Jack's Back Books

Jack's Back Books New Website & Hardcover Update

2013-11-24T10:47:00.004-08:00

We now have an official website!

After a lot of research, we found FatCow, an affordable and "green" web hosting company! We are happy to have earned the badge:

JacksBackBooks.com

We aren't taking orders directly from the website yet, but there are all sorts of ways you can preorder our books and pay. To preorder, go to this link -- you'll see you can pay by check, PayPal or even credit/debit card. Any questions, please contact us at JacksBackBooks@gmail.com.

Please visit and share our website: www.JacksBackBooks.com

Preorder update:

At this point, our first book How To Grow A Hippo! will not be delivered until January. We were sooooo hoping for holiday delivery, but we have requested for our little worker bees to deliver a little something for those kiddos who preordered. It's not too late to preorder! For those who preorder one or both books by December 16th, a little something will be sent to our Jack's Back fans! To preorder, go to this link and be sure to include the kiddos' names if you'd like that little treat delivered soon after.

Each book is an 8x10 inch high-quality hardcover; $14.95 for one or $25.00 for the pair. A nearly $5.00 savings when you get both! These are just the first two in our series. JACK will be BACK with more questions and adventures ... oh, that Jack!

Just added to our blog: Video shorts!

2013-11-09T15:04:00.000-08:00

Our first short video is available at the top right of this page and below. The first link is a a video on how to pay for your books using PayPal and the second link takes you directly to PayPal. I hope this helps!

Click here on how to pay via PayPal.com

Click here to get to PayPal.com

DING DING DING DING! We have officially broken the 100 mark for Hippo book pre-orders!

2013-10-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

Yay! Thanks so much to my first preorder peeps!

In less than 1 week, we exceeded 100

How To Grow A Hippo! preorders!

Preliminary cover of our second children's book

If you'd like to preorder one or both of our children's books in the Jack's Back Book series,
please click here to preorder by Tuesday 11/5 to ensure holiday delivery. Thank you!

11/17/13 UPDATE: We tried! The books will most likely be ready to ship by the end of December, but probably not in time for December holiday delivery. However, the elves are making special little somethings for the kiddos who preordered to keep them occupied....

Jack's Back! And he's taking Preorders for the next book in the Jack's Back Books Series!

2013-10-21T20:24:00.001-07:00

10/27/13 UPDATE: Almost 100 Hippo book preorders in less than one week! Thank you so much! With more needing to be ordered to reach minimum amount to print, here are some tempting facts:

Books are 8 x10 inch hardcover published by Mascot Books, USA
ALL preorder books will be signed
$14.95 per book (or less... read on!)
Order the pair (1 Hippo + 1 Mommy Numbers) get the 2 for $25, just $12.50 each
Order 5 or more copies... let's Skype a reading of the books!
Order 10 or more copies, $12.50 each
Preorder for HOLIDAY DELIVERY!

Our first 2 books in the Jack's Back Books series, How to Grow a Hippo! and Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? are going hardcover. If interested, please complete brief preorder survey at link below. To be ready for the holidays we need as many pre-orders as possible BY NOV 5, 2013. Bar graph of order numbers in right column updated often... stay tuned!

Preorder Survey Link: Click here

Link to the Washington University study that inspired our story: Article here

"Fall down 7 times, get up 8."

2013-06-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 2013 UPDATE: We decided to not do a Kickstarter project, but just try to get the word out and get preorders for our books. Please go to blog post here on how to preorder our books! Either the Hippo or the Mommy Numbers book in hardcover. Thanks!

~~Yep, we're going to give the Kickstarter thing another try. And, if we exceed our goal, we can offer our second book of the series, too! Information about our new Kickstarter project coming soon!~~

Here's a sneak peek at the first completed illustration from our second to-be-published book of the Jack's Back Book series, How to Grow a Hippo!, a book inspired by a study out of Washington University - St. Louis on the connection between a mother's love and brain development in children.

"MOMMY said that SCIENTISTS said that every time you get a hug, your hippo grows!"

Here's an email that I received from Dr. Luby of that Washington University study after she read the manuscript:

Becky-

I just love your book--- I think it is lovely—truly.

I wish you the best of luck in getting this book out to the public---it could really serve an important purpose for children and parents.

Thanks so much for paying attention to our work and translating it for young children and their parents!

Joan Luby, M.D.

Picture of the hippocampus:

Washington University School of Medicine

Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? in Hardcover?!

