Recently, we have collaborated with some Minnesota author friends to open a retail store over the holiday season that featured our products. The story ran on the front page of the St. Paul Pioneer Press this past Saturday and was written by MaryAnn Grossman. The store was the brain child of our friend, Kelly Lucente, author of “Bye Bye Monster.” We are honored and humbled that Kelly calls us her friends and mentors. Don’t let the headline fool you, the point of the story was opening the store was something that had to be put together quickly. 

Nightmares before Christmas: Author opens temporary storefront to promote book that helps kids say ‘bye bye’ to nighttime fears. by Mary Grossman:

The quote about JoAnne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons reads as follows:

“I saw the space on Nov. 19, and we opened on Black Friday, the 27th,” she says. “Opening a store that fast didn’t freak me out. The worst that could happen is that it would fail. How tough can it be? You ask questions and do the work.”

Since Lucente didn’t have enough products to fill the space, she contacted other Beaver’s Pond authors, as well as her friends and mentors Joanne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons, who self-publish a series of books that empower youngsters.

What: Bye Bye Shop, a consortium of authors selling their books

Who: Minnesota authors Kelly Lucente (“Bye Bye Monster: Joey’s Adventure on Monster Street”), Susie Basil (“The Sick Bug”),  Gordon W. Fredrickson (“If I Were a Farmer” and two other farm books), Patrick “Packy” Mader (“Opa and Oma Together,” “Oma Finds a Miracle” and “Big Brother Has Wheels”), Ryan Thomas Skinner (“Sidikiba’s Kora Lesson,” winner of a 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award for publishing excellence in the multicultural category), JoAnne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons (Bur Bur & Friends series of books that urge children to explore the world and develop skills)

When: Regular mall hours (generally 9 a.m.-10 p.m.) through Dec. 24

Where: Kohl’s wing, second floor, Eden Prairie Center, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive

Info: 612-889-3365 or byebyeshop.com

Book Covers and other products from the award winning Bur Bur and Friend’s children’s book series: Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multicultural characters who help kids cultivate their self-esteem and talents by teaching them about sports, outdoor exploration and active play though their experiences. Bur Bur and Friends characters are based off of real life kids like yours!

This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 8:31 pm and is filed under Community Board. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.