Two Local Children's Book Authors Join Forces as They Launch Crowdfunding Campaigns

Two local children's book authors found each other on Kickstarter and have teamed up to create a supportive relationship in a competitive world.

Gaithersburg resident Amanda Moskowitz launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding project for her picture book "Alice the Bee and the Story of Drumpf." That same week, Kari Ann Martindale, who teaches English as a Second Language in Gaithersburg, launched a Kickstarter project to fund a flip-over picture book of "The Day Flash Couldn't Even" and "The Time Flash Had the Best Day Ever," the first two picture books in a series she has been working on. Both women credit their daughters as part of the inspiration for their books.

When the two authors connected, there was no hesitation. They immediately began to discuss ways that they could work together to get their projects funded and, down the road, team up to do readings and events at libraries, bookstores, and other venues in the region.

In Alice the Bee, an unassuming heroine defeats a monster through kindness and stewardship. When Drumpf becomes the leader of Alice and her friends, he tears down their trees to build a wall. Together, Alice the Bee and her friends kick out Drumpf and rebuild the land by spreading seeds, kindness, and love. Moskowitz is unapologetic about the political inspiration behind her book. Still, she notes that the book is "about the power of positive thinking, female leadership, and collective action."

Meanwhile, Martindale is most excited about Best day Ever, as she calls it, because the story introduces children to social cues and empathy. While main character Flash, a Jack Russell Terrier, is narrating his best day ever, readers see only from the background illustrations that much of what is making it Flash's best day ever is making it Squirt's worst day. Martindale hopes that young readers catch this on their own; "but if they don't," she says, "there is a nudge toward the end."

Moskowitz and Martindale are openly sharing their crowdfunding experiences with one another and exchanging critiques so that they both can succeed--a tangible demonstration of the positive thinking and female leadership that Moskowitz hopes to get across in Alice and the Bee. Both authors are excited to introduce their characters to children soon.

Moskowitz's kickstarter runs through 27 July and Martindale's runs through 29 July.

Learn more about Alice and the Bee: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/168433920/alice-the-bee-and-the-story-of-drumpf-a-childrens/description

Learn more about the Flash Series:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/263188320/the-day-flash-couldnt-eve...