tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4080044479143439872012-02-22T00:34:48.715-04:00Wiggles, Giggles and Bedtime ShenanigansM. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.comBlogger401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-31600101993108726192012-02-20T14:36:00.002-04:002012-02-22T00:34:48.737-04:00

Complete sets are now available in Bedbug Books Store (Books + Toys) The new store page is shaping up nicely and we've now added PayPal buttons for those wishing to purchase complete sets. What's in the complete set? Book I Book II Bedbug Toy Mouse Toy These sets are available for both smaller and larger books. Last year, around Christmas, the smaller books + toys were popular because parents

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-29358694266144713942012-02-15T01:05:00.004-04:002012-02-16T21:59:56.889-04:00

Combos are in the Store! For those wanting to buy toys along with Books I & II, this is now possible. Image: Book + Toy Combo This week has seen more PayPal buttons added to Bedbug Books Store and formatting to bring the page up to snuff. This is still a work in progress but the site is taking shape and will only improve over time as it grows and develops. People have asked about Book + Toy

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-31855716023202309902012-02-05T19:19:00.010-04:002012-02-07T10:02:58.116-04:00

Image: Artist Arlene Collins Bedbug Books are available at the Arlene Collins Gallery in Diligent River, NS. Located just minutes away from Parrsboro and the Bay of Fundy, the Arlene Collins Gallery has earned its place on the map. Collins' skillful rendering of  local scenery and wildlife, of landscapes and seascapes has attracted a worldwide following. The Gallery had become a must-see

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-38615173971818941482012-02-02T09:43:00.011-04:002012-02-04T22:21:39.274-04:00

Our pageviews are still climbing rapidly and today we topped 700 views! Our transition to a domain name is now complete and it will be interesting to see what happens once we are listed in directories. Welcome to New Site VisitorsFirst off, a warm welcome to all our site visitors from Canada, U.S., Russia, Ukraine, Japan and New Zealand. Looking at my stats, Bedbug Books has attracted viewers

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-63701383149223431572012-02-01T09:01:00.012-04:002012-02-02T09:46:08.784-04:00

Pageviews climbing . . .   It's exciting to see the page views for this new site, not only climbing but over 600 in the short days since the move back to Blogger! In fact, I'm wondering if by the end of today that we don't reach 700 views. Wonderful to see the interest and support for our new site. A warm welcome to all our site visitors. It is exciting to see all the interest, as we've moved

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-30721197179186327142012-01-27T20:56:00.008-04:002012-01-28T22:08:22.839-04:00

Today, I finished up the migration of all blog posts so all things "Bedbug and Mouse" are now at this site. It's been a busy week but I'm so happy at the functionality offered through the Blogger platform. What's New All products can now be ordered via email on our Store Page (ribbon-bound books at bottom of page) PayPal buttons will soon be available for all products The CafePress banner is

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-61050408059606108122012-01-25T23:45:00.016-04:002012-01-26T19:25:56.679-04:00

BEDBUG dropping in . . . I'm just "buggy!" Readers will notice a new orange badge over to the right, entitled Bedbug Products. If you click on it, it takes you to the CafePress site for a range of Bedbug products, suitable for children and adults. My message is important for children: while we may be tempted to retaliate or bite when frustrated, we have a choice about our behavior. BEDBUG's

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-88688885290358339452012-01-21T23:36:00.004-04:002012-01-25T22:21:30.721-04:00

Bedbug dropping in . . . Well jumping bugs!! So many new followers at Twitter!! What an exciting time. The launch of this new site is causing a stir and today I signed into my gmail account and, low and behold, follower after follower at Twitter. Now, just in case you were wondering, Bedbug (little ol' me) can be found at Twitter under SleepyBedbug. Many people have been looking for Bedbug

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-51980955780368495042012-01-18T15:13:00.004-04:002012-01-25T22:21:58.947-04:00

Image: My Dreams Won't Keep, if I Don't Catch Sleep . . . After a couple of days of tweaking, the new Bedbug Books looks better then ever! The new Blogger templates offer so much flexibility and are "Bedbug" and "Mouse" approved. It's gratifying to see this new site taking shape and drawing page views and Followers, right out of the starting gate. Make sure to join the site and please spread

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-69581881760346384712012-01-15T15:12:00.027-04:002012-01-25T22:23:13.764-04:00

Become a follower/member (top right) for a chance to win your FREE copies of Bedbug Books I & II! Bedbug Books has a new home on the web. Let's celebrate! Simply join the site and when we reach 25 members, your name will go into a hat and the lucky winner will receive 2 FREE CD-SIZE BEDBUG BOOKS (Free Shipping). This is BEDBUG's and MOUSE's way of saying THANK YOU. Kids love their Bedbug Books

