I've been up to my armpits in snakes since I returned from Martha's Vineyard! I am looking forward to Snakes! Long, Longer, Longest being released in 2006! But I'd like to take a break and post some photos of my recent visit to Martha's Vineyard.
First, a recap of the events.
I had 15 of my original illustrations from Ocean Counting Odd Numbers shown at the Shaw Cramer Gallery from August 26~29. Four of the pieces sold! Here's a sampling of how they looked:
Ah, but all the fun was had at the two book signings held at Riley's Reads! I would like to quote an email my friend, and fellow children's book illustrator Donna Berger, had to say about the event:
Once I stepped off the Vineyard Haven ferry, I quickly walked to
Rileys, a quaint little bookstore, just a couple of blocks away. When I
arrived, I found Shennen busily signing a whole stack of books,
surrounded by friends and family. The bookstore owners, a young couple,
had set up a unique tent printed with Indian style motifs on the
bookstore's patio. It was so pretty-- surrounded by beautiful flowers.
Comfy multi-colored bean bag chairs and a huge plate of yummy cookies
were set up for Shennen's guests. Kids had to be careful that the
bookstore owner's 2 cocker spaniels that freely roamed around the tent
didn't take a bite of their cookies! As Shennen read 2 of her counting
stories, she gave interesting facts behind each illustration. It seemed
like the little boys particularly liked hearing about the scary sharks.
I would like to add that we all but sold out of the 90 books that I brought! The few remaining were sold the very next day. Much of the success must go to the coverage the Vineyard Gazette gave to me - a half page article appearing in the August 26th edition and written by Brien Hefler. Also, I want to thank Vineyard Style Magazine for running a feature about me in their fall issue, a delightful piece written by editor John Budris. Email me if you'd like to receive copies of either of these.
Now, to the photos! Click on them to view a larger image.
All four of my children joined me for the weekend. We stayed in a beautiful ocean-view suite at the wonderful Mansion House. The accommodations were fabulous! We arrived on an early ferry and Jan at the Mansion House was very kind and helpful, giving us lots of useful Island information! Ryan's girlfriend, Hayley and her mom Melodie, sister and cousins all came up from New York and spent the weekend with us. Donna Berger came down from Chelmsford and stayed overnight. Visitors as far away as Dallas flew in to celebrate this event with me. I am still overwhelmed and touched by the encouragement and support my family and friends gave to me! Bless all of you!
Until August 25, all my communications with Zoe Pechter at Riley's Reads had been via email or phone. Once we were settled after arrival and the artwork was delivered to Nancy at the Shaw Cramer Gallery, my girls and I went to check out the bookstore. We caught Zoe off-guard as she was arriving to open for the day. Not knowing who I was, she immediately saw Kerrin, 11, and Bethany, 14, and asked them what was the last book each had read. Karlene and I followed as Zoe lead the two girls into the young adult room of the store. Zoe listened attentively as the girls told her what genre they enjoyed. She automatically found various books for them to look at - EACH book she had personally read. She quickly told me how she reads the books she sells so she can better recommend them to her customers. I can't recall ever experiencing such wonderful service, certainly not in any bookstore! Zoe was a dynamo, giving descriptions of the plots; asking the girls numerous questions such as, "You read this one already? What did you think about it? Would you recommend it to others your age?"
I'll never forget that first half hour, when I met Zoe, watching her in action! I was so impressed by her attentiveness to my daughters' interests, Karlene and I were whispering to each other - "Wow, I really love her!"
Zoe busied herself with her many other customers as she left my girls comfortably reading through the various selections she had suggested. After each girl picked out two books, and after I paid for them, I then smiled at her and introduced myself. She screeched with shock and delight! To my pleasure, she already had my postcards and books clearly presented promoting the event. She pointed to her display and introduced me to all her customers, informing them that I was the famous illustrator who worked with the legendary Jerry Pallotta. I KNEW my first instinct was right, what a doll she is!
I look forward to returning next summer for another book signing! Snakes! Long, Longer, Longest.....
The rest of our weekend went fabulous! After the successful exhibit and book signings, the kids and I traveled all over the Island in my Chevy Suburban. Sunset at Gay Head, swimming in the Atlantic over at Chappy, making visits and house calls to friends in Edgertown and Oak Bluffs - we left after five long days (I got Monday's last ferry off) with terrific memories. Shall I not forget the crowning glory - Ryan going fishing with Peter from Riley's Reads; the second day out catching that big tuna! Shhhh! P.J. actually caught the tuna and let Ryan help reel her in. But Ry was pretty thrilled, let me tell you all!
Thanks and hugs to all of you!
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