Chloe the Shoe Cat included in Midwest Book Review March 2016!

I am very proud that the March 2016 issue of 'the Midwest Book Review's online book review magazine "Children's Bookwatch" features a review of  my picture book, Chloe the Shoe Cat! Thanks to the Midwest Book Review for this excellent review!

 

Children's Bookwatch: March 2016
The Picturebook Shelf

 

Chloe the Shoe Cat
Sharon Hickey, author/illustrator
Mirror Publishing
6434 W Dixon St - Milwaukee, WI 53214
http://www.pagesofwonder.com
9781612252506, $9.99, www.pagesofwonder.com

 

"Chloe the Shoe Cat is the enchanting story of a beloved orange and white tabby kitten whose favorite toy and snuggling place was a baby's shoe. As Chloe grew, her shoe bed needed to change to accommodate her size increase. Finally Chloe was full grown and too big to fit in any of the family's regular shoes, so Dad came to the rescue with a size 14 garden boot that perfectly filled the bill for the full size Chloe, a fluffy marmalade tabby who fell in love with shoes and her family, and vice versa. Charming furry-blurry colored illustrations express the love between Chloe and her family in a warm, loving tribute to Chloe the Shoe Cat."

 

If you haven't seen, Chloe the Shoe Cat yet, you can order it at online booksellers. I know your little ones will enjoy it!

 

 

 

 

Very nice review of "Chloe the Shoe Cat"!

This review of my book, Chloe the Shoe Cat, was posted at Amazon.com, where "Chloe" and my first book, "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop" are available! I hope you will get them and enjoy them; and if you need any books signed, just let me know at sharonmhickeyatgmaildotcom.

By J M Kline on November 18, 2014

Format: Paperback

This second children's book by Sharon Hickey is delightful! The wonderfully-drawn illustrations tell the sweet story of an adorable cat named Chloe who likes to take family members' shoes in order to make herself a cozy little nest for sleeping. As Chloe grows, so does her need for bigger and bigger shoes. Children will love this story!

AmazonSmile program benefits your chosen non-profit!

I was pleased to hear that my two children's books are eligible for Amazon.com's "AmazonSmile" Program, through which Amazon donates a portion of book sale profits to the nonprofit organization of your choice.  Great program, Amazon!

Visit with the 2nd and 3rd graders at Saint Ann School

It was great fun reading Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop to the 2nd and 3rd grade students at Saint Ann School in Arlington, Virginia, on January 16, 2013! The children really responded to the story and illustrations; and they had many questions about what it was like to write and illustrate a picture book. Thanks, Saint Ann's.

Comments/Review by Children's Book Author, Ilene Munetz Pachman

Ilene Munetz Pachman, author of A Parrot for the Bride and Chuckle-Choo, posted a very nice review of Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop at Amazon.com: "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop is a sweet and sensitive tale with just the right touch of drama and surprise. Both the title character and the story, itself, have a gentle strength. In this tender tale, EVERYONE is a "winner," -- even those who never quite make it to the finish line! Card Auntie is a winner, herself -- of course -- as she comes to life, not only through her wonderful cards and giving philosophy, but through the vibrant and lively illustrations of this unique book." Thanks, Ilene!

September 2011: Visits to Four 3rd Grade Classes!

In September 'll, at the invitation of my friend who is a third grade teacher here in Northern Virginia, I visited four third grade classes at her elementary school! I read Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop aloud and answered the students' questions about writing and illustrating the story. I explained how I found card making and Operation Write Home while marketing my book. The children used OWH coloring sheets to write notes that will be mailed to U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other remote deployment areas. I really love the fact that my book helps introduce children to this kind of service activity!
I look forward to visiting more schools soon!

My visit with Willow Springs 2nd Graders

I had a wonderful visit today with Mrs. Frazier's 2nd grade class at Willow Springs Elementary here in Northern Virginia. My visit had a dual purpose: to read my children's book to them and to make letters for soldiers with them! They enjoyed my book and had fun with the Operation Write Home coloring pages. The children are so creative and here is one example:

Book Signing at Angela's Happy Stamper on 12/4!

Angela's Happy Stamper, a really fantastic stamping and papercraft shop in Reston, Virginia, invited me to sign and sell my book at their Holiday Open House this Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it! The open house runs from 9-5 but I'm there from 10:30 to 2:30. There are so many fun activities planned (make & take cards and ornaments, music, etc.) that I'll probably be around longer than that. Check out the website at www.ahappystamper.com for a full schedule of activities and directions to the shop.

Upcoming school visit

I'll be visiting with the K and 1st graders at Blessed Sacrament School in Alexandria, VA this coming Tuesday. I'm going to read Card Auntie, hopefully read an unpublished children's story that I also wrote, show the kids a story board, and give out Thanksgiving coloring sheets and bookmarks (if I get the latter made in time, lol). I'm really looking forward to this event!

