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The Adventures of Little Coyote

I plan to publish a children's book

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The Adventures of Little Coyote

The Adventures of Little Coyote

The Adventures of Little Coyote

The Adventures of Little Coyote

The Adventures of Little Coyote

I plan to publish a children's book

I plan to publish a children's book

I plan to publish a children's book

I plan to publish a children's book

Donald Benjamin
Donald Benjamin
Donald Benjamin
Donald Benjamin
2 Campaigns |
Phoenix, United States
$175 USD 4 backers
5% of $3,500 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects

The Adventures of Little Coyote: 

The Legend Begins

  • Hello, my name is Donald Paul Benjamin.  I was born in Greeley, Colorado, and have lived and worked in Western America all my life.  I am a freelance author and cartoonist.  I teach cartooning and illustration to children as a visiting artist in schools and libraries.  I recently celebrated my 68th birthday so here I am--just a kid with a crazy dream--seeking your support to self-publish a series of children's books.
  • As part of my art class, I tell the children a story about Little Coyote and then teach them how to illustrate the story by drawing a little coyote and other characters, settings, and props.
  • Recently a real story about a coyote pup who got trapped in a cholla cactus inspired me to think of Little Coyote as a heroic character with a past and a future.  See the rescue story at this link:  http://www.azfamily.com/news/Coyote-pup-rescued-after-being-covered-with-cholla-cactus-207630861.html
  • Based on this real event, I envisioned The Adventures of Little Coyote: The Legend Begins, the first in a series of books about Little Coyote's important work as an animal advocate and animal rescuer.  The Legend Begins tells the story of Little Coyote's rescue and parallels the real-life adventure of the Sun City West, Arizona, coyote pup highlighted in the azfamily.com (Phoenix Channel 3) television story (see the story at the link above).
  • Rescued as a pup, Little Coyote embarks upon a mission to help other animals and support the work of human critters who look after the well-being of their animal brethren.
  • Children feel strongly about the plight of animals and, in my art classes, they are quite moved by Little Coyote's problems and sincere in using their artwork to extract him from various situations.  For example, in my art class he cannot howl but after a series of adventures he learns how from the wise old moon.  For children, drawing the little animal's dilemma and also illustrating the solution gives them a strong sense of peace and satisfaction.
  • The children in my art classes learn much from their illustration experience.  They gain immediate growth in self-confidence and an noticeable increase in their artistic skills.
  • Children who read The Adventures of Little Coyote: The Legend Begins will gain an appreciation for animals in trouble and for the people and agencies who help.
  • Contributors will help me achieve two important goals:  1) contributors will help me reach more children with stories that emphasize compassion for animals and 2) contributors will help non-profit organizations that do the important work of rescuing animals.  For example, 10% of the funds raised will go as a donation to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, which rescues and rehabilitates wild creatures who are displaced, injured, lost, or abandoned.  http://southwestwildlife.org/Wildlife-Conservation/

Here's what I need and what you get:

  • I am budgeting $3,500 to have a full-color children's book self-published.  The Adventures of Little Coyote: The Legend Begins will be 32 pages bound in a colorful cover featuring my acrylic painting shown above depicting Little Coyote and his mentor the moon.  The amount sought will insure a quality product and will be used for printing, promoting, and distributing the book.
  • Contributors to this venture will receive some unique perks.  Basic supporters will have their names listed in the acknowledgement section. Those who contribute more will have a character named after them and  that character will be included in the story plus they will receive an autographed copy of the book.  And high end contributors will secure my services to come to a school of their choice and teach all the children there about Little Coyote and his important animal rescue work.
  • If I don't reach my entire funding goal, I will use whatever funds are derived from my proposal to fund a black and white version of the book and will use this as a promotional device to seek further funding from traditional publishers.  Also I will still donate 10% of whatever figure I receive to the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.

