Great Books Recommended by Great Dad

I met the founder of Great Dad at ABC Kids Expo a few weeks back. Paul Banas, a fellow Minnesotan (there's many of us), formed the network of articles, blogs and forums found on Great Dad because he realized that there was a missing gap in the online world for dads.

I enjoy his humor, insight and of course, book recommendations, which actually overlaps with many books I have upon my personal bookshelf at home.

So, for those dads, grandparents and women looking for great sites to recommend to the dads in their lives, please stop by and meet Paul and the great site he created, if you haven't already. Oh, and please tell him I sent you!

Getting Lucky in Vegas

I never win anything. Ever. Which is why I was so shocked when I sat down at one of the penny slot machines here in Vegas last night and won $177.00 on my first - and last - spin at that particular machine.

At first, I assumed I won 177 pennies so I was thinking to myself - as the machine added up the winnings with the sound of coins dropping - big deal, I won a lousy $1.77. As I watched the dollar amount increase on the screen in front of me, I realized that it was actually dollars that were adding up.

I immediately cashed out and excitedly sent a text message to everyone, who I thought would care, about my winnings. Of course, several people had to remind me that if I had only bet more than one penny per line (a whopping total of $0.21 was what I bet) I would've won a heckuva lot more money. Figures.

I was thrilled that I won something - since this has never happened to me before. My luck is beginning to change. At least that's what I've been telling myself ever since!

When I arrived at the Kane/Miller booth this morning at the ABC Kids Expo, I immediately wished I had the I Got Lucky stickers that we created a few years back when our picture book, Lucky, was first published.

The stickers said, "I Got Lucky in..." followed by a blank line. We had used these stickers at the promotional book fairs and trade shows we had attended, using the blank space on each sticker to write in the name of the city we were visiting.

Lucky, A Dog's Best Friend

Las Vegas would've been the perfect place for them (I Got Lucky in Vegas!), despite the fact that Lucky is not a new title.

Next year, remind me to bring more stickers! Or buttons! Or...well, you get the idea.

The Boom Boom Book Room

Back in September, our Sales Manager attended the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas. This was Kane/Miller's first appearance at the show, and one of our most successful - at least since I've been with the company.

We made a lot of new contacts there, including several new names and faces from the media as well as new retail accounts that are now carrying our titles, such as the new Toddler Tales series, featuring Tina Burke's adorable Sophie's Big Bed (Spanish edition coming in 2008).

From Australia
Sophie's Big Bed
by Tina Burke

This was just one of the books that caught the eye of Jayneoni Moore, Hollywood's Glamour Guru. Since then, I have spoken to Jayni over a dozen times, exchanged several emails and have been the recipient of the official invitation for Kane/Miller to participate in the Boom Boom Room as the exclusive publishing sponsor.

Founded by Jayneoni Moore, the Boom Boom Room began as a way to bring baby fashion and high quality products to celebrities and media.

In association with the 65th Annual Golden Globe Award Show, the Boom Boom Room will be held Friday and Saturday, January 11th and 12th, 2008 in Beverly Hills. This will be our opportunity to present Hollywood stars and international media with our award-winning children's books from around the world.

I better start shopping now for my wardrobe...