Monster time - Take Trockle home with you

October is the time for goblins, ghosts, and monsters. It's also the time to begin Christmas shopping. Everyone can combine the monsters of Halloween with Christmas shopping by finding Trockle and taking him home.

Trockle is the little monster under the bed that everyone loves. Children would love to dress up like him and/or have him for a friend. A few I know won't go to bed without someone reading his story and being able to wear the Trockle t-shirt.

Of course Trockle can be found on Amazon.com or through local bookstores, but the sale price offered by 4RV Publishing can be found only on the 4RV Children's Books website. From now until Christmas, the $18.99 price is reduced to $10 plus shipping and taxes, if any.

Trockle, written by Holly Jahangiri and illustrated by Jordan Vinyard, delights children of all ages, from one year old to at least ninety.

Encyclo-Media Oklahoma

A year ago, Jacque Graham and I "discovered" Encyclo-Media and started planning on having a booth for 4RV Publishing this year.

Encyclo-Media is sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Education under State Superintendent Sandy Garrett. The event has over 1,000 exhibitors and many sessions for teachers, librarians, and school councilors.

We saved and continued publishing books. After less than two years in business, we took twenty-three titles to the event, displaying them in a 10 x 10 booth.

On Wednesday, Jacque, Suzy Koch (whose book Being Jacob: First Day of School made its debut), and I, with help from Mike Koch, set up our booth.

Thursday, the event began. Jacque and I were on site, after driving through rain, by 7:30 AM. We left for home a little before 5 PM. Suzy joined us that morning after battling her way through masses of idiot drivers and left in time to pick up her sons at school.

Hundreds and hundreds of the 5,000 or more teachers, librarians, and/or counselors attending stopped and examined our books. More than half who stopped and looked took notes about the titles that interested them. All had to return to their schools and send out purchase orders for any books they wanted.

Quite a few teachers asked if we would/could prepare AR tests to go with the books. Jacque has worked with Advanced Reader for more than one grade level and said we could and would. A few of our books already have study guides, some of which have tests already: Bubba & Giganto: Odds Against Us by Lea Schizas, State of Wilderness and State of Quarries by Elysabeth Eldering (illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven), and Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel, illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard.

I put together a written process for educators to follow when they order from the company so they get a discount. Most of those who visited with us thought the discount was an incentive for schools to order from us.


Friday, we were on duty from 7:30 until shortly before 3. They locked the doors of the hall at 3. Jacob, Suzy's son and the Jacob of her book, joined us Friday.

All of us were excited, tired, and anxious.

Now we wait.

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Los Angeles Festival of Books and 4RV

The LA Times/UCLA book festival was held on the UCLA campus April 25 & 26. None of the authors from 4RV Publishing could participate, but some of our books and handout materials were present. Bookmarks, brochures, and other items were placed in bags and passed out by volunteers.

Christine Alexanians managed the Authors' Coop booth. Special thanks go to her and to Carolyn Howard-Johnson for allowing us to be represented.

Our books and materials were displayed in one book case. On the next to top shelf were some of the brochures we sent with Confessions of a Former Rock Queen by Kirk Bjornsgaard and Midnight Hours by Vivian Gilbert Zabel. (hmm ... that last name seems familiar. *laugh*)


This photo shows both shelves with 4RV books and materials, with books by Carolyn in between.


The bottom of the 4RV shelves displayed Trockle by Holly Jahangiri and Jordan Vinyard, brochures, post cards, and bookmarks, as well as State of Wilderness by Elysabeth Eldering and Aidana WillowRaven, Bubba & Giganto by Lea Schizas, Colors by Dana Warren and Stephen Macguignon, Angeline Jellybean by Crystalee Calderwood and Stephen, and Lion in the Living Room by Caelaach McKinna and A. R. Stone.

Perhaps next year, if the Authors' Coop has a booth, we may have at least two authors who can personally participate.


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All good things come to an end

Since this is the end of the Prairie Dog Cowboy virtual tour, Patch (the back cover of the book) will say goodbye.

I want to thank all the hosts for this blog tour. They did great jobs of promoting Buddy, Caleb and his family, and Patch. Some impressive reviews and interviews are now in the Prairie Dog files.

