Saturday, January 28, 2012

Madison's Message To Help Close Puppy Mills

Author, Madison Cassel-Hughes and Illustrator, Patrick Hendrickson
A new book by Madison Cassel-Hughes, My Summer is the result of Madison's mother, Christine, and the entire family, making the unselfish decision to rescue thirty dogs from a puppy mill in West Georgia. The dogs were set to be euthanized because the owner was losing her lease, so mom, Christine Cassel loaded the kids in the van and drove to the location to "pick three because we can't save all thirty."  Famous last words! After a sleepless night, they drove back and got the rest the next day.

The result of her unusual summer adventure led Madison to write a book in order to educate every one, especially kids her own age, about the horrendous conditions under which puppy mill dogs live. Some, sadly, never have the chance to feel grass under their feet.
Dogs filled every seat, floor and corner of the Cassel's van!

I thought you should know more about Madison, her book, and the compassion and spirit that compels her to help educate others about the awful conditions in puppy mills.

CA: I'm So proud of you and your book, Madison!  What inspired you to write, My Summer, about your experience rescuing dogs from a puppy mill?

Madison: I wanted to teach kids about puppymills and pets stores so they would understand how sad it is for animals to live in cages.

CA: That's a very ambitious project, Madison. What was the most difficult part of writing your book?

Madison: I Enjoyed everything about writing the book. I was very excited!

CA: Your family rescued one of the puppy mill dogs. Was this a family decision, or did you choose her?

Madison: The women that owned the puppymill was thanking us for saving them and gave us this beautiful little white dog. We were in love! And named her Summer!

CA: Would you like to write more books about pet rescues?

Madison: Yes, I would love to write a book about Bella a beautiful pit lab mix saved off the side of the road. She was cut up on the face and holes in her chest. Now she has a great life...all because my mom said yes. And a book on Nicholas the deaf American bulldog that we drove all the way to Florida to save from the pound.
Nicholas lounging in his new home
Lucy in her new home & Dad's arms




I know, first hand, how devoted Madison's mom is to pet rescues since she's the one who found our sweet Lucy!


CA: So, Madison, now that you're an author, do your friends treat you differently?

Madison: No my friends think it is cool and were very excited.

CA:  Since you are working to save dogs, have you ever thought about working with animals - maybe becoming a veterinarian?

Madison: No, I would like to become a archeologist.

And, I'm sure you'll accomplish whatever you set out to do, Madison! Thanks, and keep up the good work!

Madison and Summer
Copies of My Summer are being donated to local libraries with proceeds for purchased books going to animal rescue groups in the West Georgia area. To find out more about purchasing a book email: mysummerbook@gmail.com 

And, please remember: Don't Shop! Adopt! 

Saturday, January 14, 2012

There's a Bad Kitty In Cynthia's Attic!

Kitty is not happy when she's told that her favorite foods are all gone and all that's left are Asparagus, Beets, Cauliflower, Dill...and 22 other equally unappealing vegetables. So she: Ate my homework, Bit grandma, Clawed the curtains, Damaged the dishes, and so on, through Z. Only when tastier things arrive (An Assortment of Anchovies, Buffalo Burritos, Chicken Cheesecake...) does she Apologize to Grandma.

My Review: One of the most delightful picture books I've read! Nick Bruel's Bad Kitty takes the naughty feline from icky vegetable retaliation to apologizing for her bad behavior...when she discovers her favorite foods are, once again, stocked in the house. This senior citizen laughed out loud at the story and illustrations such as, Moose Ala Mode, Hippo Hamburgers and Uncle Murray...huh? (You have to read the book) Even my equally senior husband loved it!

Although I highly recommend the satisfying experience of reading to your kids and grandkids, I suggest you listen, at least once, to the Vanessa Williams reading on CD. Her interpretation adds seamlessly to this hilarious, fantastically illustrated book. Can't wait to read more Bad Kitty adventures, especially Bad Kitty VS. Uncle Murray!   

About Nick Bruel:

NICK BRUEL is the author and illustrator of, among other books, BAD KITTY, POOR PUPPY, BAD KITTY GETS A BATH, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BAD KITTY and BAD KITTY VS. UNCLE MURRAY. A former bookseller, Nick used his quirky sense of humor and cartooning skills to get out from behind the bookstore counter and onto the shelves. But Nick was a born writer. When he was in first grade, he loved nothing more than to write stories and make drawings to go along with them, which he still does to this day.

