It was great to meet lots of new people at the Books & Bunnies event at the Newport Beach Public Library. We participated in this event twice. The first year, this sweet girl took such a liking to Valentino. Her name is Ami. She spent the longest time with him, even drawing a picture and leaving him a message, while her mother looked on from afar. I kept wishing her mother would come and get her a bunny, but it didn’t happen. As more people started coming to meet Valentino and see his beautiful books, Ami moved on with her mother and I didn’t see her again. As I drove home to Santa Barbara, I just couldn’t stop thinking about her and wishing I had given her a super-soft plushie of her own. A year went by, then I was invited to participate in the event again. Well, I got a great surprise when I saw Ami coming my way, and I was able to finally give her the Valentino she had never forgotten. The look on her face was so moving. I had the feeling that she was  an only child and maybe a little bit lonely. Knowing she was going to have my beautiful bunny to warm and comfort her gave me the joy that started my Valentino journey in the first place. Bringing people joy is one of the greatest gifts we have. Spread love everywhere you go, just like Valentino!