A special thanks must go to Jordan Vinyard, though, for her illustrations. Her work brought so much of the book to life visually. I have shown a few of the illustrations scattered through the week, but I want to show a few more as part of this post.





To the left is Mr. Huff feeding Soldier a carrot after bringing the stallion to have Buddy break him. Being able to break a stallion as old as Soldier to be ridden, no matter how "tame" he may be, would be a very difficult job.







Buddy works with Soldier in the coral.









I'll draw the winners of the four 4RV canvas bags tomorrow and post their names Monday or Tuesday.

Thank you again for following the tour or stopping by for one or two stops. Thank you for your support and encouragement.



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Final two stops for Prairie Dog Cowboy, Saturday & Sunday

Before I post the stops for today and for Saturday, I wanted to share two more of the illustrations drawn by Jordan M. Vinyard.

On the left is Katie and Buddy. On the right is Mary, Caleb, Craig, and Cody Hyman.

The illustrations scattered throughout the novel helps make the book more interesting for all readers, and especially reluctant readers. Children of all ages, 2 - 200, enjoy looking at pictures, too. *laugh* I know I do, especially if they are well crafted.

Saturday's stop is at Holly Jahangiri's blog Do I Have to Spell It Out.

Sunday I will wrap up the tour here.

Yes, it's almost over.

Don't forget, at the end of the tour four people's names will be drawn from comments left at the stops of the tour, and each will receive a 4RV canvas bag. I'll announce the four winners Monday or Tuesday.


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Next 2 stops for Prairie Dog Cowboy

The blog tour for Prairie Dog Cowboy continues with two more stops today, Thursday:

February 19: Malcolm R. Campbell and Chris Speakman

Followed by two more tomorrow:

February 20: Joyce Anthony and Nikki Shoemaker


The full schedule can be found on Vivian's Site, 4RV Publishing, and here.

The tour so far has been interesting and fun. Please follow along, leave a comment every stop possible for chances to win one of four canvas 4RV bags.


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Prairie Dog Cowboy tour continues

Come visit the next stops on the Prairie Dog Cowboy blog book tour.

Today is the third day of the Prairie Dog Cowboy virtual tour with two more stops. Hosting today are Nancy Famolari and
Joy Delgado blog 1 and blog 2 - yes Joy has two blogs with Prairie Dog as a guest.

Tomorrow witll have another two hosts, and one with two blog also: Elysabeth Eldering and Rena Jones blog 1 blog 2.

The full schedule can be found on Vivian's Site, 4RV Publishing, and here.

The book has pen and ink illustrations created by Jordan M. Vinyard.









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Prairie Dog Cowboy tour begins

Today, Sunday, February 15, Buddy and other characters of Prairie Dog Cowboy join me on a virtual book tour.

The first two tour stops are on blogs hosted by Ransom Noble and Carolyn Howard-Johnson.

Tomorrow the following two people will host a stop: Beverly Stowe McClure and Jennifer Nipps.

The full schedule can be found on Vivian's Site, 4RV Publishing, and here.

When a person leaves a comment or question (one entry per stop per person) becomes an entry in a drawing for one of four canvas bags. The drawing will be held at the end of the tour.

Please join me and the others for a fun tour.


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Shari Lyle-Soffe to feature Prairie Dog Cowboy

On her blog next week, Shari Lyle-Soffe will feature children's books which can be used in schools. On February 11, Shari will host Prairie Dog Cowboy, my historical fiction for young teens.

I'm working on a study guide to go with Prairie Dog. Not only does the book deal with frontier life in No Man's Land, before and after it became the Oklahoma Panhandle, but it examines how a boy overcomes obstacles to become a young man. The academic areas covered in the book not only include history but also the importance of education, the need of family, and a bit of geography.

The book contains some pen and ink illustrations by Jordan M. Vinyard. One thing I discovered while teaching is reluctant readers are "turned off" by page after page of nothing but words. A few illustrations helps break up the frightening array of words.

Shari's blog post will unofficially start the virtual tour for Prairie Dog Cowboy, which officially begins February 15 and ends the 22nd. The book, published by 4RV Publishing, will visit 15 blogs during that time.

Please visit Shari Lyle-Soffe "Out of My Mind" About Books for Children on February 11 for her post about Prairie Dog Cowboy, then again February 12 for Shari's visit with Elysabeth Eldering and her book State of Wilderness.


