Kickstarter

I have written an uplifting fictional children's story about developmentally challenged kids. I would like to create the finished illustrations and produce a video of the story.
The story is called "Party Of A Different Kind". I have completed the text and a sketched-out layout for the book. You may read the text below and parts of the mock up illustrations are reviewed in the video above. My next step will be to create colorful finished illustrations of each page in the book. Then I will scan the illustrations and import them into Adobe Premier. This software will be the primary tool to create the finished video. A quality narration of the text will be mixed and accompany the illustrations in the finished product. My goal is to complete this by November 2012. Your Kickstarter fund support will be used to pay for my time to create the art work. Your support will also pay for the narration and finished production work of the video. Eventually I hope the book will be published.
Why do I write and draw children's books? It's a lot of fun! I love to weave a good wholesome story with a fun text and imaginative pictures. I have been a professional graphic designer and illustrator for years. Some of my illustrations have been used in books. Most of my work has been related to selling products like Mylar balloons. Other projects include a series of product catalogue covers, and a variety of fun art to enhance a children's web site. At Kidsoft I came up with a little character named Softy that became the company mascot and playfully showed up on many parts of the web site and marketing material.
Recently I have been driving a school bus for developmentally challenged kids. Through driving the kids I have come to appreciate these special members of our community. They have inspired me to write an uplifting children's book about some of my adventures with them. The theme of the book involves three things that my disabled friends share with us all. First, they love to pretend and dress up in costumes. Next, they are fun loving people that eagerly look forward to parties. Most importantly, they desire to be helpful members of our community. I have woven these wonderful traits into a fun adventure story with surprises at every turn.
The story is called "Party Of A Different Kind". The book starts with the beginning of a bus ride to school for a group of developmentally challenged kids. They excitedly ride dressed up in their costumes through the Sierra foothills to the much anticipated "Party Of A Different Kind". Each costume represents their dreams and aspirations. Not only that, but each costume portrays the theme of their unique and special skill. As they ride along they encounter one humorous road obstacle after another. For each obstacle one of the kids steps forward with an imaginative solution to help overcome the obstacle. They creatively work together to be a big help to their bus driver. In the end they arrive on time to The Party Of A Different Kind and are rewarded by the grateful bus driver.
Your Kickstarter support will enable me to create finished illustrations of the story. When the art is completed I will produce a story video of my illustrations with a narration of the text. I am excited about this project and I hope you are too. As a thank you for your support please review the gifts I have listed to the right. I sincerely appreciate your help through Kickstarter.

What is KICKSTARTER? The Kickstarter web site is a communication tool used by entrepreneurs to share their projects with the public. After someone has reviewed the project, it is hoped they get excited and make a pledge. If you decide to pledge toward my project at Kickstarter you will be channeled to AmazonPayments. AmazonPayments will record your pledge amount and will NOT withdraw any funds unless the project meets my Kickstarter funding goal ($16,000) by the funding date (June 18th). If it does not meet the goal, no funds will be withdrawn from your account. The sooner you make a pledge the better. Your pledge gives my project the needed momentum to reach the goal. Look down the pledge rewards listed to the right. I hope you will find one that interests you. Remember this is a very safe program with a good track record in helping enterprising people.

Party Of A Different Kind, By John Paul Stanley

Spread (Page 1-2)

Night passed with the morning light
and the creatures stirred with a fright.
When suddenly a special bus rumbled
down under the moon that mumbled;
“Who could that be lumbering
down the road with a bundle?”

It’s Goldey the bus moving just fine
for she has a bundle of a special kind.
Kids in costumes, going on time
to the Party Of A Different Kind.

Spread (Pages 3-4)

Driver Kline knew all the roads.
Up and down and all around,
before the morning sun began to shine
they were all aboard and feeling fine.

Karate Kate and Postal Pete,
Jock Joel and Dancing Dorothy,
Cowboy Dan and Robot Toby,
They all told Driver Kline:
“Please get us all on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind!”

Spread (Pages 5-6)

They drove down Stinken Lane
only to find something totally insane.
There blocking the whole smelly street
was a family of skunks having treats.

Now the bus was stuck
and they felt out of luck.
So the kids began to think,
How do we get out of this fix?
We really need to be on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind.

