January 2014 Newsletter
January 2014 Newsletter – To view the newsletter in its entirety, click here!
Happy New Year!
We hope you had a magical holiday season and look forward to a new year full of adventure, love and prosperity.
2013 was an exciting year and, as it has come to a close, we are reflecting on the lessons we’ve learned and how they will influence our goals in the new year. Joseph Campbell’s inspiring quote we often referenced for The Art of Storytelling & Illustration 2013 workshop tour –
“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty ‘yes‘ to your adventure”
– reinforced what we have experienced throughout this creative year. Wonderful magic comes out of the unexpected! So in 2014 we are saying a HEARTY YES to adventure again and again and again.
We’d love to hear from you! What wonderful things would you like to share? We’ll include our favorites in next months newsletter!
__________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
– January 16th: J.L. Kimmel presents her new Art of Storytelling and Illustration workshop | Barnes & Noble | 3981 US Hwy 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
– January 6th: J.L. Kimmel radio interview with Robert Sharpe. Will discuss recent trip to El Salvador!
– January 14th: J.L. Kimmel radio interview with Bob Johnson WPKN 89.5 FM. TYRRC, new workshop, tours and more!
December 2013 Newsletter
Wonderful Things to Share!
Have something you want to share? Let us know!
- On Thursday, December 12th, J.L. Kimmel will take her Art of Storytelling & Illustration workshop to Hollywood Schoolhouse and ra eading at Hollywood Schoolhouse Book Fair Friday December 13th @ 7PM in Los Angeles, CA.
- The Art of Storytelling in El Salvador was a great success! Visit this page to view pictures and read about the events.
- J.L. Kimmel will be a guest on WPKN 89.5 FM on December 14th to discuss her latest book and her new art and storytelling classes.
- Girl crush of the week – Published 21 year old NYU student
- Caribbean Tiramisu – You can’t wait to try it!
|
New This Month!
| Frankie Family by David Ceccarelli & J.L. Kimmel Coming soon! A lighthouse, three hippos,and a canary in the hat…Visit the website for more details! |
|
Give the gift of reading this holiday season! Visit SpringTreePress.com and share the adventure and magic of The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle and The Magic Gown with your loved ones. |
The award winning
Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle
is a perfect holiday gift!
Wonderful Article by J.L. Kimmel: A Doorway to Life in a Shopping Mall
It has been two and half years since I helped save a stranger’s life…
It was wintertime and holiday season in New Jersey. In a beautiful holiday specialty market, in the midst of a bustling crowd, I was having a children’s book signing event for my book, The Magic Gown. Children could color their own world behind the magic doorway in the tree while they waited to see Santa Claus.
I had my remarkable assistant, ten year old Emma, with me for the event. She was dressed in a one of kind, handmade, couture costume as Nizella the Fairy Queen fromThe Magic Gown. Emma had ventured through the loud, crowded room,to retrieve some hot chocolate for us.
A few minutes later I heard her voice calling for me but I could not see her through the red, white, and pink poinsettias, lights, and displays that filled the room.
“Janine, Janine! A woman is on the floor! She fell!”
Interview with J.L. Kimmel
Interview with J.L. Kimmel, author of the work together with the Italian illustrator, David Ceccarelli.
The story of a courageous rabbit thief, a vulnerable tortoise, of people “with” and “without” umbrellas that tells of life and the importance of forgiveness and tolerance.
The Art of Storytelling & Illustration is Heading to El Salvador!
J.L. Kimmel will be presenting her original workshop – The Art of Storytelling & Illustration – for grades 5th to 8th at several schools in El Salvador this month:
The Escuela Americana, Academia Británica, Cuscatleca, Superate Raíces – San Salvador, Superate Hilasal – San Salvador, and Liceo Frances de San Salvador.
The workshops are based on her experience writing the award winning fiction adventure books: The Magic Gown and The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle.
J.L. Kimmel will also be visiting Enigma Bookstore in Astoria – November 23, 2013 at 5 pm for a book signing, reading, and discussion.
Enigma is a science fiction, fantasy, and mystery focused store and an exciting forum for The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle.
