Today I am excited that we get to speak to Travis D. Peterson who was inspired by his hearing-impaired daughter to write the rhyming picture book, Ada and the Helpers, which was named for The Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Short List, The First Horizon Award Finalist, and Honorable Mention in the Children's Books category. Let's learn more about this fabulous book which has helped to build sign language awareness. Tell us about your new book. Ada and the Helpers is a story about a dancing deaf fox with cochlear implants—advanced hearing devices she calls her "helpers". On her way through the forest to a talent show one day, Ada runs into three other forest creatures who are each facing a challenge of their own. The fox helps each of them look past their obstacles and discover their natural, God-given strengths. But can they return the favor and help her overcome her stage fright in time for the big show? What inspired you when working on this project? Ada and the Helpers was inspired by my daughter, Esther, who was born deaf. She received cochlear implants at just 9 months old and began hearing her first sounds one month later. After just a month, Esther said her first word: "Mama!" She's now four years old, and is learning both of her parents' mother tongues (Norwegian and English), as well as both Norwegian and American sign languages! I wrote this book to bring more awareness to deafness, sign language, and cochlear implants. But I took it further than that—I made it an educational book by adding 14 words from the story spelled out using the ASL alphabet (one word on each spread of the story). The story also introduces three of the 6 Ling Sounds. These are phonemes used to assess how much of the vocal range a person with hearing loss can hear. Finally, I added a feature that really makes the book special. The hardcover edition comes with a double-sided dust jacket! Remove the jacket, and you have an American Sign Language alphabet chart over two feet tall—perfect for hanging in a child's bedroom or in the classroom! Talk to us about the creative process for this book. Believe it or not, I wrote the first draft all in one night! But it went through several rounds of rewriting before I ever got the nerve to send it to Michael Penman, my developmental editor. He encouraged me to strengthen Ada's introduction. After more re-writing I also passed it through Nikki Filippone, who provided a more line-by-line editing approach and helped me fine-tune the meter and rhyme. I took my time looking for an illustrator, and I'm so glad I did! I found Melissa Fischer on Instagram (@fischtales) by searching various hashtags. Her whimsical watercolor style and attention to detail was a perfect match for this forest tale. She was able to take the story way beyond the text itself. In fact, I think it was in the middle of the illustration phase that I decided to give the whole story a bit of an eighties flair with a surprise ending (spoiler alert: Ada's a B-Girl!) Which of course, meant a bit more rewriting and editing. But Melissa didn't miss a beat. As a print designer for over a decade, I handled all of the design, layout, and formatting of the book. I was able to add the ASL words as well as the chart and the Ling Sounds—all special features that likely wouldn't have made it into the book had it been published traditionally. Did you encounter anything unexpected while working on this project? Actually yes, although maybe it's a bit indirectly related. I was already working as a freelance designer under the name Launch Mission Creative. But after writing Ada and the Helpers and during the whole publishing process, I became active in the children's author community on social media and discovered a need for my expertise in this field. Requests began trickling in from fellow kidlit authors for me to design and format their books. Now it's the main focus of my business. I've helped to bring many books to life over the past couple of years, and even offer a bit of coaching within the self-publishing industry. It's a niche I never would have considered had I not written the story of Ada the fox. Now for something completely different! Which would you prefer: a long ocean voyage or a winding train adventure? Why? That's a great question! As much as I love the ocean (I'm a beach bum at heart!), I have to answer "winding train adventure". A view of the wide open ocean probably doesn't change a whole lot. But to take in the sights from a train would be a feast for the eyes! In fact, you could say it's in my blood. I never got the chance to meet him, but my grandfather worked for the Atlantic Coast Line. Trains have always fascinated me, but I have yet to take a long trip in one. Maybe someday—and I hope it inspires a new story to write! Thank you Travis for sharing this amazing publishing journey you have taken with us. I am so glad that Ada and the Helpers has been given the recognition it deserves. I wish you all the best in your future writing adventures. Actually, Travis' next book, Never Ever Build a Blanket Fort!, is now available for pre-order. It also features a main character with cochlear implants who looks much like his daughter Esther (and not so much like Ada the fox!) You can find out more here. Travis has one final comment: I have plans and would love to publish Ada and the Helpers in other translations! Many have said it belongs in every classroom, and I agree. We need to raise awareness for sign language worldwide. I'd love to introduce the sign language alphabet to children in as many spoken and signed languages as possible. I completely agree with Travis. Don't you? Sandra Yoong-Chia Bio: Travis D. Peterson Born & raised in Wilmington, North Carolina, Travis D. Peterson grew up building tree forts and exploring trails in the woods, riding waves, catching fish in the ocean and lightning bugs in the night air. As a young adult, he worked in bookstores and spent way too much money books while studying graphic design at Purdue University. Travis now lives in Bergen, Norway where his wife, Anne Berit, is from. He designs books for fellow self-published authors under the name Launch Mission Creative. He and his wife have two brave and wonderful kids—one of which has profound hearing loss and has received bilateral cochlear implants that help her to hear. Travis' debut book is inspired by his daughter.
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SCBWI ICRThis is the blog for the International Central Region of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). You can learn more about SCBWI here and about the International Central Region here. Archives
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