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--

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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.

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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!

Crunching The Numbers To Independently Release A Moving-Picture Demo Book

Hey everyone!  I am thus excited virtually the feedback I conduct keep gotten from many of you lot regarding my newest firm to independently release my novelty book.  I idea I would part alongside you lot a lilliputian virtually the procedure in addition to some things I'm finding out.

Okay, get-go of all it powerfulness involvement you lot to know a lilliputian flake virtually traditionally published books.  Did you lot know a typical film mass writer volition instruct a $3,000-$10,000 advance.  Then, inwards gild to instruct paid whatsoever to a greater extent than the mass needs to sale plenty copies to pay dorsum the advance in addition to and thus the writer gets royalty checks.  A mutual royalty is commonly a pocket-size fraction of the sales toll 10-15%.  You are looking at getting virtually $0.70-$1.20 per each mass sale for a typical 32 page film book.  I ever idea that was super low.  But if you lot intend virtually all the people that involve to instruct paid to orbit the mass I tin dismiss understand.  This is the printer, the formatter, the editor, the agent (typically), the illustrator (if non the author), the marketing department, etc.

Here are how the numbers are working out thus far alongside my planned publication of The Pancake Menu: What volition you lot order? Menu & Cookbook.  I only got my get-go quote from a printer (now perish on inwards hear my mass volition live on 9"x 12" alongside 100 lb thick newspaper in addition to non the typical format--here is a lilliputian video of a mini version)
Because of the complexity of the pages it would live on agency every bit good expensive to orbit inwards the USA, thus I conduct keep contacted iii off shore printers (they impress inwards China, Korea, etc.)

My get-go quote was for 2000 copies, $3.30 a book.  That sounds pretty inexpensive to me.  Then I researched on Amazon how much it costs to live on an Amazon Advantage fellow member (this is if you lot are acting every bit the printer for your ain book--you purchase the ISBN/barcode in addition to stuff).  I was shocked at how much they take--55% of the retail price!!!  Whoa.  No wonder they are thus big.  So, I instruct 45% of the retail toll in addition to they purpose the buffer 55% to gear upwards the toll how high or depression they desire in addition to conduct keep the distribution.

Now accept into consideration if I toll my mass at $24.95 my 45% is $11.23, in addition to thus subtract the toll of the printing that is $7.93.  But I volition incur other costs too.  For the formatter virtually $1400, ISBN numbers in addition to barcode $320, summation other costs that are outflow to popular up.  I am looking at roughly $6 a mass inwards profit.  I must tell that is a lot less than I idea when I get-go heard the printing would live on $3.30 a book.

There volition also live on costs alongside storing the books...  Amazon doesn't concord onto a 1000000 books for you.  They inquire for pocket-size quantities get-go in addition to and thus based on past times sales they may inquire for larger amounts.  Only when they run out orbit they inquire for more.  The most lucre for independent authors comes when you lot tin dismiss sell directly--whether off of a website or doing schoolhouse visits.  Then you lot tin dismiss hand them a discount off the retail toll but the large Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 isn't taking their huge chunk (so a lucre of $10-12 is possible).

I constitute all this interesting...It does seem similar a lot of work, but I actually desire my mass to live on able to live on enjoyed past times kids everywhere in addition to at nowadays I conduct keep to a greater extent than control.  So, Amazon does accept a large chunk but at to the lowest degree they tin dismiss transportation the mass virtually anywhere.

Here are some of the latest drawings if you lot wanted a peak

My kids conduct keep mixed feeling virtually eating pancakes that conduct keep nutrient coloring inwards them.  I intend it is thus fun!  I tell them they tin dismiss unopen their eyes if they want.  It tastes the same...

The Ladybug pancake non on the plate.

The plate for the ladybug pancake.

 Thanks for reading!  Please sign upwards for my monthly newsletter for freebies in addition to updates. : )

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)!

So Swamped Amongst Beingness Busy, Busy, Busy!

I totally wanted to participate inwards the Currently linky this calendar month but directly that it is too thence far past times the outset of the calendar month it form of seems silly...

It has been majorly busy closed to here!  With my kids going dorsum to school, modify of tenants for the triplex nosotros have, trying to function on my book, running critique groups for 2 writing groups, too only having fourth dimension to continue upwardly amongst laundry, dishes, cleaning, a-n-d EVERYTHING!

But it is all good!  I am feeling too thence blessed.  A few weeks agone I flora a really plump monarch caterpillar too I took it domicile too that solar daytime it went into it's chrysalis.  My kids loved it! The next solar daytime I flora some other i too it did the same thing.  My kids jostled the butterfly menage too i of the chrysalises fell.  I managed to larn it dorsum hung upwardly amongst some floss too a tiny chip of super gum (but nosotros are withal waiting for that i to open--hope it's non deformed).  The caterpillar that went into metamorphosis minute came out first!  It was prissy plenty to climb on my arm too rest for most five seconds earlier flight off.

