January 1, 2011
A record crowd of adults and children came out to celebrate the publication of Pocket Kisses at the independent bookstore that the author frequents (it is within walking distance of her house on the East Side of Providence, RI). "Wow! This was the most successful children's book event we've ever had," said store manager, Jennifer Doucette.
About 30 children and their parents gathered to hear author, Willa Perlman, read the book and then make "pocket kisses" of their own from wood hearts, stickers and markers that the author brought for this special craft activity. The kids' creations were fabulous and most of them, after receiving a special gauze bag from the author to carry the kiss in, stuffed them into their pockets!
A special event within Books on the Square's regular Saturday morning story hour was created to celebrate Valentine's Day with a reading of Pocket Kisses and a craft activity to "make your own pocket kisses" led by the author. A white plastic tablecloth was laid out on the store carpet and the kids all took spots around it with their parents to sit and use wood hearts, stickers, and markers to make their own special kisses. "It was a great success," said store events coordinator Carole Finger. Many of the parents commented on the creativity of the pocket kiss concept and suggested that pocket kiss birthday parties might be a fun thing to do…