Friday, July 29, 2011

Have you ever taken on a disguise?

Stanley needed to hide himself in the bottom of one of those trucks, disguising himself with dirt.

Have you have taken on a disguise?

Stanley could really use your suggestions.
Please leave him a comment below.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

How do you stay motivated when the going gets tough?

Walter thought awhile and explained that a lot of gulls never made it back; some choose to stay because the landfill was so plentiful. But Stanley wanted to find a way home.

How do you stay motivated when the going gets tough?

Stanley needs your help!
Please leave a comment and cheer him on.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

When did you ever get really lost? Who did you turn to for help?

Stanley was sad. He realized he better return to the landfill. Perhaps Walter could help him find his way home.

When did you ever get really lost? Who did you turn to for help?

Stanley wants to know.
Please leave a comment below.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

What's the farthest you've ever been from home?

Stanley was not happy when Walter told him he was 100 miles away from the nearest ocean.

What's the farthest you've ever been from home?

Stanley would love to know!
Please leave a comment below.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Friday, July 22, 2011

eBook Blog Tour

eBook Blog Tour

Have a blog?
Join the Stanley Seagull eBook review tour during the month of September 2011.
Email info@tribute-books.com to sign up.

Confirmed Dates
Sept. 1 Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
Sept. 2 My Tower of Books
Sept. 3 One Day at a Time
Sept. 3 Splashes of Joy
Sept. 4 My Reading Room
Sept. 5 Come Meet AusJenny
Sept. 5 Confuzzled Books
Sept. 5 Dr. Bill Tells Ancestor Stories
Sept. 6 A California Girl & A Boston Boy
Sept. 7 I Am a Reader, Not a Writer
Sept. 8 Scorpion Stalking Duck
Sept. 9 The Children's & Teens' Book Connection
Sept. 10 Book Madness
Sept. 11 Once Upon a Twilight
Sept. 12 The Crypto-Capers Review
Sept. 12 Sober Catholic
Sept. 13 Book Snatchers
Sept. 14 Book Dads
Sept. 15 3 Boys & a Dog
Sept. 15 Cynthia's Attic
Sept. 15 Palace of Twelve Pillars
Sept. 16 A Bookish Libraria
Sept. 16 The One True Faith
Sept. 17 You Gotta Read Reviews
Sept. 18 It's Time to Read!
Sept. 18 MotherLode
Sept. 19 4 the Love of Books
Sept. 20 Giveaway Blogdom
Sept. 20 In the Pages
Sept. 21 Celtic Lady Reviews
Sept. 23 Everything to Do with Books
Sept. 23 There's a Book
Sept. 25 Future Catholic
Sept. 26 The Garden Gate
Sept. 28 The Elliott Review

More positive comments about "Stanley Seagull"

"[The video trailer] works great. I love the background music. It adds a sense of adventure to the story and great illustrations."
-Mary Barna

"Love to purchase a hardcopy for my Grandson!!! Love, love the story!!!"
-Debbie Tornvall Demming

"Congratulations and good luck!"
-Lisa Paglia

"The Breakfast Bunch can't wait to get our autographed copies. How about a Book-signing Breakfast!!"
-Rosann McLane Moskel

"So exciting!"
-Nicole Giovagnoli

"Just Love this Book."
-Lisa Caines

"Wow! I can't wait to get a copy to read to the girls!! Congratulations!!"
-Jennifer Caines

"Beautiful."
-Donna L. Shuta

"Congrats! So proud!"
-Michele Steblinski

"What an accomplishment, congratulations!!"
-Kathleen Dougherty Nudelman

"Aimee reads everyday to her 1 month old son. She loves to read and she wants Gary to love it to. I will have to order the book."
-Maryellen John Warnero

"Congratulations Cathy!! Can't wait to get the book."
-Lori Coviello Mulally

"Good luck on the book!"
-Joseph Krajewski

"Congrats Cathy!!! Awesome job!"
-Shelley Buselli

"Congratulations and Good Luck! I'm impressed."
-Maureen Walsh Gavin

"How cool!"
-Jacqueline Sposto Sharples

"Congratulations on your book. I loved listening to your inspiration about how this story came about. Can't wait to get your book."
-Marliu O'Malley

"Congratulations on the book, I didn't know you were an aspiring author."
-Joanne Sheridan

"Very exciting...I looked at the [video] trailer."
-Karen Donato

"Congrats Mrs. Mazur on your new book!! That is great!!!"
-April Green Davey

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The inspiration behind "Stanley Seagull"

Author Cathy Mazur says, "I was inspired to write it because I would see the seagulls on the football field as I looked out the library windows at the school."

