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Nana Star Celebrates Father's Day by Winning Mr. Dad's Seal of Approval
Just in time
for Father's Day 2008, Nana Star has received the endorsement of Armin
Brott, a.k.a. Mr. Dad, "America's
leading authority on successful fatherhood."
This is a dad who knows what he's talking about. The author of six bestselling books on
dadhood, Brott has contributed to the
nation's top parenting publications, including American Baby,
Parenting, and Child, among many others. He has
also appeared on Today and Fox News, and his work has
been featured in leading newspapers such as NYT, The Washington Post,
and The
Chicago Tribune. It's no wonder Time Magazine
called him "the
superdad's superdad."
Winning the Mr. Dad Seal of Approval is especially meaningful to ee considering
the eminently laugh-friendly mission behind it: to recognize products
and services that "promise to improve family life"
by "helping dads get or stay involved with their children,
improving the quality of the time fathers and children spend together,
improving father-child relationships, and helping dads be better
parents." Nana Star is all for that!
You can find out more about the Mr. Dad
Seal of Approval and Armin Brott at www.mrdad.com.
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Everyone's
talking about the lower-than-expected turnout at BEA in L.A. at the
beginning of the month. (In case you're not up on your trade show
acronyms, BEA
is BookExpo America,
the largest book trade show in the country.)
But, not being known as girls who fret, ee made lots of new friends all
the same. We also thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with old friends whom
we only get to see at shows like BEA.
We can't help
adding that every time we attend a trade show, we are amazed and
inspired by the many, many small businesses out there with creative,
unique, and totally fantastic offerings for children. Sure, all the heavy hitters were at
BookExpo, but the small businesses are where it's at. Oh and the most
memorable part of BEA for us personally? Our dad came to visit
and lend a helping hand! Next stop: ASTRA in Connecticut. (We'll let you take
some guesses at that acronym.)
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ee Exclusive
Need a good book to read this
summer?
Saundra Seward Interview
Bittersweet
Diary, a novel that
asks at what age does the confident woman get her guts?
Lane's bittersweet diary begins on her 21st birthday, but her saga
started at the age of five when she moved into the boiler room of her
school. She is forced to raise herself rather than live the horrid
lifestyle her mother imposed upon her. Could you handle it?
ee: What was the inspiration for Bittersweet Diary?
ss: I wanted to tell the story from the point of view
of a six-year-old, showing her will and determination, her emotions and
thoughts on life while forced to live in the boiler room of her school
- alone.
ee: What do you hope readers take away
from their reading experience?
ss: I want them never to underestimate
the mind of a child and to recognize that children are to be loved,
nurtured, guided, and protected. And to understand that where you come
from doesn't matter; it's where you take yourself that's important.
ee: What message are you most passionate
about spreading? What can readers generally expect from your
writing?
ss: In all of my work, my readers can generally expect
to read about situational points to ponder. The dedication page of Bittersweet Diary
reads like a "woman's anthem." It reminds you that worth,
wealth, and happiness are created from within. It holds a message of
assertiveness for females of every age and reminds them that life
should be what ee would call laugh-friendly.
ee: Are you at work on a new book? If so,
what's it about?
ss: I am working on the sequel to Bittersweet entitled
"Decadent Journey." I am also focusing on "Let's
Talk," a book of fun, thought-provoking questions for kids
designed to bring back the art of conversation (and laughter!).
ee: What's most "laugh-friendly"
about your books?
ss: Many of my books focus on what I call the
"pink elephant theory," where the problem is brought to the
surface and challenges the reader to deal with it! I think my readers
will find it rewarding and fulfilling to know that my characters,
though fictional, reflect parts of themselves and that we all have some
of the same thoughts. I want readers to realize that they are not alone,
that if we can just get together, we will find that we are more alike
than different. We can all truly help one another - we've just got to
get past ourselves. And that's when inspiration, fun, and
light-heartedness can flourish!
Bittersweet
Diary can be purchased at www.bbotw.com or email Saundra directly at
greysabyl@verizon.net.
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Be a Winner,Too!
Who do you think would be the most
laugh-friendly dinner companion? Let us know and we'll
donate a picture book to the school, library, children's hospital, or
doctor's office of your choice.
Send your pick to hello@laughfriendly.com- it's a toss-up for
us, again!
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 Laugh-Friendly
Kudos!
Here's ee with
one of our favorite new friends. It was GREAT to finally meet Anil
Hemrajani, the brains behind BigUniverse.com.
What a happy,
wonderful start to BEA, meeting such a kind person. Thank you, Anil, for visiting, being
so genuine, and for the photo op! We look forward to a long friendship
between Nana
Star and BigUniverse.
The fabulous Sean in Los
Angeles made the Moonman come alive and won the
hearts of many at BEA-even some of the most
serious-looking publishing executives couldn't resist a high-five from the
Moonman. Sean was reliable, full of ideas,
and so incredibly professional (despite the heat inside the costume). We were the envy of
other exhibitors and received several compliments on his performance.
We'd take you on the road with us anytime, friend!
The folks at Skyline Exhibits in
Stafford, VA get 4 laugh-friendly stars
for being hands-down the most laugh-friendly company we've dealt with
this month. George McCorkell was a
dream to work with and from beginning to end delivered as promised
without any headaches. This is why Skyline is the leader in their
field! Thanks so much for making ee
stand out in L.A.!
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June is
National
Dairy Month - National Adopt-a-Cat Month
- National Iced Tea Month - National Rose Month
- Potty Training Awareness Month
Oscar the Grouch's Birthday - June 1
D-Day - June 6
Father's Day - June 15
Summer Solstice - June 21
UFO Day - June 24
Captain Kangaroo's Birthday - June 27
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us
suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker
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Now
Available!
Nana Star and the Moonman,
the second picture book in the
Nana Star series has arrived!
Go to
www.NanaStar.com or www.laughfriendly.com to obtain your copy!
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Summertime
Careful
What You Wish For
A man found a bottle on the beach, and
when he opened it, out popped a genie, and he was granted three wishes.
He wished for a million dollars, and "POOF" there was a
million dollars.
Then he wished for a convertible, and "POOF" there was a
convertible.
And then, he wished he could be
irresistible to all women . . . "POOF"
He turned into a box of chocolates!
Why is a dog so hot in the summer?
Because
he wears a coat and pants!
It Might
Be the Light!
Deep In the
back woods, a hillbilly's wife went into labor in the middle of the
night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since
there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern
and said, "Here. You hold this high so I can see what I am
doing."
Soon, a baby
boy was brought into the world. Whoa there, said the doctor,
"Don't be in such a rush to put that lantern down. I think there's
another one coming."
Sure enough,
within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. "Hold that lantern
up, don't set it down there's another one!" said the doctor.
Within a few minutes he had delivered a third baby. "No, don't be
in a hurry to put down that lantern, it seems there's yet another one
coming!" cried the doctor.
The redneck
scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor, "You
reckon it might be the light that's attractin' 'em?
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RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
1
(17-oz.) can fruit cocktail, drained
1 1/2 cups
miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup drained
maraschino cherries, halved
2 medium
bananas, sliced
1 medium apple,
coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups
frozen whipped topping, thawed, or sweetened whipped cream
Lettuce leaves
1.
In large bowl, combine all ingredients except whipped topping and
lettuce; mix lightly. Gently fold in whipped topping. Serve
immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving time.
2. To
serve, spoon salad onto lettuce-lined plates. If desired, garnish with
additional maraschino cherries.
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