When We Go To Bed... Press time!
Donation protected
This is your opportunity to PREORDER a copy of When We Go To Bed, a new kind of board book for children. (see Preorder Book, below, for more information).
Your book pre-order or other donation goes directly to fund the first printing of When We Go To Bed.
Read on to learn more about the book, and the goals for Beyond A Book™ publishing. To order books and support our greater vision, see the very last section, Go Fund Me Rewards For Supporters.
Once upon a time...
I was read to at bedtime, regularly. I still have my own worn copies of Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon, alongside countless Dr. Seuss titles. But scuffed covers and dogeared pages are not worth mentioning compared to a less visible legacy, a love of reading.
I was blessed to have been read to by adults who treasured books. I had readers in my life who were not only intellectually curious, but were passionate about sharing that love of learning. Only recently have I realized they taught me not only to love reading, but how to use books as a starting point for nurturing a creative mind.
"If you were in the book, what would you do? "
"What might happen the next day after the story ends?"
When We Go To Bed reaches beyond being a child-friendly bedtime book. While the words and illustrations playfully evoke night time rituals, there are two features which make this book different. After the close of the story, a two page spread gives real facts about animal sleep habits. This facilitates conversation between parent and child, and links the story's fantasy content to reality. Of course ducks don't brush their beaks... but did you know they can sleep standing on one leg?
The final two-page spread is on high gloss paper which turns it into a dry erase board with the caption "When __________ goes to bed...". The child can draw whatever they imagine, with a dry erase crayon. By filling in the blank, the parent models the power of writing one's own words. What's more fun than telling mom to write "Ms. Fluffy", then sketching the family cat in repose?
When We Go To Bed will also have a home on the internet, with free content including a contest where young ones may submit their own artistic vision of "When ______ goes to bed", and printable coloring pages.
Early Literacy For All
Even those aware of the disparity between the privileged and those struggling to make ends meet may not realize that too often, early literacy is a privilege of the wealthy. Paying for pre-school is not in everyone's budget. Books are often a luxury item, too.
There are many online resources if you wish to learn the shocking facts about the absence of books in low-income homes.
Bernie's Book Bank, a Chicago-area organization distributing books to those in need, cites that in middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children. See their enlightening 18 Facts about literacy for more.
A 2013 New York Times blog, Poverty as a Childhood Disease , asserts that almost 25% of American children under the age of 5 live in poverty.
Beyond A Book™ Publishing
Obviously, reading is learned. More subtly, a love of reading is also learned. But how to instill a love of reading is also learned.
How can a book be both a simple story for a child and help parents and children learn to be deeper, more inquisitive readers together?
Our mission at Beyond A Book™ is to create enhanced content that will guide parents through the process of engaging their children.
While we are excited about our first title, When We Go To Bed, it is just the beginning of a new generation of enhanced-content books. We hope to empower parents, even those from non-reading backgrounds, to foster early literacy in their children. Breaking cycles of disadvantage may seem a lofty goal for a little bedtime story. What inspired us to dream so big?
Reach Out and Read, a non-profit organization, links literacy with early childhood well-visits to the pediatrician. They have served over 4 million children. Visit their web site or click here to see their PSA. Reach Out and Read is a success-story-in-progress about intelligent intervention that helps level the playing field for low-income kids.
NOTE: Neither I personally, nor Beyond A Book™, is affiliated with or endorsed by Reach Out and Read in any way. However, their mission inspired me to grow Beyond A Book™ into a publishing company focused on creating content which can specifically benefit homes new to the tradition of reading at bedtime.
In honor of Reach Out and Read and the work they do in communities everywhere, Beyond A Book™ will strive to seek innovative ways to give books to those in need, starting with this campaign.
Please note: When We Go To Bed is going to print regardless of whether the Go Fund Me goal is met or not. All rewards will be honored. With ANY contribution amount you will also receive (upon request) an advance PDF copy of the book when it goes to press.
"BOOK ONLY" PREORDERING
Author-signed copies of When We Go To Bed are yours for a contribution of $8.
GO FUND ME SUPPORT OPTIONS
Donations of $10 or more will be acknowledged as supporters on the When We Go To Bed page at beyond-a-book.com, with permission. Donations of $500 and over will receive special recognition and an opportunity to link to your business website, if desired.
CLICK REWARD BUTTONS BELOW THIS LIST! Detailed explanations are posted here because the reward descriptions had space constraints.
$10 Just for You, Baby!
. one first edition copy of When We Go To Bed with custom inscription by author, and
. one dry erase crayon.
$25 Book Sharing Bundle
. two books, each with custom inscription by author AND signed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. two dry erase crayons, and
. one book donated in your name to Reach Out and Read (or another recognized non-profit organization).
$30 Book & Art Print Bundle
. one book with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. one dry erase crayon, and
. one 7"x5" print of Rita Csizmadia's beautiful artwork.