A Note From J.L. Kimmel
The Art Of Storytelling & Illustration library tour has come to a close and, as I look back on the wonderful experience, I am reminded of the value of ‘saying a hearty ‘yes’ to adventure in life’. This advice has been a mainstay in my therapeutic practice as well as a theme for the recent Art of Storytelling tour.
One never knows how things will turn out – moment to moment. And yet the willingness to say ‘yes'; to give from the heart and be open has once again brought me the most wonderful gifts…
This fall those gifts included the lovely people of all ages I met at the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlottesville, and Richmond libraries and the Charlottesville Barnes & Noble. Thank you to you all! I was honored to inspire you, as you inspired me.
A big thank you to Wendy Anne Edwards at 1070 WINA “WINA Morning News: Weekend Edition, Charlottesville VA for a great early morning radio interview.
Thank you Caryle Duffy for your beautiful support at the Philadelphia Library Event!
I am so grateful to Sara Sgarlat at Sgarlat Publicity and Leonard Baker for taking such good care of me.
And thank you to Danielle and Natalie at SierraRed for providing on-going graphic design and social media marketing support.
Book Signing with J.L. Kimmel
Saturday, November 23, 2013 5 pm book signing, reading, and discussion at Enigma Bookstore in Astoria, New York.
Barnes & Noble Event – Workshop with Janine
Educator Appreciation Workshop/Reception
Join us for a workshop on children and the art of storytelling, with teen and children’s author Janine Kimmel. Janine, author of the award-winning The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicles, will lead the workshop, perfect for the Common Core Standards.
Thursday October 17, 2013 6:00 PM
The Commons at Holmdel, 2134 State Highway 35, Holmdel, NJ 07733, 732-275-0620
Inspire Me Today
If I could share 500 words to inspire, this is the important wisdom I’d want to pass along to others…
Now I think I know the answer; it’s simple really, you know? I think. . . well, I think we’re all here just to be good to one another. Just that.
This is a passage from the end of my fiction book for young adult readers, which tells a complex story spanning over hundreds of years about an enchanted river, its heroes (both human and animal), and our intrinsic connection to Nature.
From my very earliest memories, I have had a love affair with Nature. I have stayed in touch with that love and know that there is a deep benefit that comes from an ongoing relationship with Nature.
I tap into this love every day in my work as a poet, an artist, a writer, a therapist, mother of two sons, and a teacher of creativity. I am such an advocate of the importance of encouraging our children to have a relationship with nature because I attribute much of my strength and creativity to that connection.
The best way to share this love with our children, beginning at the earliest of ages, is by modeling it OURSELVES. By connecting with the simplicity and authenticity of our natural surroundings, we instinctively slow to a more natural and saner rhythm or pace and begin to see the emergence of our own authentic, creative, and true nature – to be more open.
As this opening occurs, I like to say, our inner landscape becomes spectacular by transforming to reflect the beauty and wonder of the natural world. We also realize that, like our inner selves, nature is fragile and in need of care and love and respect.
And, like the great circle of life, one thing leads into another and back again. We are inspired and we inspire others to be good to each other. It is you and me, at our best. Like Robert W. Fuller, Ph.D. says, “Dignity is not negotiable.”
We are connected by that goodness and it is our greatest strength;
A river runs from you to me
This river runs for eternity
A silent promise never broken
Of true love, so sweetly spoken
A heart that beats for you and me
One pure heart for eternity
A world like ours is never broken
With my song, like wings, now open!
-Janine L. Kimmel
Published on Inspire Me Today August 9, 2013
J.L. Kimmel Interview with BITERadio July 8th @ 12PM
BITEradio.me is a Network of shows that focus on “Bringing Inspiration To Earth” – Our hosts focus on positive self-help and uplifting spiritual topics. On July 8th @ 12PM tune in here for J.L. Kimmel’s interview as a part of BITEradio’s Children’s Corner.
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle by J. L. Kimmel & David Ceccarelli
TYRRC 2013 Book of the Year!
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle has a book of the year award!
The Creative Child Awards Program at Creative Child Magazine has awarded TYRRC the 2013 BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD in the Fiction Adventure Books category.
