Here is a bit of an update on what has happened so far:

1. My image (their pillowcase) has been removed from VintageSh0p's Amazon.com store.
2. They sent me this unbelievable letter:
Dear Vickianne Caswell,
Sincerely sorry for the trouble brought to you.
In fact, we've just opened the online store and we've got this photo from online, which is the most popular style in these years. We have no idea about this copyright is belong to you until got your message. Sorry again for this inconvenience brought to you.
And now, we had deleted the product from all catalog and will never use the photo any more. Please forgive us this unintentionally mistake.
We will pay more attention on this matter. Thanks for your kindly reminding.
Regards
VS

So why don't I believe it?
1. My copyright that they downloaded was on the one side of their pillowcase.
2. I found out many other images have been taken without permission too by other artists.
3. These artists are all on Zazzle.

While I appreciate the image being removed and yes you better darn well not use the image again VintageSh0p, you lie. You knew the copyright was there because you downloaded that too. You kept taking from the same website and from different artists. Nice try but I will keep watching you.

I've added a new photo set to the website. It is called, "Make Believe Recurring Characters." Take a look & meet the mean weasels. You will find them in books 5 & 6. Find them on the "Photos, Videos and More" page.

The school proposal is online. If you didn't see it in the last blog post, view or download it on the "Story Readings & Fundraising" page.

It's that time of year again. School is starting and so much more! Sorry I haven't blogged updates here in a bit but we've been rushing to get back into our house. Some things have been moving far faster then we planned. We are hoping for everything to slow down after next month and for us all to be settled in. In the meantime, here are some updates now & some to expect over the next month or so for all 3 websites:

1. Website
I have finally managed to fix those pictures on Freckles' website.
2. School Visits in Your Area
I've already posted which areas we will be looking at visiting. The school proposals will explain more but it is free even if we have visited your school before. Feel free to contact us for more information. The areas include:
Saskatoon, SK
Humboldt, SK
Bruno, SK
Annaheim, SK
Cudworth, SK
Muenster, SK
Wakaw, SK
3. Erika-Elizabeth's Blog
As many know, Erika-Elizabeth is my daughter. She does the crafts for the books & video records them for children to do with her. She also does book reviews for me in her spare time (book reviews are on hold until we can get her computer down here). She has finally posted a second post and will continue to do so as the week progresses. Erika-Elizabeth has also co-authored Freckles' book # 6.
4. E-Book Sales
We currently have most books down for sale at $2.99 USD. Check them out on Barnes & Noble or Apple/Itunes.
5. Book Reviews
We have some new book reviews up for each series. Be sure to check out Sherlock's 1st book's review as well as Freckles' 4th & 5th books. You can find the reviews from here:
http://vickianne-caswell.weebly.com/my-books-reviews.html

#Freckles the #Bunny #Series, Book # 5: Freckles and the Cost of Popularity should be out by month's end.

#Book # 6: The Freckle Monster will be out this #Summer.

I am already beginning something totally new for book # 7. Freckles and her friends will be dressed as princes and princesses for a#manners book which will come out this fall. Are there any manners that you would like to see?? Comment below.

Stay tuned for an updated version of the video, "Real Animals Intro." The first one done didn't include Stew I or II and Freckles III. Once it is updated, you will be able to find it on the website and Youtube.

I have a few other surprises and updates in store for this month and the next so be sure to read the updates on the website or the fan pages so you don't miss out!!

We are still in need of votes for the book cover contest. You can vote on both Freckles books and the one Sherlock book. 1 star is poor and 5 stars is awesome. Simply click on the stars to vote. Voting times vary between 1 - 2 days, so please keep voting for us! A special thank you to all that have been voting! This is the 2014 contest so voting will be available for some time.
http://authorsdb.com/books/2014-book-cover-contest/children-s-books-2014

As you know, we have been trying to help rescues like Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary, in hopes of helping them find loving homes for the animals they care for. One of the new things we will now be doing is to help share some of their events. Below is their post:

"Duck-Duck-Goose" Blue Ribbon Photo Contest!
Our 6th annual Blue Ribbon Photo Fundraiser Contest is currently underway!
Enter a photo of your duck or goose today for a chance to win one of our GIANT & GORGEOUS prize ribbons!
http://www.majesticwaterfowl.org/photocontestrules.htm

Sorry! this was supposed to be out last month!

