Update #3: Big plans, big dreams.
First: thank you so much to every single one of you fabulous people who has backed this project so far, whether for $1 or $1000. Every email saying someone else had backed the project was exciting and energizing. The comments and private messages you've shared have been so touching, and I'm just so goshdarned glad at how this is all unfolding.
But it ain't unfolded yet. There are still four weeks yet to go. So I started thinking... what else could we accomplish in four weeks?
After lots of thought and conversation, here's the new goal I'd like to reach. If we can raise $7500 more - for a total of 19,500 - we can turn BACKWARDS DAY into a full-featured video storybook, and make it a pay-what-you-can download forever.
Please note: all rewards remain the same. The video storybook is in addition to, not instead of, printed books.
Full featured means: animated, with read-along subtitles (toggled on or off), with voice-description for blind/visually-impaired users (toggled on or off), inset American Sign Language storytelling (toggled on or off) and possible other languages if we can figure out how to get it done responsibly (and can afford it).
Not only does this increase accessibility in terms of who can interact with the story, it also increases accessibility in terms of who can use it. It will be downloadable from anywhere, for free if that's what people need, for as long we can afford the bandwidth (part of the additional money is based on what my ISP tells me about what it will cost to support the data transfer this will create - it's surprisingly expensive!)
Of course we hope that people will still buy and give books; market research suggests that they will. Snuggling up in bed with a kid and a stack of books is still a fantastic pleasure. But imagine a supportive auntie or uncle showing a gender-independent kid this video on hir phone, during a visit away from a kid's disapproving parents. Or a primary teacher who knows a book-purchase request would be declined (or unsafe) but can use a video storybook in hir classroom. Or an older sibling who downloads the book for a younger sibling, or parents in communities where religious fundamentalism prohibits open discussion, or kids whose parents are not literate in English... the list goes on and on.
I understand that this isn't a perfect accessibility solution. No such thing exists. But between the book and the video, between downloads and bookstores and libraries, and with your help and the help of friends, this feels to me like the best we can do, and do well. As kids deserve.
So, if you were intending to back this, or send it to your friends, or pass it among your colleagues, now's your moment. If this idea is inspiring and you'd like to increase your backing level, that's amazing. Thanks for all the support so far. Shall we do a little more?
with love and pride,
Bear Bergman
397
Backers
$18,555
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on March 7.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Downloadable colouring book pages. Five blackline pages from the book, complete with text, that can be downloaded and printed as often as you like for endless colouring fun, plus - a sixth page with just text, to illustrate however you like.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
Colouring book pages, plus a downloadable audio file of The Adventures of Tulip, Birthday Wish Fairy, read by Bear.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
Colouring book pages, audio book, and EITHER The Adventures of Tulip, Birthday Wish Fairy OR Backwards Day, signed by author S. Bear Bergman. Books will retail for $21.95. (Outside of North America, please add $6 for shipping)
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
Colouring book pages, audio book, and BOTH The Adventures of Tulip, Birthday Wish Fairy AND Backwards Day, signed by author S. Bear Bergman. Books will retail for $21.95. (Outside of North America, please add $6 for shipping)
Pledge $65 or more Pledge $65 or more
Colouring pages, audio book, BOTH books signed by the author, PLUS: a great-looking, limited-edition Flamingo Rampant t-shirt, printed with our amazing logo (kids sizes are available).
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Art-lover's special: Colouring pages, audio book, and one copy of each book with both an autograph of the author AND an individual original drawing from its artist, with her signature. You may give thematic doodle suggestions when you choose this reward.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Colouring pages, audio book, two signed books, a limited edition tshirt, PLUS: 8x10 photo print of one page from the book of your choice, suitable for framing (you choose which book, we choose which page).
Pledge $175 or more Pledge $175 or more
A Flamingo Rampant Family Pack! Colouring pages, audio book, two signed copies of each book (four books total), two tshirts, and an 8x10 photo print from each book (two prints total).
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Colouring pages, audio book, one of each book, and one original page of artwork from the book of your choice, signed by both the author and the illustrator. This award is limited, and only each page of original art will be an edition of one.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Colouring pages, audio book, two of each book, and one original page of artwork from EACH book, signed by both the author and the illustrator. This award is limited, and only each page of original art will be an edition of one.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Five copies of each book, PLUS Bear will come to your house with milk and homemade cookies and read both books to you (and anyone else you care to invite) with dramatic flair. Backers at this level will have to wait until Bear is in yr city or nearby for another event, or pay airfare separately. This reward also includes a special mention by name in the acknowledgements of the book for you or whomever you were care to designate
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
Be a character in this amazing adventure! Each book has a character whose face is still unknown to us. At this backing level, we'll use the photo you send to create a character based on YOU (or the person you designate) and give you an extra-special mention in the credits. When the books are done, you'll get ten copies of each book, signed and drawn in by the artists, and our undying thanks.
Project By
Connected as S. Bear Bergman (3042 friends)
S. Bear Bergman is a storyteller, a theater artist, an instigator, a gender-jammer, and a good example of what happens when you overeducate a contrarian. He is the author of three books for grownups, four solo shows, a couple dozen book chapters, and many, many silly toddler songs.
I hope you're still doing the print book as originally planned?
Bear ~ I am so very proud of you! This is such a wonderful project! Thanks for being YOU and for your amazing work. Love to you. Say hi to J and hug to Stanley. I can't wait for the book. I will donate it to Sebastian's school...after we read it of course!
Peace,
Kimm Kent
Dear Bear,
I'm just reading through half of the updates now & saw your hope for future translations - my wife and I would be very happy to do translations into German and/or Hebrew, since that's part of what we do professionally! (and at a big discount - we LOVE this project.)
Looking forward to seeing the finished product - Hooray!
all the best,
Marisa