Good Karma » Cuter than Cute

This just in!

Karma — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:34:33 +0000

I write books that I think are pure imaginary fun and then a real life news even come along that jumped straight from the pages of my books! Have you read Animal Strike at the Zoo or Never, Ever Shout at the Zoo? If so this story may make you giggle. Apparently six miles outside of Amsterdam a renegade Giraffe was the ring leader (pun intentional) of a circus escape. He lead several other animals down the streets in an attempt to get out of work. Maybe he was on strike or somebody shouted. LOL! Thanks to the reader who alerted me to this gem of a story.

Come back tomorrow for a 4th of July giveaway! I’m giving away one signed copy of How to Bake an American Pie.

K….

Too cute?

Karma — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:44:19 +0000

Okay, be honest–are these Pom puppies too cute? Nah! I can’t believe I get to take pictures like this for a job. SO. MUCH. FUN.

Just Bear and Ian

Karma — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:18:24 +0000

I have received so many touching emails about how my books and the characters in my books become a special part of a child’s life. One story in particular I really want to share with you because the pictures sent with it speak volumes.

A few years back Kohl’s department store ran a promotion using my Bear series. They sold special versions of Bear books for $5 and for the same price they offered special stuffed animal Bear book characters. Proceeds benefited a children’s hospital charity. I was thrilled!

This wonderful promotion introduced thousands of children to Bear. Ian is one of those children. Ian’s mother, Beth, wrote to tell me Ian’s story, and it is so wonderfully illustrated with her adorable pictures that I actually teared up. It is a profound feeling to realize that a character who was born in my mind plays a vital part in the lives of children and families. It is a blessing I never imagined when I first dreamed of being a children’s author, and yet is the most gratifying part of my job. I have received literally hundreds of emails with similar stories and I am grateful for every single one.

Beth writes:

This is my son, who received a gift
of Bear Stays Up for Christmas and the toy bear right after he turned one.
This was taken the moment that Ian first unwrapped the gift of his Bear.

That was then… this is now:

We have since bought all of the Bear books. As you can see in the
pictures from the moment that he unwrapped his gift little Ian was in
love. Bear has since gone with him EVERYWHERE. To bed, to the park,
sledding… hanging off the back of his tricycle all around the
neighborhood…

Bear is practically famous at our church now, since he’s attended Sunday
school and preschool there as faithfully as Ian has. He even has his
own name tag there. Ian long ago created a voice for Bear, which I can
recognize from anywhere in the house, whether it’s Ian talking, or
Bear. Whenever anyone asks what his name is, Ian says, “just Bear”. He
and your stories about him have become a part of our family. I just
wanted to share our pictures with you and say thanks for creating Ian’s
very best friend!

Sincerely,
Beth

Thank you for writing Beth. I am touched and honored. That is one of the most well-loved teddy bears I’ve ever laid eyes on, and who could help but smile seeing that picture of Ian taxiing his good friend around the neighborhood? Ian is an amazing child.

K…

Adorable Fan and Fellow Dolphin Lover!

Karma — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:00:48 +0000

Wow, another adorable fan reading one of my books! This darling enthusiastically reads Bear Wants More (and this video is proof that I know what I’m doing when I include repeating lines!). I love how she points out the fish in the book and says they are dolphins. She is a “kindred spirit”! Since childhood I have always loved dolphins. I still have a dream to swim with a dolphin someday. Anyway, this video just made my day.

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Adorable Fan Rhiannon Reads Bear Wants More!

I don’t even have a mural!

Karma — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:51:06 +0000

Google Alerts sent me a little blurb about the blog, TO TESS AND BACK. Apparently Tess, the adorable toddler star of the blog, loves Bear Wants More (hugs to Tess!). Not only that, Julie, Tess’s Mom, mentioned a website with pictures of a child’s bedroom featuring a mural from Bear Wants More painted on one wall! It’s one of the cutest bedrooms I’ve ever seen. Below you can see the mural photo and here’s a link to more photos (go look at it! It looks like something out of a parenting magazine).

I can’t believe this room! Why don’t I have a mural, hmmm? In fact, why haven’t I ever had this nice of a bedroom in my whole life!? This mom should be an interior decorator. Maybe she is….

Anyway, I really recommend the whole site. The full story of this family is very compelling and if you’ve ever thought of adopting abroad it’s a great resource. The twins this room was designed for are adopted from China (and boy are they CUTE).

But I still have to ask, why don’t I have a mural?!

K…

Youngest Story Teller EVER!

Karma — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:47:55 +0000

Look at the treasure I found on Youtube! Is this not the cutest thing ever? A 2.5 year old "reads" my book, Bear Snores On, to her daddy with great tone, inflection and drama. This is how my books are "read" best. Awwww....

--K