Visit The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle’s new website!
Sharing the Magic and Adventure
Spring Tree Press Blossoms
with books like flowers…………..
Sharing the Magic and Adventure in May,
J.L. Kimmel is delighted to say:
“Happy Enchanted books are on their way”!
Children’s hospital library recipients:
- City of Hope, Los Angeles CA
- New York Presbyterian Weill/Cornell Medical Center, New York City
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
- Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York City
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA
- Children’s Library, San Salvador, El Salvador
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle and The Magic Gown were donated to help lift the spirits and inspire children, parents, and staff at these wonderful institutions.
2013 Nautilus Silver Award!
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle is now a recipient of the 2013 Nautilus Silver Award for Young Adult Fiction! Nautilus Book Awards Silver and Gold Winners are carefully selected in a unique three-tier judging process by experienced teams of book reviewers, librarians, authors, editors, book store owners, and leaders in the publishing industry.
Recognizing Books that Promote Spiritual Growth,
Conscious Living, and Positive Social Change
as they stimulate the imagination and inspire the reader to
new possibilities for a better world.
Since ancient times, storytellers and scribes worldwide have gathered and shared the culture’s words and ideas in ways that encourage its people to think, feel, and improve the lives of upcoming generations. For centuries, the world’s great philosophers and leaders have used books to inspire the masses and affect their attitudes and emotions – not always for the better.
With mass global communication, political upheaval, depletion and destruction of our natural resources along with religious and secular fanaticism all growing at an alarming rate, the need for books that promote viable options for positive social change is vast, and the phrase, “Changing the World One Book at a Time” is more meaningful than ever before. Authors and publishers and their books CAN and ARE making a difference.
Bank Street Bookstore Event!
We are so thankful for everyone who came out this past weekend for the Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle event! We had a great time reading and drawing with all of the participants. Hope to see you at another event soon!
J.L. Kimmel Interview on This Week In America
Ric Bratton, host of This Week In America, interviews J.L. Kimmel about The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle and the awards it has received. Listen here!
TYRRC Review by Caitlin S
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle: Review
by Caitlin S. age 13.
The book “Yawning Rabbit River” was very well written and I liked the suspense in it. I also liked how the author would show the same area through many years and started it from the very beginning onto hundreds of years later, in the same area, but the scenery and characters have changed greatly from the beginning. It was a really good book overall and I think a lot of kids of all ages would like it a lot. I personally passed my copy on to my friend and so far she’s really enjoyed reading it. When I first started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I recommend the book to anyone who likes to read and I think it would encourage kids who don’t like to read, to read more often.
The River Goddess Blues
THE RIVER GODDESS BLUES
From the book The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle (2012) page 131
by J.L. Kimmel & David Ceccarelli
Oh, the River,
runs through all kinds of places,
through the broken hearts,
past the lonely sad faces.
Man, the river, she is made of tears,
of joy and pain
carried in the silver clouds
filled with soothing rain.
Listen to her roll
’round rocks and trees
Listen to her voice
sweeter than the breeze
tonight, tonight
Feel her gentle touch.
Tonight, tonight,
We need her so much
Awaken by her side
from your murky sleep
to the comfort
of her watery keep.
This river is like life,
it never ends
but on her heartbeat
the river depends.
Lyrics by J.L. Kimmel
Music composed by Zack Kimmel
Vocals, guitar, piano – Zack Kimmel
Drums – Teddy Powell
Tin whistle, alto saxophone – Rich Reiter
Zack Kimmel
https://www.facebook.com/zak.kimmel?fref=ts
http://fulltimerecords.us/
All song copyright reserved by J.L. Kimmel & Zack Kimmel 2013
Janine And David Visit Schools and Bookshops In Ireland
Castlegregory National School Visit February 18, 2013
Several of the 7th and 8th graders at Castlegregory reviewed The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle. Thank you to Principal Muireann De Burca and all the students that shared their insight with us!
Aughascasla National School Visit February 19, 2013
Aoife O’Mahony reviewed TYRRC and the entire 8th grade glass played “Fairytale of New York” on tin whistles! Thank you Principal John Moriarty for having us!
