Meet Eileen Wacker, Author of the Fujimini Adventures Series
What inspired you to become a children's author?
I moved with my family to Seoul, South Korea in 2003. I had 4 kids, then aged 3 months to 5 years old and a hardworking husband who worked all the time trying to turn a company around. I ran the books programs at the international school. It was a volunteer position but started growing and growing as even mother is heavily invested in their children's reading. I researched the industry and learned all the book/series. I discovered during this period that there was not much in the way of Asian characters/themes in traditional children's stories and started to research themes and characters heavily. Finally one of my children, my daughter is Chinese, and I wanted to provide some content she could be proud of.
How did you come up with the idea for the Fujimini Adventure Series?
I developed groups of animal characters based on Korean, Chinese and Japanese culture and lore. Fujimini Island's inspiration is Mount Fuji. There are 20 characters with distinct and awesome personalities and 12 story lines developed. The first five books are developed. They are named - Green Hamster and the Quest for Fun, Red Penguin and the Missing Sushi, Silent Samurai and the Magnificent Rescue, Pink Hamster and the Big Birthday Surprise and Black Tortoise and the Dynasty Dragon (it is the year of the dragon after all!). The sixth book - Rainbow Panda and the Firecracker Fiasco is written and currently being illustrated!
How many books are available in the Fujimini Adventure Series so far?
Five books with a plan to go to 12. The books exist as soft cover books, hard cover books, ibooks and the animated books are submitted to apple to be ready for sale in early April.
What was the experience of getting your Fujimini Adventure Series published like?
It has been an amazing process. I work with an illustrator, a designer in Mexico City, an animator in Vancouver, a printer in Korea, a voice animator in Minnesota, a warehouse and sales team in Boston, etc. so building this brand has been a great journey to date.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I loved Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star as I could sing along. Also liked Winnie the Pooh (especially Eeyore).
What do you hope children will learn from your books?
There is a whole Fujimini Island world we are creating. There is a glossary which is a guide to the "chic" asian associations found in the stories. So a child can intensify the reading experience, They can read about taekwondo, chopsticks, bonsai trees, samurai warriors, rice, tea, sushi, etc. They can learn about holidays celebrated in Asia - Lunar New Year, New Moon festivals, etc. Finally I hope to enrich the reading experience for children by making the products available in multi media - they can read on a tablet, follow text on an animated book ro have a bedtime story with a traditional print book.
Did you do your own illustrations or did you hire an illustrator?
Yes, I work with a local illustrator here in Honolulu. It makes it easier to translate the concepts I am trying to convey and the looks of the characters. The characters are key to the story line and I wanted them to look a very specific.
Are you currently working on any more books?
Yes, I am currently on Blue Penguin and the Forgotten Swimmer. But we are also launching the series as animated books and launching the book Black Tortoise and the Dynasty Dragon as close to April 1 as possible (and relaunching a content packed website). Wow, so busy.
To find out more about the Fujimini Island Series visit www.oncekids.com
I moved with my family to Seoul, South Korea in 2003. I had 4 kids, then aged 3 months to 5 years old and a hardworking husband who worked all the time trying to turn a company around. I ran the books programs at the international school. It was a volunteer position but started growing and growing as even mother is heavily invested in their children's reading. I researched the industry and learned all the book/series. I discovered during this period that there was not much in the way of Asian characters/themes in traditional children's stories and started to research themes and characters heavily. Finally one of my children, my daughter is Chinese, and I wanted to provide some content she could be proud of.
How did you come up with the idea for the Fujimini Adventure Series?
I developed groups of animal characters based on Korean, Chinese and Japanese culture and lore. Fujimini Island's inspiration is Mount Fuji. There are 20 characters with distinct and awesome personalities and 12 story lines developed. The first five books are developed. They are named - Green Hamster and the Quest for Fun, Red Penguin and the Missing Sushi, Silent Samurai and the Magnificent Rescue, Pink Hamster and the Big Birthday Surprise and Black Tortoise and the Dynasty Dragon (it is the year of the dragon after all!). The sixth book - Rainbow Panda and the Firecracker Fiasco is written and currently being illustrated!
How many books are available in the Fujimini Adventure Series so far?
Five books with a plan to go to 12. The books exist as soft cover books, hard cover books, ibooks and the animated books are submitted to apple to be ready for sale in early April.
What was the experience of getting your Fujimini Adventure Series published like?
It has been an amazing process. I work with an illustrator, a designer in Mexico City, an animator in Vancouver, a printer in Korea, a voice animator in Minnesota, a warehouse and sales team in Boston, etc. so building this brand has been a great journey to date.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I loved Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star as I could sing along. Also liked Winnie the Pooh (especially Eeyore).
What do you hope children will learn from your books?
There is a whole Fujimini Island world we are creating. There is a glossary which is a guide to the "chic" asian associations found in the stories. So a child can intensify the reading experience, They can read about taekwondo, chopsticks, bonsai trees, samurai warriors, rice, tea, sushi, etc. They can learn about holidays celebrated in Asia - Lunar New Year, New Moon festivals, etc. Finally I hope to enrich the reading experience for children by making the products available in multi media - they can read on a tablet, follow text on an animated book ro have a bedtime story with a traditional print book.
Did you do your own illustrations or did you hire an illustrator?
Yes, I work with a local illustrator here in Honolulu. It makes it easier to translate the concepts I am trying to convey and the looks of the characters. The characters are key to the story line and I wanted them to look a very specific.
Are you currently working on any more books?
Yes, I am currently on Blue Penguin and the Forgotten Swimmer. But we are also launching the series as animated books and launching the book Black Tortoise and the Dynasty Dragon as close to April 1 as possible (and relaunching a content packed website). Wow, so busy.
To find out more about the Fujimini Island Series visit www.oncekids.com
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012