During the terminal calendar week too a one-half my hubby too I did video for the production of The Pancake Menu--the mass I volition endure publishing side past times side year.  It has recipes inwards improver to listing the possible pancakes to order.  On the recipe page volition endure a QR code to larn to the video tutorial on how to brand the pancakes equally well!  I'm super excited most it!  We did video taping over 3 days, (8/30, 9/1, too 9/4) to brand 12 slap-up kinds of pancakes.  I customized this apron too spatula (they volition endure available amongst imprints during the Kickstarter campaign--although they won't endure manus customized : ).

What has everyone else been upwardly to?  Has it been super hectic?

3Rd Course Of Written Report Math: Busy, Busy.

Wow!  Things direct maintain been super busy in addition to I direct maintain been making expert strides on my book.  It is getting gear upward for it's Jan Kickstarter crusade to fund the publishing.  The Pancake Menu is looking awesome!  I actually desire to produce a encompass reveal, simply I am asset off for a flake longer.

With all of that action in addition to working on the script for the video (that we'll hold out filming side past times side week), I direct maintain had no fourth dimension to function on the blog.  I actually appreciate digiblocks for their invitee post service before this week!

So, I don't direct maintain a third bird MaTh ready.  I tried to become it gear upward final week, simply my post service from final calendar week took in addition to then long that I didn't direct maintain fourth dimension to brand a instant post service to schedule.  Do whatever of you lot direct maintain that problem?  It takes in addition to then long to brand a post service that you lot don't fifty-fifty commencement one.

Anyway, if you lot direct maintain time, I invite you lot to add together your third bird math action to the linky party.  You tin purpose this graphic or you lot tin brand a post service or attach an applicable older post.  I can't hold off to meet what you lot direct maintain done!

Take care!  Hope you lot direct maintain a wonderful Autumn!  The link expanse is below.

An InLinkz Link-up

2 Days, Two Telly Appearances (Salt Lake, Ut & Kingsport, Tn)

Hey everyone,

It has been a fun in addition to really busy commencement of the calendar week for me!  I was thence happy to accept booked to a greater extent than or less TV appearances amongst my majority that is on Kickstarter.  There are entirely eleven days left, thence banking concern jibe it out in addition to portion thence it tin locomote funded : )  Pledges create non teach charged until the movement is over AND it has reached the funding goal.

On sun I flew into Salt Lake in addition to inward the morning time on Mon I went to the ABC studio...  Here are a few pictures, ane from my sentiment from the kitchen in addition to the other is my sentiment of my kitchen setup.

They were thence slap-up at the studio in addition to the segment turned out great!  I didn't teach to beak well-nigh Kickstarter every bit much every bit I wanted, only I yet intend it was a slap-up segment.  Click on the link in addition to banking concern jibe it out--feel costless to portion it too!

About an hr subsequently leaving the studio I was dorsum at the aerodrome to wing out to Tennesseee.  I flew into Atlanta, GA in addition to thence took a smaller bird into Tri-Cities, TN.  Everything went smoothly, only I entirely had vi hours of slumber since I needed to locomote at the ABC nineteen studio inward Kingsport yesteryear 7:45 this morning.  It turned out great!  There was a slight miscommunication well-nigh having kids on the set.  She idea I would locomote bringing them in addition to I idea they would accept a brace of local kids there.  It was a super brusk segment there, thence I intend it volition locomote fine that no kids are shown playing amongst the card money.  If soul wants to come across kids playing amongst the coin they tin sentinel the Kickstarter video : )  Rachel in addition to I had a lot of fun making the pancakes in addition to it was fun to come across how much fun the adults liked my majority too!

Now I am dorsum at the TRI aerodrome waiting to wing to Atlanta in addition to dorsum dwelling to Los Angeles : )  Thanks for all your encouraging words in addition to back upward on my writing venture.  I can't await to accept this slap-up hands-on math engaging majority for kids.  They volition dearest it!

The Pancake Menu is scheduled on Amazon to locomote released mid Feburary every bit a Kindle book, only the Kickstarter movement is for pre-orders of hardcover books, only it is entirely for a express fourth dimension (it runs through Jan 31, 2015).  I promise yous tin assistance it fund in addition to assistance spread the word.

Thanks,

My Skilful Morning Time America Appearance As Well As Mass Update!

It's been a few weeks... I did keen on my brief segment on Good Morning America! Here is the segment inwards illustration y'all wanted to run into it : )
ABC News Videos | ABC Entertainment News  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/shark-tank-life-products-kids-30553594.

Right later the demo the lack of sleeping good took a terms on me in addition to I was sick for a while, actually needing to residuum up. With back upwards from solid unit of measurement in addition to friends I am almost dorsum to my normal, active self (Yay!!!).  I am thence excited most my mass coming out!

It is alongside the printer at i time in addition to volition hold out create to hold out distributed past times it's July unloosen appointment : ) You tin nevertheless pre-order an autographed re-create at...

Thank y'all for your back upwards of math pedagogy in addition to super hands-on fun!

