Simeon’s Gift – a story we wrote together when I was a child

The Great American Mousical – A mouse in my mother’s dressing room once in a Broadway theatre, plus countless mice in the theatre I ran for many years

Dragon: Hound of Honor – an entry found in a Reader’s Encyclopedia

Little Bo series – a ship’s cat we encountered once on vacation when I was a child

Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs and Lullabies – a trusted editor

The point is, children’s book authors pull ideas from any number of areas. You can mine for story fodder from your own kids, kids you know, or from your own childhood. Try going through childhood photo albums and journals, looking at mementos, thinking about childhood friends, toys you loved, activities you used to engage in, hurdles you faced or challenges you overcame.  Home movies or scrapbooks are great resources for ideas. Often it takes just one hook – one ticket stub, one photo – to spark an idea for a story.

Other people’s children can provide great material as well – grandkids, cousins, nieces, nephews, students, neighbors – even a child you see in a restaurant or on the street.  Get in the habit of kid-watching whenever you’re out and about (try to be discreet – “I’m a children’s book writer!” only goes so far when confronted with the glares of suspicious parents or policemen…) It’s hugely important to spend time with or observing kids on a regular basis so as to stay current with how they think and talk, and what their interests and concerns are. If you don’t have ready access to kids of the age you are writing for, find a way to connect with them, perhaps by joining a Big Brother/Big Sister program or volunteering to read at a local library or school.

As you troll for ideas, don’t be daunted by whether or not the subject has already been tackled by another author. Very few ideas are truly unique. While there are hundreds of children’s books about bunnies, pigs, ducklings and princesses, the more important question is, what distinguishes yours from the others? It’s all about your unique perspective, your take on the subject.

Question: How can you turn one book into multiple sources of income, and continue to promote the original book at the same time?

Answer: Re-purpose it!

Re-purposing means converting the content from your book(s) into as many other formats as you can. Could your book make an audio book? An E-book? A web game?  Is there a possibility for a sequel? Can you turn it into a series? Can you make a picture book or graphic novel version of your novel? Can you re-purpose the same story for a younger audience, or an older audience? Can you adapt it into a song? Can you turn it into a play, or a musical? Can you create a workshop or build speaking engagements around the subject?  Can you offer teleseminars or webinars? What about a teacher’s guide? Articles for magazines or e-zines?  Is there a toy, a board game or another activity you could create? Can you make it the basis for a blog?

How many ways can you re-purpose one product?  In this way, you get paid anew for material you have already created, you offer your audiences greater value and opportunities to discover your message, and you gain more opportunities to promote the original work  – all at the same time.

Here are just some of the ways in which we have re-purposed our own books (and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface.) I hope this list might spark your own ideas as to how your story could be re-purposed as well:

The Dumpy the Dump Truck Series:

• Currently under consideration for a TV series
• Pajamas packaged with books for “Books to Bed”
• Fire safety and awareness package created for Dumpy and the Firefighters

Simeon’s Gift:

• Webgame based on the story (at www.julieandrewscollection.com)
• Teacher’s Guide
• Adapted into a musical for family audiences
• Further adapted into a symphonic performance

The Great American Mousical

• Webgame (www.julieandrewscollection.com)
• Song (“The Show Must Go On”)
• Teacher’s Guide
• Currently being adapted into a stage musical for family audiences

Raising Bookworms: Getting Kids Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment

• Blog
• Workshops and speaking engagements
• Articles for e-zines and literacy websites
• E-book

By the way, this principle doesn’t just apply to books. Never lead a workshop or give a presentation without recording it – then get the recording transcribed. You’ve now got the material for blogposts, articles, workshops and more. Always be on the lookout for the ways in which you can parlay your existing materials into new sources of income, and new ways to reach your audience with your idea.

Over the years, we have designed and/or made our own bookmarks, postcards, posters, flyers, brochures, bookplates, downloadable activities, games and teachers guides. We’ve even made mp3’s, t-shirts, mugs, note pads, umbrellas and mouse pads. These giveaway items are invaluable at book signings, school presentations, book fairs and any other promotional or marketing opportunity. They help attract people to your table and speak for you long after you have moved on to the next gig. One of the best resources in this regard is Modern Postcard.com. This terrific company makes not just postcards but bookmarks, flyers, brochures and posters of all different shapes and sizes. Their printing is high quality, their costs are reasonable, and you can do it all digitally. The more you print, the less expensive it gets. And once you’ve placed your initial order, reprints/re-orders are a piece of cake.

