A colorful, funny children's book for a great cause
Hi! I'm Maya Zankoul, a Lebanese illustrator. Over the last few years I've published several books about life in Lebanon.
As you know, 2020 was a difficult year for us all, but especially for children in Lebanon. Their life was turned upside down, and basic things like feeling safe, playing with other children, and discovering their surroundings, became forbidden to them.
This is why I decided to publish my first children's book: "The Story Of The Grilled Cheese Sandwich" (قصة عروس الجبنة المحمصة)
The book is based on a story I tell my 3-year old daughter at dinnertime, and she loves it and finds it very funny. I'm hoping the book will bring a smile to other children her age, too! It tells the story of a little girl who traveled the world through the grilled cheese in her sandwich that kept stretching, stretching, and stretching!
The book's purpose is to widen the imagination of children, to help them travel outside the confines of their homes during these tough times, and to support them in dreaming for a brighter future.
Goal
I will be printing 500 hardcover copies of the children's book with a local Lebanese printing press, using high quality paper and ink. The size will be child-friendly so they can read it alone, and with their parents, too! The book can be enjoyed by children aged 1 to 6 years old.
The total cost of this project, including the IndieGogo additional 5% and processing fees is $1,890. You can participate in the project by purchasing any of the rewards mentioned below.
The Rewards
One signed printed book + Ebook + Audiobook: $29
- One printed hardcover book, signed
- Downloadable colored PDF ebook + English translation
- Audiobook in Lebanese
- One book for you, one book given to an underprivileged child
Two Signed printed books + Ebook + Audiobook: $56
- Two printed hardcover books, signed
- Downloadable colored PDF ebook + English translation
- Audiobook in Lebanese
- Two books for you, two books given to underprivileged children
Signed printed book + Beirut New York + Amalgam vol. 2 + Ebook + Audiobook: $87
- One printed hardcover book, signed
- Downloadable colored PDF ebook + English translation
- Audiobook in Lebanese
- One book for you, one book given to an underprivileged child
- One "Beirut - New York" book
- One "Amalgam vol. 2" book
Three Signed printed books + 3 bookmarks + Ebook + Audiobook: $95
- Three printed hardcover books, signed
- Downloadable colored PDF ebook + English translation
- Audiobook in Lebanese
- Three books for you, three books given to underprivileged children
- Three bookmarks
- One activity + coloring book
Six Signed printed books + 6 bookmarks + Ebook + Audiobook: $177
- Three printed hardcover books, signed
- Downloadable colored PDF ebook + English translation
- Audiobook in Lebanese
- Six books for you, six books given to underprivileged children
- Six bookmarks
- Activity + coloring book
Ten Signed printed books + 10 Bookmarks + Ebook + Audiobook + Zoom call with the author: $357
- Ten printed hardcover books, signed
- Downloadable colored PDF ebook + English translation
- Audiobook in Lebanese
- Ten books for you, ten books given to underprivileged children
- Ten bookmarks
- Activity + coloring book
Note: In the event of the campaign not reaching its goal, all your money will be refunded to you.
The Impact
By participating in this campaign, in addition to supporting my work as an illustrator, you will be supporting the Lebanese community with the following:
- With every book you buy, I will donate a copy to an underprivileged child
- All proceeds of the book sales will go towards buying gifts from local Lebanese manufacturers, and donate them to underprivileged children this December. Gift distribution will be facilitated with the help of the NGO Right To Play, and gifts will be purchased from manufacturers Bildits and OTO.
- You will therefore be supporting a child to engage in play, which is essential for their development. Being warm this winter and having food on the table are, of course, essential, but for children, having the chance to play is just as important.
Other Ways You Can Help
If for some reason you're not able to contribute to this campaign today, that doesn't mean you can't help.
- Spread the word to your friends and followers about this campaign by sharing it
- Personally reach out to people who you think would love this project and support it
Thank you for your support. Let's brighten up children's days with this project together!