We’re celebrating our FULL PAGE SPREAD in this month’s Women’s World Magazine.  Pick one up today and read all about us–who we are, what we do and why we do it!

After all, we’re all about “Doing good where good is needed.”  Our books – BRANDY AND VAL, BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY — are entertaining and educational for pre-schoolers and they do good since every sale benefits animal rescues throughout the country.  Don’t forget we have Mini-Brandy and Mini-Val toys, too.  There’s still time to order and have them to take with you on that final summer hurrah we call Labor Day Weekend!

We’re enjoying our summer break but are gearing up for the busy fall, lining up our appearances and pet therapy programs.  On Septeber 16, we plan to be at the “Character Counts” Social in Elk Grove Village, IL (225 East Elk Grove Blvd) starting at 4:30 p.m. talking about the responsibilities of pet ownership and reading our stories.  Starting September 23 on consecutive Thursdays through October 14, you can sign your child up to read to Brandy and Val at the Mt. Prospect Library, IL, PAWS TO READ PROGRAM 7:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.

With the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming up the end of the month, we wish to thank everyone who helped in the reilef eforts and who continues to help rebuild the City.  Val was adopted from Katrina and he sends special doggie kisses to those out there who helped save his life.  The rest of his family is forever grateful, too!  100% of the sales from BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY are donated back to the rescue Brandy and Val were both adopted from.

Until next month, remember that without your continued support, we wouldn’t be able to continue helping others.  Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and comment on our posts at “What We’re Barking About,” our blog.

Ilene Fine, Author,

BRANDY AND VAL REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES

REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES

Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer!  Brandy and Val are enjoying their ice cream to beat the heat and we hope you are having your own “fun in the sun.”  Our big news is that Brandy and Val, LLC just celebrated its’ first anniversary.  We are very proud of our accomplishments this year in “doing good where good is needed.”  To name a few, the following charities have benefited from the sales of our products: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary; Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary; Prader-Willi Association; Cabrini Connections Tutor-Mentor Connection and, of course, Fortunate Pooches and Lab Rescue, where Brandy and Val were adopted from!  So, a big thanks to all of you who have supported us throughout our first year and who helped make this possible.

Continuing to make news with our fabulously fun books and toys for tots, we appeared this past month in PET PRODUCT NEWS and NATURAL DOG.  If a child you know doesn’t have one of our books or toys yet, order one now as they make great diversions for the kids while on car rides, at the beach or anywhere toddlers become restless, in other words, EVERYWHERE!

We would LOVE for you to comment and suggest stories for our blog, “What We are Barking About” and don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter, too. Also, look out for our article in the September edition of Women’s World magazine. I hear it will be on newsstands in mid-August.

In closing out the month, Brandy and Val also want to say thanks to the Center for Independence Camp for allowing us to read to and work with your special children.  We hope that through our pet therapy duties, we can enhance the lives of children in some positive way!  Please contact us at info@BrandyandVal.com if you would like Brandy and Val to visit a school, library or children’s program in the Chicago area.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.  As always, thanks for your support,

Ilene Fine, Author,

Brandy and Val, Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things, Brandy and Val’s Special Story

Summer travel season is finally here!  Brandy and Val love road trips so why not include them in your travel plans?  Compact size books and toys EASILY fit into a carry-on or beach bag and the kids will love having them along.

Our newly designed website is complete.  Visit our HOME page which now includes a downloadable discussion guide for parents and teachers and easy access to how we’re making a difference in the lives of others.  The ABOUT tab has a drop down menu offering new bios about Ilene, Brandy and Val; press and word-of-mouth we’ve received; and upcoming events.  The BUY page has testimonials from some of our biggest fans AND, to celebrate summer, we’re offering a set of 3 Brandy and Val titles for only $30.95, a $5 savings.

Join the disucssion on our blog, “What We’re Barking About.” Topics range from “all things dog” to causes we celebrate and believe in.  If you have a story you’d like to share wtih us, send us an email and let us know.  Don’t forget that you can also find us on Facebook and Twitter, too.

