About
"B is for Bicycles", Bring it to life!
$16,616
317
Bottom line: We want more kids to not just ride bikes, we want them to develop a cycling lifestyle.
- In three decades, childhood obesity rates have tripled in the United States.
- Conservative estimates show that kids between the ages of 2 and 5 average over 2 hours of screen time daily.
- In the last 10 years, cycling participation of children has dropped 42.9%
After running a successful bicycle shop for 12 years, we have seen time and time again the positive impacts cycling can have on people individually as well as to communities as a whole. Now, we're ready to do more to grow cycling participation, and we feel it starts with the kids.
Where are the books that glorify healthy lifestyles?
When our son came into our lives 4 years ago, we began the search for books that would help us share our passion for bikes with him. Unfortunately we came up short. Then a funny thing happened, we started realizing that without the availability of media focused on glorifying healthy, human powered lifestyles, it was nearly impossible to avoid the typical childhood fixation with objects that are not what our family finds to be worthy of a child's obsession - mainly cars. (and let's face it, cars are pretty cool to a little boy... vroom, vroom)
With "B is for Bicycle", we have created characters who have found the tremendous benefits of cycling: health, freedom, independence, self-reliance, self-confidence, and environmental stewardship. We want parents and children to fall in love with these characters and learn more about what makes bicycles so special.
Who are those dogs anyway?
Both Jannine and I were fortunate to have a couple of awesome sidekicks in our lives before we met each other. Wrigley was Jannine's Blue Heeler / Lab best friend. And Watson, the Dalmatian, was my right hand man. Both dogs were by our sides individually as we launched into the world after college, and both sat at the alter when we got married and became a family. Watson and Wrigley both lived to the old age of 14. Now we have the chance to let their spirits live on in "B is for Bicycle". We can't wait to introduce you to their completely different and unique personalities as you turn the pages.
What kind of book is it?
We will be printing a high quality hardcover glossy children's book. The book will be smythe sewn (the most durable binding available - it's what most good books are bound with) and complete with high quality glossy printing. We want to make keepsakes, not disposable throw away books.
While we have only commissioned the artwork for the first 4 letters so far, we have the remaining letters picked out and will be releasing them one at a time each day throughout the campaign. Follow the release live on our Facebook page as we post videos of people (mostly kids) reading the new letters. We will also update the campaign here as well every few days.
E is for Energy and there's something you should know, the bicycle is the world's most efficient invention for making us go!
F is for Freedom and the chance to spread our wings. We love to explore on our bicycles and the self confidence that brings!
G is for gears that help us pick just the right speed. Shift down to go up a hill, shift up to take the lead!
H is for helmets that we almost forgot. No matter how near or how far, riding without them we will not!
I is for the Inspiration that bicycles give to the planet. Many famous people thank their bike for the creative juices it granted.
J is for Jumps, built safely at my local bike park. I love to ride there with friends from dawn until dark!
K is for the Kickstand that keeps my bike from falling down. I love my bike so much, I only want the tires to touch the ground!
L is for the Lights that cast our bright beam. We always ride with them at night to see and be seen!
M is for the Master Mechanics who tune up my sweet ride. They care about each and every bike, and buff them all out with pride!
N is for my Neighborhood, connected by sidewalks, pathways, and trails. Giving space for alternative transportation is how a healthy community prevails!
O is for Outside where we always love to play.Breathing in fresh air and exploring is how we love to spend the day!
After first learning how to balance, pedaling is the best!
Q is for Quicksilver and let's not be mistaken. The greatest bike movie of all time which starred Kevin Bacon. (just kidding... Q is for Quick Release of course!)
R is for the Rack we park our bikes in at school. When we ride to class in the morning we feel fresh, alert, and energized. That's super cool!
S is for Singletrack and learning how to rail. Looking ahead and staying relaxed, is the best way to stay on the trail!
T is for Tandems and working together. Bicycles built for one are fun, but Bicycles built for two are even better!X is for X-up, a cool trick to do in the air. First we learn to jump safely, before practicing tricks with care!
Thanks for helping us bring our passion for cycling to kids of all ages! If you can't give to our campaign, please share our project and help spread the word! Jannine, Scott, and Braden
Risks and challenges
After a dozen years in small business (and Scott's 4 years in office as Mayor and Councilman of our town), we are ready to take on the challenge of bringing a children's book to market and are fired up to start this new chapter in our business lives. We are very experienced at project planning, goal setting, and achievement. While not everything can be controlled, and delays are inevitable, we have the experience needed to keep this project on track and across the finish line.
Accomplishments to date:
- We have commissioned a professional artist to create the first four pages and retained her to finish the project with the close of Kickstarter funding.
- We have selected the topics for the remaining letters and will be releasing them to you through out the campaign.
- We have thoroughly researched the costs associated with printing a book and have selected our preferred printer.
- We have taken a thorough look at shipping rates and have built those costs into our campaign.
- We have identified contingency plans for every element of the project.
Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ
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Funding period
- (30 days)