"This January, my Thunder Tortoise trilogy of books were reviewed very favorably in the Midwest Book Review, which is the most prestigious source of reviews for self-published books. 

The books, for middle grade readers, are in most of the county libraries in southern California as  well as in the Las Vegas-Clark County system. I do book signings whenever I present my Turtle Talks at libraries, schools, and various organizations."

Fred Kersten continues as online course professor for Boston University.  He works with doctoral and master's students from the entire world. Fred will present for both the College Music Society and the Association for Technology in Music Instruction this year in Minneapolis. His topics will include use of software for creating music accompaniments for online instruction and How to Read Braille Music.  Last year Fred was a clinician for music teachers in New Jersey and his sponsor was Yamaha Corporation of  America. 

Joan Chin Quock recently returned from Hawaii where she celebrated her 69th birthday. 

For Mother's Day, her son and daughter-in-law had her travel journal, "First Glimpse of China" published.  This can be accessed at http://www.lulu.com/content/2414810  Her family has grown as besides her 4-year-old granddaughter, she now has a one-year-old grandson.