Spread (Pages 7-8)

Now Jockey Joel was in full control
because he had a plan with real soul.
And with a thought of total inspiration
his trainers came off without hesitation.
Then off came his stinky jockey socks
which made everyone’s jaws drop!

Joel threw the stinky jockey socks
at the smelly skunks now in shock.
And without any kind of fit,
they all left lickety split!

So the kids told driver Kline,
“Please get us all on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind!”

Spread (Pages 9-10)

They rode up and down and all around.
Then on Misty Lane they found
big round cows all plopped down
on the road, with no way around.

They chewed their cud and refused to budge,
even when Goldey gave them a nudge.
The cows looked so very pudgy
and the kids felt so very un-lucky.

Spread (Pages 11-12)

“Cowabunga!” yelled Cowboy Dan.
“I’ve got a real good plan!”
He jumped on his saddle
and yelled at the cattle:
“You better skedaddle!”

With a crack of his whip.
The cows totally flipped.
And with a loud “moo!”
they went tickety-boo!

So, the kids told driver Kline
“Please get us all on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind.”

Spread (Pages 13-14)

Misty Lane was far behind
and they were now on time.
Driver Kline drove Goldey the bus
up Oak Ridge Road without a fuss.

Thumpity thump! Bumpity bump!
Thumpity thump! Bumpity bump!
Then Goldey moaned
as the kids all groaned
“Oh man! What was that thump!
that made us go bumpity bump.”

Spread (Pages 15-16)

They all looked up to see
low branches of the trees.
Goldey’s top now had scratches
and they were stuck by the branches.

Now it was up to Karate Kate
to think of a way out of this fate.

Spread (Pages 17-18)

She quickly stacked bricks and wood
and screamed as loud as she could:
“Watch! Naughty branches on the tree!”

And faster than the you can see
she cracked the wood into three.
Then all the branches of the trees
rose high and let the bus go free.

So the kids told driver Kline
“Please get us all on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind.”

Spread (Pages 19-20)

They came to stop at Gum Road
to safely cross their precious load.
Then when all seemed very clear
Goldey stalled and they all feared:
“Oh! how will we ever be on time
for our Party Of A Different Kind!”

Driver Kline was very confused
and wondered why Goldey refused.
They said: “Try again Driver Kline!”
But when he did, Goldey whined.

Spread (Pages 21-22)

Robot Toby was quick to resolve
why Goldey’s engine was so stalled.
“That battery is at the dead end line.
take my chair battery, it’ll work fine!”
Then please get us all back on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind.”

Spread (Pages 23-24)

The battery fit in Goldey’s engine
and they were off without hesitation.

Driver Kline drove the wrong way
and had to stop to his dismay.
He then backed up and squarely hit
some mail boxes that HAD A FIT.

They snapped and bit with all their might
as Goldey held back tears of fright.
“Ouch!” Now it was painfully clear
they had a problem that was severe.

Spread (Pages 25-26)

Postal Pete didn’t miss a beat.
For him, this was no great feat.
With letters in hand he leaped to his feet
and threw the boxes a tasty treat!
They ate the letters with glee
and happily Goldey went free.

So the kids told driver Kline
“Please get us all on time
to our Party Of A Different Kind.”

Spread (Pages 27-28)

A little shaken and a little tattered
Goldey drove on because it really mattered.
Goldey never mumbled or grumbled
because her kids were a special bundle.

Then of course there was driver Kline.
The kids all knew he would find
a safe way to get them all on time
to their Party Of A Different Kind.

Spread (Pages 29-30)

Around the corner and under a tree
they finally arrived and yelled: “Yippee!”.
Dancing Dorothy showed her great joy
with a graceful dance that all enjoyed.

Around she twirled a lovely pirouette
that no one would ever want to forget.
Then she blew a kiss to God above
and all broke into great applause.

Spread (Pages 31-32)

Everyone had a fantastic time
at the Party Of A Different Kind.
They all patiently stood in one line
and were given medals that shined.
Each was rewarded for being so kind
in finding ways to help Driver Kline.

Being together was a real treat
along with all sorts of yummy sweets.
Afterwards nothing could beat,
resting in Goldey’s soft seats.

Page 33

Then the golden sun set right on time
for Goldey’s bundle of a special kind.

THE END