Tag: Andrew Weinert

I was checking on Amazon to see if there had been any “new” reviews of the newest Christmas Cats book. I’ve sent out about 20 FREE copies, and I even experimented with setting the price (temporarily) down to 99 cents in Kindle, as per instructions in one Webinar I recently sat through.

After the Webinar, I decided to keep the price of Book One (“The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats”) in Kindle permanently at 99 cents, because the 2 illustrators were, at the time, a high school student (Andrew Weinert) and a Venezuelan nanny (Emily Marquez Vlcek) NOT the professional illustrator who now handles those duties (Gary McCluskey of Rhode Island).

Now, as someone who taught in Silvis (IL) for close to 20 years, I recognize the surname of 2 of the young friends of Andy’s who have, apparently, decided it would be great fun to make merry at his expense. “Lampo” (Tom and Steve) was a name I was familiar with, and I remember that one of them I hired to tutor son Scott before he took algebra in 9th grade. That particular brother, one of 2 who graduated Valedictorian of their United Township High School class(es) and became engineers, was a recent graduate and looking for work. What year was that, you say? Well, it was BEFORE I opened my Sylvan Learning Center #3301 in 1986 and my son (who is now 47) was getting ready to enter 9th grade, having just completed 8th grade, so YOU figure it out. (A long time ago).

Andy always did have a good sense of humor.

Apparently, his friends do, as well.

Thanks for the FIVE-STAR reviews, guys! I really need them! You can’t even advertise your book or books on various “FREE” sites until you have something like 15 five-star reviews, and getting them is like pulling teeth. And I was delighted to see that I had 4 five-star reviews of “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats.” But, I must add, the SECOND book in the series (“The Christmas Cats Chase Christmas Rats”) was just named one of the 7 Best Books of the Year from a Chicago author by the CWA (Chicago Writers’ Association) in October. Yes, I know: I don’t “live” in Chicago. But I DO have a condo there and daughter Stacey uses it as her crash pad to fly out of Midway, so I’m allowed to enter, anyway, and they picked 7 books that were “non-traditionally published” and mine was one of the Honorable Mention ones out of literally hundreds (OK….not quite hundreds. All right, 75. Well, maybe it was 71, but it WAS more than 7.)

Here are the reviews that I enjoyed tonight on Amazon for “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats,” which, by the way, is the FIRST book in the series and will be on sale at various venues around town, including the Festival of Trees and the Moose Lodge in Geneseo on Dec. 7th, but never again in the Book Rack because there was absolutely NO foot traffic. None. Zip. Zero. AND a mean teenager shoved her cell phone in my face and was rude when I asked what happened to my expensive poster(s) and the like, so forgetabout THAT place in the future, but you might check Book World (South Park) at the holidays (signing there 1 to 3 on December 6) and/or Amazon or Sean Leary’s new “online bookstore,” which I can never find or I’d give you the link.

So, without further ado: the reviews. And yes, I WILL be reading these reviews aloud during “Read Local” at the Bettendorf Public Library at 7 p.m. on December 10th.

And, by the way, the very first and oldest book in the series (“The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats”) is permanently 99 cents on Kindle. If all of the effects of this book are true (Latin? Potty training?) you might want to pick one up for your kids!

So, I go out there to read the reviews, and I am here to tell you that I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I purchased this book for my two young beautiful daughters. They were acting like chi chi batty …, November 19, 2014

Spiro Dokolas – See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my two young beautiful daughters. They were acting like chi chi batty boys before I bought it – and I was very concerned about their mental states.After I purchased this book, my two year old instantly became potty trained and learned Latin. I heard that Andrew Weinert really goes by ‘Randii Weinert’ – and has subliminal messages in his drawings to force children to not be as chi chi – or batty.

Thank you so much Andii Weinert for everything you do for the kids. Now if only he would read his own book – so of course – he can cure his own chi chi batty boy problem – the world would be a better place.

Thanks again!