Cathy was employed as an elementary school librarian for the Mid Valley School District from 1975 until her retirement in 2010. While at Mid Valley, she instituted and coordinated the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) program for 33 years helping students to develop a love of reading outside the classroom.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

More praise for "Stanley Seagull"

"I love it. I wonder where the inspiration came from."
-Allison Grant

"Congratulations! Am I the last to know about this??!!!! LOVE IT!"
-Maureen Holmes Arduino

"I love the book! I'm gonna order one to use next semester with the special needs pre-k and Kindergardeners I have to work with. They love any books with bright colors." :)
-Amanda Bedford

"Love the artwork from the book. Wish they made a stuffed Stanley the Seagull because he would be awesome :) Congrats!"
-Samantha Kravitz

"I would love one of these books."
-Sandy Barrett DeNinno

"Congratulations!!!...Great illustrations on the Stanley Seagull book."
-Sue Baigis

"That is awesome!! So cool!!!"
-Kim Caines

"Congratulations!! Looks great!"
-Rosemary Kunz Nelson

"Wow, how amazing is this!! Congratulations! I can't wait to see the book..."
-Lori Bartkowski Walsh

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

What people are saying about "Stanley Seagull"

"Cathy, I love Stanley! Downloaded it last week. It looks awesome on the iPad! Congrats! Your dad would have been so proud!"
-Kathleen Riccardo Hubert

"Hey Cath, Just ordered a hard copy of Stanley for my grandson Chase - I can't believe it - remember a couple of years ago you gave me your hand written copy to take home for me & Stacey to read and you wanted to know what we thought - well if you remember we loved it....and you were hoping to get it published....and here you are - an "author" - Congratulations - and Stacey & I are proud to say "we knew you when...."
-Kathy Maloney

"Cathy the book is fabulous! So great to have an author in the family! We are so proud of you - wonderful job! It's going to be my Christmas present to all the little ones on my list! WOW! Soooo exciting!"
-Jean Marie Alu

"Congrats Cathy!!!"
-Joe Tomko

"AWESOME!!!!!! Congratulations! I just added a copy to my Amazon wish list ready for my next purchase! How exciting for you! I can't wait to read it to Michael! YAY!"
-Kathy McCauley

"Wow! Can't wait to get a copy from the book store..."
-Indrani Pandey

"Good for you Cathy..."
-Marlene Nestor

Monday, July 18, 2011

How can we reduce our trash output?

Below him Stanley could see a large peak on the top of a dark grey mountain of garbage. The air was sharp and chilled and smelled like the bacon bits he found in the boardwalk trash.

How can we reduce our trash output?

Stanley would love to read your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Author Bella DePaulo gives "Stanley Seagull" 5 stars

5 stars - Loved it

"A touching and beautifully illustrated story, with just the right measure of dramatic tension. As one who is totally into the ocean and endless grazing (though not from garbage trucks), I loved it. I was going to give it to a kid when I bought it, but now I'm not so sure."

- Bella DePaulo, Ph.D., BellaDePaulo.com

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Did you ever get left behind?

Stanley looked around. He noticed that Seymor had gone. He was alone and trapped inside the moving truck.

Did you ever get left behind?

Leave a comment and describe what happened.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

What food do you like to indulge in?

Stanley was beside himself with happiness. He snacked, munched and consumed as much food as he could possibly devour.

What food do you like to indulge in?

Leave a comment with your answer.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Have you ever experienced litter in a place that made you angry?

Stanley encounters rows of tremendous green garbage trucks at his beach. These massive trucks were parked on the pier filled with beach garbage.

Have you ever experienced litter in a place that made you angry?

Leave a comment below with your response.

Monday, July 11, 2011

What is your favorite thing about the beach?

