Progress report on the proof copy of Better Buckle Up.
I had mixed feelings when I received the proof copy of the book.
Things I liked:
- The cover is great. The colours are vibrant and popped off the page. I also road-tested the super glossy cover with the sticky fingers of my grandchildren and it wiped clean perfectly.
- The paper quality is fine. I’d opted for the Premium colour printing from Lightning Source on the heaviest weight paper but I had heard that POD books didn’t have the ‘feel’ of a children’s book. I needn’t have worried.
Things I didn’t like:
- Some of the interior pictures were quite dark. If every picture had been darker, I could have blamed this on the printing process but some were fine. On further inspection of the image files I’d sent, I decided the ‘darkness’ could have been predicted.
- I wasn’t happy with the binding. The saddle stitch binding doesn’t lie flat properly and makes it look like a pamphlet rather than a book.
- Blank pages at the end of the book. I hadn’t realized I needed to leave a page blank at the end for the printing info added by Lightning Source. Duh! And having a saddle-stitch binding meant the printer had added 4 pages all at the end which, in a book with so few pages, makes it look as though some of it is missing or I’ve added pages for notes or something. Totally un-children’s book-like. Yuk!
Of course, the mistakes were all mine. I’m re-editing the pictures to brighten them and changing the type of binding from saddle stitch to perfect bound which should hopefully give it that proper book look.
Needing to leave a blank page at the end meant adding more pages so my first layout won’t work but the bonus is, I’m adding an extra final page spread. I’ve seen the first draft of the new picture and I’m really excited about it.
My rep from Lightning Source was super helpful and offered to alter the cover file from saddle stitch to perfect bound for me so I don’t have to upload it again but all these changes mean re-submitting and waiting for a new proof. I think they’ll be worth it.
And there are still 24 days to launch so I have time … don’t I? Ooh, take deep breaths and don’t panic!
What is bonding?
Bonding: that intense attachment between parent and child. It’s the thing that helps you love that little person even when they wake to be fed every hour through the night, scream their way through bouts of colic and decide 3am would be a great time to get up and play.
And it’s the thing that makes your baby feel safe and loved.
[bctt tweet=”Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. Emilie Buckwald.” username=”suziewauthor”]
Why is bonding important?
Numerous studies have proven that bonding with at least one primary caregiver is essential to a baby’s development.
It helps them:
- feel confident in themselves,
- develop trust in people,
- learn empathy,
- and sets the precedence for their future relationships.
Equally documented are the problems lack of bonding can create.
- increased levels of the stress hormone, cortisol,
- a weakened immune system,
- a tendency to high risk behaviour,
- it’s no surprise over 80% of prison inmates show attachment problems.
[bctt tweet=”We didn’t realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun. Author unknown.” username=”suziewauthor”]
How does reading help with bonding?
For some people, bonding is intense from the first moment they see their child, others may take longer but it is also an on-going process that grows and develops every time you interact with your baby.
Here are some of the ways reading helps you bond with your baby.
- Sharing a book in a comfy chair provides opportunity for quality one-on-one time.
- Snuggling with a book provides the closeness all babies need.
- Before words are understood the sound of your voice is soothing.
- Even very young babies interact by moving their arms and legs when being read to.
- Fosters the idea books are a fun thing to inspire future readers.
- Put on silly voices while you read. There’s nothing better having fun together.
- A great winding down activity as part of a bedtime routine.
Some books about bonding.
And some book ideas to share with your baby.
So what are you waiting for? Pick up a book and get bonding.
Suzie x
Better Buckle Up book cover has arrived.
Pleased to report I’ve been working super hard and the book cover for Better Buckle Up has been finalized.
Phew!
I am so pleased with the gorgeous, bright illustrations from PlainSightVFX and hope you’re going to like them too.
More pages coming soon.
Let me know what you think.
Suzie x
Illustrations for Better Buckle Up have arrived.
Squee! I’m super excited because I just received the files with the illustrations for Better Buckle Up.
Can’t wait to share them with you guys.
What? You thought you were going to see them?
Ooh, just teasing, you’ll have to wait a little while longer 🙂
