Gecko Press Curiously Good Book Club

By Gecko Press

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NZ $35,025 pledged


307 people pledged


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This campaign was successful and closed on 21/06/2017 at 8:00 PM.

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About

Gecko Press Curiously Good Book Club

Project 2017-05-01 14:08:30 +1200

 

(From Super Rabbit by Stephanie Blake)

What is our aim?

At Gecko Press our aim is that every child loves to read. 

Gecko Press publishes a small number of carefully chosen, edgy yet proven - what we call curiously good - children's books, from the best writers and illustrators in the world, translated into English, for readers in New Zealand, the US, the UK and Australia.

And in a world of digital distraction, we want to do our bit to keep kids' noses in books. 

 

(From A Day with Dogs by Dorothee de Monfreid)

 

What is the Curiously Good Book Club?

We want to create a digital and real life community where people can share knowledge about great books for children (not just our books) and find creative ways to encourage children to love to read. The Curiously Good Book Club will include activities for kids, real people events and rich digital experience.

We would love to have storytelling sessions at the beach; workshops on how to be a good reader-alouder; give every child a tiny reading journal and I'm a Curiously Good Reader badge.

We want to collaborate with anyone and everyone, and to be loud about the joy and benefits of being a good reader.

Because one good book can kickstart every child into a lifetime love of reading. 

 

Curiously Good Book Club

 

 

 

What will you get if you pledge?

You can simply opt to join us at a Curiously Good Party in November in Wellington, to toast the festive season. 

Or you can choose a surprise pack of curiously good books (tell us what age you're interested in!) or a book subscription (regular parcels delivered to you, or directly to a favourite child, school or library).

You can choose to donate books directly to a school or library, or to receive all Gecko Press books with an All you can eat subscription.

Everyone who pledges goes in the draw to win a pile of Gecko Press books! And check our social media pages - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) as there will also be fun new pledges... so keep looking!

 

Why do we need you?

 It will cost at least $50,000 to get the club off the ground. We are investing $15,000 and crowdfunding the remaining $35,000 by offering tangible rewards.

Most of this money will go to improving the digital experience and backbone of the club, so we can offer fun things like events, reading incentives - such as tiny reading journals and stickers - and ways to share knowledge of great books. Your money will go to real life events, a digital marketing system that allows us to target the right book to the right child, videos, webinars, workshops, etc.

 

(From A Book is a Book by Jenny Bornholdt and Sarah Wilkins)

 

Thank you for your help!

Julia, Faustine, Rachel, Grace & Frances

 

 

Comments

Updates 15

287 pledgers, $35,000, and a big THANK YOU

20/06/2017 at 5:12 PM

Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,


Thank you!

Here we are...we did it! Thanks to you – the 287 people who pledged and who talked about our campaign – we’ve made over $35,000!

We’re ready to offer a great Curiously Good Book Club, and to kickstart every child into a lifetime love of reading.

We still have one day to go, and there are still great rewards for you to pledge for. Extra funds will be used to offer incentives to children (“Curiously Good Reader” badges and more reading journals).

Curiously Good Reader Badge

We can't thank you enough for your help and support. Thank you to those who’ve pledged. Thank you to our illustrators for their gorgeous illustrations. Thank you to the authors, publishers, illustrators, and art directors who will join us for the workshops. Thank you to all the people who’ve shared the Curiously Good Book Club. All of you have made this possible! We're over the Moon, and you've brought us here.

Now we're bringing books to children! 

 

Join us for a tea or coffee on Saturday

To those of you who live in Wellington, or who will be in the area this weekend, we would be delighted to invite you to have a tea or coffee with us. Join us at our office (9 Holland Street) this Saturday 24 from 10am to 12:30pm. You can pick up your books, and we would love to have a chat with you and get more ideas or feedback about the Curiously Good Book Club. RSVP essential to [email protected], so we can prepare your rewards.

For those of your further away, we will send your rewards next week.

If you’ve pledged for packs of books, please send us an email with the reading age you would like and we’ll try to match it as much as possible.

If you have pledged for original illustrations and prints, this will take a bit longer – the illustrations come from all around the world! We hope to send these within a month, and we’ll let you know when they’re on the way.

 

What’s next?

As you know, the aim of the Club is simple – that every child loves to read.

 

 

1 day to go - less than $1000 to reach our goal... and gorgeous new rewards!

20/06/2017 at 11:34 AM

Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

We have received amazing support over the weekend...we have less than $1000 to reach our $35,000 goal (before tomorrow 8pm). We're nearly there!

Our wonderful illustrators are supporting the Curiously Good Book Club until the last minute so we can offer you new gorgeous rewards (see below)! Ole Konnecke has drawn original Bert illustrations just for you, and he even sent us a video of him drawing it so you can see how he does it! 

And we still have packs of books, invitations to our end of the year party, prints, and tickets for a great illustration workshop with award-winning illustrators and a famous art director.