2012-09-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

UPDATE! Thanks to an awesome, fairly new organization Kickstarter.com, our first Jack's Back book Mommy How Many Numbers Are There? will hopefully be available soon in HARDCOVER! This is especially exciting because:

a) we know how those cute little creatures called babies and toddlers can chew and tear things;

b) we know how much more durable hardcovers are for library loans!

Also in the works, the illustrations for another book based on research that was done right here in St. Louis. It's about the science of... hugs. That's right! Stay tuned!

This Week's Special: Signed, Personalized Copies! Save on Shipping!

2011-12-27T07:47:00.000-08:00

This week's special!! While supplies last!! Order the softcover of Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? directly from me, the author, while I'm still on holiday break. You will:

a) save on shipping
b) get signed copies by Becky and Jack
c) get personalized message to your kiddo
d) all of the above

Answer: d (I even give tests on break...)

Maybe you'd like to purchase some ahead for a little one's birthday or other holiday gift! If interested, please email us directly at JacksBackBooks@gmail.com

Click here for a peek inside the book!

Need a quick, inexpensive gift for a child?

2011-12-23T13:34:00.000-08:00

Anne Mitchell, Illustrator

Just a little over a week left

to get the $1.99 special digital version of

Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There?*

Click here to go to Amazon for details on $1.99 digital version.

Click here for details on softcover version.

Also, our digital version is now available to borrow through Amazon at Kindle Owners' Lending Library. More information here!

*After 12/31/11, the price for digital version will go back to $Pi, or $3.14.

Thank you, Ecosmart!

2011-12-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

How did I discover this company? I can't remember really. I'm just so glad I did. They sell refillable dry erase markers. I've done the math and they not only just cost pennies compared to the other dry erase markers, but think of all that plastic that's being tossed! I haven't tossed out a dry erase marker in over a year thanks to the AusPens!

They just posted a little something THAT MEANS A LOT to us. Check it out!

Math Educator Publishes Book With Her Son

And I must share my favorite teaching tool... my AusPen Kit!

$1.99 Holiday Special for Kindle version and Reviews!

2011-11-30T18:35:00.000-08:00

"It looks GREAT on the Kindle! The illustrations are fantastic. In fact, once I finished reading it, I actually went immediately back to the cover just so I could see who the illustrator was because the illustrations were so great! I just *love* the ending of the book." - Lisa, Charlotte, NC

"It looks GREAT on my iPhone with the free Kindle app!" - Jason, St. Louis, MO

That's what a couple parents had to say about our new digital version of Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There?

Regularly priced $3.14, the holiday special is $1.99 through 12/31/11. With a Kindle or free Kindle Reading App, your favorite little cutie "pi" can view the book on your Kindle, Iphone, Ipad or Android! Links below for your convenience.

Click here to go to Amazon

Click here to go to free Kindle Reading App

First Look at Display Box!

2011-08-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

My wonderful neighbor/graphic artist, Ann Jenkins, just delivered a sample display box for Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? We're so excited! They hold up to 10 books, have little Jack figures on the side and a springy 3-d Jack that pops out of the header. There will be a few modifications, but this is basically what they will look like. If you have a bookstore and would like wholesale information, just let us know.

We expect to have displays at the East Central College bookstore (Union, MO) and Thierbach Orchards (Marthasville, MO) in time for fall apple picking!

Thank you, Ann!

Big Fan, Little Cutie

2011-08-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

Precious! This little cutie from a few states away surprised her mommy one morning. Her mommy was making breakfast, then she turned around and saw her little cutie enjoying one of the illustrations of our book. She seems to like the part about family!

We're so glad to have fans from across the country. We love hearing from you!

And where has the summer gone? Jack and I are both getting ready for the fall semester to begin, as many of you are doing. Enjoy the rest of the summer, stay cool and we'll be in touch!

We look forward to more readings at our local schools. If your school would like a reading of our book, just let us know.

FAQs... From the Kids

2011-05-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

The kiddos at Coverdell Elementary book reading

Whew! Three schools in two days! But I had a BLAST reading to all of those kiddos and Anne enjoyed explaining the illustration process. I learn something from Anne each time we read together!

From kindergarten through fourth grade, the kids have been asking some great questions. I thought I'd share those that I remembered with you. Here are the responses I gave along with the extended versions after some thought. A sincere thank you goes out to The College School, Coverdell Elementary and Monroe Elementary for two wonderful days!

