IT’S ALMOST TIME TO BREAK OUT YOUR COATS
Children of the ’90s (and those who raised them) will likely remember the spooky preteen book series “Goosebumps.” Over 62 volumes, author R.L. Stine terrified and delighted young thrill-seekers, and the expanded series continues to do so today. The first book was released 30 years ago in 1992, and the year’s scariest month is the perfect time to revisit its origins and legacy. Though more than 400 million “Goosebumps” books have been printed internationally, the series was anything but a surefire hit. Author R. L. Stine didn’t even want to write the series, but his wife/editor convinced him that horror stories for 7–11-year-olds would do well. The series started as four books, beginning with “Welcome to the Dead House,” a tale about zombie children. In retrospect, Stine conceded that this first volume was too scary and didn’t inject enough humor. By the second book, “Stay Out of the Basement,” he believed he had his winning formula. But the series didn’t take off right away. There was no marketing budget, so “Goosebumps” relied on word of mouth to find kids who wanted to read them. Eventually, children learned 30 Years of Scares Behind the Classic Kids’ Book Series ‘Goosebumps’
Are They Clean?
Winter is coming, and it will be cold soon enough. It’s no secret that the key to surviving a harsh Michigan winter is a warm and comfortable winter coat. With the right winter coat, you’ll enjoy Michigan or Michigan State college football at the stadium without the cold getting to you! When the winter season ended last year, you probably put your coat
away in the closet, knowing you won’t need it until the freezing temperatures return. Now that cold weather is on our doorstep, it’s time to break out the coats. If you didn’t get it cleaned before you put it away, now is the time to do so. Most coats are made of fabrics that don’t do well when washed. Wool and fur will not last long after a few wash cycles at home, and high-heat drying cycles can quickly destroy coats. That’s why it’s so important to get your coats dry-cleaned. Your coat will come out as clean as possible without being damaged. If you failed to get your jacket cleaned before you put it away for spring, it may have stains and dirt that can make it deteriorate faster. When we dry-clean your coats and other garments, we remove those troublesome stains. “I had a beautiful white satin vest I had not worn in a couple of years because of a stain another dry cleaner had tried to remove unsuccessfully. I was actually ready to throw it away because it could no longer be worn when I thought to give it one last try with Janet Davis. They were so professional in explaining their process, so I said go for it. The stain was removed, it looks brand-new, and it's back in my wardrobe.”
about the series from friends, and it became a runaway smash beloved for its creepy tales, light jokes, and twisty endings. Stine mined his own childhood fears for story ideas, and kids gobbled them up,
begging their parents for each new release. When Stine ran out of stories, he resorted to creating book titles and inventing plots around them. Most books took him three weeks to write, while the illustrator spent an average of 35 hours on the covers. “Goosebumps” soon became too popular to stay on the page alone, and a TV series began airing in 1995. In 2012, a live- action film starring Jack Black hit theaters. And there are now seven unique “Goosebumps” book series. Even countless library challenges from concerned parents in the 1990s couldn’t hold the franchise back. Adults looking to relive their youth through the series will find brisk reading and likely some amusement at what used to make their skin crawl. But if you have a child who is up for something slightly scary, it would be much more fun to enjoy them together as a family. Try reading aloud to each other or starting a family book club. It’s the perfect way to get into a family-friendly Halloween state of mind.
–N.H., reviewer on Google
If you or someone you know needs to get their coat cleaned properly in preparation for the cold Michigan weather, please contact us today. We will help you be ready for the frigid temperatures soon to come.
www.janetdaviscleaners.com 2
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