We've completed another rescue animal in the book. Pickles is from Running Rabbit Farm Rabbit Rescue and is looking for a home. You can find all of his photos on the Rescue Links page.

We're also sad to announce that Willy's Happy Endings will not be in this book as they have been quite busy and unable to send in the form. We do however hope that they will be in one of the upcoming books!

Meet Rilo and Ranger, two Pekin ducks from Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary. Expect to see these two cuties in book 5 as well!

Here is a sneak peak at book # 6's anti-bullying poster. For those of you unaware, Pawfect Place School has an anti-bullying contest going on. Freckles becomes very jealous of Stew when Stew's poster wins the contest. Here is the picture. The anti-bullying poster will be at the back of the book for you to cut out as well as online in the Downloads area for you to print.

This book will take you where the previous books haven't taken you before and you will see a side of Freckles and Stew that you never imagined possible!

Just a note: This was drawn special by my 10 year old daughter who also does the drawings at the back of the Freckles book. You know her from the pickle in book 2, carrot from book 1, etc.

Just a reminder that you can pre-order both books now! I am expecting to possibly sell all of my first order of book 6 when it comes out. These books will also be available online via Createspace ($1/book to the Humboldt & District SPCA) and Amazon.com once they are out.

Pre-Order Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 5: Freckles and the Cost of Popularity - $10.00 CAD + S&H.
Written by Vickianne Caswell. Illustrated by Anastasia Drogaitseva.

Pre-order Here

Freckles has always been a good little bunny that was taught to be nice and caring towards others. The opportunity to be popular arises and Freckles soon finds herself choosing popularity over friends. Two classes get to go on a field trip to the local bakery where Boots' brother Sherlock works. Freckles has been told that Boots' family is not cool and weird. Freckles and her new friends are soon laughing at the bakery owner and Boots' family, costing Freckles her old friends. Join Freckles as she learns that being different is alright and that being popular doesn't mean you have to be mean, in another funny adventure. Guest appearances by Sherlock, a popular real animal and Purrsia, a character that will have your child looking to see what is stuck in her fur, in every illustration.
30 color illustrations. 8 x 10 size.
ISBN 10: 1495326675
ISBN 13: 978-1495326677
MORALS/LESSONS LEARNED:
* Peer pressure.
* Do what is right and not what others tell you.
* Being popular is not always as good as it seems.
* Treat others the way you want to be treated.
* It is not nice to laugh or make fun of others' misfortunes.

Pre-Order Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 6: The Freckle Monster (Coming June 2014!) - $11.50 CAD + S&H.
(cover coming at a later date!)
Written by Vickianne Caswell & Erika-Elizabeth Caswell. Illustrated by Anastasia Drogaitseva.
Pre-order Here

Freckles is sure she is going to win the anti-bullying poster contest. Freckles is very disappointed when she learns Stew wins and with the help of the snobby weasel girls, she begins to show Stew how mad and jealous she is. Can Freckles turn things around and fix the hurt feelings she has caused by bullying or will the Freckle Monster keep controlling her? Meanwhile, Freckles' lies has caused a lot of other fighting. Lying, name calling, hitting and much more happens between the classmates and someone gets hurt. Will the children remember why they drew these posters or will they remain bullies themselves?
Est. 32 color illustrations and a poster. More may be added at a later date.
ISBN 10: 1497514231
ISBN 13: 978-1497514232
MORALS/LESSONS LEARNED:
* Hitting is wrong.
* It is not nice to be jealous of others.
* Consequences of actions.
* Don't run at the pool.
* Jealousy can lead to bad things.
* How to treat friends.
* How to overcome jealousy and anger.
* Bullying is wrong and the different forms (except cyber bullying) of bullying.
* Revenge is wrong and leads to bad things.