Why do authors write books?
Because of YOU. YOU are the reason I write books. I always wanted to write children's books, but it wasn't until my son, Jack, started asking the questions which inspired these books. These are stories I have told to him and I wanted to share these stories with all of YOU.

Do you have any other books?
I have one other book that's already written and a few others that are partially written. Remember the spooky story I read to you all? The one that's partially written? Anne, my illustrator, is working on the illustrations to those other books right now.

Will you come back when the others are written?
Absolutely! We would love to come back! How about we visit you this fall, close to Halloween, when the spooky book is written? And please know that it's really not a spooky book. It's about a little child, like you, and his imagination that made him scared, but their parent helped them figure out that there was nothing to be scared of. I can't wait to visit you when that book is done!

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was in first or second grade, I wrote a story called The Magic Piano. It was pretty bad. It was full of a lot of "and he said", "and she said", "and he said", "and she said". My dad was an English teacher; he taught me how to write poetry and I've been writing poetry on a regular basis for about 20 years. I have also been the editor for a few newsletters.

If you've written so much poetry, maybe you could publish that into a book!
Maybe I will. I've been thinking the exact same thing!

Did you always like to draw?
(Anne) Yes, for as long as I can remember. In fact, I can remember drawing a lot when I was your age.

How did you make the pictures?
(Anne) Becky sent me the story, her words, then I tried to picture in my mind how to illustrate those words. That's what an illustration is. It's like when you read a story, you know how you use your imagination to picture the story in your mind? It's like that. I sketched them in pencil, then when I knew that's what I wanted, I scanned it into the computer then used the computer to color in the sketches. The computer has tools to color in the sketches just like a paint brush is a tool.

Well, there were soooooooooooooooooooooo many wonderful questions, but that's what I remembered. If there are any kids out there with any other questions or if I missed your question above, feel free to reply to this post or email me at JacksBackBooks@gmail.com.

Thanks again, kiddos, for a wonderful week and HAVE A GREAT SUMMER. And remember: Read, read, read!

End of Semester... Update

2011-05-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

This Math Instructor by day is wrapping up the semester. Finals are almost completely graded and grades are being calculated. If you ordered a book through the author, please hang tight as batches are being delivered slowly but surely. The remaining book orders will be sent out this week!

In the meantime, copies of Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? can be purchased directly through Mira Digital Publishing (by the way, you can really cut your shipping cost by purchasing more than one copy).

We continue working on e-publishing. Soon, Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? will be available to view on Ipads, Iphones and Kindle. It will be a fraction of the cost, too. As a matter of fact, the cost will be a fraction of Pi.

Inside The Book

2011-05-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

A sneak peek inside of Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There?

Anne Mitchell did such a fantastic job with the illustrations and layout. We're working on adding some interactive "math" pages at the end of the second edition. Click on picture for larger image.

The question that started it all back in '08, on Hwy 47 along the MO River

Favorite among kids! How many snowmen do YOU see?

Another favorite. How many fish do YOU see?

Jack's Back Books joins SCBWI

2011-05-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

Jack's Back Books is happy to report that we have joined the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators. If you are a wanna-be children's book author, illustrator, or have an interest in children's literature, this is the organization for you! And by joining SCBWI, Jack's Back Books is automatically a member of the regional chapter Missouri SCBWI. We're looking forward to learning new things, both locally and nationally!

Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? author profile here and illustrator profile and gallery here.

Goosebumps x 2 and foreshadowing?

2011-05-06T07:52:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much, Marthasville Elementary, for allowing me to read our book Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? to you today! Your enthusiasm, wonder and appreciation gave me goosebumps!

So why the Goosebumps x 2? Well, as if I wasn't already on Cloud 9 after doing my very first official school reading, as I was trying to pull out of the school parking lot today, left blinker on to go back home, trying to make a left with this Hwy D detour due to the bridge being closed (my fellow Mathasville-ites -- OMG, Freudian slip? I was trying to type fellow "Marthasville-ites".... seriously. I'm keeping that!)... anyway, I was trying to make a left and a huge truck was heading my way with a line of cars behind it. "Oh, great," I said to myself, "How long am I going to have to wait now?" The huge truck's left blinker turned on. It's pulling into the school.... hmmmm.... this huge truck kindly waved me on to turn left before it pulled in... a closer look.... it was a Scholastic Books truck letting me out.

My dream. Yep. Oh, Jack and I would LOVE for our book to be available through Scholastic! A dream, a dream... working on it. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

"Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning."

