5-Year-Old’s Passion Helps Raise $4K on Kickstarter for Kids’ Dog Book
Project Showcases the Benefits of Supporting Kids’ Passions with Projects
Portland, Ore.–Five-year-old Michael Cohn’s passion for reading, writing, reviewing, and even singing about kids’ dog books was the driving force behind the successful funding of a Kickstarter project that will help pay for Michael and his mom, Lisa Cohn, to self-publish their next book.
Their first children’s book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” received a Mom’s Choice Silver Award and a USA Best Book Award. The Cohns, of Portland, Ore., wrote the book to help them overcome grief over the sudden death of their beloved dog, Lucy.
The Cohns launched their Kickstarter project in early April and exceeded their $4,000 goal May 8. To help raise funds, Michael sold books at the NW Pet Fair in Portland, handed out flyers to local businesses and libraries in Portland, and appeared in the Kickstarter video, saying, “Help fund my book project!” He also Skyped with kids globally, gathering ideas for the next book.
“This project has been a wonderful education for Michael. He has learned all about writing, self-publishing, marketing, blogging and publicity,” said Lisa Cohn.
He also has learned about the value of being generously enthusiastic, she said. Michael is thrilled that authors have sent Michael their dog books. In addition, a publisher recently sent him a poster about one of his favorite dog book series. These gifts have come in response to Michael’s enthusiastic book reviews on YouTube.
Lisa added, “This project is all about Michael’s passion for reading and writing, and has taught me a lot as a parent about the value of supporting a child’s passions and interests with project-based learning.”
Michael especially loves Skyping with kids via Skype in the Classroom because it allows him to discuss his favorite subject—kids’ dog books—with children of all ages from all over the world.
The backers of the Kickstarter project include Dania Doose, co-owner of Von Haus-Doose Working Dogs, Santa Monica, Calif., whose special needs son, Tristen, and his service dog, Benji, will be characters in the Cohns’ next book. Another backer, the natural pet products company “I and love and you will appear in a scene of the book, as will backer Sniff Dog Hotel, Portland. Another backer was Lisa’s brother, Patrick Cohn, owner of Peak Performance Sports. His daughter, Paula, will be a character in the book.
“We’re thrilled that our Kickstarter was successful, and eager to start writing the next book,” said Lisa Cohn. “Michael has already come up with some really fun ideas for incorporating Tristen and his service dog into the book and teaching readers about special needs kids and service dogs. This supports our mission of teaching kids all about how dogs help and heal.”
Meanwhile, Michael has returned to his favorite activities:
–Reviewing his favorite kids’ dog books on YouTube: http://youtu.be/EYdA5cyNYDw
–Talking about his favorite kids’ dog books with kids globally: http://youtu.be/ZEGN0zxbRnY
–Singing about his favorite kids’ dog books, with his music teacher:
For more information, visit www.BashAndLucy.com, contact Lisa Cohn at BashAndLucy@gmail.com