The writing workshop is sold out, but you can have a coffee with publisher Julia Marshall to get feedback on your writing.

Illustrator Workshop (August 28 - Wellington) - $350

Illustration workshop

New original illustrations!

#24 Original illustration "Bert with hats" by Ole Könnecke ($850)

Lots of Bert

 

#25 Original illustration "Bert 1" by Ole Könnecke ($500)

 

#26 Original illustration "Bert 2" by Ole Könnecke ($500)

 

#27 Original illustration "Bert 3" by Ole Könnecke ($500)

Little bert

 

#28 Four signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Have You Seen Elephant - Cover" from Have You Seen Elephant, by David Barrow ($250 each) - 4 left

Have you seen elephant cover by David Barrow

 

And still available:

 

Original illustration by Gavin Bishop:

 

#12 One original illustration "Snake and Lizard" from Snake and Lizard ($800)

Bishop

#17 One original illustration "Big Help - Little Help" from Helper and Helper ($500)

Bishop

#10 One original illustration "Squirrel and co" from Helper and Helper ($700)

Bishop

Signed limited prints by Paul Beavis:

#5 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster with backpack" from Hello World ($250) - 5 left

Mrs Mo's Monster

#6 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster painting" from Hello World ($250) - 5 left

Mrs Mo's Monster

 

Limited prints by Leo Timmers:

 

#18 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Fire Truck" from Who's Driving ($180 each) - 4 left

Timmers

#19 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Plane" from Who's Driving ($180 each) - 4 left

Timmers

 

 

 

Thank you to everybody for your huge help!

 

Julia and all at Gecko Press

5 days to go - over 65% - and a new reward!

16/06/2017 at 5:11 PM

 

 

Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

 

We are now over 65%...Thank you to each of the 182 pledgers who have supported us!

 

 

We told you we would be announcing an exciting writing workshop very soon...Here it is!

 

We are offering a workshop for new or aspiring children's book writers, with publishers (from Gecko Press and another local publisher) and two experienced children's books writers, publishers and editors (Susan Paris and Kate de Goldi, the editors of Annual looking for new talent!). Participants will be able to present and get feedback on their work, and to learn from publishers and writers…And we are also very interested to see new writers' work.  

 

Writing workshop (August 7 - Wellington)

9:00-10:00 am: Julia Marshall, Rachel Lawson and another local publisher discuss what they are looking for from writers, and how they work with them

10:00-10:15 am: Morning tea

10:15-12:30 am: Participants are invited to present a story, while the publishers offer feedback and advice on one-to-one

12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch

1:15-4 pm: Workshop with writers and editors Susan Paris and Kate de Goldi (the tasks resemble something that could turn into Annual content)

4:00-5:00: Drinks

 

A Day With Dogs

 

An illustration workshop is also available.

You can become an art collector, and of course we have lots of books to buy, offer or donate...

 

We are in the last week of our campaign, and we need you more than ever. Please talk about our PledgeMe campaign with everyone you know!

 

Thank you to all of you for your help!

 

Julia and all at Gecko Press

One week to go, over 60% funded . . . and new rewards!

14/06/2017 at 4:13 PM

Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

Thank you to each of the 167 pledgers who have supported us! We’re now over 60% funded and are on the way to reach our goal... so you can get your rewards!

It seems you’ve loved our latest rewards – generously offered by our illustrators. Only a few artworks are left, but good news! We have some new, unexpected illustrations from Gitte Spee and Peter Schössow – pledge for them before they’re all gone. Check the full updated list here.

We also have a new reward aimed at new and aspiring illustrators. We are offering a workshop with publishers (from Gecko Press and another local publisher) and experienced and award-winning illustrators (Paul Beavis and Josh Morgan) and an award winning art director (Vida Kelly) who worked with some of the best children's book publishers and illustrators. Participants will be able to present and get feedback on their work, and to learn from publishers and illustrators…And we are also very interested to see new illustrators' work. 

The workshop will be in central Wellington on August 28.

Here are more details:

Illustrator workshop (August 28 - Wellington)

9:00-10:00 am: Julia Marshall, Rachel Lawson and another local publisher discuss what they are looking for from illustrators, and how they work with them

10:00-10:15 am: Morning tea

10:15-12:30 am: Participants are invited to create a storyboard – supervised by Vida Kelly (award winning art director who worked with some of the best children's book publishers and illustrators!), while the publishers offer feedback and advice

12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch

1:15-4 pm: Workshop with award-winning illustrators Paul Beavis and Josh Morgan

4:00-5:00: Drinks

 

We will be announcing an exciting workshop for writers very soon . . . check our upcoming update.

We are in the last week of our campaign, and we need you more than ever. Please talk about our PledgeMe campaign with everyone you know!

Thank you to all of you for your help!