Our mission at Brandy and Val is “to good where good is needed” and it is through the sales of our books and toys that we can help support animal rescues and sanctuaries throughout the U.S.  It is through our pet therapy duties that we can benefit the lives of children so THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Look for us in the coming weeks at:

BARRINGTON LIBRARY Read to Rover program, Barrington, IL.  Sign up now and have your children read to Brandy or Val.  Wednesday evenings in June, 7 – 8 p.m. Call 847-382-1300.

GLEN ELLYN BOOKFEST, downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.  Saurday, June 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Brandy, Val and Ilene will be signing and selling books at the Inland Bank, 520 Crescent Blvd.  We hear there will be dog treats so bring your pups and your kids!

CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE Summer Day Camp, Lake Zurich, IL. Friday, June 25, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Story reading and activities with Brandy and Val.   Call 708-588-0833 for details.

Until next month, enjoy your summer!

Ilene Fine, Author,

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

BRANDY AND VAL

May Update

May has been a busy month for Brandy, Val and Ilene!

Word around town is that you’re begging to hear more about Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales! We were just interviewed by NBC5 and we’re pretty thrilled that within the first year of our launch, we have been featured on both ABC and NBC in Chicago.  The Hudson Valley Press in NY also recently featured us.

Visit our newly re-designed home page, follow us on Twitter and introduce your toddler (or a friend’s) to the world of Brandy and Val, two rescue dogs who have stories to tell. Real pictures of the pups are engaging and brightly colored pages with durable tabs that little fingers can grab hold of are just 3 of the many reasons our books are starting to stand out from the crowd.  The little mini-Brandy and mini-Val toys add to the fun.  With our mission of “doing good where good is needed” know that every sale benefits animals waiting for adoption or needing care at shelters throughout the U.S.

Upcoming appearances include:

Read to Rover, read to the dog program at the Barrington, IL, Library.  Every Wednesday in June, 7 -8 p.m.  Contact the library and sign up your child to read to Brandy or Val!

Glen Ellyn Bookfest 2010, downtown Glen Ellyn, IL.  June 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Summer Time Story Time at the Conductive Ed Summer Camp, Lake Zurich, IL.  June 25, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Call 708-588-0833 for details.

You may also follow us on Facebook and we’d love you to comment on our blog posts at What We’re Barking About!

As always, thank you for your continued support.  Without you, we can’t help others.

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales

Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things

Brandy and Val’s Special Story

This past Saturday, Brandy, Val and I were interviewed by NBC5 Chicago.   We were thrilled and excited when we had our first interview on ABC7 back in November, when our book series, BRANDY AND VAL, REAL DOGS WITH REAL TALES and our toys were recognized for having special needs appeal but now, to have another major station focus on us was AMAZING! Watch and learn even more about Brandy, Val and their stories.

NBC Intro: “Ilene Fine and her two rescue dogs from Hurricane Katrina have inspired a series of books and stuffed animals to help others. Ilene is the author of the Brandy and Val: Real Dogs with Real Tales.”

Real Dogs With Real Tales

April Update

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE and as their dad recently posted to their blog, What We’re Barking About, “Brandy and Val couldn’t be happier.”  In addition to their book appearances for Brandy and Val, Brandy and Val’s Favorite Things and Brandy and Val’s Special Story, the pups are back outside chasing the squirrels and chipmunks that have come out from hibernation.  Author Ilene Fine wrote an article about the Power of Pets for the children’s blog, Imagination Soup, our books received a “BUY” rating from the blog, Mommy’s Free Time AND Ilene was quoted in a newly released book, Adopting a Shelter Dog.  BECOME A FAN and follow our comings and goings on Facebook.  Brandy and Val books and toys delight children and are a MUST HAVE GIFT for pre-school graduation — Order online today!  Don’t forget that ALL purchases benefit animal rescues around the U.S.

Upcoming appearances…do stop by if you live nearby!

