The market for writing children’s books is a big one. Self publisher Lulu believes there’s no reason kids can’t be the ones to write them.
Raleigh-based Lulu has launched a new kit that enables children to write and illustrate their own books. The kit is called “My Awesome Book” and Lulu developed it with educational media development company FableVision. The kit includes a quick start guide by children’s author Peter H. Reynolds, a New York Times best-selling author of books such as “The Dot,” “Ish”, “Sky Color,” and “Judy Moody.” The kit is offered through Lulu’s Lulu Jr. line of products for children.
“Through the products offered on Lulu Jr. we’re now able to bring fun and engaging publishing options to kids and a way for parents to cherish these creations for years to come,” Ginny Gomez, chief marketing officer at Lulu, said in a statement.
My Awesome Book retails in the United States for $39.99. It is available for pre-order now and is scheduled to ship in early March.
Lulu also announced it has teamed up with Bridgeport National Bindery (BNB) to launch the Future Authors Program, whose mission is to improve students’ writing and reading skills while building self-esteem.
The program is being piloted in Agawam, Mass. with a group of 300 eighth grade students, each of whom will write a 24-page book. Once the student books are complete, they will be published in the Lulu.com bookstore and available for purchase. BNB will then print a hardcover book for each student with a unique International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to commercially identify the book. In addition to the books being available on Lulu.com, an archival copy of each book has also been donated to the Agawam Public Library.
