Archive for October, 2009

Nintendo DS Is Almost Here!!

Sunday, October 25th, 2009

Check out Winter’s Tail trailer for interactive story book and video game on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2MNFBIB0TS0CJ

Author Craig Hatkoff on CBS News Washington Unplugged

Friday, October 23rd, 2009


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Happy Birthday Isabella! Love Winter

Monday, October 19th, 2009

HAPPYBIRTHDAYBELLA

Winter’s Tail Webcast: Today Was an Amazing Day!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Here’s the link to watch the webcast in its entirety

I just got home  (a little before midnight) from an amazing day in Clearwater Florida.  After months and months of planning we went live with our Winter’s Tail Virtual Field Trip which aired live from Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  The webcast was picked up by nearly 12,500 schools across the country  (and across the globe) reaching an estimated 350,000 students.  We’ll have lots to report on and tell you all the behind-the-scenes stories but just wanted to thank everyone who watched and everyone who helped put the event together.

It was very special for me because  I finally got to meet  two extraordinary young people, McKenna and Brandon,  after hearing all about them and how they were inspired by Winter.  Special thanks to Billy Dimichele and everyone at Scholastic who did an extraordinary job putting this whole thing  together.

As a special surprise we also gave all the kids that came to the webcast a free Nintendo DS  as a  gift from Winter complete with it’s own  special Winter label and they will all get the DS  interactive storybook and videogame  the second the factory finishes burning the cartridges.

I also want to specially thank Glenn Rockwood and Tobi Saulnier and hteir teams who made theWinter’s tail Nintendo DS possible in what must be record time.  I think everyone will love the DS interactive story book and the games that reinforce Winter’s valuable lessons.  JUliana, Isabella and I had a great time doing the voice over for the interactive storybook.

I am so tired I can  barely keep my eyes open but this was a day to remember!  Be back soon with lot’s more but now I need to get some sleep.

Craig

Isabella’s Winter Reunion: Makes Video for Webcast

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Isabella and Juliana won’t be able to attend the webcast at CMA next Wednesday because…well they have to go to school! So Isabella (who was very, very, very disappointed went back down to Clearwater this weekend to make a short video for the webcast and see her BFF Winter. She made a few new friends, saw Abby, sign some books for visitors and hung out with Winter. She should be arriving home shortly so I will get the full download but rumor has it she even got to be part of the dolphin show at CMA. She’s ready to move to Clearwater

Abby and Winter at CMA

Abby and Winter at CMA

Bella and Winter, Best Friends

Bella and Winter, Best Friends

Smooch!

Smooch!

Winter’s trainer reads to Winter

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Elaina Franklin, one of Winter’s trainers reads to Winter! Check out how Winter liked the book!

From Elaina Franklin: “I read Winter her new book to her today. It turned out to be a really great form of enrichment for her! As she sat up in front of me on the raft, she looked curiously at the pictures as I turned the pages for her to see. She seemed especially intrigued by some of the full-page pictures of herself underwater. Considering the evidence that dolphins have a sense of self-awareness when they look into a mirror, meaning they know it is themselves that they are looking at (and not another dolphin)… I wondered if Winter recognized herself in the picture? Winter got more and more excited the further we got into the book – she even started sticking her tongue out at some of the pictures! Overall, I think that Winter is very proud of her new book and she is very happy to be able to share her story with all of you!”
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Winter smiling at her book!

Winter smiling at her book!

Winter’s Tail Books Arrive at CMA

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Jeni Hatter from Clearwater Marine Aquarium tell us a little about the arrival of Winter’s Tail at CMA! Check out what she had to say about the event!

“Last week, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium hosted a special event to honor the launch of Winter’s Tail. On October 1, CMA staff, aquarium guests and the media marked the historic occasion by opening the first boxes of the books and stocking them on the gift shop shelves. Winter’s trainers also read to her from the book. Her favorite part of that was the pictures of herself! Winter also got to try on her brand new prosthetic tail. After all, it’s not every day a dolphin has a book come out about them! This is a big week in Winter’s life. On Wednesday, students across the U.S. will see her live during a Webcast and this Saturday, she will turn four years old! Since she wasn’t expected to survive, every birthday she celebrates is extra special. Remember…if Winter can, you can!”

Opening the very first box of Winter's Tail

Opening the very first box of Winter's Tail

David Yates, CMA CEO reads from Winter's Tail

David Yates, CMA CEO reads from Winter's Tail