I have to say that the storytime the next morning was one of my favorites of all time. It’s so fun when the parents and grandparents are willing to get a little silly and get into the spirit of things. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Dill and the other parents who danced across the floor and were such good sports. One little first grader helped me read the verses and she read like she was already in middle school and TUTORING first graders. She borrowed my scarf and flung it around herself very fashionably. It’s one of the pleasures of the road to meet such wonderful children and families. Thank you also to friends and family who came and to Barb Kennedy, a teacher I met at the last bookfair for Oak Brook Christian - I loved meeting your daughter.  She’s precious!  One final shoutout to the hardworking Barnes and Noble Event Managers Kimberly and Cheryl Westberg and Kimberly Luthin.  Thanks for all you do to connect people with books and authors. 

It’s always energizing to come back to my hometown of Chicago and be with family and friends.  Only one thing left to say, Go BLACKHAWKS!

Most of all, I really enjoyed meeting the parents and kids, and everyone who came out to support Tatiana Nicoli at the launch of her new bookstore, Boulevard Books and Cafe. Dyker Heights is LOVING having its own gorgeous new bookstore. And I truly loved introducing our books to this family centered neighborhood. Dear Baby, It’s a Colorful World was a perfect fit for the lively and diverse Brooklyn community. Tatiana, I wish you all the best and I thank you for the honor of being part of the launch of such an important community gathering place to share a love of books and ideas.

And to anyone who thinks Independent bookstores are dead and paper books are passe: just fuhgetaboutit!

I will be in New York for Book Expo and for the IBPA Publishing University just prior to the Expo.  I am asked frequently to speak on writing and publishing books.  My advice for writers is always the same.  WRITE IT DOWN.  It won’t look as brilliant as the perfect story in your head.  That’s where the real writing and editing comes in.  But writing isn’t the only craft necessary to bring books to readers.  Writers in all size presses really need to educate themselves on the business side of writing and publishing.  I highly recommend the IBPA Publishing University in just a few weeks.  www.ibpa-online.org   I went last year and it was inspiring, educational, and full of vital information that helped us launch Dear Baby Books.  It will be the best investment you will make in bringing your books to market.

Some of you have asked for Ava stories so here is my latest. The day before Easter we continued a family tradition started with my kids. They get an empty Easter basket and go on a little scavenger hunt to fill it. Obviously since she’s only three, we made it simple. We told her to look for chewed carrots since Mr. Bunny tends to drop them where he has planted eggs. On Easter we went to brunch at the Park Tavern which is right on Piedmont Park. Then we played wiffle ball and walked around and fed the ducks. A wonderful beautiful day. My favorite moment was when Ava snuggled into me and said, “Grandma, you make my heart super happy.”

Back at you honey, a million times over.

So I dove off the cliff and it felt ELECTRIC.  We danced through Dear Baby, Let’s Dance!  We played “what’s that color, and “where’s the frog” as I read an advance copy of Dear Baby, It’s a Colorful World.  When the children got a bit rowdy we played “FREEZE.”  Then I asked them to sit down so I could read a Valentine to them from their parents.  We played pretend as we wrapped blankets around us to get cozy and picked up a teddy bear or puppy to snuggle.  Precious moment: I heard one little boy say to the girl next to him, “I don’t get it.  Where are the blankets?”  The little girl looked at him in exasperation and said, “IT’S PRETEND.” 

When we were all snuggled in, I read Dear Baby, What I love about you!, a little board book Valentine.  One effervescent little girl kept smiling and laughing and saying “awwww.”   This is the kind of day that makes me think I have the best job in the world.

It’s been a strange but wonderful few weeks!  First there was that quick look at Dear Baby, What I love about you! on Keeping up with the Kardashians.  So weird to see it on TV.  I have been getting some wonderful letters from parents who enjoy reading this book to their babies.  It’s so meaningful to me to connect with parents and teachers.  It’s inspiring.  Then there was my reading at the Sandy Springs Library as part of a new early literacy program spearheaded by the Atlanta Junior League.  Awesome group of ladies.  I had an adorable 4 year old heckler.  I’m not kidding.  She kept interrupting and answered EVERY question.  On the other hand she was very animated. 

I want to thank my friends and family in Chicago who have generously been spreading the word about my book signings this week.  It’s just…moving to see how excited people are for us.  Several months ago I wrote a blog about how “Some Dreams Look Good on a Shelf.”  I’ve been getting emails that the Barnes and Noble store where I have 2 of the signings this week has an endcap spotlighting my books and has been handing out flyers at the register.  Now that’s surreal. 

This process has also brought me back in touch with a few friends I have not seen or talked to in a long time.  I’m excited to catch up with them on where all our lives have taken us since we graduated ten years ago. 

Okay, so it’s not ten years ago.  It’s…It’s…It’s none of your business.  Let’s just say there was a lot of debate about Jimmy Carter, Michael Jackson had his lovely original face, and phones were GIGANTIC.

We snuggled up to read several books prior to the nap but when I went to leave, Ava got uncharacteristically aggressive.  She jumped all over the bed laughing loudly trying to entice me to stay.  Then she moved the pillow on my head and jumped!  This is one time Grandma was happy to have a little meat on her bones.  If I was one of those spindly elderly grandmas with brittle bones I think she could have done me in!

I moved 35 pounds of pillow and toddler off of me and said sternly, “Please don’t smother Grandma,” to which she replied, “That hurt my feelings.”   Don’t you just love how kids’ minds work?  A few minutes later she settled down for her nap and I went back to work with a smile on my face and the cozy feeling of a sleeping child upstairs.

I loved how Ms. Newport disciplined the kids. She took care to find a child who was following directions and would say, “I like how John is sitting quietly with his back pack ready to go.” “I see Julie is sitting in her seat and raising her hand to ask a question.”

It was such a smart tactic and effective. It had the kids vying for her attention with positive behavior. I am currently scheduling author visits in Atlanta, Birmingham AL, Chattanooga, TN and Chicago so if you are interested in booking a visit, email me at carolcasey@dearbabybooks.com. I don’t want to be immodest but my author visits now come with a magic wand that makes that tinkly happy sound.   : )  I got it for Christmas from my daughter.

Our daughter-in-law Leah called to let me know that she and Ava were “writing” a letter to Santa. Ava would tell her what to put in the letter and on her wish list and as they were finishing up, Ava had one last thing to add. “Tell Santa he’s my one of a kind wonderful adorable YOU!” I can’t imagine having one of my books quoted will ever make me feel quite this good again.

Inside, the condo is decorated with all the familiar ornaments and holiday pieces from my childhood. And then there is Mom and Dad. They are 81 and 86, respectively, and as full of fun and life and romance as a pair of teenagers. This trip started off as kind of a favor. Mom and Dad came to Atlanta with my sister and brother-in-law to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. They were going to fly home but I could tell Dad wasn’t feeling good about flying after a recent medical procedure. So even though it’s not the best time to leave work, I said I’d drive them back to Chicago. It allowed me to help them get their tree up and get all their Christmas shopping bought and wrapped.  We did all that but in the end I think I was the one who received the better favor. I love our Atlanta home and life but I do miss snowy Christmases with my parents and siblings.  This stolen time with them has been a holiday blessing.