Local Author Receives James Patterson Grant

On Friday, Dec. 6, bestselling author James Patterson announced the names of 500 independent booksellers who would each receive a $500 grant through his Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program in partnership with the American Booksellers Association.

Among them were 100 children’s booksellers, including Kevin Coolidge, owner of From My Shelf Books & Gifts at 7 East Ave., Wellsboro.

Patterson personally selected the winners from more than 2,500 bookstores all across the country with applications based on one question: “Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?” Nominated booksellers were praised for their perseverance, as well as for their contagious enthusiasm, skilled hand-selling, innovation and, most importantly, dedication to books and reading.

“I’ve said this many times before, but I can’t say it enough: booksellers save lives,” Patterson commented. “Children’s booksellers especially — they guide children to books they’ll genuinely enjoy and in turn create a new generation of readers. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and the important work they do in any way that I can this holiday season.”

In addition to selling books, Coolidge is an author. The first children’s book he wrote was about Hobo, the bookstore’s resident cat from 2006 until he died in 2014.

Between Dec. 11, 2015 and July 6, 2018, Coolidge wrote eight books in his “Totally Ninja Raccoon” series about three raccoon brothers who become ninjas. The series is written for 7 to 10-year-old reluctant readers. Coolidge also wrote “The Totally Ninja Racoon Joke Book” released in November 2018.

in July 2019, Coolidge released both “Molly, the Dog with Diabetes,” a true story about a dachshund mix that lives in Wellsboro and her journey with diabetes, and “Huck & Finn, Bookstore Cats.”

During the day, Coolidge can be found at From My Shelf Books & Gifts, the independent bookstore he runs with his wife, Kasey, along with several employees. The next book Coolidge will release is “The Totally Ninja Raccoons Discover the Lost World,” the ninth in his series.

Signed, personalized copies of all of the books Coolidge has authored are available at From My Shelf Books & Gifts in Wellsboro. For more information, call 570-724-5793 or stop in.

Kevin Coolidge holds copies of “Huck & Finn, Bookstore Cats” with Finn looking on. Photo by JOHN EATON

Kevin Coolidge Granted Holiday Bonus From James Patterson

On Friday, Dec. 6, bestselling author James Patterson announced the names of 500 independent booksellers. As part of his Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program, James Patterson, in partnership with the American Booksellers Association, is distributing grants to 500 booksellers, including 100 children's booksellers, each of whom will receive $500, the Associated Press reported.

The winners were chosen from a pool of more than 2,500 nominations, with applications based on one question: "Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?"

In a statement, Patterson observed: "I've said this many times before, but I can't say it enough: booksellers save lives. Children's booksellers especially--they guide children to books they'll genuinely enjoy and in turn create a new generation of readers. I'm happy to be able to acknowledge them and the important work they do in any way that I can this holiday season.

Patterson has had many generous philanthropy programs supporting community literacy. During the past five years, he has offered grants to libraries, schools, independent bookstores, and individual booksellers.

Patterson partnered with the American Booksellers Association to distribute the funds, which were awarded to individual booksellers. Among them are Kevin Coolidge From My Shelf Books & Gifts at 7 East Avenue in Wellsboro.

The grant application asked one question: “Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?” Patterson personally selected winners from bookstores all across the country. Nominated booksellers were praised for their perseverance in the face of hardships, as well as for their contagious enthusiasm, skilled hand-selling, innovation, and, most importantly, dedication to books and reading.

As Featured on Cole and Marmalade

The Ghost of Dickens Past

We love Dickens of a Christmas here at From My Shelf Books & Gifts. We are happy to see it come, and relieved to see we survived another one. It's a hectic day at the bookstore and we often find ourselves just hanging on for the ride.

Our staff did a great job, but we didn't get to spend as much time with every customer as we usually do. Now that it has calmed down, come see everything we have to offer.

We have a large, diverse selection of books, gifts and games. We have opened up over 450 more square feet. We have a staff that is well-read and loves suggesting books. There are no long lines and always free parking, and we have Huck & Finn, the best bookstore cats in the business. All in a locally owned small town business that's been serving Tioga County for over thirteen years.

Naughty or Nice?

Have you been naughty or nice in 2019? I think we all know the answer to that question. Face it. The fat man in red is NOT bringing you any thing this Christmas season. You might as well makes nice with the competition, Krampus. You can meet him at From My Shelf Books & Gifts December 14th 2019 from 11AM to 2PM

Krampus is visiting From My Shelf Books after his European tour. He'll be staying at Wellsboro's Penn Wells Hotel . He's gracious enough to stop by the bookstore, sign a few autographs, talk about his role in The Catmas Caper, and do some photo ops for those that are naughty or nice.

Krampus is shown along with Bill Colson holding bookstore cat, Finn

Who is Krampus you say? Saint Nicholas may reward the nice children with gifts, but it is Krampus, a creature from Germanic folklore, that punishes the naughty ones. It is said that if you are particularly naughty, he throws you in his sack and carries you to his lair.

Krampus is celebrated on Krampusnact, which takes place December 5th, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. In Austria, celebrants masquerade as hairy devils and dance, drink, and run through the streets through the streets terrifying children and adults.

In modern times, Saint Nicholas has upgraded his image. He’s dropped the bishop garb and added a red suit. He’s traded his horse and staff for a sleigh and reindeer, moved the date to Christmas Eve, and got rid of the competition. He’s banished Krampus and stolen his magic. Santa thought he could punish the naughty, but children have lost all fear of Santa and his lumps of coal.

It’s time for Krampus to take back what is his, to take back Yuletide. You can be part of the movement at From My Shelf Books December 8 from 11AM to 2PM. Be there, or Krampus will visit you at a time rather less convenient for you..

Krampus in the children's book "The Totally Ninja Raccoons and the Catmas Caper"

Huck & Finn...Now Even More Famous

Hello Humans

This is Huck. I wanted to let you know I was featured on Cole and Marmalade OK, my brother is on there with me. It's the story of how we come to live at the bookstore.

If you just Google "Huck and Finn, Bookstore Cats" we come up, though you might get some links to that Mark Twain dude. He was an OK guy, liked cats. Wrote a book named after us.

We have our own book. The article ends with it. I would have lead with it, but it's a well-written article. You should get the book for Catmas, err Christmas, or your favorite Winter type holiday. It's great for anyone who likes cats, books, or bookstores.

We're Number Two!

Wow, you might have read that From My Shelf Books & Gifts has made the top ten of the Indie Awards sponsored by independentwestand.org. Heck, if you are reading this, there's a good chance that you put us there. We couldn't have done it without your votes. I want to personally thank you for that.

Well, the bad news is that we didn't win. The good news is that we were #2 with over 25,000 votes and a very, very close second. This contest started way back in September, and we couldn't have placed second without you.

It's a little of a letdown to not win. Regardless, our customers and fans helped us get this far, and that's a great feeling. From My Shelf Books & Gifts is going to continue doing what we do best...books. Talking about books. Matching you with the right book. Special ordering you books, and adding to the literacy of our hometown.

If you haven't been in for awhile, we'd love to see you, and if you haven't been in, why wait? Come see why we have consistently made the top 25, and have made the top ten three times.

We might not have won the grand prize, but we didn't open a bookstore to win prizes. My wife and I opened a bookstore because we love books. Come on in and let's find your next great read...