SALTWATER HITS THE ROAD WITH AUTHOR VISITS

Saltwater Taffy Hits the Road with Author Visits

author visitsSaltwater Taffy hits the road with author visits to help spread child literacy across the country.  As a children’s book author, it appears that our children’s book tour and author visits with Saltwater Taffy are never ending.  Yes, my friends, this is a good thing.  Not only does it keep Saltwater Taffy fresh in the eyes of educators, parents and children, but it also allows me to continue to be an advocate for child literacy across the country.

On November 15th, I’m taking the family to Miami, Florida where we will be awarded the Reader’s Favorite GOLD MEDAL book award at the Miami Book Fair International.  Now, it would be easy to fly across the country and view this as a mini-vacation in Miami with my family, but as an independent publisher, I am always looking for new venues to promote child literacy.  It also gives me a chance to inspire young minds and help them ignore thoughts of fear, doubt and worry.

This is why, on Friday, November 16, 2012, I have an author visit & assembly at Water’s Edge Elementary in Boca Rotan, Florida.  Sure, I have to rent a car and drive over an hour down to Boca, but why not?  As authors, we need to be willing to travel the extra mile and do whatever it takes to raise awareness around our work.

On December 6, 2012, the Literary Festival at Seven Arrows Elementary in Pacific Palisades, California has scheduled a Saltwater Taffy visit for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade author visit.  The Literary Festival is held every year, and we are excited be included in this years event.

On March 27, 2013, I will participate in the 5th Annual Lassen County Literary Jam in Susanville, California.  The Lassen County School District has booked me into 3 different elementary schools as well as a keynote presenter at the Awards Ceremony.

If your school would like a Saltwater Taffy visit, please do not hesitate to let us know.  Always remember, each moment is another adventure waiting to happen!  See you at the book store!

7 SECRETS TO CREATE AVID TWEEN READERS

7 SECRETS TO CREATE AVID TWEEN READERS

avid tween readersThe reason we have 7 secrets to create avid tween readers is because recent statistics by the National Endowment for the Arts shows us that there is a rapid decline in reading skills of American children.  As the author of Saltwater Taffy and a literacy advocate for children, I find this disturbing and sad.  Something must be done!

Despite the popularity of Harry Potter and other children’s books that have flown off the shelves in recent years, the following statement should be a wake-up call for parents, teachers and our entire nation:

“Americans ages 15-24 spend almost two hours a day watching TV, and only seven minutes of their daily leisure time on reading.”

Read more

READERS FAVORITE BOOK AWARD FINALIST

Readers Favorite Book Award Finalist

The Readers Favorite Book Award for 2012 has been announced!  We are happy to report that Saltwater Taffy by Eric DelaBarre, an advocate for child literacy, has been named a finalist for the READERS FAVORITE BOOK AWARD – Children 4th-6th.

Winners for the Readers Favorite Book Awards will be announced on September 1, 2012 and medal presentations will be at the Miami Book Fair International in November, 2012.

If you have read Saltwater Taffy, please go to our review page and rate the book with a few sentences!

Readers Favorite

Saltwater Taffy has been endorsed by 12 Teachers of the Year around the country and will soon go before cameras for the feature film adaptation.

 

Award Winning Childrens Book

Award Winning Children's BooksAWARD WINNING CHILDRENS BOOKS

To be one of the many Award Winning Childrens Books on the market today is cool, but the latest review for Saltwater Taffy is super SAWEET cool.  The review of Saltwater Taffy by Dr. Karen P, a reviewer from Readers Favorite council who has spent a lifetime working with children and families, dissects the purpose of Saltwater Taffy down to a SAWEET T.  She wrote a long review, but for the sake of your time, here is the first sentence in the review:

“Saltwater Taffy” by Eric Delabarre is one of the best children’s
books I’ve read in years!

Award Winning Children's BooksGetting a childrens book review like this from someone who professionally counsels children is awesome.  Being an award winning children’s book author is super cool awesome, but I am always thrilled when a reviewer really “gets” the purpose of this Middle Grade Adventure Novel.

As an author of books for kids, the one thing on my mind when I’m writing is to make sure I entertain the reader.  The idea of inspiring a young mind is amazing.  The possibilities are endless.  Imagine creating a lasting impression on a young mind?  An impression that can last a lifetime…is awesome!

I’m glad you enjoyed the adventure Karen!  You can read her review of Saltwater Taffy on the Readers Favorite website and hey, if you love books, you can become a reviewer or follow them on Facebook!

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BOOK AWARD FINALIST

Saltwater TaffyBENJAMIN FRANKLIN BOOK AWARD FINALIST

We are proud to announce that Saltwater Taffy has been named a Benjamin Franklin Book Award Finalist for our amazing cover by R.C. Nason.  Rob Nason is a veteran of Hollywood animation having worked on films like All Dogs Go To Heaven, Anastasia and Thumbelina.  The Benjamin Franklin Award is presented by the Independent Book Publisher’s Association.  The Awards Gala will be held on June 4, 2012 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York and kick off Book Expo America 2012.

Saltwater Taffy is an Children’s Adventure Book for children of all ages.  Endorsed by 12 Teacher’s of the Year around the country, Saltwater Taffy is a coming of age story for the entire family.