UPCOMING EVENTS

TARADIDDLE YOUNG WRITER CONTESTS

I’m a Taradiddle Youth Writing Contest Judge.  Elementary and High School aged children around the world can enter to write original stories inspired by animal-themed prompts. The contests are held twice a year, in the Spring and Fall.  The sooner you sign-up, the more clues you’ll receive via email about the mystery animal that will be featured in the next contest. Having the opportunity to read all of the submitted stories has been a highlight of my year since 2023. Click on the Taradiddle image to sign up and receive contest and prize information.

PAST COMMUNITY PROJECTS & EVENTS

BOOK FAIR

I was honored to be able to particpate in the third annual Grown-Up Book Fair hosted by FPC-Live at the Sylvee in Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, January 28.  This fundraiser for the Madison Public Library Foundation and the Madison Reading Project is a throwback to the elementary school book fairs of our childhood. Besides independent booksellers, there were vintage vendors, arts and crafts, and cocktails.

STORYTIME WITH THE AUTHOR

I had an Amazing, Marvelous, Super Fun Day reading my books, A to Z Animal Picnic and A Giraffe Who Makes You Laugh, to children at Samuel’s Make-A-Wish event at the Bruce Company in Middleton, Wisconsin.  The event raised over $7,000 towards Samuel’s wish to go to Hawaii.

Please contact me at kim@KimMarieLiveYourDreams.com if you’re interested in having me come to your event or organization to read and/or tell my author story.

I’ve had so many fun moments sharing my author journey and reading my books to pre-school and elementary school students.  They’ve been so attentive and engaged!  After each reading, I’ve shared bookmarks and coloring or activity pages from my picnic basket with the students. Seeing the smiles my books bring to kids is defintely one of the highlights of being an author and illustrator.

Please contact me at kim@KimMarieLiveYourDreams.com if you’re interested in having me come read and/or tell my author story to your class.

A month after the New Year’s Eve celebration, I partnered with Keva Sports Center in Middleton, Wisconsin again. On Friday, January 27, 2023 I read A to Z Animal Picnic for a storytime and multi-sport class for children ages 2 to 5. This was a FREE event.  Signed copies of the book were available for purchase. It was so fun engaging with these active little ones!

Keva Sports Center in Middleton, Wisconsin held their annual Family New Year’s Eve celebration from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2022. There was music, inflatables, sports play, a photo booth, balloon artists, a magician, and I read A to Z Animal Picnic several times throughout the event.  Signed copies of the book were available for purchase at the New Year’s Eve celebration. So much energy at this family friendly event to ring in the new year!

BUCKY ON PARADE

In 2018, I was one of 64 artists whose designs were selected for Bucky on Parade. The Madison Area Sports Commission partnered with the UW-Madison to produce this free, public art event.  I was able to bring three of the 85 Bucky Badger statues to life for the event which raised $1 Million for Garding Against Cancer, Madison Area Sports Commission and other local charities.

We Are Bucky  is covered in images of UW Madison memorabilia, coaches, athletes, students, and fans.  For the Summer of 2018, We Are Bucky was sponsored by Wipfli LLP and was located in front of Smith Hall on Park Street.  In the Fall of 2018, We Are Bucky went up for auction. It was purchased by CUNA Mutual Group and is located at the home office of TruStage (formerly CUNA Mutual Group) in Madison, WI.

Funky Buckingham  was base painted using several different tools, such as bubble wrap, a potato masher, corrugated cardboard – but no paint brush.   The motion W on his chest is decorated with sports icons and the Jump Around paw on his back includes shopping motifs.  The red base is covered in ticket stubs from a variety of UW-Madison events that I attended.  Funky Buckingham was sponsored and purchased by Greenway Station in Middleton, WI.  Unfortunately, Funky Buckingham was stolen from it’s location in Greenway Station. So, be on the lookout for Funky Buckingham, and let me know if you spot him in someone’s basement!

5th Quarter Bucky  was decoupaged with sheet music.  The words and music to “Varsity” were painted across the front and band instruments were affixed to the statue.  5th Quarter Bucky was located at the AC Hotel in Madison during the Summer of 2018.  It was sponsored by Lands End and currently lives at the Lands End Headquarters in Dodgeville, WI.

DOWNTOWN DOORS MADISON

In 2019, my Bloom design was one of 24 selected for Downtown Doors Madison, another free, public event.

Bloom was originally created using acrylic paint on canvas.  The design was enlarged and transferred to a vinyl wrap which was applied to a door at the Capitol Center located on the corner of Broom and Dayton Streets in Madison, WI, where it lived for about three years.