Children's Book Author Dayna Hilton: Goodbye, Chicago

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Goodbye, Chicago

They say that all good things must come to an end.

Sparkles, Spanner and I have had the most incredible time in Chicago, thanks to some pretty incredible people.

Thank you to the following people and organizations for helping us promote the book and fire safety in the windy city:

First Alert

ABC Channel 7

The Chicago Tribune

Chicago Fire Department

The City of Chicago

Lisle-Woodridge Fire Department

The staff at Villa St. Benedict

Glenn and Margie Trembley

Janet Wilmoth

We will miss you, Chicago, and we can hardly wait to come back!

Dayna, Sparkles and Spanner

2 comments:

Xsara and Tani said...: Hello! I found your blog on Johann's page and had to stop by and telly you that we really admire the incredible work you are doing!
We wish you all the best,
Barbara and Xsara (Slovenia); April 23, 2008 at 5:15 AM
Anonymous said...: Ditto what xsara said! Keep up the good work :); April 23, 2008 at 10:33 PM

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)