- Gloria Steinem

Thanks again, Marthasville Elementary! I'm in the process of booking another 4 readings. Check out the calendar in the right column to see if your school is listed... can't wait to meet all you kiddos!

First School Reading This Friday!

2011-05-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Jack's Back Books has its first school reading this Friday at Marthasville Elementary. We're so excited! I'll read Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? and then do a couple math activities that will hopefully start a conversation about numbers. One of the activities will be to guess how many Earths could fit across the Sun. This involves diameter, radius, and that funny little number pi.

So, what do YOU think? Please take a second to do the poll that's located in the right-hand column. Poll closes the end of May!

See you Friday, Marthasville Elementary!

What's YOUR Favorite Children's Book?

2011-04-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

I'll never forget the day I discovered Mean Soup at the SIUE Bookstore while in graduate school. I bought two of them at the time: one for my niece and nephew and the other for my future child (who would turn out to be Jack, of course!). I have bought many more throughout the years for friends' kids. It's a great book.

This is a favorite in our household -- what are some of YOUR favorites? Feel free to tweet or join the discussion. I have more to share. In fact, the next book that's being written right now reminds me of another favorite... tune in and find out!

Look what the Easter Bunny delivered!

2011-04-24T05:19:00.000-07:00

Look what the Easter Bunny delivered! When I woke up this morning, I noticed two books missing. Then I received an e-mail with this picture signed:

"Thanks for the books. The girls love them. Mollie's favorite page was the snow page! - Peter"

The books are here! The books are here!

2011-04-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

I personally picked up our books from the publisher yesterday. We're so excited! The preorders are being signed and delivered; we look forward to donating copies to local schools, libraries and clinics.

We have extra copies for additional orders. More will also be available for purchase through Mira's website. For more information, please contact us at: JacksBackBooks@gmail.com

Click here to read about Jack's Back Books in the news!

Jack's Back... and He's In the News!

2011-04-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Missourian Photo

A huge thank you goes to Karen Myers, staff writer for the Missourian. Click on link below for the April 20th article:

http://www.emissourian.com/news/washington_news/article_19f8fc18-6b5e-11e0-956a-001cc4c002e0.html

How Many Earths Can Fit ACROSS The Sun?

2011-04-14T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is a problem for pi! How many Earths could we fit inside the Sun? Inspired by the recent Pi Day celebration at the St. Louis Science Center, we'd like to see what you all think. Take the poll that's in the right-hand column. Stay tuned for the answer!

Note: We had to change the question from INSIDE to ACROSS the Sun due to a debate in our Mathematics Department. Thank you to you know who!

THE book... Proof approved!

2011-04-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

It's about numbers. It's about love.

It's like a dream come true for us! We received a proof of our book today; it was delivered Next Day. What quick, wonderful service! Thank you, Mira Publishing! The illustrator and I looked over the book thoroughly and we agreed it is ready to go to print. This means that there is a very good possibility that those hoping for an Easter delivery will get it. I will do my very best to track down the Easter Bunny so that s/he can fill the kiddos' baskets with this no-calorie, good-for-the-brain treat!

We haven't seen the article in the Missourian yet, but I will share that link when I see it.

In the meantime, for those of you who already ordered, I will let you know when the books are done. I will pick them up personally and deliver ASAP.

If you'd like to order a copy, please see link at top right of page. There will also be an option to purchase directly from Mira Digital Publishing (link available soon).

We are already working on our next book! We actually have a couple more in the works. One is about a little boy (hmmmmm.... I wonder what his name is?) who has a little trouble going to sleep... it's based on a true story. It's a story that I've been sharing with Jack, his classmates and other kids for a while. Stay tuned!

Sweet dreams and GO MATH!

Interview with The Missourian Newspaper Today!

2011-03-24T06:40:00.000-07:00

First of all, a HUGE THANKS goes out to all of you who have already ordered a copy of our first book! Your support will help us purchase extra copies to donate to schools, libraries, hospitals and clinics.

Jack and I are also excited to report that we will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Missourian, a local newspaper in Washington, MO. I will be interviewed today then they want to take a picture of Jack and me sometime next week. A special thanks to Dot for passing the word to them! Link to The Missourian below. For more information and how to order Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There?, see previous post below.

eMissourian

Coming soon: You will soon be able to order your copy of Mommy, How Many Numbers Are There? directly from our printer, Mira Publishing. Information coming soon.