraman, Jim Velarde shot my presentation as well as testimonials of the kids and my interview regarding my "Sparky the Wonderfish Gulf Coast Hope & Literacy Tour" plan...

Most important Q&A for me was the description of my passion for my "Sparky the Wonderfish Gulf Coast Hope & Literacy Tour" which is looking for a sponsor...

More information and photos SOON!

Talk soon!

Gillian & Sparky