GAP FAMILY BLOG

SACRAMENTO, CA – Local author Bill Kirk’s children’s picture book, “There’s A Spider In My Sink!”, has just been released nationally. The book was published by Guardian Angel Publishing in Saint Louis, MO under their ACADEMIC WINGS imprint, which is ideally suited for children in “read to” ages 4-6 and “read alone” ages 7-12.

THERE’S A SPIDER IN MY SINK! will be released simultaneously in e-book and hardcopy print form. The e-books will be distributed by Follett, the largest distributor of ebooks to schools and libraries, as well as through the Guardian Angel Publishing web site.. The print version will be available for sale from most online retailers, such as Amazon, Google, Target.com, Border Books and Barnes and Noble. It can also be ordered through your local brick and mortar bookstores, including Barnes and Noble and Borders Books.

Book's Blurb: “There’s A Spider In My Sink!” describes a young boy’s discovery that a spider has moved into the bathroom sink without even asking. The little spider seems likable enough. But after all, a boy has hands to wash and teeth to brush and this spider is right in the way. Read on to find out what happens.

Author's Bio: Kirk's writing has been influenced by his travels on five continents and the more recent inspiration from his grandchildren. In addition to stories written in rhyme, Kirk writes fiction and satire for local and national publications. His work has appeared in Boys' Quest, Fun For Kidz, Grandparents, Wee Ones and Saplings magazines. His poems have also been published by North Dakota Horizons, Absolute Write and The Baseball Almanac. Kirk also wrote news and features for two Sacramento newspapers in the mid-1990s, The Suttertown News and The Old City Guardian.

Kirk says his goal for his children’s stories is to challenge the imagination of his readers, young and old, by exploring everyday life, simply and profoundly, and having fun in the process. Bill and his wife, Rita (a clinical psychologist) have been married for 39 years and have made Sacramento their home since 1985.

To request review copies of “There’s A Spider In My Sink!” or to request interviews with the author, please contact the publisher, Lynda Burch, at publisher@guardianangelpublishing.com or (314) 276-8482.

Title: There’s A Spider In My Sink! Author: Bill Kirk (www.billkirkwrites.com)
Illustrator: Suzy Brown (www.suzybrown.net)

Format: E-book and Print

ISBN (e-Book): 13: 978-1-935137-39-9
ISBN (print): 13: 978-1-935137-25-2

Library of Congress Control Number: 2008944188

Publication Date: January 2009

Pages: 18

Price: Ebook $5.00, CD-Rom $9.95 (+$5.95 s&h), Print: $9.95 (+$6.95 s&h)

Available at most online booksellers or from: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. (http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/spider-sink.htm)

Hi all,

I was recently interviewed by blogger/author Jessica Kennedy on the subject of school visits.

You may read the interview on her blog:

http://jadaykennedy.blogspot.com/2008/12/woofing-it-up-with-mayra-calvani-author.html

Doing school visits and presentations is somewhat new to me but I've shared all I've learned so far. I hope you find my tips helpful!

Happy holidays!

Mayra

Guardian Angel Publishing announces the release of NOTHING STOPS NOAH, a picture book for ages 4 to 8 years old.

Noah needs money for something special, but who would hire a boy so young? Nothing stops Noah and he finds just the right job in Grandpa's pet shop. When Grandpa has to leave the shop chaos breaks out and Noah has to find a way to get all of the animals back in their cages before Grandpa returns. Will Noah earn the money he needs? What does he want it for?

This delightful book is the work of author, Shari Lyle-Soffe. Shari also wrote the popular picture/storybook series about raccoon brothers titled,
THE MISADVENTURES OF ROOTER AND SNUFFLE, ON THE GO WITH ROOTER AND SNUFFLE and TROUBLE FINDS ROOTER AND SNUFFLE.

The colorful, funny illustrations are the work of Kevin Scott Collier. Kevin has illustrated more than 100 children's books and will soon have his own television show, Drawing for KICKS, where he teaches children to draw.

Hey, one and all! Check this out. The book cover of A Star in the Night has just been finished by the talented illustrator, John Blackford. I had posted before that his talent was about to hit my book. Now, you can see it for yourselves:

Progress on A Star in the Night is coming at lightning speed. Illustrator John Blackford has been quite a team player with my "baby". He has shown me some of his ideas and I must say - you are all in for a treat. I'm honored to work with such talent and can't wait to show you what he's been working on.

If you feel compelled to see some of his other work, you can find it on his blog.

A Star in the Night, a heart-warming Christmas story told by author Jennifer Gladen, has been assigned a talented illustrator! Illustrator John Blackford has begun work on the 32-page picture book. To get a feel for his artwork, check out his blog. More info to come soon!

Way to go Angels! I checked on the blog today and was going to post congrats to every one with good news .. but that's just about everyone! What a great month for GAP! Your hard work is shining!

If you notice a fellow Angel following you around with a notepad and pencil, don't worry. It's just me taking notes from an inspiring group of authors and illustrators.
Congrats all!