Kickstarter Hither Nosotros Come Upwards For Tried It Tuesday

I accept been stewing in addition to thinking in addition to thinking some to a greater extent than nearly my children's mass that made me larn into writing for kids, My Kids Menu Book series--I am determined--I am going to run a Kickstarter crusade to plow my mass into a reality.  The books are novelty books that kids play amongst past times playing pretend restaurant, making an order, in addition to playing amongst money.  I fifty-fifty added some other layer past times making kid friendly recipes.  But I demand to start my serial amongst simply i book.  It volition survive The Pancake Menu: What volition y'all order?  Menu & Cookbook. So, similar a shot to larn create for Jan when I volition survive fundraising in addition to turning my destination into a reality amongst your help.

I had the footing of this watch since college (1999) when I made The H5N1 to Z Pie Menu for my children's literature cast (a mass amongst a pie, cost of the pie, in addition to a small-scale pic of what was within the pie).  Years later on when I had a brace lilliputian kids of my ain I had that mass on the bookshelf amid other books.  When I saw my 3 in addition to i twelvemonth one-time playing amongst my mass in addition to "reading" it (looking at the pictures in addition to maxim yummy) I watch maybe other kids could purpose this.  Life got busy but for the side past times side several years (about 6 years I watch nearly it in addition to wrote downwards some goals).  In those vi years i mass watch became a serial in addition to I had big plans for Menu Books.  My dream is that at that topographic point volition survive nearly 10-15 books in addition to every classroom volition accept the whole railroad train then kids tin play inward small-scale groups amongst them.  Kids tin accept fun amongst them at habitation also (of course)!

This brings me to my Tried it Tuesday linky amongst Fourth Grade Flipper

What accept I tried to larn my mass into the hands of parents, teachers, in addition to kids that volition beloved it?  Here are all my tried its for the in conclusion 4.5 years!

1.  I rewrote it. And revised in addition to asked friends in addition to menage unit of measurement what they thought.  There was alone then much menage unit of measurement in addition to I watch it was a practiced idea.  I all the same kept the watch of having it become from H5N1 to Z.  I finally got some extra fourth dimension to write when my 3rd kid went to preschool (fall of 2009).

2.  I joined SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers in addition to Illustrators).  They were a wealth of data in addition to I went to my outset big conference the summertime of 2010.  I've all the same been an active fellow member aid almost every fifty-fifty I tin around the Los Angeles area.  The manuscript looks much amend today because of the much assist from people I accept met amongst this organization.

3.  I sent my manuscript off to agents in addition to what lilliputian editors are all the same open--sometimes after coming together them at conferences in addition to events in addition to sometimes after researching what they similar based on mesh sites.

         This is my submission breakdown thence far for all my books (I accept some other math related pic books too... 

• 2009 I submitted to v agents (it was way also early on but I wanted to regard what they thought)
• 2010 I submitted to 6 (I knew it was all the same a operate inward progress but I was getting some practiced feedback)
• 2011 I felt it was create then 26 that year!
• 2012 Only 12 but actually trying to narrow the search for the perfect agent or editor.
• 2013 28 submissions!
• 2014 12 then far this year.
• That totals 89 submissions (although 57 were for kids carte du jour books)

To assist people sympathise my plans for my carte du jour books I made a sample site at www.kidsmenubooks.com where printable play coin in addition to ordering pads tin survive printed at the readers convenience.  By the way, experience gratuitous to purpose the carte du jour coin for whatever play coin needs : )  I am certain it volition survive revised if my crusade gets funded, but y'all tin purpose it similar a shot if y'all like.

Anyway, I am happy to denote my tentative Kickstarter crusade to brand this mass a reality in addition to start the serial of Kids Menu Books!  I am slating the crusade to run inward Jan 2015.  In the hateful fourth dimension I demand to figure out the budget--so far it looks similar it volition demand to survive at to the lowest degree $50,000.

Things I demand to budget for are the buy of ISBN in addition to barcode, pay an illustrator (even though my drawings are okay I don't accept fourth dimension to create them every bit high measure every bit I would like), pay a someone to format the book, pay a printer (and the complexity of the folds of my format volition hateful I demand to larn an off shore printer in addition to that agency it needs to survive a minimum of a 3,000 impress run), pay to larn onto Amazon in addition to hopefully B&N, pay for website revamp in addition to upkeep.

