This weekend will be the 4th year of exhibiting at the Miami Book Fair for Tomgirlz Enterprises. There are no new books out for this year's show, however, the plans for this weekend include more fun than ever!
Mackey and Jeremy (two main characters from the chapter books) will be in attendance all day Saturday and Sunday. They will be passing out information to attendees about the fact that they are now for hire for Children's Parties! In addition, every hour they will be drawing a winner from our free raffle and entertaining at our booth.
For instance, one hour Jeremy will dance and give a Pop & Lock lesson. Mackey will read the "Sleeyphead" book to preschoolers and give some dance demonstrations of her own. You might even catch a little dance party where Mackey and Jeremy lead everyone in some fun interactive dances like the Cuban Walk or ChaCha Slide!
The biggest news is the announcement of our new division called TOMGIRLZ ENTERTAINMENT. Through this division, we will promote Children's Parties, Author Speaking Engagements, and Salsa/Ballroom Dance Performers available for all kinds of events from corporate to weddings!!
We are all very excited for the upcoming year and look forward to seeing you at the Miami Book Fair!!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
TOMGIRL IS MOTHER'S HERO & INSPIRATION
From the first moment my eyes met Jordynn I felt as close to her as any mother could to a baby. With thick, dark hair already reaching the top of her nose, I knew she was super special. What I didn’t know was that it could be possible for a bond that strong to grow even deeper and stronger through the years…It did!
To be honest, I think Jordynn pulled a bit of a role reversal on me. I was prepared to teach her all the things I knew at the times in her life she would need to know them. I wasn’t expecting that I would learn more about how to live life from her than she could ever learn from me.
I watched in awe as Jordynn drank in life day after day with a spirit and energy I never experienced myself. She can independently take on tasks and be happy on her own, but has such a kind heart that she always has room for others and is happy to share. For instance, every time my 90 year old grandmother came to visit us, Jordynn would be the one to say she could stay in her room. And hearts would melt every night when Jordynn would snuggle up in bed with her. She never showed anything but love and respect.
Mostly it is Jordynn’s ability to go after what she wants while always being herself that impresses me. She never sits on any fences. When she trained in gymnastics, it was with full effort. When she got invited into a dance company, she put her whole heart into it. Now Jordynn has decided that making the Olympics is her main goal (becoming a doctor is her goal after that!). So when she found out diving is an Olympic sport she asked to try it. After one week of dive camp she was invited onto the team!
Watching Jordynn grow and develop taught me that you can’t just sit around and watch life, you have to live it. Talk about inspirational, she inspired me to start writing children’s books…something I really wanted to do for most of my life. Jordynn finally gave me something to write about. The first character I created was of course based on Jordynn. Mackey Mack exemplifies energy, spirit, leadership skills, friendship, caring for community, sense of humor, and many more life skills that I see in Jordynn. Now 5 chapter books have been published in the TOMGIRLZ series and more are on the way.
Jordynn was born as my daughter whose dreams I wished would all come true, but she has grown into my best friend and hero who has taught me that dreams really CAN come true!
To be honest, I think Jordynn pulled a bit of a role reversal on me. I was prepared to teach her all the things I knew at the times in her life she would need to know them. I wasn’t expecting that I would learn more about how to live life from her than she could ever learn from me.
I watched in awe as Jordynn drank in life day after day with a spirit and energy I never experienced myself. She can independently take on tasks and be happy on her own, but has such a kind heart that she always has room for others and is happy to share. For instance, every time my 90 year old grandmother came to visit us, Jordynn would be the one to say she could stay in her room. And hearts would melt every night when Jordynn would snuggle up in bed with her. She never showed anything but love and respect.
Mostly it is Jordynn’s ability to go after what she wants while always being herself that impresses me. She never sits on any fences. When she trained in gymnastics, it was with full effort. When she got invited into a dance company, she put her whole heart into it. Now Jordynn has decided that making the Olympics is her main goal (becoming a doctor is her goal after that!). So when she found out diving is an Olympic sport she asked to try it. After one week of dive camp she was invited onto the team!
Watching Jordynn grow and develop taught me that you can’t just sit around and watch life, you have to live it. Talk about inspirational, she inspired me to start writing children’s books…something I really wanted to do for most of my life. Jordynn finally gave me something to write about. The first character I created was of course based on Jordynn. Mackey Mack exemplifies energy, spirit, leadership skills, friendship, caring for community, sense of humor, and many more life skills that I see in Jordynn. Now 5 chapter books have been published in the TOMGIRLZ series and more are on the way.
Jordynn was born as my daughter whose dreams I wished would all come true, but she has grown into my best friend and hero who has taught me that dreams really CAN come true!
Monday, September 1, 2008
ANTI-BULLYING STARTS AT HOME
As my next TOMGIRLZ book will deal with the issues of childhood obesity and bullying, I have been talking to my elementary school aged daughter more about what kind of bullying she notices. She says she sees it everywhere and that girls can be particularly mean to other girls. However, the most detailed account she gave me was very surprising.
