Quote of the day!

Just thought the following quote from Maureen Palacios, was very appropriate and I wanted to share it with our readers here. SEJ, www.blueeaglebooks.com

From Shelf Awareness 11/18/08

Quotation of the Day


The 'Real, Urgent Need to Connect' with Young Readers


"Books and reading were integral parts of my life growing up and it's that same love of books I've been able to share with my children. The real, urgent need to connect with children by age nine and turn them onto reading with a good book is underestimated. That's why it's so crucial to support independent booksellers who are able to host author events, donate prizes for silent auctions, and support the community around us."--Maureen Palacios, owner of Once Upon a Time Book Store, Montrose, Calif., in the American Chronicle.

SOME REVIEWS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SPECIAL

We just received a review from a young friend in New York. The Principal at the Bronxville School instigated a program where each child described a remarkable book. Roy chose Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble. The above review was posted on the wall of the elementary school along with the other children’s choices.

Blue Eagle finds a new home

Today both Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble and The Ballad of Blue Eagle are available at the gift shops of the fabulous Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas. This is a wonderful family oriented resort destination with activities for everyone. When I was there yesterday, I could not count the number of young people, parents, youth groups, and grandparents going and coming. We are thrilled to have Blue Eagle books sold in such a prestigious location. If you are in the area, please look for us!

What an endorsement!

Not long ago, I received a letter from the former Reagan Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of State under George H. W. Bush. It will be posted on our web site, http://www.blueeaglebooks.com, in the review section, but first I wanted to share it with the readers here. We are very proud of it.

Dear Steve:

It is a great pleasure to know that another one of the creative yarns your father told me, my sons, and countless others so many years ago along the Guadalupe River is now in publication. Blue Eagle meets Double Trouble continues what you and your son started with The Ballad of Blue Eagle. It is an endearing tale about animals who accept challenges with bravery, dignity, ingenuity, and sometimes a little humor, too.

This cleverly written and wonderfully illustrated book is one that the whole family – from toddler to teen-ager to adult – can enjoy and appreciate time and time again. In its unique and subtle way, the book describes an enduring quality of the American spirit – we are a people who accept a challenge, who are unafraid to do what we think is right during a crisis, no matter how daunting it may be. I can think of no better message to pass along to our children.

Your father was truly a great man for many reasons, not least his ability to simplify a complex world with words and thoughts that children can understand. Everyone in my family who had the good fortune to have heard your father tell his stories is thankful that you and your son continue that tradition so that future generations can enjoy and learn from the tales of Blue Eagle and his friends in Peaceful Valley.

With very best wishes,

Sincerely,

James A. Baker, III

A Seasonal Poem

Some eight or nine years ago, I was walking with my old dog Szusza, when we came upon a neighbor's martin house. The martins had begun to arrive and the sparrows that had been using the house appeared to be getting pushed out. We watched this spectacle for a while and when I got back home I wrote the following poem. It was later published in a book of poems.

The Martins

By: Steven E. Jones

This morning, while taking my usual walk,

My serenity was jolted by flutter and squawk.

I looked up to see what the ruckus was about:

The martins had arrived – sparrows move out!

Each year at this time this scene is repeated,

Seems like the sparrows should claim they were cheated!

Maybe a protest, march on the town,

Hire a great lawyer of bombastic renown.

Their cause is timely, their cause is just,

Those martins are transients, not deserving of trust.

I think it’s an outrage, a travesty, a sham.

What we should have is a government program!

As the cause gains momentum, we’ll have a decree:

The sparrows deserve their own subsidy.

You martins, are selfish, it just isn’t fair,

You can’t have this house, unless you will share!

Now that should make an interesting mess

And maybe lose the martins due to the stress!

And what of the people? What of their woes?

They’re itching and scratching with all those mosquitoes!

Ouisie's Table signing party

On Sunday March 30, we kicked off Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble with a signing party given by Elouise and Harry Jones at Ouisie’s Table, a well known restaurant in Houston, Texas. It was a great success, signing well over 100 books and having many children there for the reading. The restaurant served soft drinks, wine and hors d'oeuvres for everyone, which went over very well. When it came time for the reading, they had arranged seating in a sort of an amphitheater and had me sit in a rocking chair to do the reading. This was fun because I love to see the kid’s expressions as I am reading the story. It lets me know they are with me. Afterward, we had dinner with our hosts and it could not have been more delightful. Our heartfelt thanks go out to both of them and to all the personnel at the restaurant.

READING AT ST. FRANCIS DAY SCHOOL

Yesterday, March 6, we introduced Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble with a visitation and three readings of our new book. We presented it to the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th grades and I think all of them really enjoyed it. Melanie Wallace, the librarian at St. Francis, could not have been nicer or more helpful. We used a power point presentation projected on a large screen and it worked very well. Steven, Jr., the book’s illustrator, ran the projector and computer without a hitch. We had some excellent questions from the students and teachers on writing, illustrating, and publishing. Hope our answers were satisfactory! Several new books were sold and even a few of the original, The Ballad of Blue Eagle, were requested and sold. I want to thank Melanie and the teachers and staff of St. Francis for being such great hosts.