I am confident at that topographic point are plenty parents in addition to teachers out at that topographic point that volition LOVE this mass in addition to the whole Kids Menu Book serial to come.  I'd beloved to remove heed what y'all think.

Math: Math Action Thursday For Fifth Graders!

So, I wasn't certain if I would hold upwards able to brand a post service today--but hither it is...

fifth graders are awesome!  I know they tin hold upwards creative together with conduct keep hence many bully ideas... How nearly this activity?

Have them budget out what it would toll to create together with brand a thing they truly desire to make!

I'm non talking a simple, "If I bake cookies I tin sell them for $0.50 each" sort of thing.  They ask to accept into consideration the production toll together with everything.  My children's schoolhouse has a 4th flat merchandise fair each year--I am thinking of something along these lines, but fifty-fifty bigger.  Those kids intend of something they desire to brand together with create it together with and then sell it at the merchandise fair where the parents come upwards together with other classmates together with kids inward that flat floor tin purchase the stuff.  I conduct keep seen a proficient diverseness of things...

• Frozen bananas
• Hair bands
• Friendship bracelets
• Decorated pencil tops
• Fridge magnets

Those things are nice, but what if you lot wanted to brand something but you lot wanted to plow it into a reality on a bigger scale.  A few days agone I mentioned I am going to hold upwards running a Kickstarter movement for the showtime majority inward my Kids Menu Books series.  To learn the The Pancake Menu novelty majority to lots of parents together with teachers I ask assistance amongst the funding to create it.  These are to a greater extent than or less of the costs together with budgets I ask to research, learn quotes for, together with intend nearly how much fourth dimension I volition hold upwards spending on everything to brand certain I tin fulfill all orders if it is successfully funded.

• Printing costs
• Cost for majority formatter
• Cost of illustrator (if I cease upwards hiring one--I powerfulness truly practice this myself)
• Cost for assistance amongst video
• Cost of my ain time
• Make a Kids Menu Books logo pattern together with pay for that
• Revamp kidsmenubooks.com together with associated costs
• Take into consideration 5% funding fee together with 4% credit card transaction fees ask to hold upwards worked into the total budget.
• There are in all probability numerous other things but you lot powerfulness non desire to read them all.

I bet most of your students conduct keep a projection or excogitation they would honey to make.  I know my minute grader has had an thought for a novel sort of skateboard for a yoke years.  But what does he ask to practice to plow that into a reality?  He would ask to brand prototypes, run across how much the toll of the materials are, accept into consideration how much people are willing to pay together with how much fourth dimension it takes to brand the product.

So, it is most probable a 4-6 calendar week math activity, but it's my thought for you... or peradventure fifty-fifty a summertime projection for the kids at home...

What tin your student(s) create together with how much would it toll for them to learn it produced?  How much funding would they need?  About how many people would they ask to purchase it?

Feel gratuitous to link upwards your fifth flat math activity amongst the linky (which volition hold upwards opened upwards all calendar month : )

If you lot desire to learn the monthly update for together with my writer run a hazard (Kickstarter movement aimed for Jan 2015) delight sign upwards for my monthly newsletter (form inward the left column only below all my contact buttons).

Thanks,

An InLinkz Link-up

Kids Card Books! What They're All About...

Have you lot heard of Kids Menu Books?  Probably not, but if you lot know me personally you lot would.  I own got alone been working on them for 10 years.

In Jan 2015 I volition live on doing my Kickstarter drive to independently issue the get-go inwards the collection!  I would dearest you lot to sign upward for my monthly newsletter then you lot tin acquire the scoop on the progress together with if you lot missy posts you lot tin acquire the summary of the whole month!  Just acquire inwards in the cast at the correct (below my contact buttons).

For the drive I postulate to come upward up amongst a video.  So far this is what my script is looking like--

* * * *

Hi. My shout out is Lucy Ravitch together with I wrote a children’s book--but it’s non but whatever children’s book.  The Pancake Menu is an open-ended novelty mass amongst pretend prices for each particular of the menu.  Kids read, own got each other’s orders, together with exercise using money.  All this equals a hands-on experience making math fun.  Each fourth dimension children play, they tin social club what they want.  There are fifty-fifty recipes then you lot or the kids tin brand the pancakes!

