About this project
Updates
**I have officially decided to switch self-publishing services, so the book will be printed using Blurb.com. This changes the cost to print the book by a bit, so please note that the $20 Early Backer reward went from 100 total available to 50 total available.**
About the video
If you have not seen the video yet, it is conveniently embedded below for you!
Back in 2009, while walking on the UCLA campus, I came across two squirrels that were doing something very interesting. The bigger squirrel was trying to help the smaller squirrel get over a wall that was too high for the smaller squirrel to jump over. I thought this was extremely cute, so I started recording the squirrels with a digital camera. Later that night, I was bored and used the footage to create a short video, telling the story of the two squirrels. When I uploaded the video onto YouTube, I thought it was just going to be something for my friends to enjoy. However, as time went by, the video slowly started becoming more and more popular. Eventually, it was featured on many blogs, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Good Morning America, two TV stations in Japan, and my personal favorite, on the front page of Yahoo! twice, once as one of the best videos of 2009. Now, in 2011, the video has been viewed millions of times, and many people have written to me saying what a truly inspirational story it was and how it changed their perspective of the world.
The thought that a video that I decided to create on a whim could have such an impact on so many people is something I could never imagine happening, but I'm glad it did. While it's been a while since the video was most popular, I think this story is one that can be told for ages. This is why I would like to take it to the next step and turn the story of these squirrels into a children's book. To spread this message in a different way would be a great way to help make the world a better place, one book at a time.
About the book
The book itself will most likely be:
- Paperback
- Printed on standard paper for book production
- Using Blurb's pefect binding (pictured below)
- In the shape of a 7" x 7" square
I say "most likely" because these features are what allows for the book to remain at a reasonable price. If budget allows based on response from backers, premium features might be activated, such as a larger book size, premium paper, and possibly a hardcover. Should this happen, all backers will be updated.
Illustrations will be done by Nhat Bui, who is currently an illustrator for the Daily Bruin, the campus newspaper at UCLA. To see samples of his work, feel free to click here.
Where is the money going?
Kickstarter and Amazon
If the funding goal is reached, Kickstarter will apply a 5% fee to the funds raised. In addition, Amazon will apply credit card processing fees, which is about 3%-5%.
Blurb.com
A majority of the money will be going to the folks at Blurb, which is the self-publishing service I will be using. All pre-ordered copies will be ordered via Blurb's Print on Demand service.
Illustrator
Some of the money will go to Nhat Bui, who is the illustrator providing all the amazing drawings that help breathe new life into this story.
Rewards
Of course, this project would be nothing without you, the generous backers, so some of the money will be going towards the custom button pins, thank you cards, books, and shipping costs to get all these goodies to you. Also, some money will go to Louisa Tsai, who is handcrafting the plush toy in the $150 reward zone.
Note: Please add an additional $5 for any shipments outside of the US.
About Kickstarter
In order to receive any money raised for this project, the minimum pledge goal must be met by the deadline. If the goal is not met in time, no money is exchanged, you will not be charged, and the book will not be printed. However, the fundraising goal can be exceeded, and any extra money will go towards ordering more books to go to classrooms, libraries, and hopefully even bookstores. Please donate whatever you can and spread the word to help turn this dream into a reality!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
34
Backers
$891
pledged of $3,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on January 24.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
If you watched the video and liked it, please pledge $1 to support this project! Every little bit counts!
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
A signed Thank You card from author, Aldrin Gamos, and illustrator, Nhat Bui.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Signed Thank You card from the $5 reward zone, plus a custom 1" round button pin featuring artwork from the book, in addition to exclusive YouTube access to never-before-seen unedited footage of the video, as it happened. No captions, no music...just the squirrels. (Advanced apologies for the silly reaction commentary =])
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
Early Backer Special: First 100 backers get a SIGNED copy of the book, and everything in the $10 reward zone for only $20. ACT FAST! (Please add $5 if shipping outside the US)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A copy of the book, plus everything in the $10 reward zone. (Please add $5 if shipping outside the US)
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
A signed copy of the book, plus everything in the $10 reward zone. (Please add $5 if shipping outside the US)
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Two signed copies of the book and a personal dedication inside the book itself, plus everything in the $10 reward zone. (Please add $5 if shipping outside the US)
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
1 of 10 limited edition acorn plush toys, handcrafted by Louisa Tsai. All toys are specially labeled with a carved wooden number from 1-10, and attached with a ribbon. Also includes everything in the $100 reward zone. Picture of toy is on the left! BONUS: 5 randomly selected backers of the plush toy will get to write their own personal dedication featured in the $200 reward zone. Good luck! (Please add $5 if shipping outside the US.)
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Have someone or something that helped you get over a "wall" of your own? Now you can write your own short and sweet personal dedication inside the book, saying thanks for helping you out, plus everything in the $100 reward zone. (To clarify, you will get your own personal dedication from me as a backer of the book, and a dedication for you to write yourself to someone or something that helped you out. Dedications can be 300 characters or less. Please add $5 if shipping outside the US)
Project By
Connected as Aldrin Gamos (886 friends)
Aldrin Gamos is 23 years old and lives in Southern California. He recently graduated from UCLA with a degree in Sociology, and is looking to get involved with social media on the professional level. With social media as a hobby, he can often be found interacting with all kinds of people on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, among other social media platforms. When he's not connected to the net, he enjoys listening to music, reading great books, spending time with his family, playing with his dog, and going to Disneyland.
