Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Life Imitates My Book - Part 1

Life's been magical. My book, MERMAIDS ON PARADE has been coming to life. The magic started during the 2012 Mermaid Parade at Coney Island. I met up with a little mermaid lover named Madeleine and her mom, Kate Kruckemeyer, at the parade.
Inspired by my book, MERMAIDS ON PARADE, Maddy and mom made this costume in 2010. In 2011 I met Maddy during my literary craft workshop at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. We sat side by side creating art.  A copy of my book next to her for the entire workshop.
In 2012 Maddy and Kate traveled all the way from MA to be in the parade. They miraculously found the Superfine Dinettes troupe (2012 Donna Summermaids) in the marchers crowded waiting area. Our little mermaid did her own hair and make-up. The force of nature Maddy twirled and glided along Surf Avenue and the boardwalk. This was no shy little mermaid coming out of her shell. Maddy was completely out of her shell and loving it! So did the Dinettes.
                                 
Joy! Joy! Joy! Mermaid Madeleine won the silver medal as 2012 Best Little Mermaid.
Just like my book. Bonus...she brought the Superfine Dinettes along for the prize! Life is good.
I pose with the Superfine Dinettes a.k.a. 2012 Donna Summermaids at Coney Island.
I LOVE Maddy! xo
Photo credits: Kate Kruckemeyer  and Charlotte R.A. Moore