July 2005

Dear Friends,

Life’s a Beach…

…so how come I’m not on one? The Dog Days of August feel like they are here and we’re not even through with July yet!

This has certainly been a busy summer already—in June we initiated the first part of the book tour for On This Beautiful Island and have traveled to Camden, NJ and New Haven, CT. And as exciting as it is to create a new Exit Studio product, it doesn’t compare to leaving the isolation of our creative studio and getting out to meet the people who are buying our books and sharing them with their family and friends.

I cannot properly describe the incredible outpouring of warmth and appreciation brought by the people attending these signings. It is precisely during these moments that I clearly realize why I do what I do. It is for you, the mothers out there looking for support in rearing their children with a solid foundation, trying to find quality materials that don’t compromise their values. I am still amazed when things like this happen: As we parked our car at the Barnes & Noble in Deptford, NJ, a smiling young mother and her 6-year-old son approached me asking, “Are you the author? We’ve come to see you!” Now I am no household name and I was worried no one was going to show up! After Maria introduced herself and her son Aidan, she continued, “I brought you a picture of Aidan’s grandfather who was a descendent of the Taínos.” Right then and there I knew it was going to be a fun event. We walked into the store, and before I knew it the place was full, the audience eager to participate, and the Puerto Ricans who were there were grateful and proud to see their heritage represented. Even an expectant mother, glowing with the child she was carrying, asked me to sign a book for her soon-to-be-born son. I was so touched that I had to give her hug and give my best wishes to her and the baby. Mommies rule!

It was also a great surprise during the Marlton, NJ appearance to meet the charming Lu Hanessian, author of “Let the Baby Drive” and host of “Make Room for Baby” on the Discovery Channel. Lu was there with her two boys Benjamin and Nicholas and I had a great time talking to them while they got their Taíno tattoos.

Our last stop was the Children’s Garden in Camden where they were having their annual ‘Fiesta de Aibonito’ in tribute to Puerto Rico’s “flower city.” I was very impressed by the audience who endured the intense heat to listen to me read. Even nicer was seeing the familiar faces of Maria and Aidan who came to see me for a second time. Thank you!

The experiences on this tour were so great that I would like to create a “Mom’s Club” where mothers can exchange ideas and support each other in the challenges of raising children today. So send me your ideas and thoughts and I’ll work on creating an area on the website devoted to this topic.

Thank you all so much for your continued support and if I haven’t been to your town yet, I hope to meet you very soon.

Edwin