Field Dispatch
How Holiday-Themed Children's Books Inspire Young Readers (A Magical Reading Journey)
Trail notes
Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of self-publishing children's books, highlighted by The Adventures of Kaboose the Rocky Mountain Bear.
Papa Rick shares the heartwarming story of how our family ties, particularly with my granddaughter Kyra, sparked the creation of a beloved children's book series.
With over 38 titles written, the challenges of self-publishing, including financial commitments and marketing efforts, are candidly discussed.
If you can support us in any way, please click on the Tips in the Cookie Jar: " link; we appreciate all contributions.
The episode also explores the importance of community support among children's book authors and the unique insights gained from podcast interviews with fellow writers.
Listeners will find encouragement and practical advice for navigating the world of children's literature, whether as readers or aspiring authors.
In this episode, we also discuss a mother-and-son writing duo and their Children's Book, Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure, who will be our guests in an upcoming episode.
We also discuss Terri Lilga and her Children's Book Santa's Simon, an incredible holiday story and illustrated book. Terri's interview will air in mid-December, which is time for Christmas.
Papa Rick's journey into children's literature is personal and inspiring. It is rooted in cherished family moments that transformed into a passion for writing.
Beginning with our experiences as parents and later as grandparents, Papa Rick illustrates how reading to children can ignite a creative spark, leading to establishing a children's book series inspired by my granddaughter's imaginative ideas.
The realization that storytelling can foster deep connections among family members is a recurring theme, as Papa Rick recounts the fun and bonding moments shared during storytime, ultimately culminating in the creation of the 'Adventures of Kaboose the Rocky Mountain Bear.'
The episode also explores the practical aspects of self-publishing, shedding light on the financial realities and marketing strategies accompanying the process.
Papa Rick discusses the challenges of promoting our books while balancing the costs involved, including how we have utilized sales from our first book to finance subsequent projects.
The narrative is enriched with anecdotes about engaging with readers, including the importance of school visits and community events. However, our limitations regarding direct sales are noted.
Papa Rick's commitment to building an online presence through our website, www.kaboosetherockymountainbear.com, is presented as a vital strategy for reaching a wider audience and establishing a welcoming space for readers and fellow authors alike.
Additionally, the podcast serves as an invitation to the audience to participate in this literary journey.
Papa Rick emphasizes the importance of support within the children's book author community, fostering a spirit of collaboration beyond mere competition.
As we prepare for upcoming interviews with fellow authors, listeners are encouraged to engage with the stories, creating a vibrant ecosystem where experiences and insights can be shared with family and friends.
This episode highlights the journey of a children's book author and reinforces the value of connection and support in the literary world.
Takeaways:
- Becoming a children's book author can begin reading to children and grandchildren.
- Self-publishing children's books can be financially challenging but rewarding when done right.
- A website is essential for promoting children's books and connecting with readers.
- Podcasting can be an effective way to support and connect with fellow children's book authors.
- Reading at schools and libraries is valuable but doesn't always lead to direct sales.
- Engaging children with takeaways related to your book can help promote it effectively. (i.e. Bookmarks, Free Audiobook, Activity Pages)
Recommended Children's Book for the Holidays:
- Robby the Dyslexic Taxi And the Airport Adventure
- Santa's Simon
- Money Time
- Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad Bowl
- Hello Canmore
Companies mentioned in this episode where The Adventures of Kaboose the Rocky Mountain Bear Children's Book can be purchased online.
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:01:42</time>
<p>Bravely go where no one has gone before.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:01:45</time>
<p>As a children's book author, your journey may start as a parent or a grandparent who enjoys reading children's books to your children or grandchildren.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:01:57</time>
<p>As parents, my wife and I read to our children and had a small library of books.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:04</time>
<p>However, it wasn't until we had grandkids that we became more serious about reading.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:10</time>
<p>Sleepovers and story reading at bedtime became a welcome routine.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:16</time>
<p>My relationship with my oldest granddaughter and our adventures became the foundation for developing our children's book series.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:26</time>
<p>My granddaughter Kira suggested we purchase a journal, write our first story, and develop other stories in our book series.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:35</time>
<p>Kira's idea began our children's book Author's Journey.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:41</time>
<p>We've written over 38 children's books in our book series, the Adventures of Caboose the Rocky Mountain Bear.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:48</time>
<p>We have published our first book and are starting the second book in our series.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:54</time>
<p>However, as self published authors, this can be costly.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:02:58</time>
<p>Writing, Illustrating, Publishing Marketing Take a Substantial financial Commitment My wife and I decided to pay for our next book in the series from the sale proceeds from our first book, the Adventures of Caboose the Rocky Mountain Bear.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:03:17</time>
<p>The average children's book sells well under 100 copies, but we were fortunate to exceed 100 copies sold.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:03:25</time>
<p>In addition, we are selling at a few select retailers, word of Mouth at home, and of course online through Amazon and other online retailers such as Barnes and Noble.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:03:39</time>
<p>We are only halfway through paying for our next book in our book series.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:03:43</time>
<p>Launch.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:03:44</time>
<p>As a single book author who aspires to publish more books in our series, we have to find a way to promote our children's books.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:03:54</time>
<p>Even though we would love to read our book in every school and public library, go to local markets, set up a booth, sell our book.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:04:03</time>
<p>Understanding that reading your children's book at schools and libraries and selling them at local markets takes a considerable amount of time commitment, reading at schools and libraries generally doesn't allow you to sell books.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:04:21</time>
<p>You have to design a takeaway for the children that references your book and hope that they will encourage their parents to purchase it when they get home.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:04:34</time>
<p>Also, renting a table and purchasing marketing POS to support your booth can be costly.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:04:41</time>
<p>You might love this approach and as I mentioned before, there is no right or wrong way to go to market.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:04:49</time>