$50 Book Sharing & Art Bundle
. two books with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. two dry erase crayons, and
. one 14"x11" print of Rita Csizmadia's beautiful artwork, perfect for framing.
$60 Literacy Advocate Package
. TEN unsigned books donated to Reach Out and Read or another nonprofit organization of your choice (donor bookplates affixed upon request).
$100 Literacy Angel Package
. one book with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia, and
. TWENTY copies donated to Reach Out and Read or another nonprofit organization of your choice (donor bookplates affixed upon request).
$500 Extreme Literacy Angel Package
. two books with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. two dry erase crayons,
. one SIGNED14"x11" print of Rita Csizmadia's beautiful artwork, and
. ONE HUNDRED copies donated to Reach Out and Read or another nonprofit organization of your choice (donor bookplates affixed upon request).
$1,500 Author Visit
. 50 books to be signed at your event,
. complimentary design of a flyer to promote your event (upon request)
. author Lucie Carleton Sanchez will visit your bookstore, school, or local library to do a reading and book signing, and
. optional speaking engagement (topics may include the creative writing process, self-publishing, or the socio-economic benefits of encouraging early literacy across income levels) may be arranged.
$5,000 Author & Illustrator Visit
. 100 books to be signed at your event
. complimentary design of a flyer to promote your event (upon request)
. Lucie Carleton Sanchez AND Rita Csizmadia will visit your bookstore, school, or local library to do a reading and book signing, and
. optional speaking engagement (topics may include the creative process, self-publishing, or the socio-economic benefits of encouraging early literacy across income levels) and/or children's art activity may be arranged.
THANK YOU for your generous support, and happy reading!
Lucie Carleton Sanchez,
Publisher and Enhanced Content Specialist,
Beyond A Book™
Lucie Carleton Sanchez received her BA in English from the College of Wooster in Ohio. She was privileged to work with some brilliant creative professionals at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore, Maryland before going on to work independently as a consultant. Some of her favorite things are children, good stories, social justice, laughter. The fact that her grandfather grew up on the same street as Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) in Springfield, MA has always made her feel oddly special.
Rita Csizmadia is a Boston-based illustrator and designer. Born in Hungary, she moved to the U.S. when she was 2. The animals on her grandparent's farm inspired a great love of animals as she grew. Newer passions include travel, midcentury design, and cooking. Her first children's book was published in 2015.
Your book pre-order or other donation goes directly to fund the first printing of When We Go To Bed.
Read on to learn more about the book, and the goals for Beyond A Book™ publishing. To order books and support our greater vision, see the very last section, Go Fund Me Rewards For Supporters.
Once upon a time...
I was read to at bedtime, regularly. I still have my own worn copies of Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon, alongside countless Dr. Seuss titles. But scuffed covers and dogeared pages are not worth mentioning compared to a less visible legacy, a love of reading.
I was blessed to have been read to by adults who treasured books. I had readers in my life who were not only intellectually curious, but were passionate about sharing that love of learning. Only recently have I realized they taught me not only to love reading, but how to use books as a starting point for nurturing a creative mind.
"If you were in the book, what would you do? "
"What might happen the next day after the story ends?"
When We Go To Bed reaches beyond being a child-friendly bedtime book. While the words and illustrations playfully evoke night time rituals, there are two features which make this book different. After the close of the story, a two page spread gives real facts about animal sleep habits. This facilitates conversation between parent and child, and links the story's fantasy content to reality. Of course ducks don't brush their beaks... but did you know they can sleep standing on one leg?
The final two-page spread is on high gloss paper which turns it into a dry erase board with the caption "When __________ goes to bed...". The child can draw whatever they imagine, with a dry erase crayon. By filling in the blank, the parent models the power of writing one's own words. What's more fun than telling mom to write "Ms. Fluffy", then sketching the family cat in repose?
When We Go To Bed will also have a home on the internet, with free content including a contest where young ones may submit their own artistic vision of "When ______ goes to bed", and printable coloring pages.
Early Literacy For All
Even those aware of the disparity between the privileged and those struggling to make ends meet may not realize that too often, early literacy is a privilege of the wealthy. Paying for pre-school is not in everyone's budget. Books are often a luxury item, too.
There are many online resources if you wish to learn the shocking facts about the absence of books in low-income homes.
Bernie's Book Bank, a Chicago-area organization distributing books to those in need, cites that in middle-income neighborhoods the ratio of books per child is 13 to 1, in low-income neighborhoods, the ratio is 1 age-appropriate book for every 300 children. See their enlightening 18 Facts about literacy for more.
A 2013 New York Times blog, Poverty as a Childhood Disease , asserts that almost 25% of American children under the age of 5 live in poverty.
Beyond A Book™ Publishing
Obviously, reading is learned. More subtly, a love of reading is also learned. But how to instill a love of reading is also learned.
