Author Dave Driver, who also happens to be our son, brought copies of his funny children's book SuperMom and the Big Baby, illustrated by Guy Laird. Dave is a mortgage broker who wrote this funny story as a gift to his wife Kelli. The phrases that SuperMom speaks in the book are phrases that Kelli spoke while sleeping. The book has been praised by teachers, parents, and children ages two to nine in particular.
We offered a special deal to anyone wishing to buy the book that night. Usually, we sell the book for $13.95 and donate $1 from each book to Children's Wish Foundation. (We donate to numerous charities from sales of some of our books. The list is at the bottom of our Home page.) Last night, we sold the book for $10 and gave HALF of that money to Children's Wish as our donation towards their good work.
Here's a photo journal of that night's fun event:
Dave posed for a picture while signing a book for this little guy before the game. Meanwhile, Al is busy visiting with the little dude. His 'grandpa' impulses kick in and he starts the teasing and visiting every time he sees a child.
Then it was Dave's turn to visit.
He signed a book for this young man...
...who couldn't wait to look at his new book.
A Children's Wish Child was introduced to drop the puck at the beginning of the hockey game.
We were impressed by the new $3.7-million scoreboard and screen at Brandt Centre, home of the Regina Pats junior hockey team. Wow! It's like watching TV in high-definition and the clips between plays add so much more entertainment to a night out at the hockey game.
I've never seen a 'Kiss Cam' or those psychedelic 'Clap Your Hands' colours on screen at a Pats game before.
This family stopped by and the dad asked what we were doing at our display. When we told him we were selling our great children's book and giving half the proceeds to Children's Wish Foundation, the little boy (about age six or seven) told us: "I've read that book."
I was a little taken aback and asked him. "You've read this book?"
"Yes," he said.
I looked at his mom and told her that her son said he's read this book. "Oh, maybe he read it at school," she said.
The boy looked at me and announced," It's in my backpack."
"Your backpack at home?" his mom asked.
The boy nodded.
I leaned down to the boy's level and pointed at Dave. I told the boy, "This man wrote this book. Isn't that cool?"
Without missing a beat, the boy replied, "I know. I saw his picture in the book."
Dad asked, "Do you like this book?"
The boy nodded.
"Would you like to buy a book so you can read it to your brother and sisters?"
"Yes."
So they purchased their own copy of the book, and we all smiled. For quite a while.
Meet Kristen Allen (left) and Jillian Desautels, Children's Wish Foundation staff in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan respectively.
We had fun working alongside them and talking about their great charity.
I asked Al to take a photo of me with Dave, to prove I was there. (The photographer is rarely in any photos - with the exception of today's selfies trend.)
While Al was busy chatting with Jillian and Kristen...
... Dave was waiting patiently for K9, the Regina Pats mascot, to pose with him and the SuperMom and the Big Baby book.
It was a fun night in Regina, Saskatchewan, made even better when a gentleman came along and made a substantial donation to Children's Wish Foundation. He had a Wish Child several years ago, and they went on a vacation through Children's Wish. His selfless act made our night.
We'll be doing this again next month, on March 17th in Moose Jaw, at 7 p.m. in the new Mosaic Place, when the Moose Jaw Warriors play the Swift Current Broncos. We'll see you there!