Book bundling packages have been created. We currently have 2 on our sales page (see the pre-order links above). If you are thinking of buying 4 copies or different books, be sure to check it out!

We've started a craft series called "Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth." It is found on Youtube (our channel) and our website. Erika-Elizabeth will be making crafts that your child can make along with her. We're at a slow start here but we will be adding more videos soon!

Erika-Elizabeth has also started her own parent-approved blog. She wants to share some of her experiences as part of the Freckles team, as well as her experiences in bullying, etc. We felt that since she would be part of writing one on bullying, that other children may want to hear about her experiences.

Due to the fact that we still don't know when we will be returning, we have decided to extend our stay until December. If you know of a school interested in a free story reading, please have them contact me!

We had a wonderful time at St. Philip School here in Saskatoon and they were very kind to us! We enjoyed reading to them, speaking with everyone and especially enjoyed the questions that many of you asked!

I have now hidden almost every page except the main ones. A few were re-named (ex. the News blog is now "News Blog" instead of "News"). I have also replaced the Paypal buttons so that there are some better S&H prices, especially for books. I've also fixed it up so that you can purchase a t-shirt size easier and purchase services (you had to contact me before). This also enabled me to add some package deals. If you take a look around, you will also find a few price drops. One of them is the Pets in the Book package and the Child's Photo with the Freckles Character. Both make great Christmas presents!

Freckles the Bunny Series Holiday Prints

A neat way to send Christmas cards! This greeting photo is one-sided. Displayed here is Freckles but another character can be substituted. Prices are as follows:

1 photo - $1.50
5 photos - $6.00
10 photos - $10.00
25 photos - $25.00

Now what you have probably been waiting for! A sneak peak at the first chapter of Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series, Book # 1: Sherlock, the Cat Who Couldn't Meow
(Please note that it may still need editing and nothing is finalized yet).
Go to our website and under Sherlock's heading, the PDF file is on the bottom of the page. I would love to hear your thoughts as well, so please feel free to share!
http://www.freckles-the-bunny-series.ca/sherlock-the-remarkable-cat-series.html

We are still working on family trees but you can take a look at the album on the website and our Facebook fan page. I have posted Boots' & Tiger's.

We've added some new playlists and videos to our Youtube Channel!

Playlists:
1. Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series playlist
2. Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth playlist
There may be some other playlists that were not mentioned earlier on there as well.

Videos:
1. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas Preview
(read by the author)
http://youtu.be/X3jgTHKGi5g

2, Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series Pre-Intro
http://youtu.be/twRtgIWO7eQ

3. Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth videos.
- An intro to the shows.
http://youtu.be/KF2cwS2EPf0

4. Pine Cone Feeder Craft
- A how to video that your child can do along with Erika-Elizabeth. Stay tuned for more!
http://youtu.be/lF87wCcHcCU

5. Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas Trailer
http://youtu.be/X3jgTHKGi5g

6. Many more videos on our channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/FrecklesBunnySeries

We held 2 contests this month. One was because we reached 100 fans, so we were giving away a copy of Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 3: Freckles Lends a Paw. The winner of that contest was Эль Мариаччи!

We also held our usual contest for the upcoming book. It was for a copy of Freckles the Bunny Series, Book # 4: Freckles and the True Meaning of Christmas. The winner of that contest was Valery Ozerskaya!

Congratulations to both the winners! Unfortunately, due to the lack of fan involvement, this will be our last contest for now. Perhaps once we develop a little larger of a group, we will try again. We want to thank everyone that has participated in the past! It has been greatly appreciated!

As you know, I have been working on a new chapter book series based on Sherlock, our cat. I had been arguing with myself over the title and I've finally chosen one. The series will be called, "Sherlock the Remarkable Cat Series." You will sometimes see characters from Freckles the Bunny Series as Sherlock's brother is Boots. I am planning many things for this series and while I am finding that I sometimes have little time to do things, Freckles will always be first. I have only begun writing the series (between writing books 5 and 6), so I am not sure yet as to what you can expect. I promise it will be as great and entertaining as the other series is! Expect to see humor, a lot of Boots' family, cross-overs and more!

