Last night, I read two books to my 7-year-old daughter (It’s her birthday today, actually), and my 3-year-old son. The books were given to me by Eric Drachman from Kidwick books as Birthday gifts for Violette. I met Eric a week ago at the Book Expo America event in New York City, and he had a really great personality and a hell of a product. But it wasn’t until I jumped in bed to read these to my kids that I caught Eric’s true selling point.
You see, Eric probably would say that it’s so cool that he’s got this really well-produced Audio CDs that come with the books. These things are closer to Hollywood productions versus your typical audiobook. There’s a lot of heart and emotion put into the readings, and I get that.
To me, the messages were the selling point.
Eric isn’t just a kids’ book author. He points out on his site that he “…has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.F.A. in Acting, with a minor in making kids laugh.” He’s right. All these things come together really well in the Kidswick products I received, BAD RATS and A FROG THING.
The first book, BAD RATS, has a great message about non-conformity and the importance of creativity. Eric would probably say it differently, but that’s what my kids and I came away with. The second book is a great primer for personal goal-setting and success as told by frogs in A FROG thing.
Sure, the audio CDs really make it an added treat, but wow if the amazing art by James Muscarello and the well-delivered messages by Drachman don’t make that just seem like a bonus.
There, I’m done raving. But man, it was really REALLY refreshing to read books with a very different message than what I’m getting out there in the mainstream press.
I’m not sure how well-distributed they are, but swing by Kidwick Books to check out the stuff for yourself. And thanks for the birthday present for Violette, Eric. She thought it was cool to get an autographed book.
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