Alva Sachs - Children's Author

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The Press Room

• CIRCUS FEVER is a Finalist Children’s Picture Book in the 2009 National Indie Excellence Awards
• Moorpark Gets Caught Up In Circus Fever!
• Santa Clarita Literacy & Arts Festival
• About Book Publicists of Southern California
• The IRWIN Award
• 22nd Annual International Nativities Exhibition
• Make Your Dream Your Mission
• Summer reading program kicks off
• Nordstrom Opening - Special Author Appearance
• Alva Sachs' new children's book takes ride to the circus
• Toying with Chaos - Argentine artist Patricia Krebs is as multi-dimensional as her art
• Bale Ring Bombast
• The 2008 Hollywood Book Festival
• Library has new location, good old stories

CIRCUS FEVER is a Finalist Children’s Picture Book in the 2009 National Indie Excellence Awards
Dear Alva Sachs, Congratulations! Your submission, "Circus Fever" by Alva Sachs & illustrated by Patricia Krebs, has placed as a FINALIST, in the "Children's Picture Books" category. Have a fantastic spring and summer and once again, Congratulations from all of us! Warmly, Ellen & The Indie Excellence Staff
Moorpark Friends of the Library P.O. Box 452 Moorpark, CA 93020 Moorpark Gets Caught Up In Circus Fever!
The Moorpark Friends of the Library, in association with the Moorpark City Library, kick off their membership drive with a fun family event! Children’s book author, Alva Sachs reads and signs her new book Circus Fever and entertainers, Jumbo Shrimp Circus perform at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark on Monday, March 30 at 10:00 A.M. Get caught up in the fever as Sachs captivates her listeners with the tale of what happens when a young child with a fascination with clowns and an active imagination hears the circus is coming to her town. Come for the reading and stay for more circus-themed entertainment and free refreshments! Circus Fever author, Alva Sachs Interview by Cheri Dellelo “Every day is a joy when you’re with kids,” says Circus Fever author Alva Sachs, the mother of three adult children and a former elementary school teacher from the Chicago area. Sachs says it was those years of teaching and parenting that taught her resonates well with young readers – “stories that encourage and intrigue the imagination.” The company she started, Three Wishes Publishing Company, is dedicated to reaching and motivating as many young readers as possible by: Fostering literacy Promoting the love of reading. Developing imagination. Creating exciting, enriching, and rewarding stories for children. Encouraging socialization through discussion and the sharing of experiences through reading. Stimulating thinking and communication. Inspiring children to become life-long readers. The idea for Circus Fever came to Sachs when the curriculum board of which she was a member recommended teachers incorporate more reading and writing during the school day. Sachs immersed herself in the idea and, as her students participated in writing assignments, she herself began to write more. She said the idea for the book seemed to come “just out of nowhere,” a byproduct of getting those creative juices flowing. Sachs, who feels very blessed in her life, believes strongly in the concept of giving back and is a proud member of and contributor to several organizations, including the Thousand Oaks Civic Plaza Alliance for the Arts, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Children’s Literature Council, Kiwanis Club Calabasas-Agoura, among others. Sachs’ new book On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! is expected to launch Fall of 2009.

Santa Clarita Literacy & Arts Festival
Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation Establised in 1995 Santa Clarita Literacy & Arts Festival William S Park Old Town Newhall-Hart Park Saturday, December 6, 2008 10am - 4pm www.scveducationfoundation.org Circus Fever Written by Alva Sachs Illustrated by Patricia Krebs 102 Degrees and Rising! Circus Fever is Contagious! When did you last visit the circus? What do you remember most? It seems when we revisit some place in our minds, our imagination takes over and puts us right back there. In the story, Circus Fever, Jessica can visit the circus hundreds of times and each one seems like the very first time for her. Alva Sachs is a new and inspiring children's author. Her first book is a delightful flight into children's fantasy and their own private world and their imagination.

About Book Publicists of Southern California
Book Publicists of Southern California was founded in 1976 by Irwin Zucker, also the founder of Promotion in Motion, and is based in Hollywood, California. Its members reside throughout the United States and include many best-selling authors, publicists, publishers and others. The goal of the programs of the Book Publicists of Southern California is to improve the quality of book public relations by providing informative speakers on a regular basis, and providing opportunities for interaction among authors, publicists, publishers and media.

The IRWIN Award Industry Recognition of Writers In the News The IRWIN Award, named for Book Publicists of Southern California founder Irwin Zucker, was introduced in 1995 as a way to formally and publicly recognize BPSC members who conduct the best book sales/promotion campaigns. Honorees share with the BPSC audience the steps they took that led to the success of their book promotion campaigns.


