Don’t miss K is for Kids’ first Southwest Reading Festival Partner Event to be held Saturday, March 3rd at Barnes & Noble, Coconut Point from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s a free book party with more fun’raising for children than we can say in one breath… Go ahead, try to read this out loud in one breath:
Cookies and coloring with “Cat and Crow” children’s author Lisa Fleming, origami bookmarks, bird expert Patrick Wooley, Ph.D., balloon twisting by Walt Timoney, face painting, scavenger hunt and young authors book writing by K is for Kids’ Teen Advisory Team, complimentary photographic portrait by WILKINSONphotography, prizes, raffles of a Cassie the Cat stuffed animal and signed book by Lisa Fleming, PLUS a set of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” signed by Jeff Kinney, and more! See the complete list below. Each participants receives a raffle ticket (see the fabulous prizes below) and for each new and/or gently used book donated for a child in need, an extra raffle ticket will be given.
The fun’raiser is a celebration of the children’s book, “Cat and Crow: An Amazing Friendship,” with a spotlight on the hero of the story, Moses the crow. Children will meet author Lisa Fleming who will later sign books and join children for cookies and coloring. Following Lisa, and using props and other surprises, bird expert and volunteer naturalist for the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Patrick Woolley, Ph.D., will entertain and educate kids about one of the smartest animals in the world: the crow.
AGENDA: Barnes & Noble K is for Kids Founder Karen Clawson will welcome guests.
Mrs. Clawson will introduce the teen and Starbucks volunteers.
K is for Kids’ teen spokespersons will announce the winner of the Foundation’s second “Shining Star” award for 2011 — Ross Sabes of websitedesignby.com — and hand him the crystal blue star. Mr. Sabes is our wonderful webmaster who masterfully transformed our site into a place that is inviting to teens and adults alike!
Next, the teens introduce author Lisa Fleming who will share her debut book.
Lisa will introduce Professor Wooley, prepare to be surprised!
Following the author and speaker presentations, the teens’ fun’raising stations being:
*Walt Timoney, family entertainer will be twisting balloons into free fabulous creations — towering hats, fishing poles with dangling fish, cute animals and more!
* Kids are invited to write a book together! Children of all ages may write a page for K is for Kids’ fourth commemorative young authors book.
* All young writers will later receive a free eBook!
* The young authors can have their picture taken to accompany their story by Wilkinson Photography who will be on hand to create “photographic portraits.”
* The young writers may draw a picture too or color the cat the author is giving.
* Face painting,
* A scavenger hunt,
* Prizes!
* At the end of the afternoon, we will wrap up with two raffles: A signed book by Lisa Fleming of her “Cat and Crow” book along with a stuffed animal, Cassie the Cat; plus a complete set of Jeff Kinney’s books, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” that he personally signed during his recent visit.
About “Cat and Crow”:
Millions of people have seen the remarkable footage on YouTube, National Geographic, Animal Planet, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Lifetime, and Miracle Pets of a lonely, stray kitten and the crow who adopted her. Although natural enemies, Cassie the cat and Moses the crow became best friends and played every day for four year. Their story is the subject of an illustrated children’s book entitled “Cat and Crow: An Amazing Friendship.” Drawn from first-hand accounts, this delightful book celebrates their unusual union and champions the story’s hopeful message of friendship and peace. Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, calls it “an amazing story of two unlikely animals that have been magically brought together in this world.”Cat Fancy (Mar. 2012) and All Animals (Nov./Dec. 2011) magazines recommend “Cat and Crow: An Amazing Friendship.” Another notable endorsement comes from syndicated veterinarian Michael W. Fox who says, “Moses the crow shows that we humans are not the only species to have enlightened ones in their midst who embody the virtues of compassion, understanding and inter-species communion.” Also a fan, Marc Morrone, host of Hallmark Channel’s Petkeeping with Marc Morrone, says, “This book will inspire the world and maybe change the way we look at each other.””Cat and Crow: An Amazing Friendship” includes 16 illustrations; educational, fun facts about cats and crows; clippings from newspapers that originally covered the story; and photographs of these two special animals at play. While the book is designed for children aged 3 and up, adults love it too.