1. Upcoming School Visit:
Freckles III, Stew II and I will soon be visiting St. Philip's School here in Saskatoon. We are very excited to meet the students there as well as the teachers! Our visit is planned for October 22nd.

2. Book Edits
We edited books 1 through 3.
- Books 1 & 2 had some small edits of text and we've changed some things. These will soon say 2nd editions. Book 1 also had a craft added to it as it didn't have one and book 2 did.
- Book 3 needed some text edits as it seems we missed quite a bit. We apologize greatly for this and promise to do a better job next time. We also added a craft to this book. This will also be a second edition book.

3. Book Crafts
Each book will now have a craft in the back of them. The previous books that didn't have one, have now had them added. This will continue on throughout the Freckles series.

4. Pre-ordering Book # 4
We have decided to extend the pre-orders to October 20th, 2014. Every pre-paid, pre-order will receive a set of 6 character stickers (each main character included) or a Freckles pencil.

NEWSLETTER
Our first newsletter is out. Inside contains a special log in. The place to put the code is found on the main page and once signed in, it will take you to a hidden page with monthly downloads, online games and more!

ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL - SASKATOON
    We had a wonderful visit with the pre-kindergarten to grade 4's. The teachers and students made us feel quite at home. Thank you so much for your hospitality and we hope to visit you again! For any other schools in Saskatoon, please get in touch with us as we'd love to drop by yours! This is of course, free.

NEW PRODUCT
    We've added a new product. The photo sample is in this post. You can now send in a photo of your child for us to place a posed Freckles or another character into. These are book 3 and on's characters. We would be happy to sign or add your child's name at no additional charge. This is $10 CAD and can be found on our website's Misc. page.


FRECKLES THE BUNNY SERIES, BOOK # 4; FRECKLES AND THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS VIDEO TRAILER
    We've finally finished the video trailer for the book. Our usual preview with the first 6 pages read and in flip book format will be out early next week. In the mean time, we thought you might enjoy viewing various pages of Anastasia's illustrations. Be sure to take a look! It has some pictures that you won't see in the book preview.
http://youtu.be/Vh56fTsIX

BUYING OPTIONS
    We realize that purchasing through Paypal on our website can be a pain. We are now taking orders through the contact link as well and we will figure out the shipping for you, then send an invoice. In this way, we will be able to charge less while you still use Paypal. Other payment options are as follows:
Interact E-Transfer (works well if you are with a major bank in Canada). I am also told that this is only possible if you have online banking access.
Send us a Money Order or Certified Check after we let you know the total with shipping.
Personal/business checks will only be accepted through schools and libraries. Sorry for any inconvenience.

3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER THE #CONTESTS for #free #books!
1. 100 Likes contest, simply click like on the 100 Likes picture to enter. Prize, book # 3.
2. Contest 2, answer the 3 questions. The answers are in the books, website & fan page but if no one guesses correctly, we do a draw. #Prize, book # 4.
3. Even if you've #won before, you are still welcome to enter!
4. All contests are in the "Contests" album. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.387158568052649.1073741826.253047124797128&

NOW FOR THE SURPRISES:
1. I've finished editing books 1 & 2. We've fixed up the appearance of the books a bit and we will (and have) added a craft for every book. These books will soon say 2nd edition. I got sick over the weekend but will complete the edits (text) for book 3 soon. It will also have a craft.
2. We've started a #craft playlist on Youtube, for the children. It will consist of some of the crafts done in the books and some others. The "show" is called, "Craft Time with Erika-Elizabeth and my daughter will be hosting it. Here is the link:
http://youtu.be/lF87wCcHcCU
3. Working on the #chapter books about Sherlock but having a hard time coming up with a title for the series. So far, we've thought of Sherlock the #Cat #Series. If anyone has suggestions, they are more then welcome. ;)Contests (3 photos)WIN A FREE COPY OF BOOK 4!
RULES:
1. Must like the page and still be a fan at the time of winner announcement.
2. Must answer all 3 questions under the photo.
3. Must be willing to give an address if you win.
4. See contest rules in the notes section for details that apply.
DEADLINE: October 10th, 2013