In very vivid detail she told me the story of what happened one morning at the bus stop. A 9 year old boy was waiting for the bus with his mother and elderly grandfather. The bus was arriving and apparently the grandfather was in the process of crossing the street. The boy ran across the street quickly to board the bus and when he saw his grandfather still moving slowly he yelled out, "Get out of the way you big idiot!"
Then the mother, who jumped in her car to leave after talking to some other moms at the bus stop, yelled at him too. She said, "Come on, I don't have all day!"
My daughter said she got a stomach ache and felt horrible for the grandfather all day. Of course she did. She lost her own great grandmother just a few short months ago and misses her very much. My children always had tremendous respect and love for her...every time she came to visit us my daughter would share her room with her and even cuddle up with her in bed.
The point of this story is that bullying stems from a disrespect for others and learning respect starts at home. The mother's own attitude towards the grandfather was of impatience and annoyance and she said nothing to correct her son for calling his grandfather a "big idiot." If they are treating the grandfather like this at home constantly, then they are actually bullying him and the son is learning this bullying behavior from his parents in his very own home.
I hope they will understand that their behavior will have to change...Florida's new anti-bully policy in schools makes parents accountable!
Read more about the passing of the anti-bullying policy at http://www.proudparenting.com/node/1919
In very vivid detail she told me the story of what happened one morning at the bus stop. A 9 year old boy was waiting for the bus with his mother and elderly grandfather. The bus was arriving and apparently the grandfather was in the process of crossing the street. The boy ran across the street quickly to board the bus and when he saw his grandfather still moving slowly he yelled out, "Get out of the way you big idiot!"
Then the mother, who jumped in her car to leave after talking to some other moms at the bus stop, yelled at him too. She said, "Come on, I don't have all day!"
My daughter said she got a stomach ache and felt horrible for the grandfather all day. Of course she did. She lost her own great grandmother just a few short months ago and misses her very much. My children always had tremendous respect and love for her...every time she came to visit us my daughter would share her room with her and even cuddle up with her in bed.
The point of this story is that bullying stems from a disrespect for others and learning respect starts at home. The mother's own attitude towards the grandfather was of impatience and annoyance and she said nothing to correct her son for calling his grandfather a "big idiot." If they are treating the grandfather like this at home constantly, then they are actually bullying him and the son is learning this bullying behavior from his parents in his very own home.
I hope they will understand that their behavior will have to change...Florida's new anti-bully policy in schools makes parents accountable!
Read more about the passing of the anti-bullying policy at http://www.proudparenting.com/node/1919
Saturday, August 30, 2008
MACKEY LOVES "TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW"
My character Mackey has been accompanying me on author visits lately as part of a community service project she started called "Bringing Books to Life for Literacy". She loves to perform as well as meet kids from lower income areas to get them excited about reading, but she hasn't been able to do a solo because she didn't feel she had the perfect music to perform to. She just told me she found it!
Mackey loves the song "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" by Selena Gomez. I listened to the song and I have to agree. This song shows the TOMGIRLZ spirit I see in my characters and in amazing children everywhere. The song has attitude...that's for sure...but the attitude is POSITIVE which I really love! The song also tells children that it's okay to follow their dreams, even when others tell them there is no way they can make it. Selena Gomez exemplifies that dreams really can come true and now she shares with everyone how she made her own come true...
1. Understand that things don't come easy
2. Believe in yourself
3. Don't let others determine who you are and want to be (the control is yours if you take it...the control belongs to others if you allow it.
Hey...this message is one that adults should keep in mind in their own lives too. Creating and publishing my books is a dream and is DIFFICULT. Everyone says that getting the word out and having the TOMGIRLZ embraced by the world will be a daunting task...so now in the words of Selena Gomez I will answer:
"TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW" I believe that dreams really can come true, so you might as well DREAM BIG!!
Mackey loves the song "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" by Selena Gomez. I listened to the song and I have to agree. This song shows the TOMGIRLZ spirit I see in my characters and in amazing children everywhere. The song has attitude...that's for sure...but the attitude is POSITIVE which I really love! The song also tells children that it's okay to follow their dreams, even when others tell them there is no way they can make it. Selena Gomez exemplifies that dreams really can come true and now she shares with everyone how she made her own come true...
1. Understand that things don't come easy
2. Believe in yourself
3. Don't let others determine who you are and want to be (the control is yours if you take it...the control belongs to others if you allow it.
Hey...this message is one that adults should keep in mind in their own lives too. Creating and publishing my books is a dream and is DIFFICULT. Everyone says that getting the word out and having the TOMGIRLZ embraced by the world will be a daunting task...so now in the words of Selena Gomez I will answer:
"TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW" I believe that dreams really can come true, so you might as well DREAM BIG!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
BOOKS ABOUT CHILDHOOD OBESITY, BULLYING & TEASING UNDER WAY
Between scheduling activities for my two children, driving like a maniac all over South Florida, and working on marketing ideas for my books, workout, and dance classes, I have not had much time for writing. But I have had a lot of time for thinking! Finally, the first couple of chapters of the first book are complete...and I actually like them!