The Impact of Little Coyote:

  • This project benefits two of the world's most important resources: children and animals.  I envision this book as the first in a series about Little Coyote's exciting adventures during which he helps rescue other animals: A frog who can't get down from a duck.  A racing greyhound whose life is endangered because he always runs the wrong way.  A snake who is trying to cross the road to get to the other side.  A bird--a Northern Wheatear--who gets lost while flying south from Alaska for the winter and ends up at a high school junior prom dance, the theme of which is 'African Safari.'  And so on.  I have many ideas for children's books which are both entertaining and educational.  The Northern Wheatear story for example will teach children about bird migration patterns, birding, and geography.
  • As for my track record in publishing, I have successfully self-published three cartoon books: two about life as a single man and one about downhill skiing.  They are still available through online book sellers. I have also illustrated five books for other authors: Three books of sermons for children; a book of cowboy humor that achieved regional success in Colorado; and a book that parodies the trials and tribulations of being a college professor.
  • The books I self-published as well as those illustrated for others can be viewed at a website such as Amazon.com.  My self-published books are: 'When You Live Alone--Things Dedicated Singles Do' and 'Downhill' both published under Elevation Press.  The other books are: 'Come Sit with Me' series co-authored by myself and Ron Miner; published by Pilgrim Press; 'Four-Legged Words' by Bill Lamdin, Western America Press; and 'College Professoring; or Through Academia with Gun and Camera' by Oliver Kolstoe, published by Southern Illinois University Press..

Other Ways You Can Help If You Can't Contribute Money:

  • Get the word out about my campaign.  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, make your enemies your friends and then tell them, tell your significant other (that is, your pet) and Fluffy or Puff or Roscoe or Ginger or Cisco or Petey or Poco or Mitzie or Butch or Maurice will tell their 'peeps' and then the word will spread like wildfire!
  • You can facilitate getting the word out by using the handy Indiegogo share tools!
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Choose your Perk

BASELINE CONTRIBUTOR

$10 USD
Contributors at this level will receive an autographed photo of Little Coyote (paw print authenticated by Price-Waterhouse)
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

BASIC CONTRIBUTOR

$25 USD
Contributors at this level will have their names appear in the book's acknowledgement section as St. Francis of Assisi Patrons of the Arts and Animals.
Estimated Shipping
October 2013
3 out of 10 of claimed

PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION

$100 USD
Contributors at this level will have their names appear in the book's acknowledgement section as St. Francis of Assisi Patrons of the Arts and Animals AND they will receive an official certificate verifying that they are members of this generous group;
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
1 claimed

ANGELIC CONTRIBUTOR

$250 USD
Contributors at this level will have their names appear in the book's acknowledgement section as St. Francis of Assisi Patrons of the Arts and Animals AND they will receive an official certificate verifying that they are members of this generous group AND an autographed photo of Little Coyote AND two autographed copies of the finished book.
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

FANTASY CONTRIBUTOR

$500 USD
Contributors at this level will receive all perks described above for $5 to $250 PLUS two additional autographed copies of the finished book PLUS the author will come to your town (U.S. only unless you also provide airfare) and teach all the children at a school of your choice to draw Little Coyote and other cartoons.
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

FANTASTIC CONTRIBUTOR

$1,000 USD
Contributors at this level will receive all previously designated perks for $5 to $500 PLUS have a character named after them and that character will appear in the Little Coyote story PLUS the author will come to your town (U.S. only unless you provide airfare) and teach all the children in an entire school system of your choice to draw Little Coyote and other cartoons.
Estimated Shipping
November 2013
0 claimed

MOST EXCELLENT CONTRIBUTOR

$3,500 USD
Contributors at this level will receive all previously designated perks for $5 to $1000 PLUS the author will come to your town (ANYWHERE ON PLANET EARTH) and teach all the children in an entire school district of your choice to draw Little Coyote and other cartoons.
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
0 claimed

SPECTACULAR CONTRIBUTOR

$5,000 USD
All perks listed above PLUS author will travel to ANY PLANET IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM (including Earth, of course) and teach all the sentient beings in a school district of your choice to draw Little Coyote and other cartoons.
Estimated Shipping
January 2014
0 claimed

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