Little Elephant Spreads Life’s Lessons Around The Globe (NAPSA)—Sally Hunter’s story is one of determination and persistence. She created a lovable elephant character, Humphrey, when she was a single mom struggling to make ends meet. Now the books, greeting cards, plush animals and room dcor based on her characters are helping to bring life’s lessons to children aroundthe globe. Sally’s circumstances drove her ae to establish heree =" self as a chil: ee = dren’s writer gz? — ssa Y KS and illustrator. Dj The dream, she hoped, would help them “get _ out of the pit we were in.” Sally Hunter Humphrey —_———_ wasinspired by her son. When he wasthree, Sally recalls “a soft, gentle little boy,” while her daughter, at the age of five, was the model for Humphrey’s sister, Lottie, “very sweet and kind.” The youngest memberof the family is Baby Jack, “my sweet, sunny one yearold.” Through her work, Sally says she wishes to represent what every parent feels, the natural protection towards their child and provide a place where they can grow in innocence with nature, color and imagination. She says she hopes with her books and cards an essence of this comes through. Childlike Innocence “Humphrey’s Corner is a nostalgic, simple world, which may be a little too idealistic, but it is a reminder in fast-paced everyday life of the importanceof childlike innocence and wonder, and maybe whatlife’s all about,” said Hunter. “Through Humphrey’s experiences, young children relate and learn in a safe, wonderfully nurturing environment along with An adorable elephant, Humphrey (and his family), featured in books, greeting cards, plush animals and room dcor have begun to inspire children aroundthe globe. their pal, Humphrey, andhislittle toy rabbit friend, Mop, whose ear has been‘loved off’.” An Overnight Success Hunter’s main concern was the family incomebut after a visit to a greeting card company, who loved the idea and offered to buy the rights, she knew Humphrey was “not for sale.” She called a second company, insisting to meet with the art director the next day. She had the meeting andleft with an order for the first Humphrey’s Corner greeting cards. After the sale of two million cards in England, making it an instant hit, Sally wrote her first Humphrey’s Corner book, which became a huge success with preschoolers. The rest is marketing history. Since then, the Humphrey’s Corner line has been signed up by top children’s companies around the world and the response has been overwhelming. Humphrey’s Corner and Humphrey’s Bedtime are published by Henry Holt in the USS. and are also available in stores in England, Australia and Japan. Hunter has written three more books set for distribution and is writing a sixth. To add to the success of the books there has been the introduction of Gund’s plush toys, C.R. Gibson’s baby acces- sories, Michel and Co.’s children’s room dcor and Wonderful Wishes range of greeting cards. FAO Schwarz’ FAO Baby Catalogue features the little elephant on the front and has posted information about Humphrey’s Corner at www.fao.com/children. Celebrating Imagination Publisher’s Weekly described the book as “Gently celebrating toddlers’ independence and imagination, as well as a mother’s comforting presence, Hunter’s art and words shape a story that is, indeed,just right.”
