Finding the gap to avoid filling the gaps!
Oh no! Not the sweets! and Get out of my mouth are two new books which encourage children to learn more about their dental and health care in a fun and informative way.
Researched, written and illustrated by Laura Griffiths and Victoria Clark, co-founders of Rollercoaster Publishing Ltd, the books were snapped up by the British Dental Health Foundation and Get out of my mouth helped to publicise National Smile Month 2007.
Rollercoaster is a Solent Enterprise Hub supported company which specialises in health and welfare issues for the young. The company and two books were born out of the fact that Laura and Victoria each have complementary skills in teaching children and journalism.
Given their initial success in capturing imaginations and selling over 1,500 copies with a limited marketing budget, Rollercoaster is now planning to take the launch of its books and other products nationally following successful trials in schools and dental surgeries in Portsmouth.
“We met whilst working in a pub as we were both students and doing various other things,” explains Victoria, a former journalist. “Whilst chatting, we were fascinated with each others’ backgrounds and experiences and it became clear that we could use our skills and experience to help educate children in a direct, informative and imaginative way.”
“Having spent a lot of time reading to children in my position as a nursery nurse, most of the books on the market were not dealing with issues of dental care in the best way,” adds Laura. “They either focused on children going to dentists or used animals such as crocodiles to get messages across. I felt that it was important to educate children about prevention in a way they could relate to and act upon personally. Our subsequent research revealed a gap in the market for books that educate in this way.”
The pair has taken advice from organisations such as the Dental School at the University of Portsmouth, paying specific attention to the messages that specialists hope to get to children, such as regular cleaning and eating the right foods.
Oh no! Not the sweets! is a fun and informative story about a group of lunchboxes who go on a journey and discover the differences between healthy and unhealthy lunches. The book aims to encourage young children to make positive, healthy food choices.
Get out of my mouth is a story for young children who are learning to clean their teeth. Bugs that live on dirty teeth are brought to life in a fun and informative way. The book encourages children to make choices concerning dental health as they can understand how and why to clean their teeth properly.
The books are sold directly by Rollercoaster Publishing and the company plans to expand sales throughout the UK. Rollercoaster Publishing also plans to write books on other matters of importance to children, from the environment to money matters.
“We’re brimming with new ideas, but our first priority is to make our first two books and other aspects of them such as merchandising a resounding success,” says Victoria. “The Solent Enterprise Hub and Hub Director Arthur Monks have been very supportive, helping us with our business plan and putting us in contact with other people who will help push the company forward.”
“In partnership with the Portsmouth University Centre for Enterprise, which helps students with start-up companies, the Solent Enterprise Hub has worked on marketing and strategic issues and plans with Rollercoaster,” explains Arthur Monks, Solent Enterprise Hub Director. “We also found a distribution partner for them through the Hub network Directors Forum.
“Vicki and Laura have other products in the pipeline and plenty of ideas, but they are smart and currently generating revenue from existing current products before embarking on new things."
Contact: Ally Charles
Email: allycharles@seeda.co.uk
Publish Date: 21st October 2008
