1) Where did the concept of The Alphabet Kids originate?
Allegra Joyce Kassin, our Chief Executive Officer, created
the Alphabet Kids concept. She is a devoted mother of five and grandmother of
seven, who was in search of literature that highlighted children from all
different kinds of backgrounds and cultures. It was her original idea.
After being introduced to Emmy-winner and humanitarian
Patrice Samara by a business colleague, they teamed up to fully develop the
concept and the brand... and the rest is history!
Mrs. Kassin and Ms. Samara believe that Alphabet Kids filled
a void. “Our goal is to help our youngest learners everywhere to love
themselves, embrace diversity and understand that friendships can be created
despite cultural or physical differences.”
2) Tell us about
the characters and the cultures they represent.
Our characters are Allegra (Italian-American), Elena
(Hispanic-American), Isaac (Jewish-American), Oni (African-American), Umar
(Arab-American), and Yang (Chinese-American).
We also embrace many other cultures from around the world and physical
types through our website, community-based activities, and features in the
Alphabet Kids Magazine.
Our timeless stories follow the Kids fun adventures as they
learn to embrace their cultural heritage and other life lessons. With the
population of the United States becoming more diverse each day, it is important
that everyone - especially children - understand how to co-exist with others
who may be different.
3) What is the mission
of The Alphabet Kids?
The Alphabet Kids have a mission to spread multicultural
understanding from the start and help children love who they are and realize
that people who are different can be very good friends!
4) Tell us about
the team of experts who contribute to this series.
- Patrice Samara is the co-author of all the Alphabet Kids books.
- Neme Alperstein, author of Isaac’s Zoo; Subject matter expert; Educational Advisory Committee
- Abed Awad, Esq, co-author of Umar’s Magic Oven; Middle Eastern subject expert
- Michelle Bodden, co-author of Oni’s Good Hair Day; African-American expert; Educational Advisory Committee
- Dr. Jingyi Hong, Co-author of Yang’s New Dance, Chinese subject expert and cross-cultural communications expert; Educational Advisory Committee
- Liana Pérez, Co-author of Elena’s Birthday Surprise; Hispanic subject matter expert; Educational Advisory Committee
- Vivian Treves, Co-author of Allegra’s Apple Tree; Italian subject matter expert; Educational Advisory Committee
- Isaac J. Kassin, Co-author with Patrice Samara of Alphabet Kids Go to the Planetarium (2012)
To read all of the experts' bios, follow this link: http://alphabetkids.com/ourexperts/ourexpertsMain.php
We meet with school superintendent, teachers, homeschoolers,, parents and the media to discuss related topics. We visit schools, hospitals, community centers, faith-based
organizations and also attend as many educational and trade shows as possible.
5) What kinds of
activities and resources does The Alphabet Kids website offer?
In addition to giving updates on all of our activities,
around the country, we have reviews of movies suitable for families and
children, and offer free, downloadable activities for children, and educational
tips for parents and educators.
6) What is the
“You Buy One, We Give One” program?
Committed to social responsibility, we instituted the
Alphabet Kids Buy One-Give One Literacy Program, donating books to children in
need through myriad literacy programs nationwide. For each book, sold we donate
one book to a child in need. Each member of the Alphabet Kids team is deeply
committed to supporting our charitable activities by visiting schools,
community and faith-based organizations, schools & hospitals across the
United States and around the world. We distribute books through established
charities we support such as the Melvin Van Peebles Foundation and The
Fatherhood Task Force of South Florida's Fatherhood Reading Squad.
7) Tell us about
your current projects and what is next in the series.
In 2012, we will be launching the Alphabet Kids Science
& Technology Series. Our premier book in that series is "The Alphabet
Kids Go to the Planetarium". (See answer to question 10 below) We have
been working closely with the Melvin Van Peebles Foundation with a mission to
encourage literacy and careers in science.
Alphabet Kids will also be working with the Black Spectrum Theater in
New York City to produce plays based on the Alphabet Kids stories. Their
Executive Director, Carl Clay is a visionary when it comes to bringing
theatrical productions to schools and encouraging the community to attend
theater performances.