22nd Annual International Nativities Exhibition
The Folk Tree November 15 - December 31, 2008 Nativities from Mexico, South and Central America, Poland, Africa, India & elsewhere, and handmade ornaments and nativities by over 20 local artists Holiday Open House: Saturday, November 22 2-6pm Open House Book Signing 2-5pm Zee...Adventure One: Borrowing Chian Patricia Krebs, illustrator; Marcie Gilbert, author Circus Fever Patricia Krebs, illustrator; Alva Sachs, author Purr More, Hiss Less; Heaavenly Lessons I Learned from My Cat Cats, Cats, Cats; Cabbage Soup Solutions The Dog who Sang at the Opera Erika Oller, illustrator The Folk Tree 217 S. Fair Oaks Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 626-795-8733 www.folktree.com


Make Your Dream Your Mission October 2008 Independent The children’s buyer at Nordstrom in Seattle, Elin Bregy, invited Alva Sachs, of Three Wishes Publishing Company to be a part of the Nordstom gala grand opening of a new store in Thousand Oaks, CA. Sachs, the author of the children’s book *Circus Fever, presented story times, book signings, and activities for children. Circus Fever* was also on board to open the doors of the brand-new Calabasas Library in conjunction with the new Calabasas, CA Civic Center, and Three Wishes Publishing participated in the 57th Street Book Fair in Chicago. Later this year; *Circus Fever* will be presented to the Santa Clarita Educational Valley Foundation for its Literacy Arts Festival in conjunction with events to promote reading for children. Formerly an elementary school teacher, Alva Sachs decided to follow her dream and focus on her writing. As you can see, she gets out there and works for her book and her publishing company, showing what can happen when you find your niche, find your book’s purpose, and take it to the streets.
Summer reading program kicks off From staff reports Monday, June 23, 2008
The Barnes & Noble Summer Reading program will kick off at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Westlake Promenade, 160 S. Westlake Blvd. This summer, Andrew Clements, author of the best-selling children's book "Frindle," is helping Barnes & Noble take reading out of the classroom while giving students a chance to earn a free book. Barnes & Noble stores will distribute "Summer Reading with Andrew Clements" activity kits and journals to educators nationwide. Children who read any eight books of their choosing and record their favorite parts in their journals will receive a Barnes & Noble coupon for a free book from a list of best-selling titles. The completed journal also serves as an entry form to win a free autographed copy of an Andrew Clements book. The program, geared to ages 6 through 12, will include activities, refreshments and the opportunity to meet Donald Samson, author of "The Dragon Boy." The bookstore also will host a reading party at 4 p.m. July 16 and welcome local author Alva Sachs, presenting her new picture book, "Circus Fever." At both events, the authors will share their favorite books and children can pick up their reading journals. Participants are asked to RSVP to the store at 446-2820. Parents can pick up activity kits and journals at their local Barnes & Noble store or online at http://www.bn.com/summerreading.

Alva Sachs' new children's book takes ride to the circus
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

BY THE BOOK- Calabasas resident Alva Sachs reads from her new children's book, "Circus Fever," by Three Wishes Publishing Company.

Jessica, a 9-year-old with a wild imagination, is dying to go to the circus. She dresses up as a clown and dreams of entering the tent as part of the show, jumping from burning houses and becoming the star. During her years as a teacher, Alva Sachs developed the protagonist of her first children's book, "Circus Fever."

"I wanted to write about something that everybody could relate to at some time in their childhood," Sachs said. "My life revolves around kids. I'm a sucker for a kid. It's our legacy; it's all we have left to carry it on."

Sachs was born and raised in Chicago, graduating from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She taught for 16 years, mostly fourth and fifth grade, while pursuing a master's degree. When Sachs and her husband, Paul, began having children, she decided to put teaching on hold.

"I wanted to be home with my children," said Sachs, whose children Justin, Jessica and Julie are now grown. "But as soon as I had time, I started subbing. I missed it."

The family settled in Calabasas 13 years ago and Alva Sachs began working on her book. She enlisted illustrator Patricia Krebs, who brings bright colors to the jumping animals and the circus clowns' faces.

"No one would pick it up if the pictures didn't look the way they do," Sachs said. "If you take it off the shelf and don't like the illustrations, you put it down- having her as my illustrator was a gift from God."

When Sachs first saw the printouts of her book, the colors leaping from its pages, she said she couldn't believe it.

"It was a dream come true," Sachs said. "When I saw the laser proofs I wondered how I was going to give myself CPR. There were just tears streaming down my face."

Sachs started her own business, Three Wishes Publishing Co., in order to publish the book.

"It's hard to get your book noticed unless you're a celebrity," Sachs said. "There are tons of regular people who have talents and gifts, but it's very, very hard to get published. Now I'm learning how to run a business. Self-publishing means you have to be the author, the promoter, the publisher. It's so rewarding for me."

For much of her teaching career, Sachs focused on writing, even teaching seminars to teachers.

"I served as a mentor in showing teachers how they could incorporate writing into the classroom," Sachs said. "Kids write in reading class, math, social studies- it's very interdisciplinary. Kids in some fifth-grade classes came in not being able to write a sentence. When they left they were writing their own short stories."

Sachs told her kids that writing was just talk written down, simplifying the task so it seemed more feasible. She always had her students write something every day when they came to class, a form of journaling.