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0Nova Scotia, Canada44.68198659999999 -63.7443110000000442.76303709999999 -67.12134700000004 46.600936099999984 -60.36727500000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-31537107384440041262012-01-14T11:18:00.005-04:002012-02-04T22:11:22.881-04:00

"Night, Night . . . Sleep Tight . . . Bedbug Books is in transition and is moving back to Blogger. Why Blogger? I like the new templates, complete with tabs, and find Blogger an intuitive interface. Please bear with me as I move posts and other good stuff to the new Bedbug Books home on the web. I made this decision because I like the functionality of Blogger, know my way around the platform

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-51131383562701610232011-03-20T15:20:00.001-03:002012-01-21T23:28:18.358-04:00

The third shipment of BEDBUG BOOKS has arrived and I've been busy unpacking BEDBUG BOOKS, and BEDBUG and MOUSE toys. In this shipment, I've got  BEDBUG IN HIS CUPCAKE BED, the toy that goes along with the first BEDBUG BOOK, as well as more of the MOUSE TOY which accompanies BEDBUG BOOK II. The publisher and I wondered how the MOUSE TOY would be received. It went over very well. The first two

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-17749003327072906482011-03-08T04:10:00.000-04:002012-01-15T17:48:35.914-04:00

Another shipment of BOOKS & TOYS is on its way to Canada. Book II: BEDBUG and the MOUSE in the House and the MOUSE TOY were spoken for upon arrival! Wow! the first shipment disappeared immediately. Since the LARGER BOOKS and all the MOUSE TOYS  have been snapped up, we've arranged for another shipment for SIGNED COPIES of both books I & II in the new economical saddle-stitching. Both larger

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-9783640468281492262011-03-01T15:56:00.012-04:002012-02-02T12:43:58.894-04:00

Maddy Holding the BEDBUG BOOK Image: Bedbug Book I I received word of the cutest experience that I will share with readers. Maddy, the little girl above, was visiting with her cousin and spied the first BEDBUG BOOK, The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite. Her grandmother wrote me and asked the following: Can I still get a signed copy of "Bedbug" for my grand-daughter Madison? I was curious,

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-60793950028275527102011-03-01T15:56:00.001-04:002012-01-15T01:32:48.574-04:00

 Today,  I heard a cute story I want to share with readers . . . Photo: Bedbug Toy A little girl received BOOK II, BEDBUG and the MOUSE in the House, along with the MOUSE TOY. She looked through the book and spent about a half an hour busily turned the pages and studying the illustrations, then she played with her MOUSE toy. Soon, she asked her grampa, "Grampa . . . Where's BEDBUG?" She

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-30778576001784043982010-11-24T23:09:00.097-04:002012-01-18T16:07:12.477-04:00

We're moving closer to publication of Book II, BEDBUG and the MOUSE in the House and, as such, are deciding on a cover. Here, for reader's enjoyment are photo/illustrations under consideration. This was the first selection and, as can be seen from the picture, Bedbug is covering his ears because of all the noise. This one was cute but this particular scene takes place much later in the story.

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-7829573801129566892010-09-09T15:49:00.000-03:002012-01-15T20:34:27.470-04:00

Image Courtesy of C. Stonecipher  Jess is a special girl who is fortunate to live on a beautiful island in the Pacific Ocean. She spends time with her siblings and her loving family.  Jess was excited to receive her Bedbug Book and is seen here proudly holding her own copy. Jess has a soft spot for babies and is mastering daily living skills. As can be seen from the picture, her smile lights

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-74269945353377501192010-08-23T12:08:00.002-03:002012-01-19T14:06:58.278-04:00

Well, jumping bugs! The storyboard has been sent off to the illustrator and soon now, I'll be looking at photo/illustrations and will see what the second bedtime story will look like. The work has been done, the story is written, and now we move forward into the next stage and move one step closer to publication! Of course many decisions still have to be made: which illustrations to use,

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-11970484834120145732010-07-16T01:25:00.003-03:002012-01-17T18:10:44.563-04:00

As many of you know, the launch of the first Bedbug Book was well-received and in short order, young ones were asking when the next book would be out (more about that in a minute). Image: Original Book Pkg. We released the original book pkg.  Dec. 8th, 2009. This pkg. included a ribbon-bound book and a toy bedbug, both of which came in a see-through carry-along bag. Image: Large

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-60638184140834813112010-06-28T23:42:00.010-03:002012-01-19T14:12:31.144-04:00

Image: Clue at end of Book I I've had some exciting news that I want to share with readers. Already pre-orders are coming in for the second book in the Bedbug Series, Bedbug and the Mouse in the House. A lady contacted me and she wants the first, second and third books. She previously ordered 4 of the original book pkgs. and now she wants the books in the larger 8" x 8" format. Tonight

