Tag-Archive for » Gracie’s Got a Secret «

Gracie hits Gibsons, BC with two Heathers

. . .with Gracie, Mopey, and Heather Evans-Cullen

Had lots of fun with Gracie last Saturday (Feb. 9, 2013). About a dozen kids showed up with a parent or grandparent at Gibsons Public Library to hear me read Gracie’s Got a Secret. Children’s librarian Heather Evans-Cullen helped with the puppeteering and she made a great Mopey and Nellie.

I love reading to multi-generational audiences!

Afterwards, Heather invited the children to create their own fish, using construction paper, sparkles, feathers, and more. Many thanks to the dad who took these photos for me on my iPhone.

Gracie video coming soon

Author Heather Conn had a lot of fun in March doing a book reading at Woods Showcase in Gibsons, BC. Hubby Frank came along as the puppet meister and the duo entertained about a dozen kids and adults. One lucky volunteer in the front row got to ring the bells on an orange goldfish percussion instrument every time that Heather read Gracie’s line “Gotta go, gotta go, I’m a goldfish on the go.”

The event was videotaped and will be available on this website and on the Gracie’s Got a Secret Facebook page. Watch for it soon.

Gracie goes to Gibsons March 20

Author Heather Conn signs a book at Woods Showcase

Want to meet Gracie the goldfish and the author of Gracie’s Got a Secret? Don’t know how to keep the kids busy during March break? Come to Woods Showcase at Sunnycrest Mall in Gibsons, BC on Tuesday, March 20. Heather Conn will be reading from her new book, starting at 10:30 a.m.

She’ll chat with the children and their parents and ask for several kid volunteers for her reading. Heather will have some fun puppets to help tell her story, thanks to the participation of her husband Frank. This free event is aimed at kids age 4+.

Some of Gracie’s secrets spilled in Times Colonist blog

This week, my guest post “Spirituality and writing for children” appeared on the blog Spiritually Speaking, produced by the Times Colonist newspaper in Victoria, BC. (The blog’s creator invited me to contribute and I was delighted to oblige.)

I was happy to share my story about how Gracie Got a Secret came to be.Ā  You’ll discover some of Gracie’s “secrets.” Click here to read my post.

Gracie, meet Grace

I recently received a lovely note from Grace McCarthy, former B.C. cabinet minister, after she had read Gracie’s Got a Secret. I had spontaneously decided to give her a copy of the book, about her namesake, after speaking to her in a dentist’s office. (You can read more about our encounter on heatherconnblogs.com.) Here’s what she said:

“Your book, Gracie’s Got a Secret is so great. I’ve read it right through, and love the message. It is truly inspiring. Many thanks. Do hope our paths will cross again. . . with all good wishes as you continue to inspire.”

I’m touched by her thoughtful thanks. In this era of digital media, it’s still wonderful to receive a personalized card and hand-written message. Thank you, Grace.

Gracie appears in NJC Class Notes

My alma mater, Neuchatel Junior College (for Ontario grade 13 curriculum), has featured a photo and write-up about Gracie’s Got a Secret in its online alumni Class Notes.

Click here to read the entry.

Gracie visits Community Services

— iPhone photos by Heather Conn

At the last minute, Community Services in Sechelt, BC invited storyteller John Conway to read aloud Gracie’s Got a Secret at their fundraising event in December 2011. John used the same puppets from the book launch. (See the post below for more details.)

He had some rambunctious boys in the audience, but with the help of Gracie and Mopey, John kept them engaged with the story. It was fun to watch the interactions.

Gracie to support special-needs community project

Gracie and Heather Conn will appear at a fun event Dec. 5 in Sechelt, BC to support kids with special needs. As part of a fundraiser for Kids In Motion, a program run by the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society, they’re going to join about a dozen local craftspeople and home party vendors and sell their wares.

Ten per cent of the sales of Gracie’s Got a Secret will go towards this important community initiative.

Join Gracie, Heather, and others from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 5638 Inlet Avenue. For further information about the event, contact Liz or Merrily at the Infant Development Program at 604-885-5881.

Gracie at West Sechelt Elementary School

Gracie and Heather Conn, along with Sunshine Coast author Shelley Leedahl, will be selling books Dec. 1 at a special kids’ event at West Sechelt Elementary School. From 5 to 8 p.m., they’ll join other vendors with home-based businesses who offer products for children.

If you haven’t bought Gracie’s Got a Secret at one of the Sunshine Coast bookstores or craft fairs, this will be a great time to get a signed copy from the author.

Plenty of smiles at Gracie’s launch

— photos by Janice Williams

Author Heather Conn and storyteller John Conway

A plucky three-year-old girl who can trumpet like an elephant. A talented storyteller who brings words and characters to life with accents, puppets, and sound effects. Free goldfish crackers for a goldfish book. How can you not have a fun book launch?

Several dozen hardy listeners battled high winds and darkness Nov. 26 to attend the 5 p.m. launch of Gracie’s Got a Secret in Sechelt, BC. Local children’s entertainer John Conway was a hit at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre event with his hilarious antics and puppet interactions. He and a child volunteer shared elephant sounds while raising their respective arm like a trunk. The girl was a natural!

John used a puppet for each of the book’s three main characters to tell the story. When Nellie appeared, as an elephant puppet with tusks, I was waiting for some young voice to point out that she had tusks, but no one did. When one of her ballet slippers fell off, I felt compelled to run up and correct this “wardrobe malfunction.”

John was wonderful at prompting smiles and giggles from the audience. He invited adults to add glub-glub-glub sounds to his own fish noises for Gracie, but people seemed a tad too shy to become temporary goldfish.

— William Gelbart photo

After John read the book to the group, using three volunteers in his performance, we took a short break for free snacks: cookies and goldfish crackers, juice, and coffee and tea.

Afterwards, in the Q&A, someone asked me if I’m planning to do a sequel. The answer is yes. I’ve already got another character that I want to use with Gracie. There wasn’t room for him in this story.

Many thanks to everyone, young and old, who came to the reading. I appreciated the help with book sales from Bev from Talewind Books and her daughter.

— William Gelbart photo

Thanks to John for putting on such a great show. And a huge thank you to my husband Frank, who spent time getting everything set up and ready while I was selling books at the Seaside Centre before the event. Your help made all of the difference.