8) How do you
promote The Alphabet Kids? What strategies have been the most successful?
Alphabet Kids utilizes various methods to get the word out
about our books, curriculum, teacher training, music and other products.
We have an extensive PR program, utilize social media, and
tour around the country.
We have done a licensing deal with Select Italy, a tour
company and created "Amazing Family Tours" focusing on family travel
and utilizing our book content as an educational spring board.
We have also done co-promotions with wonderful,
innovative organizations such as
BurdaStyle and Footzy Rolls.
We meet with school superintendent, teachers, homeschoolers,, parents and the media to discuss related topics. We visit schools, hospitals, community centers, faith-based
organizations and also attend as many educational and trade shows as possible.
2011 was an important year for the Alphabet Kids Series,
culminating with an appearance on NBC's Today Show in an interview by Jenna
Bush Hager, Education Correspondent on December 24!
9) Tell us about
your music CD, “Music for the World”.
The CD is available on our website (www.AlphabetKids.com) By
way of background, The Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus welcomes immigrant
children from around the globe, remarkably helping to rescue young lives blown
apart by the horrific conditions from which many of them have fled. War-torn
villages, bloodshed, refugee camps, famine, and political turmoil were
devastating realities for so many of these young singers before being embraced
by the warmth, companionship and harmony of a loving musical environment.
For these children, the power of survival eases – but never
erases – the memory of unthinkable atrocities, physical danger and personal
tragedy. Filmed in Portland, Maine, an ever-expanding international
resettlement community, there was fertile ground to bring together young
survivors from diverse backgrounds, helping them to adapt to a new home and
connect them with local children in a healing, musical setting.
Con Fullam, an award-winning producer, musician, and songwriter,
combined his passion for music with a deep concern for the effect of world
issues on children by creating the Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus. When he was
five, his father died and music became his salvation. Fullam’s dream was to
help others in need through music and he began The Chorus with the help and
encouragement of countless citizens and supporters.
The American Indian word Pihcintu means, “When she sings,
her voice carries far,” a sentiment that truly embodies the spirit of the CD
and a new documentary film. Emmy-award winning Patrice Samara,
Producer/Director, shot the documentary over numerous months capturing multiple
rehearsals and she produced the CD. Music for the World follows the singers as
they prepare for their recording session and concert, highlighting the stories
of these unique young singers who range in age from 9 to 20. With families
originally from Cambodia, China, Congo, El Salvador, Kazakhstan, Kenya,
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Viet Nam, West Indies, and
Zambia plus other countries, the girls bond with children whose families have
lived in the United States and Canada for generations. The Chorus has touched
the hearts people of all ages everywhere and being in their presence is a
life-enhancing experience. The children, their stories and their music are
transformative for the singers and their audiences alike. Through the healing
power of music, these vulnerable, yet brave, young women have learned to trust,
hope…and laugh again.
10) What can young
readers expect from The Alphabet Kids in 2012?
We will be releasing a special addition book called "
The Alphabet Kids Go to the Planetarium". The book is co-written by Isaac
J Kassin, a sixteen-year-old honor's student and Emmy-winner Patrice Samara. We
wanted to encourage our reader's to learn more about science and encourage
careers in the field of technology.
In 2012, we will also be working with the Black Spectrum
Theater in New York City to produce plays based on the Alphabet Kids stories.
Our goal for 2012 is to mount a bus tour called
"Alphabet Kids Many Face-Many Places Tour". On our first part of the
tour schedule, we are planning to go to Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, San
Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles, CA. We plan to go to schools, hospitals
and community centers such as the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs to meet our
fans. We will be visiting Mayors, community leaders and PTAs in as many
communities across the country as possible to connect with our readers in
person! We have a mission and we take that mission very seriously. WE want the
world to be a much more understanding and tolerant place for everyone...especially
the children.
Connect with The Alphabet Kids:
Website: http://www.alphabetkids.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlphabetKidsBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Alphabet_Kids
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlphabetKidsBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Alphabet_Kids
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