A group of “geeky” dads have used cutting-edge technology to create a personalized space adventure that will become the must-have children’s book this Christmas.
They’ve tamed a dragon and slain the Gruffalo – now a group of dads are on an intergalactic mission to make bedtime stories magical, with the most high-tech children’s book ever.
The four friends rocketed to success when their idea for a personalized children’s book landed a record £100,000 investment from TV’s Dragon’s Den last year.
Their story, about a child who loses his name, became a global hit, selling over 800,000 copies in nine languages and 150 countries and even beating the latest title from Gruffalo creator Julia Donald.
Now their company, Lost My Name, has launched a new book using cutting-edge technology to create an out-of-this-world adventure uniquely crafted around each child’s name.
The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home features a child lost in space with a robot friend. It uses actual images of the solar system as well as satellite images of the youngster’s actual home to help navigate them safely to earth.
Its message – that with kindness and ingenuity every child can reach for the stars – has even captured the imagination of NASA chiefs who are to send a copy of the book into real space.
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In December, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station will read it to the lucky child presented, as part of a program designed to spark children’s interest in science and technology.
But despite all the space-age technology, the publishers – Asi Sharabi, David Cadji-Newby, Pedro Serapicos and Tal Oron – say their goal is simply to produce “the best children’s book in the world” and encourage parents to read more with their children. .
Asi, a former advertising executive and father of three daughters Thalia, seven, Aya, five, and Alma, two, says: “We are passionate about storytelling – that special interaction between parent and child when they read a book together.
“Kids are entertained by tablets and iPads these days and all that screen tapping gets very erratic and loud. They can’t really draw a child into a story and get their imaginations working.
“So while there are tens of thousands of lines of computer code behind every book we produce, at the point of consumption it is still an old-fashioned, silent book.
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“There are no screens, no bells and whistles or tapping on the screen. There is only mom or dad, turning the pages, making their funny voices, and the opportunity to the child to engage and ask questions.
“We want to make bedtime magical, a time of bonding, and through the adventure that children experience in the story, we hope they will learn that with a little ingenuity, wit and kindness, anything is possible.”
The book, which is ordered online and costs £24.99, has already sold over 856,000 copies and is set to become the best-selling Christmas book and break even more records.
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The three fathers and an uncle joined forces in 2012 and are based in Hackney, east London.
David, a former comedy writer for Alan Carr and The Armstrong and Miller Show, came up with the story The Little Boy Who Lost His Name (or The Little Girl who Lost Her Name) which was illustrated by Pedro.
From the UK census, they discovered that there were 14,000 different names given to babies that year and came up with software that allowed them to personalize their stories with names, of any length and spelling in many different languages.
In July 2014, they appeared in Dragon’s Den and walked away with the best deal the show had ever seen. Tech boss and new Dragon Piers Linney, himself a father of two daughters, shelled out £100,000 for just 4% of the business.
He was seduced by the idea of a book uniquely designed around the different letters of each child’s name, and still stands by his actions.
He said: “The Lost My Name team and company story are fantastic. Their innovative approach, engaging stories, pretty beautiful illustrations and the power of the software provide an example of how technology is changing. something as traditional as storytelling.”
Read more: Dragons’ Den News
Since then Google and other investors have pumped £6m into the business which now has 80 employees and is taking the publishing world by storm.
Asi said, “I still pinch myself every day when I come into the office and see what developed from a small idea that came from a group of geeks. And we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible with children’s books.
“Our new book is about our sense of belonging, our place in the universe.
“Each child’s journey is personalized – from the country’s flag on their spaceship, their name written in the stars, the tilt of the earth showing their home country and, on their return, images of familiar landmarks and possibly his own street.
“We want to encourage children to think more deeply about the wonders of the universe, space and science.
“But, when the child comes back safely and is snuggled up in their own bed, they know that no matter how big the universe, at home they are the most important and loved person.”
Read more:Dragons pay £100,000 to invest in children’s book