Inclusive Bookshop
Writing positive and engaging kid's books that are purposefully illustrated to be inclusive of multicultural families.
Project Description
"Not every family looks like mine. Not every family looks like yours.
This is a wonderful thing!"
-Paula Henson
Let's celebrate that diversity with the books on our shelves!
Inclusive Bookshop is launching
the first of many kid's books!
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Book description: Great conversations always happen at the salon, let's encourage this in the home as well. Turn each page to find a thoughtfully written prompt to engage in meaningful interactions with your young child and your family.
The beautifully inclusive illustrations will open up fun, interesting, and hilarious conversations that celebrate our community and it's wonderful diversity. This book is sure to be a favorite for the whole family.
Positive. Engaging. Memorable. Inclusive.
Positive: When we read to our children, we are also reading to ourselves. Let's fill our home with the positive messaging we need to always keep growing and contributing.
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Engaging: So the adult is as entertained and involved as the child. This makes the repetition that children need enjoyable for both. The hidden illustration gems on each page will continue to engage the adult (or older kids) with each reading.
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Memorable: Have the camera on your phone ready. The prompts in the book are sure to create fun and meaningful interactions with the entire family. Could also be great in a young classroom.
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Inclusive: As a foster, adoptive, and biological mother I have struggled to find kid's books that are illustrated with multicultural families. It is easy to find books with kids with multiple skin tones playing together, but not families.
This also lead me to noticing how many important elements of our community are often excluded from main stream kid's books:
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multicultural families
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people of different shapes and sizes
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people with disabilities
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adoptive and foster families
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tattooed people, and people with fantasy hair colors
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single parents
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two moms, two dads, grandparents as parents
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etc.
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Inclusive Bookshop has three main goals:
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Author and publish kids books with positive content that aims at the adult and the child in an engaging way.
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Illustrate kid's books highlighting ALL TYPES of families.
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Curate a collection of titles from other authors that celebrate expanding our mind to becoming more accepting of other cultures.
Focused target market:
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Multicultural families
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Foster and adoptive families
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Special needs families
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Families that would like to intentionally focus on positive messaging
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Families that would like to intentionally focus on inclusion
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Families that like great, engaging kid's books
How will your funding be spent?
First: expect your book to be delivered summer 2021. All pre-orders from this campaign will be shipped out. First printing run is already funded, so no worries - you'll get your book!
Second: website remodel, seo, blog launch. I built the website myself, and it needs a professional's magic wand.
Third: marketing, build out of ever-green content, and click funnel. In plain words: get the message out to more people!! Goal 100,000 books sold. 100,000 more inclusive, positively charged books in our homes.
Fourth: time for book number two! and three! and four! and twelve!
Who's involved?
Paula and Theodora met on Instagram - a true modern day partnership.
Via Inbox, email, and zoom they have struck a friendship, and have a shared vision of the importance of illustrations in a compelling kid's book.
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Author:
A hairdresser and a public speaker by trade, Paula has spent her professional career encouraging others to focus on the positive, work hard/smart, and help others along the way. These passions combine in her kid's books. Positive messaging, engaging content, and inclusive illustrations.
Born and raised in Louisville, KY.
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Illustrator:
An Architect and multi-disciplinary designer, Theodora has a keen eye for turning ideas into images, objects, and spaces. She was born in Transylvania and lives today in Berlin, Germany - one of the most multicultural cities in Europe.
Theodora believes that making more conscious designs has the power to make life better for all, since we are constantly surrounded by designed elements, which often inadvertently affect our thoughts, feelings, behavior, and even our attitude towards life.
She’s very excited about working with amazing Paula on the inclusivebookshop.com project applauding her initiative of redefining children’s books! (Let’s do this!:)
You simply must check out her amazing work on Instagram! @theodora_constantin
A final note from Paula:
Through my unconventional journey of building my family: infertility, failed adoptions, unsuccessful pregnancies, foster care, and surprise pregnancies the landscape of my family changed multiple times. Out of 10, 3 children will grow up in my home.