Book Signing coming up on Dec. 4th in Reston

Angela's Happy Stamper, a fantastic craft shop in Reston, Virginia, has invited me to sign and sell Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop at its Christmas open house on Saturday, December 4th! This is the first time the shop has hosted a book signing so I'm very proud!! More details to follow...mark your calendars.

Alexandria Story Festival was great!

The 1st annual Alexandria Story Festival, sponsored by Wright to Read and Hooray for Books, was a lot of fun. It was a beautiful day, fortunately, because many activities were outside on the field. I was inside the school, with two other local authors (I love saying that). I had coloring pages, crayons, markers and stickers all ready for the kids. My sister, Nora, and my friends Marie, Tracy and Tessie, were there to help me all day, bless them!! The children made about 40 letters for soldiers, which I sent with my card shipment to Operation Write Home. I'm sure the soldiers will appreciate hearing from kids at their outposts in Afghanistan and Iraq!
I posted several photos from the event at my cardmaking blog: www.bitsofcheer.blogspot.com in case you want to pop over there.

"Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop" reviewed in August edition of the Midwest Book Review!

I'm very excited that my book is in the Midwest Book Review's August edition. I so appreciate this thorough and descriptive review, which follows:

"Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop is an inspirational illustrated story about Card Auntie, a wonderful, creative old woman who creates and sends thoughtful cards all sorts of people giving them special notes of appreciation, thanks, or cheer. One day Card Auntie has a terrible accident, tripping over her cat, Zip while carrying boxes of her cards. She breaks her arm and has to convalesce under the care and supervision of grumpy (but well meaning) Nurse Hopkins. Oh dear! Card Auntie worries that no one will receive her wonderful cards while she is unable to do her special, creative work. A marvelous surprise solution takes shape from the people of Card Auntie's community, and everything does work out for the best in the end. The painstakingly detailed colored pencil illustrations of "Card Auntie's Workshop" will keep young readers searching for their favorite little orange snail and other guides and cues to the story. "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop" has a gentle tone and a message of kindness returned that will resonate with young and old alike."

Here's the link to the Midwest Book Review's Picturebook Shelf:
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/aug_10.htm#Picturebook

Wright to Read Festival/Hooray for Books on Saturday, September 18

I will be part of Alexandria, Virginia's Wright to Read Festival, sponsored by Hooray for Books (where my book is on sale) on Saturday, September 18. Since my book is about a lady who makes cards and I've gotten involved in cardmaking for Operation Write Home, which sends handmade cards to our troops overseas for them to send to their loved ones, I'll be making cards and letters for OWH with kids. I'll also read my book to small groups. Here is a link to the event:
http://www.wrighttoread.org/alexandria-story-festival.html

Another great book review!

My new friend, a crafter and Mom of six, has posted a review of "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop" on her blog, www.helloholley.blogspot.com. I hope you will check it out, and also enjoy Holley's beautiful cardmaking.

Where to find Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop!

Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop can be ordered from Amazon.com or Barnesandnoble.com; I believe it is also on booksamillion.com. You can also ask any bookstore to order it for you, which is great because they might order a few extra copies and put them on their store shelves! Just remember that I used my real name on my book: Sharon Hickey. I'd love to hear from you if you happen to read my book!

Newspaper article about me and my book, June 2010

Arlington Catholic Herald by Dave Borowski, 6-16-10.

Fantastic book signing at Stifel & Capra!

My first book signing event at Stifel & Capra was a big success! I was really touched by the number of friends and family who attended! Everyone seemed to have a great time; there are so many unique arts and crafts to see at the shop. I signed and sold a lot of books! Thanks to Stifel & Capra for making this wonderful experience possible for me.

Beach reads

While we were at Ocean City, Maryland, last weekend I went to Atlantic Books in nearby Fenwick Island, Delaware. It's a huge bookstore right on the main highway. They agreed to sell "Card Auntie" on consignment!

First Friday book signing -- one week away!

I will have a book signing and officially launch my children's picture book, "Card Auntie's Wonderful Workshop" on Friday, June 4th, 5-8 PM at Stifel and Capra (www.stifelandcapra.com) at 260 W. Broad Street in Falls Church, VA. It's at the corner of W. Broad and Little Falls Street, in the historic old white house there. My book signing is part of Stifel and Capra's First Friday festivities (held throughout Falls church); there will be snacks and lots of cool Hawaiian shirts on sale, too, in addition to all the other neat things. Y'all come!!

Remembering "Make Way for Ducklings"

I wrote a letter to the Washington Post in response to a wonderful photo that had been on the front page 4/27/10. They printed my letter on 5/1. I thought it would be fun to put it here on my blog.