Children's Book Author Dayna Hilton: March 2008

Friday, March 28, 2008

New video by Sparkles and Spanner

Sparkles, Spanner and I made a new video for our webpages. Double click on the video below to see the latest promotional video.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The first book arrives!

Today was a banner day! The mailman delivered the very first copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog to Firehouse Dog Publishing. Sparkles was there to great the mailman.

It was really exciting to see the finished book for the very first time!

Firefighter Michael checks out the new book.

Kim Murray was the first person to stop by to check out the new book.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Cutouts Arrive in Arkansas

The new life size cutouts arrived today and Sparkles and Spanner couldn't wait to see what was inside the big package!

The Firefighter Dayna, Sparkles and Spanner Cutouts arrive!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Thanks to the good folks at Firehouse.com, there is an article on the new book and audio book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. I would like to thank Firehouse.com for all that they do to help promote fire safety and to allow Sparkles, Spanner and I the opportunity to spread the fire safety message.

Click on the Firehouse.com banner below to read the article.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Firehouse Dog Publishing, LLC, releases Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Audio Book sample.

A sample of the Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog audio book is now available. To listen to the sample, visit Firehouse Dog Publishing, LLC's website

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Book goes through four days of being printed!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Hard to Say Goodbye to the Bay State

As always, it was really hard saying goodbye and leaving my good friends. It was an extremely productive trip and I'd like to thank Jim and Karen, along with their children, Sara, Steven and Shawn for their incredible hospitality and for helping me promote fire safety.

Karen, thank you for all of the laughs. I don't know when I have ever laughed so hard!

A really big thank you goes to Sue Peltier for her incredible pictures, and to Jack. Thank you for all of your help with the project!

PJ, Penguin, Father Craig, and Tom, it was great seeing you. I will miss you all!

Closed out the trip with what has become the traditional picture; that of Jim, myself and Jack.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Sparkles Goes to Boston Mock-up Pictures Made

Today with the assistance of Jim Peltier, we were able to capture mock-up photos for the next book, Sparkles Goes to Boston. The photos for this book will be taken June 2008.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Photos a Plenty!

Today was a big day. Jim and his mother, Sue, along with Lisa, helped take pictures for the life size cutout and other promotional photos.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Visiting with Old Friends

My friends in Massachusetts are near and dear to my heart. We spent a nice relaxing evening visiting Friday evening.

Photo by Lisa Tommaney

Standing from L to R: Jim and his wife, Karen, me, and Penguin
Kneeling from L to R: Tom and Father Craig

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Reviewing Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Audio Book

Today Steven and Sara Peltier helped me proof the Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog audio book. It received rave reviews from two of my most important critics!

Photo Courtesy of Tom Hogan

Working on Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Sparkles Goes to Boston Book in the Bay State

Am visiting the great state of Massachusetts where I am preparing for the upcoming release of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Sparkles Goes to Boston books.

The hosts for my trip are Jim and Karen Peltier, along with their family, Sara, Steven and Shawn. We have lots of fun things in store, including preparing pictures for the website and for the books.

Here's a picture Steven and my new helmet.

Sara always suprises me with her great drawings!

Went to Steven's class and read the book. It was alot of fun and received great reviews from the children in attendance.

Proof of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Arrives

Today while visiting the Peltier's in Massachusetts, the proof of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog arrived.

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Three Generations of Firefighters Participate in Children's Fire Safety Audio Book

Firefighter Glenn Trembley of Chicago, Illinois and Author Firefighter Dayna Hilton read for the new Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog audio book. Firefighter Michael Post, of Post Arrangements, recorded the narration. Sparkles and Spanner provided vocals on the track providing great barking sound effects. The audio book will be released April 11th.

Reading Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog for the audio book

Sparkles and Spanner provided additional vocals.

Michael Post of Post Arrangements

To see more pictures, click here.

About Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

Firefighter and nationally recognized fire safety expert Dayna Hilton, known as “Firefighter Dayna” to millions of children and their caregivers, is the author of the critically acclaimed award-winning children’s book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.

The children's fire safety picture book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, has been credited with saving several lives. Inspired by her work as a firefighter and her four-legged friend, Sparkles, Firefighter Dayna created a heart-warming story about Sparkles.

As children learn of the adventures of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, they learn valuable fire safety tips enabling them and their families to keep fire safe. These tips include recognizing the firefighter as a helper and a friend, knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm, learning how to crawl low under smoke, and understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog has received national press coverage, including the Chicago Tribune newspaper and webpage, the Baltimore Sun webpage, Firehouse.com, FIDO Friendly Magazine, DogSport Magazine, and many more.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is not only fun, but educational and based on the latest research. This book is fun and educationally sound, based on the latest fire safety research for young children by Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection Publications.

"Two paws up!" Jenni Glenn, PBS KIDS Sprout

"Sparkles the Dalmatian has her paw on the pulse of fire safety as she helps teach children how to prevent and escape a house fire." Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune webpage

"They [the class] LOVED the book!! They were so impressed with Sparkles, she is all they talked about! They all want a fire dog now!!I think the book looks great!!!! I love the real pictures, that really made it believable!!" Mrs. Kelli Grigsby, Kindergarten Teacher

"My 3 year old daughter loves this book and CD. In a matter of 2 readings, she knows the theme song, what a smoke alarm does, and how to stay low and go like Sparkles! We saw Sparkles and Spanner at FDIC in Indy. What great dogs." Lesa, a mom and former firefighter-10 yrs.

"Each night that we have read Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, Cole continues to tell ME how HE will get out of the house in case of fire." Carrie, mother of Cole, age three

"This book may be used as a guide to educators, parents, other family members and as a colorful means of learning to the children themselves. "

John M. Malecky, 1st Responder Newspaper

"Written by firefighter Dayna Hilton, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is a wonderful, flat-spined children's picturebook about the basics of fire safety - as taught with assistance from Sparkles, a friendly female dalmatian. Illustrated with full-color photographs of the real Sparkles and her friends on virtually every page, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog tells young readers what to do if they hear the noise from a smoke alarm: "In case of fire, be sure to crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees. The air is cleaner and cooler there. Get low and go to your outside meeting place." A great way for parents to introduce their children to doing fire drills, especially sure to appeal to young dog lovers." The Midwest Book Review / Children's Bookwatch (Reviewer's Choice Review)