by Kimberly Fleming on 2013-12-11
As rain poured down in Redlands last Saturday, families took shelter in the warm confines of children's bookstore, Frugal Frigate, where they spent a few hours with children's book author Jeff McMahon and his family as the author read aloud from his book, "Swimming to the Moon."
For 20 years, McMahon, who now resides in Temecula with his family after they moved from Chicago, has devoted himself to writing a collection of poems, each inspired by his relationship with his children. In an introduction to his audience on Saturday, he explained the project — his poetic work — first began as a hobby, but as his children grew he began to read them poetry collections penned by author Shel Silverstein, like "Giraffe in a Half," "Falling Up" and "Where the Sidewalk Ends." After seeing the joy his children got out of hearing the stories told in the poems, McMahon explained he started on a quest of his own to entertain his children through his own written word.
After years of work and dedication, McMahon self-published his work, "Swimming to the Moon," a collection of whimsical poems and stories described, on the front cover, as a "collection of rhymes without reason." The book features illustrations by Florida-based artist and illustrator Jessica Warwick, who has also illustrated books like "Bedtime for Sarah Silverman" and "My Daddies and Me."
McMahon's daughter, Shannon McMahon, said, “I remember when my father would read to us as children and we would become so excited about reading time. My first memory goes back as far as 3 years old. My brother and I enjoyed that time with him and we are both proud of him.”
Frugal Frigate store manager Scott Winn made contact with McMahon and invited him to read at the store and sign books for his young fans. He recalled what drove him to reach out to the author: ”When my wife read the book to our sick 3-year-old daughter and it was the only thing that could calm her and put her to sleep, I knew I found a hit!” he said while laughing.
[END]
Jeff McMahon Author Visit
Date: Saturday, December 07, 2013
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Google Map
Event Location: The Frugal Frigate, A Children's Bookstore
Address: 9 North Sixth Street Redlands CA 92373
Description: Author of Swimming to the Moon, this poetry book is a MUST HAVE for a unique and sure fire holiday gift! Get it signed!
CONTACT INFO
Phone: 909-793-0740
Email: scott@frugalfrigate.com
Website: www.frugalfrigate.com
ORIGINAL ARTILCE:
Jeff McMahon Children’s Author book signing at the Redlands Frugal Frigate Bookstore.
Most Californians, as it rained on this Saturday morning, would decide to stay home too intimidated by the rain that we barely see. However, there were some brave souls who would allow there curiosity to embark on a little venture at the Frugal Frigate Bookstore in Redlands. These individuals would enjoy a nice evening with an author and his charismatic family. The family would consist of a supportive wife named Janet that would greet you with a smile and a thank you for arriving to support her husband. The children, although not exactly small, would be a beautiful young lady named Shannon who aspired to be an actress someday and her ingenious brother who is already producing short films in his own right. As they sat and watched the patriarch and soon to be famous children’s author father read to the children. You couldn’t help but admire this family’s devotion and humble demure which is displayed in the writing style of Jeff McMahon’s “Swimming to the Moon”.
At a time when family homes consisting of both parents are becoming scarce you would become impressed with this family’s approach to this new journey they have embarked on. Coming from Chicago, Illinois to Temecula, California due to a career opportunity. Each member has a focus and goal they want to accomplish while living here in California but for now the focus is on the Head of the Household who has devoted himself to writing a collection of poems inspired by his relationship with his children among other things. A collection that would take him over twenty years to complete. At first it started off as a little hobby but when the children were born and he began to read to them stories by Silverstein such as “Giraffe in a half”, “Falling Up” and “Where the sidewalks end” and would witness their excitement and joy from the stories Jeff McMahon would begin his on quest to appease the children of the world as Silverstein had done for his.
And after years of hard work and dedication the self-published “Swimming to the Moon” would be born. The illustrations of the book are created by Florida based artist and illustrator Jessica Warwick. Jessica Warwick has also illustrated “Bedtime for Sarah Silverman” and “My Daddies and Me.” And when she and Jeff McMahon had made contact they knew they were a good match to produce the perfect children’s book that could be the next sensation without ever laying eyes on each other and they were right. “Swimming to the Moon” are full of funny and adventurous poems and stories that your child would certainly enjoy and the illustrations give a clear view into the mind of a child’s imagination. Titles such as “Man oh Man oh Man….” and “Stu McGrew got the flu” is only the tip of the iceberg of many tales that could be seen.
Shannon stated, “I remember when my father would read to us as children and we would become so excited about reading time. My first memory goes back as far as three years-old. My brother and I enjoyed that time with him and we are both proud of him.”
Janet would be seen smiling through her husband’s performance and when asked how she felt about his accomplishment she would give you a nice long list but you would be more impressed with her devotion and love.
Greg, would me more than happy to supply a more detail history of the many stories their father read to them. However, the one thing that is more evident is the quality time he spent with his father through these story times.
Scott Winn, store manager, was the one who made contact with Jeff McMahon and invited him to come read and do a book signing. ”When my wife read the book to our sick three year old daughter and it was the only thing that could calm her and put her to sleep. I knew I found a hit!” He laughed.
As the diminutive crowd came and left the bookstore Jeff McMahon would make a good connection with his admirers with his modest personality and humble approach. And with each book that was sign he gave you a piece of his family’s wholesome heartfelt memories and lov