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We just had a Hatley video shoot for our kids spring 2012 line, and it was a great success! This was our second video shoot and it went very smoothly and we were able to capture many different looks. The purpose of the video shoot is to be able to post short action product shots on the website so that our customers get a better feel for the garments.

Elin shows Sarah and Katie how easy modelling is.

We worked with eight babies and kids, my four-year-old daughter included, and they were all so professional and adorable. It is not always easy working with children as they can be unpredictable, there is no “faking it” with them but this group of models were a pleasure to film and I think they had a great time!!

Marlon helps William out with his moves.

Spring 2012 is a great collection and our largest release of new product to date. It is a great reflection of what Hatley is really about, well-made clothes, which look great and are fun and comfortable. With the launch of spring 2012 on the website coming up, keep an eye out for the ‘watch video’ icon to check out some of these great little video clips.

The ‘behind the scenes’ pictures were taken by our onset photographer Daniel Haber (http://www.danielfrancishaber.com/).

Klein Fabriek is one of Europe’s most prestigious children’s clothing shows.

Atlanta, Amsterdam, Dallas, Vegas, Madrid, London, Toronto, New York, Seattle and Las Angeles. That’s a list of some of the stops on Hatley’s busy winter 2012 trade show season.

At every city mentioned above Hatley set up a temporary trade booth or manned a show-room and proudly displayed all that’s new in the Hatley line.

You could probably write a short story about every show we attended this past season but I am going to focus on Kleine Fabriek in Amsterdam.

Kleine Fabriek is one of Europe’s most prestigious children’s clothing shows. Many of the world’s best children’s clothing lines show up and display the latest trends in children’s fashion. It’s a great show, very well organized and a joy to attend.

Our booth proudly displayed all that’s new in the Hatley line.

Most trade shows are usually all about business but at Kleine Fabriek they make an effort to keep the event light-hearted and fun. It’s a children’s clothing show after all, so why be boring?

They set up a fun shooting range where you can pick off last year’s fashion with a BB Gun. Throughout the show there are live performances by a kids rock band and dance troop. They even offer a complimentary lunch and lattes for the exhibitors – a rare treat.

Nick tries to pick off last year's fashion with a BB Gun.

But most importantly the show is well attended by Europe’s best buyers and, yes, it was a huge success for Hatley! It’s exciting to see Hatley grow in some of the world’s most competitive and discerning markets.

Hatley’s fun designs, bold colours and casual clothing is proving to be a hit in Europe and I have to admit I love an excuse to visit these cities.

Nick Oldland and a group of kids from the Westmount Park School in Montreal, Canada

I loved writing Big Bear Hug, Making The Moose Out Of Life and The Busy Beaver but sometimes reading them can be even more fun.

I am always flattered when I get invited to read my books. And there is no better audience than a group of school children who get to skip class for a book reading.

I recently read to a very enthusiastic group of kids at the Westmount Park School in Montreal.  This reading was kindly organized by the Montral Children’s Library and like most of my  school visits it was a blast.

I read all three books followed  by a drawing demonstration where I ask kids to give me ideas for different things the bear can hug, the beaver could chew and the moose can do. I encourage the kids to think of unusual ideas and I pick the most creative one and give them the drawing when it’s done.

The drawing segment is always the most fun and the kids go wild as they try and out do each other’s ideas in an effort to be chosen to have their idea drawn. I feel sorry for the teachers who try and keep the children under control because I have to admit I kind of encourage the bad behavior.