Author, Margarita Fairbanks, and her first installment of Valentino The Love Bunny are honored to be included in this auspicious event.
BOOKS LAUNCH PARTY…COME MEET VALENTINO THE LOVE BUNNY AND FRIENDS!
MONTECITO JOURNAL • FIRST REPUBLIC BANK EVENT
The Love Bunny greeting everyone including Michael Prostel, Lisa Camenizind with baby Cali; Julia next to Marsha St. Clair and Jessica Bradshaw with her girls, Lily and Emme (photo by Priscilla)
One for the Books
Move over, Beatrix Potter! Peter Rabbit, which has sold an astounding 45 million copies in 36 languages since being written in 1893, has got some major competition.
Santa Barbara author Margarita Fairbanks just launched her first book, How It Came to Be, in a planned 10-book series on Valentino, the Love Bunny, a charming three-pound Netherland Dwarf rabbit, which has a distinctive black heart around its eye and a heart on his left cheek.
The series also features a cuddly canine, Sparky, two black standard poodles, Miro and Lucca, and a horse, Pandereto.
“In a tough, fast-paced world, it is essential to teach young children universal messages about love, tolerance, patience, comfort, confidence, hope, good manners, accountability, nature, spirituality and charity,” says Margarita, whose husband, Chuck Lande, is a former player at the Santa Barbara Polo Club.
“Valentino takes us along on his magical adventures which evolves into a global journey teaching values, spreading love and good will, and protecting the Earth.”
Valentino illustrations flanking the presenters are Sarah Ettman Sterner, editor; Real Love Bunny; Big Love Bunny (Lerina Winter); with Margarita Fairbanks, author; and Suzan Duval, illustrator (photo by Priscilla)
The series includes colorful illustrations by Santa Barbara artist Suzan Duval.
“They are designed as family heirlooms to be treasured and passed down from one generation to the next,” adds Margarita, whose books are complemented by Valentino plush toys designed by Hansa, which can be purchased separately.
Future plans include books translated into multiple languages, a retail product line, special-edition characters, and an animated children’s series for TV and the web.
Attending Margarita’s book reception is Meridith Eskin Brace and her father, judge George Eskin (photo by Priscilla)
To launch her new book, First Republic Bank hosted a 150 guest bash for Margarita, a trained hospice volunteer and court-appointed special advocate, who has worked with children at the local Juvenile Hall, at the State Street headquarters, just a tiara’s toss from the Granada, converted into an art gallery featuring original canvases featured in the new book and books to come.
Guests, who included David Edelman, Jane Maurer, Dana Hansen, Michael Weisbrock, Jeffrey Baldwin, Roger and Keiko Dunham, Irwin and Sally Eve, and Mark Scott-Paine, were greeted by a life-size version of the bunny character.
“Valentino was years in the making and was first sparked in a conversation with my dear late mother, Bibi Fairbanks, who told me my message of love had to be shared with the world,” explains Margarita.
VALENTINO THE LOVE BUNNY COMES ALIVE!
In November, 2014, my first book, Valentino The Love Bunny and How He Came to Be, was published!
This book is a dream come true for my mother, “Bibi” Fairbanks and me, which took over 5 years of vision, passion and hard work. During this time, I embraced my mother’s encouraging words to follow my heart and create a body of work that would be our legacy. The Valentino draft manuscript was nearing completion at the time of my mother’s passing in October of 2014. Losing her left me with a huge sadness in my heart and a loss of equilibrium in facing the future. Yet Bibi’s voice remained strong and present, guiding me toward light, love and purpose, which are central themes in Valentino.
The process of creating this book has allowed me to take a personal and professional journey. It helped me heal from the absence of my mother’s physical presence and gave me a creative outlet. I created my own company, am working with an exciting team and the future is bright. Book 1 of a 10-book series is completed and complemented by two models of plush toys modeled after "Valentino,” my own real-life bunny, a source of comfort and joy. I’m forging strategic business alliances and philanthropic partnerships, which give me a way to give back to society by helping vulnerable women, children and animals in need.
I am so thankful for my family’s support and the knowledge that Bibi’s love surrounds me every step of the way as I enter this new, exciting phase of my life!