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A place to voice our questions about CPSIA

NOTE: Check out District Dispatch, including the comments. The article brings current information, but it also highlights the fact that we're beginning to compartmentalize attacks into our own narrow interests. We need to press for repealing of the law, period.

We have another place to voice our concerns about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Stephen Macquignon posted on CPSIA-Central a link to “Ask a Question Regarding the New CPSC Reauthorization Legislation." He had submitted the question, "When's the law going to be repealed?"

My question was a bit more detailed, but it essentially asked the same thing. When will the CPSIA be stopped?

I think we should inundate that site with our concerns, questions, desires to see this law nullified, repealed, halted, stopped, and otherwise erased. Another law, one well researched and written, would better protect our children.

We need to stop the tragedy from happening, and we need to keep honest people from being law breakers because, as some folks keep telling me, "the law is unenforceable so don't worry about it." Personally, I try not to disobey the law even if I think no one will catch me. I prefer to be legal, as do most people and businesses.

Another blog that discusses the CPSIA problem in a more humorous manner, but no less true one, is Trockle. Personally, I'm a bit partial to the lovable little monster and his book, published by 4RV Publishing, written by Holly Jahangiri, and illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard. I'd like to see him, uh, his book continue to be available for children. I'd also like to see the Trockle stuffed toy become a reality and not "thrown away" before produced because of a bad law.

Discussing the CPSIA and its impact with others is a good strategy. I attended a book festival this past Saturday. I was surprised how many authors had no knowledge of the law or its impacts. I spent 80% of my time talking about the CPSIA rather than books.

In fact, The Oklahoman photographer captured me with my mouth open telling someone about the law. However, not one word appears in that same paper about the serious impacts the CPSIA will have on stores, books, libraries, schools, small home businesses, or the price everyone will pay as costs of items increase.
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3 4RV books nominated for Cybils Award

Three books published by 4RV Publishing are nominated for the Cybils Awards:

Trockle by Holly Jahangiri, illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard in Picture Book Fiction.






State of Wilderness by Elysabeth Eldering, illustrated by Aidana WillowRaven in Middle Grade Novel.



Prairie Dog Cowboy by V. Gilbert Zabel, illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard in Middle Grade Novel.

Trockle Trick-or-Treat Tour ends Monday

Where has the week gone? The Trockle Trick-or-Treat Tour just began, at least it seems as if it did, yet tomorrow Holly and Jordan will wrap up the tour.

Trockle and Stephen are stuffed with treats of all kinds, including Choco-Tacos. More people have met and fell in love with Trockle. Others have learned more about him and his mom.

The book is one that children seem to love, and, even if they don't admit it, so do adults like me.

Copies of the book can be ordered from the 4RV Publishing Store, and the contest for a personalized book with Trockle is still open. So, visit the last stop on the tour, and enter the contest, on Do I Have to Spell It Out Monday .

The bubble wrap found with the experience of this blog tour is the friendliness of everyone involved.

Trockle Trick-or-Treat Tour - bit of bubble wrap

The 4RV children's book, Trockle by Holly Jahangiri and illustrated by Jordan M. Vinyard, will travel around cyberspace starting October 6. The lovable little monster under the bed who was afraid of the big boy monster on top will visit several blogs along the way. Stephen, the boy monster, will travel with him.

Come add a little bubble wrap to tickle your fancy. The schedule for the tour is as follows (URL should open in a new window):


October 5:
Joyce Anthony @ Books and Authors
http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

October 6:
Joyce Anthony @ Books and Authors
http://joyceanthony.tripod.com/blog/

October 7:
Janet @ Janet’s Book Nook
http://www.sheneedstoknow.com/booknook

October 8:
Kimberly @ All About Kimberly
http://www.allaboutkimberly.com

October 9:
Jen (Pantheistic Mom) @ My Terrene Reality
http://terrenereality.blogspot.com

October 10:
Elysabeth Eldering @ the Junior Geography Detective Squad
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com/

October 11:
Ron Berry @ The Surreal Writer
http://unwriter1.wordpress.com/

October 12:
Lynne Thompson @ La Vida Es Un Sueno
http://suenogrande.blogspot.com/

October 13:
Wrap-up by Holly Jahangiri and Jordan M. Vinyard
http://blog.jahangiri.us