WELCOME TO BOWREGARDE'S MEDIA ROOM Harald
Herrmann's Immediate Contact Info
This charming children’s story was uncovered by Harald Herrmann, president and chief operating officer of Yard House Restaurants, a successful 10-unit casual restaurant chain with location throughout Southern California, Denver, Chicago and Phoenix, who discovered the tale after his mother-in-law, Fran Creegan, died of pancreatic cancer in 2004. Herrmann, still mourning the loss of his wife Kathie who had passed away just nine-months prior from breast cancer, learned that Fran had penned the book for his and Kathie’s young son Austin. Harald would read the story of the little mouse with the very long name and a big problem again and again. He found himself grinning throughout the story, which chronicles Bowregarde’s problem of how he couldn’t make friends with the other mice because of his long and scary moniker. Harald and Fran shared a bound as they both had unusual names and remembered what it was like to be teased as a child about it. Harald felt that Fran’s written treasure was too beautiful not to share. So he decided to publish Bowregarde as a tribute to the author and her daughter—his wife-- Kathie. He hired Marilyn Scott-Waters, an award-winning illustrator, to bring Bowregarde to life and published 8,000 hardbound copies. All proceeds from Bowregarde, which was released on September 28, 2005, which would have been Kathie’s 40th birthday, will benefit pediatric cancer treatment and research. “I knew as soon as I read Bowregarde that it needed to be shared with others,” said Harald. “I wanted to take my pain and grief and turn it into something positive. Fran—unknowingly—has helped me do that through her courage, love and words. This is a tribute and legacy to both her and my wife Kathie.” The book’s mission is to bring understanding, hope and laughter to children undergoing cancer treatment, as well as youngsters living with someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. A plush four-inch stuffed animal, Pocket “Bo,” complete with adventure backpack, has also been created as a take along companion for children during their visits to the doctor, infusion centers and other medical facilities. Youngsters can slip small notes or drawings into his satchel to describe their fears, frustrations or anxieties that they may be dealing with during procedures. Bowregarde’s adventures have also blossomed at the invitation of Harald, who invited health professionals to pen their own Bowregarde adventures in order to bring a better understanding of the complexities that surround a loved one undergoing cancer treatment. As a result, this tiny and heartwarming mouse has now traveled the intricate hallways of doctors’ offices, infusion centers, hospitals and clinics. He has scaled up an intravenous (IV) tower, sprinted through CT/CAT scan machines, skipped through laboratories and formed lasting friendships with staff and patients. Bowregarde has taught children that if a tiny mouse has the courage to do these things, then perhaps pint-size patients can also face their fears through his furry spirit. While many of Bowregarde’s adventures center around the topic of medicine, there are plenty of light-hearted stories, such as Creegan’s original Bowregarde, whose topics are not medically related. Harald has also created Kathie’s Konnection and Creegan’s Corner, both found on www.bowregarde.com. Kathie’s Konnection provides parents, guardians and medical personnel with a series of questions directed at young patients to further stimulate discussion and prepare these youngsters for interaction with their peers. Creegan’s Corner offers a glossary of medical terms geared towards both adults and young readers. Youngsters can follow along with descriptions of procedures and equipment in a less threatening and more simplified manner with a “looks like, feels like, sounds like” format.
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©RFS INC. 2005