In May, author, Margarita, and illustrator, Susan, presented to Shriners a beautiful painting of Shriner Valentino. The painting will be placed on a wall next to the door children go through on their way to surgery. Valentino can bring joy with his presence and is honored to bring smiles and comfort to these brave kids. Valentino's message of LOVE is a message for all of us, any age, anytime. In the painting, the first child in the lower right-hand corner is seen missing a limb, but still able to have fun. As images progress clockwise, the children then receive prosthetics which enhance their lives and make them "whole." The theme is to show that happiness is possible even without the limb and ultimately highlights how Shriners changes and improves lives by replacing these limbs. Shriners works with the whole child to make them feel confident and good about themselves in spite of any handicaps. Thank you Shriners Children's Hospital for the work you do!!!
Valentino loves the artwork in "valentino the love bunny and how he came to be"
Valentino is such a curious bunny and loves the tantric colors used in the illustrations of "Valentino The Love Bunny and How He Came To Be." Tantric colors are colors which create and channel energy. Chemical reactions are a part of our everyday lives and hue (color) and value (lightness or darkness) of a color can cause a chemical reaction in a human without them even realizing it. The amazingly bright and rich tones in these illustrations aim to create feelings of joy and well-being and inspire the viewer.
"Valentino The Love Bunny and How He Came To Be" receives a big honor!
Volume 1, of the 10 book Valentino The Love Bunny series, "Valentino The Love Bunny and How He Came To Be," received a wonderful distinction by being chosen a FINALIST for the NextGen Independent Book Publishers Award in the category of BEST OVERALL DESIGN. This means a lot to author Margarita Fairbanks, as she had a crystal clear vision and brought it to life. The book(s) is designed as a family heirloom, to be treasured and passed down from one generation to the next. The materials chosen reflect a quality of another time and are reminiscent of the books Margarita read as a child. From the new moire end sheets to the red satin bookmark, rich red linen cover wrap with debossed artwork and gold foiled spine, to the metallic gold dust cover, this truly is a book to be treasured. The series is complemented by Valentino The Love Bunny plush toys designed by Hansa® and both are available on this website and on Amazon!
VALENTINO, THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT THE CELEBRITY AUTHOR'S EVENT
Valentino was a perfect little guest at the CALM 30th Annual Celebrity Author's luncheon. He was flanked by groups of people wanting to greet and pet him and impressed everyone with his mellow and engaging nature. CALM is an organization that offers much needed services to children who have been abused and Valentino's purpose in life is to bring love, comfort and warmth to those in need. He took his post in his beautiful red event cage from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm and loved all the attention he received throughout the day.
This was the "Valentino The Love Bunny" station where we sold lots of books and toys with the proceeds benefitting CALM...Time and money well spent!
Being introduced by master of ceremonies, Andrew Firestone!
Shriners Children's Hospital...An amazing Opportunity
Valentino brought smiles and cheer at Shriners in Los Angeles where children are treated for severe burns and loss of limbs at no cost to the families. Because of this, a place which could seem sad is actually full of joy and hope. This is Valentino's job, spreading love everywhere he goes!
THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT!!
VALENTINO COMES TO LIFE AT A VERY SPECIAL EVENT!
Author, Margarita Fairbanks, and her first installment of Valentino The Love Bunny are honored to be included in this auspicious event.
BOOKS LAUNCH PARTY…COME MEET VALENTINO THE LOVE BUNNY AND FRIENDS!
MONTECITO JOURNAL • FIRST REPUBLIC BANK EVENT
The Love Bunny greeting everyone including Michael Prostel, Lisa Camenizind with baby Cali; Julia next to Marsha St. Clair and Jessica Bradshaw with her girls, Lily and Emme (photo by Priscilla)
One for the Books
Move over, Beatrix Potter! Peter Rabbit, which has sold an astounding 45 million copies in 36 languages since being written in 1893, has got some major competition.
Santa Barbara author Margarita Fairbanks just launched her first book, How It Came to Be, in a planned 10-book series on Valentino, the Love Bunny, a charming three-pound Netherland Dwarf rabbit, which has a distinctive black heart around its eye and a heart on his left cheek.
The series also features a cuddly canine, Sparky, two black standard poodles, Miro and Lucca, and a horse, Pandereto.
“In a tough, fast-paced world, it is essential to teach young children universal messages about love, tolerance, patience, comfort, confidence, hope, good manners, accountability, nature, spirituality and charity,” says Margarita, whose husband, Chuck Lande, is a former player at the Santa Barbara Polo Club.
“Valentino takes us along on his magical adventures which evolves into a global journey teaching values, spreading love and good will, and protecting the Earth.”
Valentino illustrations flanking the presenters are Sarah Ettman Sterner, editor; Real Love Bunny; Big Love Bunny (Lerina Winter); with Margarita Fairbanks, author; and Suzan Duval, illustrator (photo by Priscilla)
The series includes colorful illustrations by Santa Barbara artist Suzan Duval.
“They are designed as family heirlooms to be treasured and passed down from one generation to the next,” adds Margarita, whose books are complemented by Valentino plush toys designed by Hansa, which can be purchased separately.
Future plans include books translated into multiple languages, a retail product line, special-edition characters, and an animated children’s series for TV and the web.
Attending Margarita’s book reception is Meridith Eskin Brace and her father, judge George Eskin (photo by Priscilla)
To launch her new book, First Republic Bank hosted a 150 guest bash for Margarita, a trained hospice volunteer and court-appointed special advocate, who has worked with children at the local Juvenile Hall, at the State Street headquarters, just a tiara’s toss from the Granada, converted into an art gallery featuring original canvases featured in the new book and books to come.
Guests, who included David Edelman, Jane Maurer, Dana Hansen, Michael Weisbrock, Jeffrey Baldwin, Roger and Keiko Dunham, Irwin and Sally Eve, and Mark Scott-Paine, were greeted by a life-size version of the bunny character.
“Valentino was years in the making and was first sparked in a conversation with my dear late mother, Bibi Fairbanks, who told me my message of love had to be shared with the world,” explains Margarita.