Dragon visits Kidz ‘N Kastles Sandcastle Competition at US Open

The Kidz ‘N Kastles Sandcastle Competition, sponsored and organized by the U.S. Open Sandcastle Committee and the Imperial Beach Optimists Club, took place Saturday, July 23, in Imperial Beach, CA.  Khari Johnson reported on the event in the Imperial Beach Patch.

Highlights:

• About 20 teams competed in 15’x 15′ plots of sand; all team members were 12 years of age or under
• Decorations were permitted but had to be biodegradable materials or things found at the beach, like seaweed or seashells. Food coloring was also permitted.
• Each team of five was accompanied by an adult supervisor who was not allowed to assist in the construction of sand castles or sculptures.
• Top placing teams won a trophy, a $10 savings account from North Island Credit Union, a gift card for the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, a free haircut at the Hair Force Barber Shop, and a copy of the book When a Dragon Moves In, a story about a little boy, his sandcastle and a dragon.
• Awards were presented by Miss Imperial Beach Meghan Sherman.

Congratulations to the winning teams in each category:

Sand Sculptures

1st	Wave Riders
2nd	Daialya Cub Pack #306
3rd	Simply Awesome

Kastles

1st	Sand Eggos Cub Scout Pack #306
2nd	Griffins
3rd	Sand Warriors

Creatures of the Sea

1st	Speed Demons
2nd	Sea Dragons 2
3rd	Hammer Heads

From When a Dragon Moves In, written by Jodi Moore, illustr. by Howard McWilliam

When a Dragon Moves In to BookFest PA, a first-hand report by author Jodi Moore

Jodi Moore signing copies of When a Dragon Moves In at BookFest PA

I’m one of these people who just can’t wait to bite into the chocolaty center of a Tootsie Pop, the creamy middle of a sugary doughnut, the gooey core of a caramel bar. So imagine my reaction when I was offered the chance to participate in BookFest PA, a book festival tucked into the heart of The Central PA Festival of the Arts. Sweet!

And what do you get when you combine arts enthusiasts with avid readers? Some quite extraordinary people who, while varying in age, background, and interest, have come together to celebrate the power of the imagination.

Nothing short of a little slice of heaven.

Between 10 am and 5 pm on July 16, thousands of folks browsed the BookFest PA tent to share words and stories, and to meet some very talented writers and illustrators. (Yes, I was admittedly fan-gushy to be in such lovely company.) I’m thrilled to say that Dragon “moved into” many a new, loving home that day! There is nothing more heart-squishy than watching a child hug your book.

In addition, I was honored to present When a Dragon Moves In during a late morning story time inside Schlow Library. Our young audience became artists themselves, drawing pictures of their own “perfect sandcastles” – which I‘m sure are now proudly displayed on refrigerators across the nation! Each child received the highly regarded “Dragon” sticker for his/her work, as well as a bookmark. And of course, the Dragon himself made an appearance!

A standing ovation – and a ton of thanks – to the organizers and volunteers of this amazing event. This was only the second year for BookFest PA, but with the success and smiles it brought to so many, I know I’m not the only one looking forward to many more!

Summer’s In Full Swing, Dragons Are Moving In

Jodi Moore, author of When a Dragon Moves In (Flashlight Press 2011, illustrated by Howard McWilliam), talks about her first picture book in an interview on WHVL TV, State College, PA. It aired April 2011.

Dragon Cake?

A huge “Thank You” to Bill and Lorie Jackson who took book promotion to the next level. The cake was kept by the Spartanburg United Way and the chapter for Imagination Library to help promote the charities for children.

Even the sand looks delicious.

Here is the link to the addictive site where Bill posted this pic: http://cakecentral.com/gallery/2036816

Fiery debut for Dragon

When a Dragon Moves In (Jodi Moore & Howard McWilliam) has made its fiery debut and is an INDIE NEXT KIDS’ PICK (Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers), summer 2011.

Read all the way through this exciting post to see what a few real kids have to say about this tale.

Sweet Dreams with Pobble

The Midwest Book Review recommends Pobble’s Way as an imaginative and sweet-dream inducing bedtime book:

Beautifully written and tenderly illustrated, “Pobble’s Way” eavesdrops on an imaginative dialogue just before bedtime between a loving father and daughter in a still winter woods setting that has many hidden animal friends. “Pobble’s Way” is a great bedtime story book, especially matched to fathers and daughters. The wise, imaginative comments of the animals about Pobble’s lost pink mitten will linger sleepily in the dreamings of many children.

Read the full review and check out more Midwest Book Review picks here.