Nick claims that, if he were to be compared to any of his characters, he would definitely be “Strange Kitty” from HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BAD KITTY. According to Nick, “I was definitely the cat who would go to a birthday party and spend the entire time sitting in the corner reading comic books, rather than participate in all the pussycat games.”

Nick lives with his wife Carina, daughter Isabel, and cat Esmerelda in Tarrytown, New York. During his down time, he collects PEZ dispensers and grows tomatoes in the backyard.

 

Nick Bruel's Website! Or Bad Kitty Website for books, games, and fun!

Purchase Bad Kitty on Amazon You'll be glad you did!

Book and CD available January 17th
For more information contact Esther Bochner/Senior Publicist, Macmillan audio, Macmillan Young Listeners - esther.bochner@macmillan.com

Monday, November 28, 2011

How Two People Consumed a 21-lb Turkey In 4 Days!


Day 1. Thanksgiving (duh)
Turkey dinner with all the fixin's around 2:00 PM topped off with lemon meringue pie!

Turkey sandwiches around 7:00PM (Yummy!!) Nature's sleeping pill!

 Day 2.
Turkey sandwiches with mayo, lettuce, and cranberry sauce for lunch (still tasty!)

Turkey dinner with all the fixin's (round 2) plus pie, of course! (Next-day leftovers are even better, don't you think?)

Day 3.

Turkey salad sandwiches for lunch. (Lovin' me some turkey salad!)

Turkey/romaine chef salad for dinner (Finally, something green that isn't soaked in Campbell's mushroom soup and French's onions!) and, oh yeah…pie.

Day 4.

Turkey salad sandwiches for lunch (Not lovin' the turkey salad so much and there's still half a bowl).

Turkey pot pie for dinner and the last of the lemon meringue. (sigh) 
Note: There might have been Day 5 except that on day 2 I was smart enough to vacuum seal a couple bags of turkey pieces for some time in May, (the earliest possible date I figure we'll be able to look at turkey, again, without gagging).

Btw,  our furry daughter requested a 22-pounder next year because Lucy and "friends" didn't get their share.
*sigh*

Monday, November 21, 2011

Brave Irene - William Steig, Narration by Meryl Streep



"An extroadinarily eloquent story about love and courage"
- The New Yorker

The Duchess eagerly awaits the delivery of her ball gown by Irene's mother, Mrs. Bobbin, but the seamstress is sick in bed and can't possibly deliver the gown in time.
Enter Brave Irene! Through a ferocious snowstorm and deliberately treacherous winds, Irene sets out to save the day for her dear mother (who always smells like fresh-baked bread to Irene).
Most would turn back, too afraid to face such a frightening journey, but Irene plods on with courage and ingenuity.

Magnificently illustrated and written by William Steig, Brave Irene even kept this senior citizen engaged throughout the story.
Narrated by the iconic Meryl Streep, this Book & CD Set charms with vivid illustrations, an exciting storyline, and the perfect voice to bring it all together. Also including a read-along track, Brave Irene is the kind of book that children will grow up listening to, and then excitedly read to themselves!

Ages 4 & up

William Steig(1907-2003) published his first children's book, Roland the Minstrel Pig, in 1968, and received the Caldecott Medal for Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (978-1416902065) in 1970. His works also include The Amazing Bone, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Abel's Island and Doctor De Soto, both Newbery Honor Books.
Book & CD set on Amazon





Cynthia's Attic 'Tween Series for Christmas!

 

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Are you Rich and Famous??


Two questions asked during an author visit to a local elementary school:

Are you rich?

Are you famous?

Let's see...I came home the other day from speaking to a fabulous group of 4th and 5th graders - at one of my favorite schools, Villa Rica Elementary - cleaned the house and fixed (translation: warmed up leftovers) dinner.

Today I'm doing laundry for what seems like our entire neighborhood (there's just the two of us!), and trying to ignore pleading looks from my canine daughter  that "walkie time" is waaay overdue.

If you're planning a writing career, I suppose my response to those two questions would be, "Don't quit your day job! In fact, you might want to add a couple additional jobs!"

That said, I wouldn't give up what I do for anything...except a winning lottery ticket.

Media Specialist - Candace Williams, Villa Rica, Elementary

Coming soon! Cynthia's Attic: Legend of Lupin Woods (Book Five)