Welcome to the party! (Cue “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang.)
We’re celebrating my new grandbaby, Hazel Marie! She arrived last week, right on time, pink and perfect.
I wouldn’t have guessed I’d have four grandbabies by my 50th birthday, but here I am. And let me tell you, it’s way more fun than I could’ve imagined!
Hazel Marie and her happy Lala.
Maybe it was the nine-month countdown and all that talk of children, but we’re also excited to debut another arrival…
Introducing our first children’s book, Loving the Skin You’re In at Camp Dermadillo. It’s a keepsake book and journal for kids living with skin conditions, co-authored by Alisha Kashyap and Dr. Alanna Bree.
Alisha is a McGovern Medical School student dedicated to the future of pediatric dermatology. And you might remember Dr. Bree from her 2018 book, A Children’s House, in which the pediatric dermatologist recounts her journey of risking everything to start her nonprofit. Through the nonprofit Made A Masterpiece, Alisha and Dr. Bree are positively impacting children and teens worldwide who are affected by skin diseases and birthmarks.
An illustrator brought the authors’ vision to life in the coloring book, which includes journal prompts, discussion questions, and affirmations for kids living with skin conditions.
But don’t be fooled by the playful colors and illustrations. While the book is for a young audience, the co-authors have a serious mission. They’re empowering children living with skin conditions to face the world with confidence.
You may not have a children’s book in mind, but I observed something special during this project that’s a relevant takeaway for any nonfiction author:
Hold your vision loosely.
Here’s what I mean. When Alisha and Dr. Bree approached me with their manuscript, they had a specific vision. They wanted a book that would serve as a souvenir for children attending their annual one-day camp. The book would showcase several common skin conditions. It would be beautiful, made with the thickest paper and the best color ink that on-demand printing affords.
Camp Dermadillo, a one-day camp for kids living with skin conditions, is hosted by Made A Masterpiece.
But as we discussed their goals for their readers, the vision began to shift.
One factor was the budget. Premium paper and color ink come at a premium cost. The nonprofit would need to raise more funds to produce a higher-quality book. And readers would pay a higher retail price per book.
We considered a more affordable plan. It could be a black-and-white book on regular paper. At first, this idea didn’t sound very exciting. How could a black-and-white book capture the beauty of skin conditions?
We looked again at the mission of the book. Slowly, our wheels began turning.
Maybe the book could become a coloring book. Maybe children could color the illustrated characters to reflect their skin conditions. Maybe campers could be gifted with colored pencils of various tones that looked like their skin.
Our excitement grew as a new vision began to take shape. It was no longer about thick paper and color ink. It wasn’t even about the budget. It was about what was best for the readers. A black-and-white coloring book would serve the needs of children most effectively. And indeed, the book is doing just that. What a fantastic twist!
Remember Alisha and Dr. Bree’s shift when you’re planning your book.
It’s good to have a vision, but hold your vision loosely. Let in new ideas. Allow room for inspiration and collaboration. Most importantly, prioritize your readers’ needs. You may be surprised to discover an even greater vision than you imagined.
Congratulations, Alisha and Dr. Bree!
Co-authors Dr. Alanna Bree (seated) and Alisha Kashyap (to her right), surrounded by campers, parents, and volunteers.