Now she is focusing on her goal, pushing for more reading and writing for children. She has been contacting the principals of local elementary schools and meeting with people at area libraries.

She also wants to get involved in summer reading programs at schools or libraries, synagogues, churches or other locations.

"The key thing for me is promoting literacy," Sachs said. "I'm always available for that."

Sachs intends to get in touch with the Make A Wish Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to work toward providing books for kids.

"I want to give them the sheer joy of reading," Sachs said, "to help them get away from the issues and the illnesses. I want to get involved with places where kids don't always have access to books."

She also volunteers as member of the Angels of the Alliance at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Kiwanis Club Calabasas-Agoura and Spotlight the Arts.

A meet and greet with Sachs at Barnes and Noble in Calabasas is planned from 1 to 5 p.m. Sat., May 31.
For more information about Alva Sachs, visit her website, www.alvasachs.com.

Bale Ring Bombast
Newsletter of the Clifford, Vargas Tent #147, Tom Conley, May, 2008

Alva Sachs, children’s author has
written a new children’s circus book,
called Circus Fever. It is beautifully
illustrated by Patricia Krebs. The cute
story is of little Jessica who is so
excited about the circus coming to town that she dreams of her own show. Some of us can relate to this story. The story ends before she has a chance to see the real show, and before she has a chance to run away with a real circus.

The character reminds me of the occasional 7 or 8-year-old girl who smiling ear-to-ear approach me after a show to seriously discuss their future with the circus.I always send them back to their parents knowing that they will always carry this dream in their hearts, and that maybe, someday when they are older, perhaps some of them will realize their dream. I know that it can happen. I’ve seen it more than once. The book is written by a teacher with no real circus background is still very cute. It is always a good thing for those of us who have given up trying to shake out the sawdust to see the circus portrayed by those not with it in a positive light. Nice book by a nice lady with a nice story.

Toying with Chaos
Argentine artist Patricia Krebs is as multidimensional as her art
Photo by Angela María Ortiz S.

There are many ways to describe Patricia Krebs. As a painter, she creates emotion-filled art, often while swaying to the beat of African drums. As a musician, she incorporates her Argentine background to write and perform songs. But regardless the platform, Krebs says the core of her work is influenced most by her experiences as a woman, as evidenced in her exhibition "Enchanting Ladies and Other Peculiar Characters," currently on display at the Cactus Gallery.

"What I came to realize is that [even for] women from different places-it doesn't matter whether they are Latina, American, African, Asian- there is something that connects us," Krebs, 31, says. "Even though we may be very different we share something: discrimination, being treated as a minority because the world is still governed by men, and at the same time this feeling that you can empower yourself."

Look closely at some of Krebs's paintings, and you'll notice an optical illusion, a technique the artist has used since she was 11 years old (she began drawing at age 3). What may seem like a solid image is much more than that when viewed close-up; it is a whole other world. "Everything depends on where we are standing, and to have a complete view of things we have to make an effort," Krebs explains.

While many have credited Krebs's childhood in bustling Buenos Aires for inspiring her complex creations, the painter points to the work of artists Salvador Dalí and M. C. Escher as strong influences. But what really motivates her are people, especially fellow women.

And those women are the stars of Krebs's first solo show in Los Angeles, a series of paintings at the Cactus Gallery in Eagle Rock. Krebs says she aims to empower women through her art and bring out a different kind of beauty. "I think it is about creating a fantasy in somebody else or inspiring or getting in touch with a beauty that is different than what we are used to seeing."

The exhibition continues through June 26, and then Krebs will take part in the show "Bustin Out" at the Rock Rose Art Gallery in Highland Park, where artists are given a challenge to create something different than what they normally do. For Krebs that means creating something with less detail-something silent or abstract. In the end, it takes a true artist to accept such a challenge.

—Stefanie Peralta

The 2008 Hollywood Book Festival

LOS ANGELES -The 2008 Hollywood Book Festival was held on Saturday, July 12 at The Grove at Farmers Market, one of the leading entertainment, shopping and dining destinations in the heart of Hollywood.
Presented in conjunction with Barnes & Noble Booksellers , the Hollywood Book Festival honors books that that deserve greater recognition from the film, television, game and multimedia communities. Over2030,000 attendees are expected at the day festival to enjoy author readings, book vendors, publishing panels, celebrity signings, clowns, live music and the ambiance of the Grove's town center.

Based in the capital of show business, the Hollywood Book Festival aims to (1) spotlight literature worthy of further consideration by the talent-hungry pipeline of the entertainment industry; and (2) facilitate getting those works into the proper hands for consideration

GENRE-BASED: CHILDREN’S:
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Circus Fever –
Alva Sachs/Patricia Krebs

Library has new location, good old stories - Family - July 24, 2008

'ONCE UPON A TIME'- Children's author Alva Sachs reads from her book "Circus Fever" during the "Catch the Reading Bug" summer reading program family story time in the children's area of the new Calabasas Library last Saturday. The library recently moved to its new home at 200 Civic Center Way.


Illustrations by Patricia Krebs from Circus Fever