ABC EXPLORERS

A Love of Rhyme. A Love of Learning. A Love of Adventure.

ABC Explorers is the children’s book series that started my creative journey.

I first created ABC Explorers because I wanted to combine two things I love most: my children and my love of rhyme. I wanted to create something that would bring us together while also encouraging children to read, learn, explore, and dream.

The idea was simple: an “aerial literacy program” that would take child passengers on adventures around the world while teaching them about the destinations they are visiting through fun, imaginative, rhyming stories.

I wanted ABC Explorers to have that playful, memorable feeling that made me love Dr. Seuss as a child, while introducing children to real places, landmarks, cultures, and experiences around the world.

THE JOURNEY

I first published ABC Explorers in 2016.

I quickly discovered that creating and writing the book came much more naturally to me than marketing it. I also realized that I wasn't very good at asking people to spend money on something I had created. If someone told me they couldn't afford the book, my instinct was simply to give it to them.

That made me start thinking differently.

Instead of only trying to sell the book one person at a time, I started thinking about organizations and businesses that already had access to the families and children who would enjoy it.

In January 2017, I reached out to every airline I could identify that traveled to Paris, France, because I thought an airline could be a natural place for a children's travel book.

That same summer, EasyJet introduced FLYbrary, a program that placed physical books on flights for passengers to enjoy. The books were not specifically about the destinations children were traveling to, and my book was not included, but seeing an airline introduce a program involving books on flights was exciting because it was similar to the type of opportunity I had envisioned.

WHERE ABC EXPLORERS IS TODAY

Over the years, I have reached out to major publishing companies and more than 500 literary agents in an effort to find the right opportunity for ABC Explorers.

I haven't had the success I hoped for yet, which is why I have chosen not to publish the rest of the series at this time.

I currently have five books completed.

I still believe in the series and plan to continue it when the opportunity is right.

THE VISION

My vision for ABC Explorers has always been bigger than simply creating children's books.

I want children to learn about the world while developing a love of reading.

I envision ABC Explorers books being available through schools, libraries, bookstores, travel agencies, online retailers, and eventually airlines.

Imagine a child traveling to a new destination and being able to read a fun rhyming story about that very place while they are on their way there.

Reading becomes part of the adventure. Travel becomes part of learning. And learning becomes something children look forward to.

WHY ABC EXPLORERS MATTERS TO ME

ABC Explorers may not have reached the level of success I originally hoped for, but I don't consider the journey a failure.

Seeing my children excited to see themselves in a book and reading the words that I wrote is a success to me.

That feeling is something I will always treasure.

Of course, I would love to see ABC Explorers reach thousands or even millions of children someday. I would love to see the books in classrooms, libraries, bookstores, travel destinations, and on airplanes around the world.

But sometimes success starts with simply creating something that makes the people you love proud.

And for me, that is exactly how ABC Explorers began.

THE ADVENTURE ISN'T OVER.

The first book started the journey.

The rest of the adventure is waiting for its opportunity.

A FEW EXCERPT’S FROM CURRENT MANUSCRPITS