Of course, with children’s books we want to think primarily about items that have kid appeal. How creative can you get? What can you come up with that relates to your book that you can print on and/or give away inexpensively? Think about balloons, pens, pencils, rulers, bubbles, stickers, craft items, toys, coloring books… the possibilities are endless. For these kinds of items you can use a source such as cafepress.com or zazzle.com. They will print your graphic, logo or message on any number of items that you can either buy at cost and give away at your events, or you can create your own virtual “store” that you can link to from your own website, sell the items and actually make some cash and get promotion at the same time.

Oh, we haven’t talked about creating your own website yet, have we? Stay tuned…

Dumpy At School

Dumpy at School (Hardcover)
by Julie Andrews Edwards (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author), Tony Watson (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Charlie, who is nervous about his first day of school, and Dumpy the Dumptruck, who is nervous about his first construction job, gradually adjust to their new settings after making new friends.

Dumpy Saves Christmas

Dumpy Saves Christmas (Hardcover)
by Julie Andrews Edwards (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

It’s Christmas Eve on Merryhill Farm, and Charlie can’t fall asleep. There’s a loud crash on the roof – and who should appear but Santa and a broken-down sleigh. Now how will all of the children in the world receive their presents from Santa? Dumpy comes to the rescue, of course, as Santa and Charlie load up Dumpy’s dumper with presents, hitch up the reindeer, and head off to a glorious star-filled night to travel the globe and spread love and good-will wherever they go.

This third story in the Dumpy( the Dump Truck series will warm readers’ hearts and spread holiday cheer just as it demonstrates the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

Dumpy's Extra Busy Day

Dumpy’s Extra-busy Day (Library Binding)
by Julie Edwards (Author), Tony Walton (Illustrator), Katie Boyd (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

It’s a very busy morning on the farm.

Farmer Barnes is away, so Charlie and Pop-Up have lots more chores to do than usual before the school bus arrives. With a little help from Dumpy and his animal pals, Charlie just might make it to school on time!
Dumpy demonstrates the rewards of cooperation in this lively easy-to-read book.

(PAPERBACK)

(HARDCOVER)

Dumpy To The Rescue

Dumpy to the Rescue (I Can Read Pre Level 1) (Library Binding)
by Julie Edwards (Author)

Many things are missing at Merryhill Farm — the cat’s milk, the baby roses, Pop-Up’s hat, and nuts and apples. Even Baby Goat is missing until Dumpy finds him.

Readers will enjoy finding out how Dumpy solves the mystery in this easy-to-read adventure.

Dumpy's Valentine

Dumpy’s Valentine (My First I Can Read) (Paperback)
by Julie Andrews Edwards (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author), Tony Walton (Illustrator), Ruby Randig (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

It’s Valentine’s Day, and poor Trusty the Mail Truck has broken down. Dumpy offers to lend a hand, and with Charlie and Pop-Up’s help he delivers surprises all over town. But what about Trusty? Will he get a valentine this year?

Dumpy's Applel Shop

Dumpy’s Apple Shop (My First I Can Read) (Hardcover)
by Julie Andrews Edwards (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author), Tony Walton (Illustrator), Cassandra Boyd (Illustrator)

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

It’s Apple Day and time for the Barnes family to set up their annual apple shop. Everyone pitches in, and Dumpy the Dump Truck wishes he could help too. Finally Dumpy finds the perfect way to make Apple Day a success!

Readers will enjoy discovering how special Dumpy is and how he makes each day joyful in this easy-to-read book.

Dumpy and His Friends On The Farm

Dumpy’s Friends on the Farm (Board book)
by Julie Andrews Edwards (Author), Emma Walton Hamilton (Author)

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Everyone’s busy at Merryhill Farm, there are so many things to do and so many friends to see! Join Dumpy the Dump Truck as he visits the rooster, the cow, the horse, and all of his farmyard friends!