A 2-fold question about children's books

[ihugtrees]

First of all, what are your favorite books for your children? Are there any that exemplify our values as AP parents (gentle discipline, cosleeping, breastfeeding, babywearing?) What about some that talk about other 'natural' values such as taking care of the environment, tolerance, equality, etc? I haven't come across any, but I'm also not sure where to look.

My second question is, would you be interested in books like this? I was thinking about writing a series of children's books for my daughter, each one talking about a character trait we value. I was also thinking about offering them for sale at my local moms groups, with some of the proceeds going to good causes (haven't decided what yet!) I'd like the pictures of the mommies and daddies in the book to have them doing something APish, like breastfeeding or babywearing. Also, I would like some of the books to have gay parents, single moms, single dads and to have people of all races and abilities...not as a central theme. I don't want these to be books addressing gay parents or race issues or equality or those with disabilities...I just want the books to feature something other then 2 parent, middle class, white families, but to picture them in just normal, every day life.

Maybe this has already been done, and if so, someone please let me know. Is it a cheesy idea? Be honest with me here!

[ihugtrees]

Anyone?

[hollytheteacher]

sounds like a good idea to me! Don't forget to include children with special needs/special health needs...they are often under represented in children's books. I actually cannot find one children's book about having a heart defect (the number one birth defect btw). My son had open heart surgery at 3 months old and is now noticing his scar and wanting to talk about it...I was hoping to find a book, but alas have found nothing even after many google searches.

[muttix2]

A google search turned up this link:

Whole Family blog post

That includes "Welcome with Love" which I loved to read to my kids when I was pregnant. Also "A Ride on Mother's Back" has been read multiple times around here.

[muttix2]

Also, try going to Barnes and Noble's website and putting in "babywearing" or "nursing" or whatever you're looking for in the children's books section. That's how I find a lot of great books.

[Oriole]

I think the idea is great, but you have to start and finish at least one book. Writing and publishing is a tough thing to break into, and it matters what the final project looks like before one can say how well it will do.

For example:

I love all of the ideas you are talking about, but I would not buy a book that doesn't appeal to me on aesthetic level. I want for the story to sound great and for illustrations to be beautiful. If I don't LOVE the book, I may choose to convey the messages you are talking about without spending money. After all, our lifestyle will be the greatest impact on our children, not the books we buy, kwim?

Best of luck either way. I would:

#1. Research agents that might be interested in your concept.
#2. Find resources that address writing and publishing. It IS very helpful not to reinvent the wheel.
#3. Actually start working on a project, and finish at least one draft start to finish, and have it ready for submission. It is a lot harder than it sounds. I know from experience.

P.S. No publisher buys into series. IF you want to go self-publishing route, you need to be ready for a start up cost. They always take it one project at a time, and see how well it sells before even contemplating series.