In college I made the get-go bill of fare mass every bit an assignment for 1 of my Education classes.  In 2004 when I saw my petty kids playing amongst it I knew the bill of fare mass consider had potential together with I planned out a collection of them.  Since 2009 I’ve immersed myself inwards the children’s mass industry, finding out what it takes to acquire published, together with doing revision afterward revision.  The format changed many times, but similar a shot I experience it’s ready.

The get-go mass of the Kids Menu Books is The Pancake Menu.  It’s a swell tool for Elementary teachers together with math tutors to operate amongst their students to brand math fun.  Children skillful at math savour it but every bit much every bit those that don’t.  Because it’s similar a game to read together with play amongst the books kids dearest it.  They own got an chance to exercise addition, subtraction, together with piece of job amongst pretend money.  For a challenge they tin add together taxation together with a tip.  Also, if children brand the recipes there’s an chance to beak almost the cost of supplies together with the fourth dimension it takes to laid upward food.  And when measuring the ingredients kids larn real-world applications of mass measurements.

I own got noticed that fifty-fifty petty children savour looking at the menu, fifty-fifty if they can’t apply the math principles yet.  Kids Menu Books own got numerous learning opportunities on many levels for ages 5-10. Kidsmenubooks.com is available for everyone to impress every bit many ordering sheets together with bill of fare coin every bit they need. There are also videos for the recipes, along amongst sections for parents together with teachers.

* * * *

What arrive at you lot mean value (even though it's non done)? Does it acquire you lot excited to purchase it? Are you lot confused yesteryear anything (still own got questions)? If you lot own got fourth dimension to poke closed to kidsmenubooks.com I'd dearest to know what you lot mean value (I arrive at excogitation on hiring someone to acquire inwards await neater amongst buttons if the drive is successful).

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of printing a book.  I own got had my manuscripts revised several times together with done petroleum piece of job on pictures but similar a shot that I know I am going to issue it I postulate to arrive at the best drawings I can.  The terminal duad of days I own got been making certain I acquire to bed early on together with wake upward an hr early on then I tin depict earlier my kids acquire up...

The Ladybug Pancake inked amongst sketch erased

Erasing the sketch lines.

Mid-inking.

An one-time sketch that is inwards my mock-up book.  I can't hold off to present you lot the cool format inwards some other post!

The Snail Pancake...I mean value it's cute.

Alphabet Pancakes!  $0.30 per letter

The listing for the alphabet pancakes together with diverse syrup dishes.

 It's been fun getting create for this project.  I promise you lot are every bit excited almost Kids Menu Books every bit I am!  I would actually appreciate your back upward together with when the Kickstarter drive comes out to say all your friends (especially if they are parents together with teachers) together with part my video on your social media.

Thanks for reading!

What Shows Create You Lot Watch?

I must acknowledge I lookout adult man piffling to no TV.  I don't accept the fourth dimension together with I normally experience similar I could last doing something to a greater extent than purposeful amongst my time.  Although, Once Upon a Time is the exclusively demo I perish along upward amongst these days.

I wonder what other shows teachers watch...  I am certain it varies but it would last nifty to remove heed what your favorite shows are.

With my plans to brand the Kickstarter displace inwards Jan I've already started to mean value of blogs I would similar to contact to portion the word close my mass (if y'all desire to brand a post close my mass inwards Jan I would LOVE it--just electronic mail me)--I mean value my mass would last applicable to instructor blogs, mommy blogs, together with homeschooling blogs.  I accept likewise sentiment that since I alive inwards Los Angeles, I mightiness every bit good elbow grease together with perish some media coverage.  I tin dream big, right?

So, yesterday I was looking at the Ellen Show online together with correct there--the 2nd affair they were squall for for--was if y'all accept a projection that needs to perish funded.  Yes!  Right here--in January.  So, I submitted my information into the degree together with (fingers crossed) the producers volition discovery my Kids Menu Books interesting plenty to select me onto the show.  I haven't watched much of that show, clips hither together with at that topographic point but when I poked to a greater extent than or less to run into what else they had done inwards the by I run into why people would relish watching Ellen.  Funny stuff!

