Sending More Kids To Camp

Thanks to the great effort at Caper's Restaurant in Longmont, Colorado --we were able to help raise a couple of hundred dollars to help the cancer camp near Estes Park. We are just getting started and will be doing a much bigger event there something this fall/winter.

Colorado Signing to benefit camp near Estes Park

So here's the deal---

This Saturday from 5-7pm Caper's Italian Bistro in Longmont (600 S. Airport Rd.)
is hosting a book signing! All the of the proceeds from the sales of the children's books, and some of the proceeds from that nights restaurant receipts, will go to sending kids battling cancer to a special camp near Estes Park? (http://www.wapiyapi.org)

I'll be signing copies of "Willie's Wagon " (ages 6-9) and "A Hog Ate My Homework" (ages 7-11) ( Just $7 each). We will also have giveaways every half hour. Free coloring books and bookmarks will also be given out to every kid.

Please forward this to any friends (or post it on blogs etc) that you think would enjoy a good meal, a good children's book (or two) and supporting a good cause!

Let's fill the restaurant and have some fun!
See ya Saturday night!

For more on what we are doing check out www.willieswagon.com. There is a video there of a similar camp we visited last year.

Frankie The Pig Gears up for Events

Frankie will be joining me this coming Saturday for presentations of the children's book "A Hog Ate My Homework!"

We will be at John Deere Pavilion in Moline at 10:30 am Saturday--then in Burlington at Westland Mall (in front of B. Dalton's) from 2-4pm.

Hope to see you then!!!!!

Pig Preps for Fair

Frankie, the pot-bellied pig, is on a mission. She is helping spread the word about "A Hog Ate My Homework!" see you at Louisa County Fair July 28th at 1pm!

Summer Reading!

I am exciting to see that so many groups are really working hard to keep our kids reading this summer. I have attended a number of events--and have many more lined up.

I am also working ahead to another busy school year with both Willie's Wagon and A Hog Ate My Homework! Willie's next adventure is in the works, too.

I hope your summer is going well.

I want to hear from some of you. It has been awhile.

Back to the blog!

Now that a great year of school visits is in the books, I can get back to things like writing! Part of that is catching up on this blog which I have let sit idle way too long.

I know some of the children we have been getting to know are getting ready for this year's cancer camp in Boone, Iowa. Many of them have been counting the days. Some new campers are fighting the jitters as expected.

I want to thank so many schools, teachers and students who have helped us help the camp in any small way we can. We have mananged to put together thousands of dollars in donations so that more children can go to camp. No one is turned away at the Heart Connection Cancer Camp--but the non-profit has to cover its expenses just like the rest of us.

Post replies and let's get talking again! Thanks for your support with Willie's Wagon and A Hog Ate My Homework!

Gary

What A Day--What an Honor!

I think Friday afternoon will go done as one of those milestone days for me and my two books. As i was in Denver at the recognition event for the Children's Moonbeam Award for A Hog Ate My Homework (and attending the ALA convention) I got more great news! We just won a Mom's Choice Award for Willie's Wagon!

I had called home to tell Pam things were going very well--and asked her to check email. I had heard from another author that the results were in for the Mom's Choice Awards. At first Pam didn't see the email, so I thought we didn't win. Then came the exciting call out--
"Here it is --let me read it to you!"

What a day--what an honor!

This should help our grassroots effort to get the book out there. I appreciate your help too. Any blogs and reviews you can think of--please help us spread the word!

Gary