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-67295741759141329152010-06-25T18:12:00.005-03:002012-01-19T14:16:04.858-04:00

I'm happy to announce that we've started work on the second book in the Bedbug Series. The second story is complete and we've now started on the storyboard. Edward Aish, our wonderful illustrator has agreed to do the photo illustrations so the next book will be vibrant and bursting with color. The next story continues the adventures of BEDBUG, who doesn't want to bite--nope, he just wants

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-60866653070924526892010-06-16T17:51:00.000-03:002012-01-16T22:49:13.108-04:00

Right across the board, children and adults have loved the first Bedbug Book with its brightly colored picture illustrations and the fuzzy toy bedbug. New Zealand A nanny reports that the kids she looks after ask for the book to be read repeatedly. And they love the TOY, which is taken into bed with them. "BEDBUG" is clearly one of their favorites! A teacher loved the story and read it

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-22322335520398100122010-05-08T10:07:00.003-03:002012-01-17T17:38:58.539-04:00

Bedbug Book in Japan "Bedbug" (and the first Bedbug Book) has made his way into 7 countries around the world. One of these is Japan. Bedbug was spotted recently at the Hamamatsu Festival. I'm including pictures. Kites are flown at the Festival and large decorated floats are part of the festivities. The Hamamatsu Festival takes place in May. It began about 430 years ago, when the lord of

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-5040891982150262752010-03-25T13:16:00.009-03:002012-01-21T12:29:17.398-04:00

The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite is on its way to Nepal. As of this writing the Bedbug Book is on its way to Nepal (with Band-Aid Box advocate, Robin Drake), making a total of 7 countries that the first book has gone into. Wow! Bedbug should be proud (Grandma, too!) This is exciting news! 3 months since publication Dec. 8th, 2009 and the book is already in 7 countries. Canada U.S.A Australia

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-48479796728158759862010-02-15T16:00:00.044-04:002012-01-17T00:14:20.069-04:00

Weekender Write-up Bedbug is going to SOUL CREATIONS, a book store in Grand Forks, B.C.! Claudia, a book store owner has ordered BEDBUG BOOKS to place in her store, SOUL CREATIONS on Market Ave. in Grand Forks B.C. She is waiting on her book shipment now. She saw the Weekender article (pictured right) about the publication of THE BEDBUG WHO WOULDN'T BITE and thought the book would make a

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-38321804666640673632009-12-21T14:43:00.005-04:002012-01-21T12:32:14.249-04:00

Last week, I sent out a number of press releases and then got busy and completely forgot about them. Today I was contacted to do an interview for the local paper. At any rate, I chatted with a reporter and answered her questions, then arranged to send more bio info. and additional pics. I'd included some of this in the press release but she wanted additional information. I've always saved my

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-56098712151845020462009-12-20T14:07:00.008-04:002012-02-04T03:04:55.625-04:00

Last night, we held the book signing for The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite. Image: Bedbug Books at Book Signing Now, this wasn't an actual planned book signing event, rather, I had some friends up for a Holiday meal. They asked me to set aside some copies of the book and I wanted to sign them and give them to them while they were here. Book Signing, Dec. 2009 Before my company came up, other

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-46943949805355438062009-12-13T16:11:00.002-04:002012-01-18T16:25:38.538-04:00

Well, I must say, it's been a whirlwind of a week following publication of the first Bedbug story. Dec. 8th, 2009 saw publication of the first Bedbug book, A funny, rhymed bedtime story. Time got away from me and sleep became a distant memory! But, it's all good, to see the months of  hard work come to completion. It's hard to believe that we've reached that all important stage with the

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-38526058317332760462009-12-11T22:50:00.007-04:002012-01-19T16:42:39.169-04:00

Bedbug dropping in . . . Well, I'm a hoppin' and a boppin'. Ya see . . . that little book about . . . er . . . ME! is now up at World Famous Books. Yup, I've gone and done it--I've wiggled and jiggled my way onto a webpage. Jumpin' bugs, exciting or what? And, of course, grandma is so proud! She's been keeping company these many months with "yours truly". . . you could say that I've been

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-6290612206247099052009-12-08T22:37:00.016-04:002012-01-19T15:46:40.398-04:00

 The BEDBUG BOOK has been Published and is Now Available! (Just in time for Christmas!) Of course, this isn't the first book written about actual bedbugs, nor the first kid's book with a bedbug as a character but it's the first book in my BEDBUG SERIES. Book Information BEDBUG is the invention of "grandma" (M. Rhodes) The BEDBUG TOY is the creation of Carolyn Ann Aish BEDBUG PHOTO/

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-72184378962273157262009-11-24T16:22:00.026-04:002012-01-23T21:47:54.795-04:00