April 23:  5 – 7 p.m. DoGone Fun, South Loop Chicago

April 30 – 7 p.m.  Target Family Reading Night – St. John’s School, Elgin, IL

May 7 -  6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Gigi’s Playhouse, Hoffman Estates, IL

May 10 – 1:00 p.m.  Skokie Public Library, Skokie, IL

Until next month, we’ll continue our mission of “doing good where good is needed.”  Thanks, as always, for your support.

Ilene Fine, Author

Brandy and Val books and toys

All the dog lovers I know eagerly await watching the Westminster Dog Show each year at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.  I am no exception.  Last year my husband and I went and we had a blast.  The most fun was meeting the dogs in back and watching them get primped and primed before their showings.  Oh the tortures many of those poor things go through!  Blow dryers, flat irons, curlers, sprays, gels, rubber bands galore are just of a few of the necessities that the groomers use to prepare the pup to perfection. It was also really fun to see the breeds’ personalities come to light when the dogs are all gathered in their “best of breed” rings.  For example, those ever-friendly Labs (Labrador Retriever rescue) always seem to have their tails wagging whether they are waiting to be judged or not.  The Mastiffs (Mastiff rescue), known to be rather lazy, are all lying down and falling asleep when they’re not “on” while the Viszlas (Viszla rescue)all seem to be bouncing in place doing their best to contain their energy but rarely sitting still.  The movie, BEST IN SHOW, is probably one of the best-known and funniest movies spoofing the whole dog show process.  For those who have not seen it yet, it’s a must.

Yesterday’s, New York Times had a cover story in their business section by David Segal: “Best P.R. in Show” describing the not-so-wonderful side of making a dog a star.  It was disheartening to read that, much like movies studios and the Oscars, ads are taken out in trade papers and magazines extolling the virtues of a dog to be shown in hopes of garnering a few votes and good-will from the judges.   The article goes on saying how much it costs to make these dogs stars:  easily 6 figures and that many of the dogs are now “owned” by several people to help defray the costs involved for traveling to shows; handling; training; placing ads, etc.  Hard to envision our loveable pets as commodities considering how much our dogs mean to us as integral parts of our families.

Nevertheless, we love to see the pups looking their best and we love to see all the different breeds.   This year, three new ones have been accepted to the competition:  The Norwegian buhund, the Pyrenean shepherd and the Irish red and white setter.   Who will turn out to be this year’s star and capture the “Best in Show” ribbon at the 134th Westminster?  Brandy, Val and I will be watching.

IF YOU LIVE IN CHICAGO YOU MUST VISIT OPEN BOOKS.  This past weekend we were excited to be a part of the opening weekend festivities at Open Books Bookstore, an arm of Open Books whose mission it is to promote literacy programs for adults and children throughout the Chicago area.  This amazing organization has amassed a collection, through donations, of over 175,000 books!  The store is bright, cheerful and inviting and the electricity and enthusiasm of the staff is highly contagious.  Brandy, Val and I were thrilled to have been given the opportunity to be on hand where I read our books while Brandy and Val worked the crowd (I believe someone called them charming!).   The staff is so erudite and literate, I’m intimidated to continue writing…..

But I will because there is so much good stuff going on there that everyone needs to know and get involved.  With 20% of adults being unable to read above the 5th grade level, and with minority high school dropout rates on the rise, we have a national crisis on our hands and the tide must be stemmed.   Open Books’ programs include buddy reading with elementary school children, creative and professional writing workshops for children and adults and they even have a virtual writing program where students and volunteers coordinate their writing efforts online.  Volunteering opportunities abound throughout the City either on a regular or event only basis.  They have even partnered up with a popular program that involves bringing dogs to school.  Brandy and Val have experience with that —  surely 2 thumbs up if they had thumbs.    Having been involved with reading, literacy and tutor/mentoring programs for over 20 years, I don’t know I missed hearing about Open Books until now.  I can’t wait to start volunteering with them in some way.

OH, and they have T-shirts in great colors.