I was trying to brainstorm what other shows would last applicable.  I mightiness banking concern jibe out radio utter shows together with another word oriented ones.  If y'all accept whatever ideas, delight shoot them out.

I promise everyone is having a overnice kickoff to their intermission (or volition inwards the close future)!

Currently July--Already!

I'm then excited for the summer.  It has been a process non having to cheque homework too guide keep some fourth dimension to relax.

I'm linking up, similar many of you, amongst Farley over at OhBoy4thGrade!  I tin hardly facial expression until it's fourth dimension for my sponsor month--January 2015 (a few months dorsum she mentioned that she had some room for sponsors too I signed up.  Her organization was exclusively supposed to guide keep upwardly to 6, but it messed upwardly too I was eighth on the list.  I don't heed waiting though.  I guide keep a destination to larn my Kickstarter stimulate for publishing my majority upwardly only inward fourth dimension for that month!)

Anyway, onto the currently...

Listening:  I experience similar this ane ever changes past times the fourth dimension I am genuinely posting on my blog.  Am I the exclusively one?  It is exclusively almost an threescore minutes since I outset wrote that--had to feed the picayune guy later on he woke upwardly from a iv threescore minutes nap!

Loving: My novel header!!! I also dearest the hover over icon alter fob also : )  I wrote a post about how I did it the other day.

Thinking:  The summertime is hither too I withal guide keep to brand some plans equally to what to do!  Well, I guide keep a big 'ole listing of things I desire to larn done, but I necessitate to brand a schedule of what to produce amongst the kids then they don't complain of boredom every hour.

Wanting:  Even though I worked difficult on my spider web log header in that place are withal some changes too additions I guide keep planned that I necessitate to larn to.

Needing: To larn to bed earlier... I guide keep been staying upwardly also belatedly too experience somewhat sluggish inward the morning.  The cyberspace too all the cool blogs suck me in!

fourth Plans:  Shh! My identify unit of measurement planned a surprise service projection at some other identify unit of measurement members house.  It should hold upwardly fun (even though it's work).  Later that 24-hour interval nosotros are having some friends too identify unit of measurement over.  I only went to Costco today too got a bunch of food.

I can't facial expression to larn too read a bunch of other people's currently posts instantly : )  Happy fourth of July everyone!

Working On My Kickstarter Set-Up: My Vantage Categories...

Hey everyone!  I know it is Th as well as I should convey Math activeness Th but I didn't larn to it.  But experience gratis to link upwards for the whole calendar month from last week's post though.

I convey been busy--busy amongst keeping kids occupied for the summer, working on digital drawings for the book, as well as setting upwards things for my Kickstarter create slated to run inwards January!

So, I wanted to innovate you lot to my rewards!  What exercise you lot think?

Are they clear or exercise you lot experience you lot postulate to a greater extent than info?

1. Reward #1 

   Pledge $1 or more

    0 backers

   Get updates close The Pancake Menu Kickstarter campaign!

   Estimated delivery: Jan 2015
2. Reward #2 

   Pledge $10 or more

    0 backers

   E-BOOK! * * * * * * * Nice project, but I but desire the E-book. Formats available: ePUB three (for Apple, Google Play, as well as Kobo), KF8 (Amazon), or PagePerfect (B&N)

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015
3. Reward #3 

   Pledge $23 or more

    0 backers

   HARDCOVER majority only! * * * * * * * * Love it, but I similar to concur books--send me a hardcover!

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015

   Add $10 USD to ship exterior the US
4. Reward #4 

   Pledge $30 or more

    0 backers

   COMBO Pack: HARDCOVER & E-BOOK! * * * * * * * Enjoy the majority inwards your hands as well as on your electronic device!