<p>We've decided to build a website that offers a home to our children's book series.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:04:55</time>
<p>We hope over the years to attract readers and encourage visitors to buy our books.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:05:04</time>
<p>Like any home, your family grows and becomes a welcoming stop along the way for not only your family, but for friends and community.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:05:14</time>
<p>We hope you will visit and support our children's book home.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:05:18</time>
<p>Our website to boost the RockyMountainBear.com from time to time, through different elements of our website, we are creating a voice for ourselves, a portal to the children's book world and a platform for other children's book authors to introduce themselves and their books to the world of children's book readers and authors.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:05:43</time>
<p>The spirit of support comes from the philosophy I scratch your back, you scratch my back, and we support each other.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:05:52</time>
<p>When I started my journey to support children's book authors through podcasting, my goal was to connect these authors with readers and children's literature.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:06:03</time>
<p>Do you know the definition of support?</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:06:06</time>
<p>Initially I thought it meant to aid, but the term encompasses much more.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:06:12</time>
<p>It also means to endure bravely and to bear.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:06:17</time>
<p>I took the word bear as a sign mainly because the main character in our children's book series, the Adventures of Caboose, the Rocky Mountain Bear, is a bear.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:06:28</time>
<p>I contacted children's book authors to see if they wanted to appear on our Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors podcast, but also I'm amazed at how many children's book authors and their representatives have found us and asked to be on our podcast.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:06:47</time>
<p>Our goal is to share insights and experiences as children's book authors and share these stories and experiences during our podcast interviews.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:07:01</time>
<p>Each podcast, we discuss the back story of each book, the story behind the story, the authors, inspirations and origin stories, their publishing approach, whether it's self published or traditionally published, whether they maintain a website and why their motivation for turning their book from concept to finished product character development themes, central teachings or lessons, their writing process what success looks like for them, advice for aspiring authors and key messages they would like to share with children and their parents, grandparents, friends who purchased their books if you as a reader or a children's book author have other insights you think we should investigate, please don't hesitate to let us know.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:02</time>
<p>Many authors have kindly offered to send me their books before our interviews, which I appreciate.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:10</time>
<p>However, I thought, why not take my support and put my money where my mouth is.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:17</time>
<p>I plan to purchase each guest book before they appear on our podcast show so I can share my thoughts in advance.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:26</time>
<p>Owning the book will let our audiences know that we have a vested interest in our children's book library, giving our listening audience a preview of each book from the guests that we have on our podcast show.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:45</time>
<p>Additionally, I intend to involve one or two of my grandchildren in reviewing the books from a younger perspective.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:56</time>
<p>The idea was sparked by my youngest granddaughter.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:08:59</time>
<p>She unexpectedly visited and read the children's book Robbie the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:09</time>
<p>She was aware of dyslexia from school, so she was pleasantly surprised to find a book on the topic.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:18</time>
<p>She enjoyed the story and the illustrations.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:21</time>
<p>As a grandparent, I found the story engaging.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:25</time>
<p>It draws readers in, teaches lessons about Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and his airport adventure.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:33</time>
<p>Robby problem solves in a unique way and the fun narrative imparts an important lesson that all young children can understand.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:45</time>
<p>The colorful illustrations make each page an exciting visual adventure.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:52</time>
<p>They are truly captivating.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:09:54</time>
<p>I'm proud to announce that Jonathan and Lyn Greenberg, the author team behind Robby the Dyslexic Taxi and the Airport Adventure, have agreed to come on our podcast show and in the next couple of weeks we will have a confirmed date for our interview.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:11</time>
<p>In mid December we will release our interview with Terry Linga.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:17</time>
<p>She discusses her children's book Santa Simon.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:21</time>
<p>Santa Simon is a delightful children's book with a great story and fantastic illustrations.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:31</time>
<p>The story takes us to the Land of Glee and how Santa Simon looks to save the Crystal Queen from the Snow Dragon.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:43</time>
<p>We have provided a link to these books in the show notes.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:46</time>
<p>If you're looking for a great stocking stuffer, you can get these books in time for Christmas.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:10:53</time>
<p>Also, we are waiting for confirmation, but we have three more children's books that we're going to be interviewing the authors behind the books.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:04</time>
<p>The first book is Money Time.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:07</time>
<p>The second book is Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad bowl and hello Canmore.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:17</time>
<p>We would love if you would be among the group of loyal listeners.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:23</time>
<p>We envision helping children's book readers choose authors and books that suit their needs and helping children's book authors who are looking for guidance and inspiration to bring their books to life.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:37</time>
<p>My podcasting journey has to start somewhere.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:40</time>
<p>We hope you will allow me to grow and strengthen my skills as an interviewer, podcaster, producer of podcast episodes that entertain, inspire, guide and motivate you, our listeners.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:11:56</time>
<p>If you find value in these podcast episodes, please rate and review or suggest to your friends and family to listen to them.</p>
<cite>Speaker A</cite>
<time>00:12:06</time>
<p>Happy holidays and cheers until our next episode.</p>
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