My next three books will read as a kind of mini series within the TOMGIRLZ series. Two new brother/sister characters, Abbey and Bob, will be introduced. Both of these children are overweight and they deal with their weight issues in very different ways. Looking at the issues that overweight children face...not just physical, but mental stress caused by bullying and teasing is the challenge of these new TOMGIRLZ books. After calling Barnes and Nobles about books on the subject, I have learned that mine will be a first of its kind! There are plenty of books written for adults, but none directed as children's books. These books are taking me a bit longer to write than the other 5 Tomgirlz books because I want to deal with the topic sensitively and accurately, and still maintain the spirit and humor of the TOMGIRLZ. I'll keep you posted!
My next three books will read as a kind of mini series within the TOMGIRLZ series. Two new brother/sister characters, Abbey and Bob, will be introduced. Both of these children are overweight and they deal with their weight issues in very different ways. Looking at the issues that overweight children face...not just physical, but mental stress caused by bullying and teasing is the challenge of these new TOMGIRLZ books. After calling Barnes and Nobles about books on the subject, I have learned that mine will be a first of its kind! There are plenty of books written for adults, but none directed as children's books. These books are taking me a bit longer to write than the other 5 Tomgirlz books because I want to deal with the topic sensitively and accurately, and still maintain the spirit and humor of the TOMGIRLZ. I'll keep you posted!
Monday, December 31, 2007
NEW YEAR DO YEAR
I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I really think that if you want to do something, you should just do it and make a commitment to that goal no matter what time of the year it is. However, in the spirit of New Year's and in honor of the TOMGIRLZ, I decided to make a DO LIST so you can see what you can expect from TOMGIRLZ MOMZ in 2008. Who knows, maybe just the act of listing it all here for you to read will help to make all these goals come to fruition.
1. Start (and complete) a book for Tomgirlz Momz. This book is in the planning stage. It will serve as a guide to Momz to parent their grade school children so that they won't have to "re-program" as adults as we all apparently need today. Are we so messed up that we need all those self-help, motivational, relationship guiding books out there? Apparently so. Books from authors like Napoleon Hill, Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki, etc. are big money earners for a reason. I have to admit that I too am part of the reason...I love their books!! However, I decided that it is easier to "program" properly as a child then to have to "re-program" as an adult. Hopefully my book will help save our kids from a lot of that trouble in the future.
2. Write 2 new books for the TOMGIRLZ series. I have begun work on the 6th chapter book. In it I introduce a new character named Abigail. Unfortunately, many of her peers call her "flabby Abby". Mackey and her friends take Abby under their wings and through this book of humor and kindness, they learn about exercise and nutrition and save one child from being a childhood obesity statistic.
3. I will also continue offering my Tomgirlz Momz families a means of additional income to support extra activities for our children and the benefits of safe, pure products for everyone in the house. ARBONNE is the company I have chosen for this purpose and they have proven to be a good choice. Throughout the year I will continue to educate about ARBONNE products and ingredients, and offer special values to all of you.
Well, that should keep me busy this year! What about you? If you have any goals for this "Do Year", please share! I'd love to hear what you have planned for your families...Together, let's make this a great 2008!!!
1. Start (and complete) a book for Tomgirlz Momz. This book is in the planning stage. It will serve as a guide to Momz to parent their grade school children so that they won't have to "re-program" as adults as we all apparently need today. Are we so messed up that we need all those self-help, motivational, relationship guiding books out there? Apparently so. Books from authors like Napoleon Hill, Jack Canfield, Robert Kiyosaki, etc. are big money earners for a reason. I have to admit that I too am part of the reason...I love their books!! However, I decided that it is easier to "program" properly as a child then to have to "re-program" as an adult. Hopefully my book will help save our kids from a lot of that trouble in the future.
2. Write 2 new books for the TOMGIRLZ series. I have begun work on the 6th chapter book. In it I introduce a new character named Abigail. Unfortunately, many of her peers call her "flabby Abby". Mackey and her friends take Abby under their wings and through this book of humor and kindness, they learn about exercise and nutrition and save one child from being a childhood obesity statistic.
3. I will also continue offering my Tomgirlz Momz families a means of additional income to support extra activities for our children and the benefits of safe, pure products for everyone in the house. ARBONNE is the company I have chosen for this purpose and they have proven to be a good choice. Throughout the year I will continue to educate about ARBONNE products and ingredients, and offer special values to all of you.
Well, that should keep me busy this year! What about you? If you have any goals for this "Do Year", please share! I'd love to hear what you have planned for your families...Together, let's make this a great 2008!!!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
BAKING IS A GREAT MOTHER-DAUGHTER ACTIVITY
With the kids out of school, we are all looking for some fun activities to do with our kids. My daughter and I have been keeping busy, but one of the best times we have had was baking our own mush cup cookies. The TOMGRILZ characters created mush cup cookies in the book "A,B,SEA!" and we decided to bake them ourselves.
My daughter had fun measuring all the ingredients. She did spill some sugar on the floor like Andee did in the book, but when she tried to imitate Andee throwing eggs at Mackey (apparently she decided I was Mackey and she was Andee)...I drew the line!
It was great fun recreating a scene from a book we read together and we had even more fun eating our mush cup cookies! They tasted great!!
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