How can a book be both a simple story for a child and help parents and children learn to be deeper, more inquisitive readers together?
Our mission at Beyond A Book™ is to create enhanced content that will guide parents through the process of engaging their children.
While we are excited about our first title, When We Go To Bed, it is just the beginning of a new generation of enhanced-content books. We hope to empower parents, even those from non-reading backgrounds, to foster early literacy in their children. Breaking cycles of disadvantage may seem a lofty goal for a little bedtime story. What inspired us to dream so big?
Reach Out and Read, a non-profit organization, links literacy with early childhood well-visits to the pediatrician. They have served over 4 million children. Visit their web site or click here to see their PSA. Reach Out and Read is a success-story-in-progress about intelligent intervention that helps level the playing field for low-income kids.
NOTE: Neither I personally, nor Beyond A Book™, is affiliated with or endorsed by Reach Out and Read in any way. However, their mission inspired me to grow Beyond A Book™ into a publishing company focused on creating content which can specifically benefit homes new to the tradition of reading at bedtime.
In honor of Reach Out and Read and the work they do in communities everywhere, Beyond A Book™ will strive to seek innovative ways to give books to those in need, starting with this campaign.
Please note: When We Go To Bed is going to print regardless of whether the Go Fund Me goal is met or not. All rewards will be honored. With ANY contribution amount you will also receive (upon request) an advance PDF copy of the book when it goes to press."BOOK ONLY" PREORDERING
Author-signed copies of When We Go To Bed are yours for a contribution of $8.
GO FUND ME SUPPORT OPTIONS
Donations of $10 or more will be acknowledged as supporters on the When We Go To Bed page at beyond-a-book.com, with permission. Donations of $500 and over will receive special recognition and an opportunity to link to your business website, if desired.
CLICK REWARD BUTTONS BELOW THIS LIST! Detailed explanations are posted here because the reward descriptions had space constraints.
$10 Just for You, Baby!
. one first edition copy of When We Go To Bed with custom inscription by author, and
. one dry erase crayon.
$25 Book Sharing Bundle
. two books, each with custom inscription by author AND signed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. two dry erase crayons, and
. one book donated in your name to Reach Out and Read (or another recognized non-profit organization).
$30 Book & Art Print Bundle
. one book with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. one dry erase crayon, and
. one 7"x5" print of Rita Csizmadia's beautiful artwork.
$50 Book Sharing & Art Bundle
. two books with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. two dry erase crayons, and
. one 14"x11" print of Rita Csizmadia's beautiful artwork, perfect for framing.
$60 Literacy Advocate Package
. TEN unsigned books donated to Reach Out and Read or another nonprofit organization of your choice (donor bookplates affixed upon request).
$100 Literacy Angel Package
. one book with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia, and
. TWENTY copies donated to Reach Out and Read or another nonprofit organization of your choice (donor bookplates affixed upon request).
$500 Extreme Literacy Angel Package
. two books with custom inscription by author and autographed by illustrator Rita Csizmadia,
. two dry erase crayons,
. one SIGNED14"x11" print of Rita Csizmadia's beautiful artwork, and
. ONE HUNDRED copies donated to Reach Out and Read or another nonprofit organization of your choice (donor bookplates affixed upon request).
$1,500 Author Visit
. 50 books to be signed at your event,
. complimentary design of a flyer to promote your event (upon request)
. author Lucie Carleton Sanchez will visit your bookstore, school, or local library to do a reading and book signing, and
. optional speaking engagement (topics may include the creative writing process, self-publishing, or the socio-economic benefits of encouraging early literacy across income levels) may be arranged.
$5,000 Author & Illustrator Visit
. 100 books to be signed at your event
. complimentary design of a flyer to promote your event (upon request)
. Lucie Carleton Sanchez AND Rita Csizmadia will visit your bookstore, school, or local library to do a reading and book signing, and
. optional speaking engagement (topics may include the creative process, self-publishing, or the socio-economic benefits of encouraging early literacy across income levels) and/or children's art activity may be arranged.
THANK YOU for your generous support, and happy reading!
Lucie Carleton Sanchez,
Publisher and Enhanced Content Specialist,
Beyond A Book™
Lucie Carleton Sanchez received her BA in English from the College of Wooster in Ohio. She was privileged to work with some brilliant creative professionals at T. Rowe Price in Baltimore, Maryland before going on to work independently as a consultant. Some of her favorite things are children, good stories, social justice, laughter. The fact that her grandfather grew up on the same street as Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) in Springfield, MA has always made her feel oddly special.
Rita Csizmadia is a Boston-based illustrator and designer. Born in Hungary, she moved to the U.S. when she was 2. The animals on her grandparent's farm inspired a great love of animals as she grew. Newer passions include travel, midcentury design, and cooking. Her first children's book was published in 2015.
Organizer
Lucie Carleton Sanchez
Organizer
Scituate, MA