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Reading this book together resolved the beef between rappers Stitches …, November 19, 2014

Christopher Lampo – See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats (Paperback)

Reading this book together resolved the beef between rappers Stitches and Young Jeezy. They realized they can both be snow men with silly hats.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of Art, November 19, 2014

Alex – See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats (Paperback)

By far the best book about Christmas and cats. I used to be an atheist dog lover, but now I’ve seen the error of my ways and joined the local congregation, sent my dog to the pound, and adopted a litter of 7 kittens.

Life is great, this book is better!

The art brought tears to my eyes.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars, November 19, 2014

Craig Douglas – See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats (Paperback)

I can’t even.

Pearl Harbor Day @ Bettendorf Public Library: FREE Reading, Caroling, Refreshments

By Connie Wilson

On December 7, 2011

In Books, Local, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest, Pop Culture

"Laughing through Life," a collection of humorous essays and anecdotes now on a Virtual Tour.

Just a reminder that December 7 at 7 p.m. I’ll be at the Bettendorf Public Library (Lillienthal Room, I think) both reading two short humorous selections from “Laughing through Life” (one only takes a minute and a half) but, also, playing carols (2 per instrument) on both accordion and piano for your sing-along pleasure.

Since one of the funny pieces is about a cat, that will be a logical segue for showing you my new Christmas book “The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats,” which is short. At 11 a.m. on Dec. 10th, Emily Marquez of Venezuela will be at Barnes & Noble with me to sign copies, which will be at a special pre-Christmas sale price of $10!

At 2:30 p.m., Emily and I will be at Razzleberries in LeClaire, because Mr. C, the store cat, invited us.

At 6 p.m., Emily and I will be in Geneseo in the window of the Four Seasons store for their annual Christmas walk. Come out and meet a girl from Venezuela who hasn’t seen any small-town Midwestern life (she’s been in Chicago) and welcome her to our local communities. She speaks excellent English and, as one of the illustrators, will happily sign our book for you at the bargain price of only $10 for the cat book and $10.95 for the humor book.

We wish that Andy Weinert could be with us (the other illustrator) but he is graduating from Northern Illinois University on December 11th with an advanced degree in Graphic Arts. Way to go, Andy!

A cool Christmas books for children aged 2-7.

Updated Appearance Listings for 2 New Books

By Connie Wilson

On November 26, 2011

In Books, Local, News, Of Local (Quad Cities') Interest

"Laughing through Life:' humorous essays and anecdotes.

Although I’ve sent my schedule to both newspapers and the “River City Reader,” which has a nice write-up online right now, here is a reminder of when and where you can find me during the run-up to Christmas, with my two new books, The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats and/or Laughing through Life.

Both books are brand new. One is a collection of funny anecdotes and essays similar to Erma Bombeck or David Sedaris. I’ll be reading a couple short selections from that book at the Bettendorf Public Library during a free presentation on December 7 at 7 p.m., with free refreshments (delicious cookies from the Village Bakery) and piano and accordion accompaniment(s) for some brief caroling. I’ll also have the children’s cat book, The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats.

The next place I’ll be with the book is the District in Rock Island during the December 2nd Gallery Hop. (Atlante Trattoria restaurant). On December 3rd, I’ll be at the East Moline Public Library from 12:30 to approximately 1:30 before joining other local authors at Barnes & Noble at Northpark for a fundraiser for the Midwest Writing Center that starts earlier than I’ll get there. I’ll stay at B&N for about 2 hours (2 to 4, approximately) before relocating within the Woodland Gallery in the Village of East Davenport.

"The Christmas Cats in Silly Hats" for 3 to 5-year-olds; full-color Dr. Seussical book.

On December 7th, it’s the Bettendorf Public Library’s free “Readlocal” promotion. First floor room. On December 10th, one of the illustrators of the book, Emily Marquez of Venezuela (see article in the “River City Reader”) will join me at 11 a.m. at Barnes & Noble at Northpark Mall and again at the Victorian Christmas Walk in Geneseo.

Hope to see you there! If none of those works for you, the books are available online (Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites) and, in town, at the Watermark in downtown Moline for the children’s book only and at Barnes & Noble at Northpark for both.