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015

   Add $10 USD to ship exterior the US
5. Reward #5 

   Pledge $40 or more

    0 backers

   SIGNED COMBO Pack: Autographed HARDCOVER & E-BOOK! * * * * * * * * Have Lucy's pretty signature on i of the pages of your novel book! Plus, you lot larn the Ebook likewise : )

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015

   Add $10 USD to ship exterior the US
6. Reward #6 

   Pledge $55 or more

    0 backers

   ULTIMATE Pack: HARDCOVER, E-BOOK, MONEY PACKET, APRON & SPATULA! * * * * * * For serious math as well as cooking fun! You larn a re-create of The Pancake Menu: What volition you lot guild as well as the E-book! PLUS... H5N1 coin pack which includes the following... * Menu money: half dozen of each $1, $5, $10, $20 as well as 24 of each 0.05, 0.10, 0.25 * H5N1 pretend $20 bill of fare coin gift card for Kids Menu Books. * H5N1 kidsmenubooks.com pencil * H5N1 20-page ordering pad amongst the ordering sheets. Plus, this ultimate pack comes amongst a maroon kidsmenubooks.com bib apron as well as a sturdy blueish kidsmenubooks.com pancake flipping spatula!!!

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015

   Add $15 USD to ship exterior the US
7. Reward #7 

   Pledge $70 or more

    0 backers

   SIGNED ULTIMATE Pack: SIGNED HARDCOVER, E-BOOK, MONEY PACKET, SPATULA & SIGNED APRON! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * For serious fans + math as well as cooking fun! You larn a SIGNED re-create of The Pancake Menu as well as the E-book! PLUS... H5N1 Money pack which includes the next * Menu money: half dozen of each $1, $5, $10, $20 as well as 24 of each 0.05, 0.10, 0.25 * H5N1 pretend $20 bill of fare coin gift card for Kids Menu Books. * H5N1 kidsmenubooks.com pencil * H5N1 20-page ordering pad amongst the ordering sheets. AND a SIGNED maroon kidsmenubooks.com bib apron as well as a sturdy blueish kidsmenubooks.com pancake flipping spatula!!!

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015

   Add $15 USD to ship exterior the US
8. Reward #8 

   Pledge $100 or more

    0 backers

   CLASS LIBRARY Pack: v HARDCOVERS & 1 E-BOOK * * * * * * For your classroom or a few extra copies to disclose (makes a smashing present)!

   Estimated delivery: Sep 2015

   Add $20 USD to ship exterior the US
9. Reward #9 

   Pledge $250 or more

    0 backers Limited vantage (50 left of 50)

   Sponsor a 30-minute video chat amongst a classroom + CLASS LIBRARY pack * * * * * * * * Includes a classroom library pack as well as Lucy does a xxx infinitesimal video chat for a cast of kids (2nd-5th aeroplane target audience).

   Estimated delivery: Feb 2016

   Add $20 USD to ship exterior the US
10. Reward #10 

    Pledge $350 or more

     0 backers Limited vantage (40 left of 40)

    Sponsor an LA expanse Classroom* for a 45 MINUTE LIVE watch w/ hands-on math activeness + CLASS LIBRARY pack * * * * * * * * * Includes a classroom library pack as well as Lucy comes to a 2d to fifth aeroplane classroom* of your selection for a 45 infinitesimal watch w/ hands-on math activeness for your 2d to fifth aeroplane cast (*school must live inside xxx miles of 90250)

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2016
11. Reward #11 

    Pledge $500 or more

     0 backers Limited vantage (12 left of 12)

    BE IN H5N1 COOKING VIDEO + SIGNED ULTIMATE pack * * * * * * * * * * * Be role of the production of i of the 12 Pancake cooking tutorial videos that volition live on kidsmenubooks.com as well as larn a signed ultimate pack (Signed hardcover, E-book, coin pack, spatula & signed apron). Person MUST live able to come upwards to Los Angeles for filming.

    Estimated delivery: Feb 2016
12. Reward #12 

    Pledge $1,000 or more

     0 backers Limited vantage (25 left of 25)

    Sponsor an LA expanse Elementary schoolhouse v HOUR VISIT amongst hands-on math activities for multiple classrooms and/or assemblies + 2 CLASS LIBRARY packs! * * * * * * * * * Includes 2 classroom library packs as well as Lucy presents at an simple school* of your selection for a v hr watch that tin include hands-on math activities and/or assemblies as well as majority signings geared for 2d to fifth grades (*school must live inside twoscore miles of 90250)

    Estimated delivery: May 2016

Thanks for reading!  Have a smashing residual of your week!