Scoil Bhreac Chuain Vist on February 20, 2013
Principal Mary Murphy sent us a lovely note after our visit to her school.
THANK YOU to Camilla and Mike at Dingle Bookshop in Dingle and to Justine and Keith at The Beach Box in Castlegregory for your wonderful support! Hope to see you soon!
Books available at Dingle Bookshop and The Beach Box
Art, Music, Poetry and Book Signing for TYRRC – Dingle Bookshop
Book Signing Event at The Beach Box
Spring Tree Press February 2013 Newsletter
VOYA AWARD – Il Tierreno
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle wins VOYA award.
VOYA GIVES TYRRC A PERFECT 10!
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle was awarded a spot on VOYA’s Perfect Ten list for 2012!
With over 1,100 reviews of young adult books in VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) in print and online in 2012, our reviewers awarded only thirty-one titles the Perfect Ten: a 5Q for quality (hard to imagine it better written) and 5P for popularity (every young adult who reads was dying to read it yesterday). A VOYA Perfect Ten title is considered to be a must-read and a must-buy by many young adult school and public librarians!
Untold Moments Collection
Book Launch In Ireland February 2013
Janine Kimmel and David Ceccarelli are very excited to be returning to Ireland next month to launch The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle! February 15-24, 2013. More details to come soon!
Shipping For The Holidays!
The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle In Ireland!
West Kerry ‘Middle Earth’ Inspires Magic
In a week that will see the global cinema release of J.R.R Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit”, it is appropriate that a new book, of a similar genre but inspired by the amazing beauty of the Castle-gregory, celebrated its official launch in Dingle.
‘The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicles’ is an epic tale penned by american writer J.L. Kimmel and beautifully illustrated by Italian artist David Ceccarelli. It follows the fate of a river and its heroes – a thieving rabbit, a deer who transforms at night, a magical boy and a rat with a heart of gold who battle against monsters and demons to bring safety to the river they love. Speaking to The Kerryman at the book’s official irish launch in Dingle Bookshop last Saturday, author Janine Kimmel explained how Glenteenassig Valley inspired David and herself to bring the tale to life.
“Four years ago David and I paid the first of three visits to ‘An Tigh Beag’ in aughacashla,” said Janine. “The area really inspired us to create this tale and many scenes in the book are drawn from the surroundings there.
The Owencashla River became the Yawning Rabbit River, Castlegregory became Briarwood and John O’Connor’s cottage is the setting for Nub Begley’s Farm,” she said.
The book – which is geared towards readers over the age of ten – has been gained a lot of attention in the USA and in Italy since its initial release last September. Indeed David’s illustrations, including a map – a West Kerry ‘Middle Earth’ of sorts – includes all kinds of local landmarks such as conor Pass and other such mystical locations such as Teru, Valley of the Giants and Laughing Wolf Pass.
“It’s doing very well in the USA and in Italy,” said Tuscany native David who hails from a small town near Florence. “Janine and I worked well together in bringing a good balance of darkness and light to the tale and people can reference the story to the area which really brings it to life.”
The owners of An Tigh Beag in Aughacashla, John and Patricia O’Connor and their son Mint, joined David and Janine in the Dingle Bookshop to launch the book last Saturday.
-Newspaper Article-
TYRRC IN IRELAND! December 2012
On Saturday, December 8th
– an interview in The Kerryman on Wednesday, December 12th
– and a reading on Friday, December 14th at The Dingle Library.
‘The Yawning Rabbit River Chronicle’ is receiving in County Kerry!
Dingle Bookshop Book Signing
The heroes of this epic tale are a thieving rabbit with the courage to do great things, a deer who transforms as night falls, a magical coin-IRELAND BOOK LAUNCH December Events
“Sean the rabbit thief, our little hero, is going to be in Glanteenassig and the Glen!”
December 8 – 15
SATURDAY 8 December 2pm Book Signing
The Dingle Bookshop
Green Street, Dingle, Co Kerry, Ireland
+353 66 9152433
Events/Talks, December 9th – 15th
9 Branches of The County Kerry Library System and schools
-Dingle and Tralee will be included for Book signings-
