Do you ever wish you could jump inside the mind of a favorite author? I know I often do. Recently, I had the good fortune of interviewing children's book author, Cape-Cod-based Adam Gamble, whose "Good Night Our World" series I profiled several weeks ago.
A parent himself, this author certainly struck me as being hip to the modern mom and all her concerns, like putting quality books in front of children; teaching them about new places; making kids feel better about bed time; and getting clued in to some nice gift ideas. I hope you enjoy Gamble's insights as much as I did.
All About Bedtime, Educational Activities, and Good Manners
Each of the "Good Night Our World" books take place in a major city, including local favorites Boston and Cape Cod, and begins with morning, closing with a sweet goodnight. Gamble explains, "'Good morning' usually coincides with spring, 'afternoon' with summer, 'night' with winter. So the children are in a simple, subtle way, and in a comfortable way, introduced to the passage of time. Even though we're going to bed, it's still safe.
I also wondered, with so many cities and places in our country, what Gamble's process was behind choosing which places and activities to highlight and which to leave out. Gamble explained how choosing good family activities is key, such as biking or visiting cultural institutions, as is highlighting the things that are unique to each city.
There are often ways to do those things in places that are iconic to each locale. For instance, Lake Michigan, visiting an orange grove in FloridaGoing on a swan boat ride in Boston, says Gamble. Thats often how we can define our local places, by the activities we get to enjoy.
Furthermore, the books many salutations are shaped by the places and activities chosen, and reinforce good manners. Using the greetings good morning or for maritime ahoy there, those kinds of positive salutations, helps kids to be polite, says Gamble.
This morning, I felt good because my wife and both my childrenI got up a little bit after them because I was up late workingthey all said good morning separately to me. Its nice theyre learning to be polite to each other, shares the author. I think having good manners helps everyone to get along with each other. That is another theme.
Getting these Books into Tiny Hands
Gamble is the publisher and founder of On Cape Publications, and the principle owner of Our World of Books, which has published many of his board books. The Good Night Our World series, which is targeted for children from birth to five years, are successfully getting in front of readers across the country through Independent Publishers Group. With twelve books already published, eleven new ones are coming this spring, including Good Night Nantucket and Good Night Marthas Vineyard.
In addition to attracting readers through large booksellers like Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com, Gambles books have also found success in childrens boutiques and small local shops. Someone comes in to buy a shower gift for a new mother, picks something out, then sees the book, and buys it to round off the gift, explains Gamble.
He also notes that he does a lot of travel himself, and like many parents, looks for mementos to bring home to his kids. You miss them, and want to bring something home from the place you went to. I wasnt finding much for that age group, outside of the plush toy, says Gamble. And youre looking for something educational tooIts a need for travelers, even if your childs with you. Theres not a lot of quality stuff, thats locally based, for young children. And that is where his books come in.
For more information, check out www.goodnightourworld.com. The Good Night Our World Series board books can be ordered on-line at www.Amazon.com.
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