Image: Bedbug's Coming Soon! I'm happy to relate that I have a copy of my book in hand. I went to the mail and there it was! I've spent the last couple of days looking over the book prototype and discussing necessary matters with the publisher. More orders have come in and "grandma" is "making a list and checking it twice" . . . (Hey, isn't that supposed to be done by the fellah in the red

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-30899918136690487512009-11-08T13:00:00.004-04:002012-01-27T14:36:42.156-04:00

Final tweaks to first Bedbug Book are completed. In other words, we have all the "bugs" worked out and I've now approved all pages! From the signed contract in June, 2009 until Nov. 2009 we worked and worked on the book to make it as perfect as possible. And now, finally, we have come to the end--after months of planning, adjustments and tweaks. Many, many emails have gone back and forth

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-12135879522146416572009-09-11T16:10:00.046-03:002012-01-23T22:11:28.092-04:00

After deliberation, the publisher and I decided that using photo/illustrations for the Bedbug Series would make for captivating-looking books. We had given some thought as to whether to go with standard illustrations but decided, in the end, that photo/illustrations would serve our purposes better. Now, that I've seen the book I know we made the right decision. The colors are wonderful and

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-64525839399188850572009-08-24T12:28:00.019-03:002012-01-27T13:54:46.285-04:00

What happens when you have two children bouncing around and a dog named Arnie bent on getting underfoot and having his picture taken? CHAOS! with a capital "C." I heard from my publisher and she related that the photo/illustrations were being created. But not without difficulty! The illustrator was hard-pressed: Two children bouncing around and a dog named Arnie bent on getting into the fray

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-41260717811335003012009-08-13T12:43:00.001-03:002012-01-27T14:11:04.835-04:00

Yesterday, October 12, 2009 was very special. Why? I got a sneak peek at my book! Yesterday, pub sent the file showing the photo-illustrations with text overlaid on them. It is an incredible feeling when you see your book coming to life with vivid pictures and text, bringing your ideas to life and transforming them into a tangible book. Now Busy Tweaking Photo Illustrations Yesterday, we

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-49653166460559866512009-07-26T13:19:00.001-03:002012-01-27T13:43:33.652-04:00

A seven-year-old and his three-year-old brother see BEDBUG for the first time. Image: Bedbug Prototype The creator/designer of the bedbug toy had one of the first fuzzy orange "bedbugs" in her car. BEDBUG was clinging to a knob on the dashboard with one of his little purple legs and seven-year-old Fred saw him. Well! "What is it?" Fred asked, waving excitedly and pointing. "PLEASE, PLEASE,

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-53857694510335173402009-07-23T18:35:00.037-03:002012-01-27T13:18:56.314-04:00

Last night, I dreamed about Book I and figure this is an indicator that it is soon to arrive. I'll admit, I'm as eager as everyone else to see the finished product. Many months have gone by since we started on this project. I also read the second story to my little granddaughter and she loved it, so I will send it off to the publisher. This second story has seen revisions but is now where

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-22746371586168514022009-07-10T17:37:00.045-03:002012-01-25T22:30:09.762-04:00

Image: Bedbug is Coming! I think every child will relate to Bedbug--because they all wiggle and giggle and want stories and drinks and snacks!     Writing children's picture books is an interesting process. We've reached the "illustrations stage" of "Bedbug." This means that the book is creeping (like a little bug) closer and closer to publication. We worked on the storyboard last

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-77604617420910796562009-07-06T14:38:00.034-03:002012-02-04T22:35:51.174-04:00

Bedbug dropping in . . . I Don't Want to Bite . . . I Just Want to "Sleep Tight." Image: "Don't Squish Me!" Exciting events are afoot! Studio Seven/Scribes Valley Publishers and little ol' ME! (Bedbug) are making progress and . . . ta, da! the book, THE BEDBUG WHO WOULDN'T BITE © Melody Rhodes, 2009 is soon to make an appearance! PROGRESS!! The story has found its way onto the storyboard

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-408004447914343987.post-68278894641796789902008-07-04T04:43:00.005-03:002012-02-04T22:20:56.873-04:00

The Bedbug Who Wouldn't Bite © Melody Rhodes, 2009 will soon be available via Online Booksellers and Studio Seven Publishers. How Did Bedbug Come into Being? One evening, I was cuddled up with my granddaughter, Zealah. "Gammy, tell me a story," she begged. Now, Zee is a rambunctious child and just loves a good giggle. And she is one to squirm and wiggle to no end. Anyway, each evening, we

M. Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13441680737622035166noreply@blogger.com0Nova Scotia, Canada44.68198659999999 -63.7443110000000442.76303709999999 -67.12134700000004 46.600936099999984 -60.36727500000004