Stanley loved his life. He loved flying with the other gulls. He loved the sun, he loved the beaches.

What is your favorite thing about the beach?

Leave a comment below with your answer.

Friday, July 8, 2011

What do you like on the grill - hamburgers or hot dogs?

Stanley's cousin, Seymor, is known for snatching hot dogs right off the grill.

What do you like on the grill - hamburgers or hot dogs?

Leave a comment below with your preference.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

What is your favorite boardwalk food?

Stanley loved eating popcorn that adults or children threw in his direction. He would devour anything he could find from boardwalk stands and restaurants.

What is your favorite boardwalk food?

Leave a comment below with your tantalizing favorites.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Did you ever not listen to a friend's advice?

Seymor warned Stanley to be ready to fly away from the garbage trucks at a moment's notice. However, he didn't pay attention and failed to heed his friend's warning. He just kept on eating.

Did you ever not listen to a friend's advice?

Leave a comment below if you ever tuned someone out when you should have been concentrating on what they had to say.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Excerpt

Endorsements





















































“Stanley Seagull has everything he needs and loves his life but then he gets greedy and wants more. The author does a beautiful job of teaching kids that sometimes wanting more when you already have all that you need may ultimately bring you much less."


-Larry Peterson, author of Slippery Willie's Stupid, Ugly Shoes




























































“Children will enjoy following Stanley as he discovers fun, adventure, and the beauty of home."


-Cheryl Malandrinos, author of Little Shepherd





























































“Stanley Seagull is a heartwarming character. Former school librarian Cathy Mazur has provided a wonderful story for children of all ages. ”

-Jill Mackarey, librarian, Western Wayne School District, R.D. Wilson Elementary School






























































“In Northeastern Pennsylvania, more than a hundred miles from the ocean, there are lots of seagulls. This charming tale puts a face, a voice and a heart on the sea birds that seem so far from their homes. The problem solving is wonderful and is believable. It is a great story to tell and it answers the questions so many adults and children ask, ‘how did the seagulls get here?’ It is a great read aloud and a story I look forward to sharing with my students.”

-Sue Piorkowski,
librarian, Pocono Mountain School District, Coolbaugh Elementary Center































About the Illustrator

Colleen Gedrich, a lifelong resident Throop, Pa., earned a BFA in illustration from Marywood University in 2002. She is a freelance illustrator specializing in animal-themed work. She enjoys creating her art using mostly watercolor and pastel. As a dedicated animal rights activist and full-time program coordinator for International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR), Colleen lives her dream of joining her passions for animals and art to promote a more harmonious world with a touch of beauty. Recent works produced by Colleen include t-shirt and invitation designs, children’s book illustrations (A Different Kind of Hero), and book covers (With God There Is Hope). Colleen has also teamed up with her very talented artist mother, Kathy Holmes Gedrich, and paints murals for children’s nurseries.

About the Book

Meet a young seagull named Stanley. Follow him as he wanders far from home and tries to find his way back. Join Stanley on his journey as he learns how humans affect the balance of nature.

$7.95
32 pgs., 5.5" x 8.5"
paperback
ISBN 9780983741800

$16.95
32 pgs., 5.5" x 8.5"
hardcover
ISBN 9780983741817

$2.99-$4.99
ebook

Cathy Mazur

Born in Scranton, Pa., Cathy Mazur is the daughter of Gary and Catherine H. Errico. She was educated in the Dunmore public school system and graduated from Dunmore High School in 1971. She received a bachelor’s degree in Library Science from Mansfield State College in 1975. She received a Reading Specialist Certificate from the University of Scranton in 1978. Cathy was employed as an elementary school librarian for the Mid Valley School District from 1975 until her retirement in 2010. While at Mid Valley, she instituted and coordinated the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) program for 33 years helping students to develop a love of reading outside the classroom. Cathy served on the Board of Directors for the Valley Community Library in Peckville, Pa. for over 20 years acting as president for one year and board secretary for 19 years. She presently serves on the library’s Developmental Committee chairing various fundraising events. She resides in Dickson City, Pa. with Frank, her husband of 31 years. They are the parents of two children, Gary, 27 and Gia, 19. Now in her retirement, she is focused on writing books for children like Stanley Seagull.