I just wanted to share that Staples is having a great 1 penny sale until Wednesday, July 9th!  A pack of 8 #2 pencils for a penny, 10 count pocket folders for 10 cents, small sample bottles of hand sanitizer for 1 penny, etc. Plastic folders for 25 cents.  The reason that I feel this is of any relevance at all to our industry is because I take pencils, coloring books, crayons, paper pads, etc., with me to my signings because I've had LOTS of signings with children present.  An hour or so for a signing, and these children tend to feel restless and perhaps left out, so I bring little things to occupy them, and to make them stay busy, for the borrowers...and of course ME!  I always ask permission before offering to the children, but it goes over very well, relievingly! 

There is another product that was given to me not long ago called "Smencil" and it is a very STRONGLY fruit-scented pencil made almost entirely out of recycled paper!  They are also packaged really cute.  I was told they are about $1 each.  I am going to order and stock up with these to just have as a "gift" upon me leaving my signings.

If I ever have too much, I donate the rest to the local schools.

I usually don't list other companies here, but it is a great opportunity to stock up on these little virtually free items to just have...just in case!

Cheryl Lee Anderson