This journey brought me to two discoveries that launched my brand:
- Adults are in need of self-love, encouragement, and forgiveness too. These are the forefront of qualities that we teach our children, however adults tend to respond with fear, judgement, and doubt.
- Children's books are surprisingly segregated. In content and illustrations.
- Girls books
- Boys books
- Segregated by race/culture
- Note: my son likes girl’s books too. My daughter likes boy’s books too. What they love the most are the books where everyone can engage together. They love to point out people in the books that look like their family members.
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In an effort to create the type of book that I need as a mother, Inclusive Bookshop was born. Content for children, written with the adult in mind. Because when we read aloud to our children, we are also reading to ourselves. In that action we are re-planting the seeds of self-confidence, positivity, and a learning mind into our own heads too.
Please share with anyone you think would love this book in their home!
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
When will I receive my book?
This is a pre-order campaign. The first print run of the book will take place, and your book order (plus free goodies) will mail out in summer of 2021.
You will be kept informed every step of the way, and be able to follow your book on it's journey to completion.
All digital assets will be delivered to you via the email address provided. Delivered early summer 2021.
Why is there a hair salon on the cover?
Author: Paula Henson was a hairdresser at NOVA Salon in Louisville, KY for 17 years. She is also a Co-Owner of Cool Beauty Consulting - a salon distribution company that supplies products to salons and hairdressers across the midwest. She has experienced first-hand how the best conversations happen at the salon, and wants the same to take place in our homes.
The hair salon represents an environment of open communication, acceptance, and community.
I'd like to see books by other authors, where do I go?
https://inclusivebookshop.com/
If I have questions, who do I email?
I've written a book, and I think it would be a perfect addition to your website. How do I get Involved?
email [email protected]
5 Hardcover Books
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
Your friends and family will love them!
- plus ebook!
- plus some goodies!
Save $16
Just Because I Care
1 Hardcover Book
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
- plus ebook!
- plus some fun goodies!
1 Hardcover Book
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
- signed by Paula and all of her kids!
- plus ebook!
- plus some goodies!
1 Hardcover Book
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
- plus ebook and goodies
- plus Paula's guide to every vendor she used to launch her own book!
- plus when your book is complete it can be featured on InclusiveBookshop.com
- plus a zoom call with Paula to explain how she chose everything.
15 Hardcover Books
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
Your friends and family will love them!
- plus ebook!
- plus some goodies!
Save $50
Only 1 available.
Curate an illustration that inspires you alongside Paula and Theodora (illustrator). Only caveat - can't be a human portrait.
- Plus one hardcover copy
- Plus ebook
100 digital pages emailed to you (PDF)
- plus ebook
Sent directly to your email. Thank you for your support.
Rewards
5 Hardcover Books
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
Your friends and family will love them!
- plus ebook!
- plus some goodies!
Save $16
Just Because I Care
1 Hardcover Book
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
- plus ebook!
- plus some fun goodies!
1 Hardcover Book
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
- signed by Paula and all of her kids!
- plus ebook!
- plus some goodies!
1 Hardcover Book
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
- plus ebook and goodies
- plus Paula's guide to every vendor she used to launch her own book!
- plus when your book is complete it can be featured on InclusiveBookshop.com
- plus a zoom call with Paula to explain how she chose everything.
15 Hardcover Books
Let’s Talk About It
Positive Conversation starters with kids from A to Z
Your friends and family will love them!
- plus ebook!
- plus some goodies!
Save $50
Only 1 available.
Curate an illustration that inspires you alongside Paula and Theodora (illustrator). Only caveat - can't be a human portrait.
- Plus one hardcover copy
- Plus ebook
100 digital pages emailed to you (PDF)
- plus ebook
Sent directly to your email. Thank you for your support.