I create post updates of the mass on my Kickstarter page.  Thanks for next along my exciting publishing journey! I did bring roughly ideas to brand my MaTh (math activeness Thursday) a fun video linky party!  Things simply postulate to settle a fleck to a greater extent than in addition to thence I should hold out create to larn dorsum to the weekly/bi-weekly link-up.

Take tending everyone!

My Newly Redesigned Majority Site! It's Beautiful Together With Functional.

Hello together with Happy Holidays!

It's that fourth dimension of twelvemonth to alternative out the perfect gifts for people inwards your life together with see alongside identify unit of measurement together with friends. I dear the chill inwards the air together with I'm excited to part alongside you lot my newly designed website for The Pancake Menu together with other fun Kids Menu Books!

You tin forcefulness out notwithstanding companionship the mass from Amazon, exactly you lot tin forcefulness out larn an autographed re-create along alongside the extra items, similar the play coin pack, apron, together with spatula!

Enjoy!

Why I've Been Awol

I was active inwards doing my YouTube channel final twelvemonth as well as things were going well, as well as thence the summertime happened amongst it's choas amongst v kids as well as adventures thence I didn't film.  Then I got sick due to lack of slumber as well as trying to do likewise much.

This schoolhouse twelvemonth has been a challenge amongst v kids inwards v dissimilar schools--two high schools, i middle school, i elemenetary, as well as i pre-school! But nosotros are nearing the cease as well as I select hopes to furnish to blogging, youtubing, as well as getting inwards around 'me' time. My Kickstarter final twelvemonth was unsuccessful thence I didn't acquire to convey Trouble amongst Monkey's into the footing ---yet!

The final few weeks I've been gearing upwardly The Pancake Menu for to a greater extent than sales. I've been giving out bookmarks, I did a presentation inwards a 1st bird classroom.  I tin sack do presentations inwards Kinder -5th bird classes, I simply select the tweak the cloth (I tell the majority is peachy for 2-12 twelvemonth olds : )

One of my practiced editor friends helped me amongst a novel blurb since straightaway I acquire to position my majority on Google Books as well as presently my ePub on Google Play.  

Here is it : ) 345 words (the max was 350)

The Pancake Menu yesteryear Lucy Ravitch is an award-winning interactive painting majority that allows kids to larn of import math as well as personal skills spell playing restaurant!

Children are given a hardbound “menu” listing pancake specials, consummate amongst colorful illustrations as well as featherbrained rhymes. Kids may play alone, as well as run into what they’d similar to gild or come upwardly up amongst a novel pancake idea! Or they tin sack play inwards a group, taking the roles of diners as well as aspect staff. Some children taste playing chef, educate to “cook” or depict a tasty imaginary breakfast.

The majority volition please as well as entertain kids of all ages, including special needs groups, math fans, teachers, as well as parents. It makes an educationally fun rainy solar daytime activity. It’s peachy for play-dates amongst a flair of dramatic play. Teachers taste using it for a multi-purpose math oculus station students love.

Parents as well as teachers taste how easily kids larn currency, counting, multiplication, division, calculating percentages (don’t forget the tip!) as well as social skills through play.

Each pancake featured comes amongst a photographed recipe/direction page printed within fold-out pages. Once play is done as well as it’s fourth dimension to eat, kids as well as their parents tin sack acquire hands-on experience cooking as well as touchstone ingredients.

The Pancake Menu includes optional play money. FREE gild canvas templates as well as printable “Menu Money” are available anytime on www.kidsmenubooks.com. There, parents as well as teachers tin sack also honour a listing of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) ideas yesteryear bird level.

The Pancake Menu was featured on Good Morning America inwards Apr 2015, 3 months earlier its July release, as well as received an IPPY accolade inwards 2016.

The majority is suitable for children 2-12 years old. Children 7-12 volition locomote able to play independently, spell younger children volition taste the pictures as well as rhymes, but may require assistance amongst interactive play.

Although Menu prices are set, they tin sack locomote customized amongst glutinous notes or drawn over amongst a dry out erase marker--in gild to simplify counting for younger children, or give an extra challenge for tweens. Sturdy laminated pages extend the life of the book, making it an exceptionally durable play tool.

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Sounds awesome right! So, if you lot already ain a re-create brand certain to exit a review somewhere as well as for your information hither are the diverse outlets you lot tin sack acquire a copy... inwards no particular order.

Barnes & Noble (let's continue bookstores open)--The Pancake Menu is backordered but you lot tin sack add together it to your wishing listing simply to allow them know in that place is demand for it. It is available for electronically for Nook!

Walmart (Item #559381255) They select i copy, but if to a greater extent than people searched for it I bet they would gild to a greater extent than : )

E-bay This is truly simply me selling to brand around other outlet for the books to sell : ) 

Amazon I send the majority to them as well as and thence they send it to you...all those transportation costs arrive thence I don't acquire much, but if it's the nearly convenient for you, experience gratuitous to gild whichever agency is best for you! Again, it's digital for the Kindle readers too!

The NEWEST! Google Books! inwards the Google Play Store : )