This year, Uncle John celebrates 25 years of sitting on the throne as the “King of Bathroom Reading” while also winning a GOLD award for Uncle John’s Fully Loaded 25th Anniversary Bathroom Reader and a SILVER award in for its kid’s book, Uncle John’s KID-TOPIA Bathroom Reader For Kids Only! at the 2013 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.

KID-TOPIA was honored for non-fiction books for young readers, while the super-sized Fully Loaded was honored in the humor category. The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards recognizes excellence in both editorial and design and is regarded as one of the highest national honors in small and independent publishing.

“Twenty-five years ago we thought, ‘Why isn’t anyone publishing books for people who like to read in the bathroom?’” said Gordon Javna, Editor-in-Chief, and Publisher of Portable Press which publishes Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. “We are just thrilled that this book – our 25th anniversary edition – won Gold in humor at this year’s Benjamin Franklin Awards.”

Named in honor of America’s most cherished publisher/printer, the Benjamin Franklin Awards™ recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Publications are grouped by genre and are judged on editorial and design merit by top practitioners in each field. The trophies are awarded to the best books in several categories and were presented to the publishers during a gala awards ceremony on May 30, 2013. Since 1983, Independent Book Publishers Association, the largest not-for-profit trade association of independent publishers, has been the leader for member benefits, education, and advocacy.

____________________________________

In true BRI style, we would now like to share a story from Uncle John’s Plunges into History Again about Benjamin Franklin.

DON’T BE A SOAR LOSER, BEN

Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey, not the eagle, to be America’s national symbol. In a letter to his daughter, he wrote, “For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the representative of our country. He is a bird of bad moral character. He does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead tree near the river, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing hawk; and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him…The turkey is a much more respectable bird and withal a true original native of America.”

____________________________________

Looking for a Father’s Day gift? Look no further. Our Father’s Day Sale is in full swing. 30% off the entire store and FREE shipping on order of $35 and more. Go directly to our store.

Also, don’t forget to enter our “mother-of-all” giveaways for a chance to win the entire in-print library of Uncle John’s Bathroom Readers.