Julia and all at Gecko Press

 

#20 Original Illustration "Tea Time" from "Detective Gordon", by Gitte Spee ($500)

Detective Gordon

#21 One limited edition print of the illustration "Two Red Cars" from "My First Car Was Red", by Peter Schössow ($150) - SOLD OUT

My First Car Was Red

#22 One limited edition print of the illustration "One Car" from "My First Car Was Red", by Peter Schössow ($150)

My First Car Was Red

#23 One limited edition print of the illustration "Red Cars Race" from My First Car Was Red, by Peter Schössow ($150)

My First Car Was Red

Become an art collector, and kickstart every child into a lifetime of reading!

08/06/2017 at 5:37 PM

Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

Thank you to each of the 130 pledgers who have supported us! We’re now over 40% funded and are on the home trail...

We have some gorgeous new rewards to help us reach our goal to build the Curiously Good Book Club.

Our illustrators from New Zealand and around the world are supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering limited edition prints, limited edition signed prints and ORIGINAL illustrations. The prints will be numbered (only 2 or 5 copies available of each) and printed on thick, beautiful paper. Below is a preview of a few of them (To see them all, please go to the previous updates, page 1 and 2 where they are listed by illustrator. You then match the #number to the Pledge. Illustrators include Gavin Bishop, Kieran Rynhart, Paul Beavis, Leo Timmers, David Barrow, Sarah Davis, Ole Könnecke.

Here you go!

 

#9 Original illustration "Robot" from Franky, by Leo Timmers ($850)

Franky, by Leo Timmers

 

#15 Two signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Whale" from "If I was a Banana", by Kieran Rynhart ($250 each)

If I was a Banana, by Kieran Rynhart

 

#10 Original illustration "Squirrel and co" from Helper and Helper, by Gavin Bishop ($700)

Helper and Helper, Gavin Bishop

#4 Original rough "Elephant behind a tree" from Have You Seen Elephant?, by David Barrow ($400)

Have you seen Elephant, by David Barrow

 

#6 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster painting" from Hello World, by Paul Beavis ($250)

Hello World, by Paul Beavis

 

#8 Original illustration "Toucans endpapers" from Toucan Can, by Sarah Davis ($400)

Toucan Can, by Sarah Davis

And much more! 

For overseas pledgers, please add $20 to your pledge for shipping.

 

Thank you to our illustrators - and to all of you for helping us!

Julia and all at Gecko Press

 

Kieran Rynhart limited signed edition prints

08/06/2017 at 3:12 PM

 

Kieran Rynhart is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us limited signed prints from If I was a Banana.

 

#15 Two signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Whale" from "If I was a Banana" ($250 each)

If I was a Banana, by Kieran Rynhart

 

#16 Two signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Elephant" from "If I was a Banana" ($250 each) 

If I was a Banana, by Kieran Rynhart

Ole Könnecke limited edition prints

08/06/2017 at 11:13 AM

Ole Könnecke is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us limited prints from The Big Book of Words and Pictures.

 

#13 Five limited edition prints of this alphabet - without the words - from The Big Book of Words and Pictures ($180 each)

The Big Book of Words and Pictures, by Ole Könnecke

Gavin Bishop original illustrations from "Snake and Lizard" series

08/06/2017 at 10:15 AM

Gavin Bishop is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us four original illustrations from the Snake and Lizard series.

 

#17 Original illustration "Big Help - Little Help" from Helper and Helper ($500)

Helper and Helper, Gavin Bishop

#10 Original illustration "Squirrel and co" from Helper and Helper ($700)

Helper and Helper, by Gavin Bishop

#11 Original illustration "Lizard and Rabbits" from Snake and Lizard ($1000)

Snake and Lizard, by Gavin Bishop

#12 Original illustration "Snake and Lizard" from Snake and Lizard ($800)

Snake and Lizard, Gavin Bishop

Leo Timmers limited edition prints and original illustration

08/06/2017 at 9:49 AM

Leo Timmers is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us one original illustration from Franky and two limited prints from Who's driving.

 

#9 Original illustration "Robot" from Franky ($850)

Frank, by Leo Timmers

#18 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Fire Truck" from Who's Driving ($180 each)

Who's driving, by Leo Timmers

#19 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Plane" from Who's Driving ($180 each)

Who's driving, by Leo Timmers

Sarah Davis original illustrations from Toucan Can

07/06/2017 at 4:55 PM

Sarah Davis is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us two original illustrations from Toucan Can.

#7 Original illustration "Toucans color" from Toucan Can ($500)

 

#8 Original illustration "Toucans endpapers" from Toucan Can ($400)

Toucan Can, by Sarah Davis

Paul Beavis signed limited edition prints

07/06/2017 at 4:42 PM

Paul Beavis is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us signed limited edition prints from Hello World.

 

#5 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster with backpack" from Hello World ($250)

Hello World, by David Beavis

#6 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster painting" from Hello World ($250)

Hello World, by Paul Beavis

 

David Barrow original roughs and signed limited edition prints

07/06/2017 at 4:29 PM

David Barrow is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us original roughs and signed limited edition prints of gorgeous illustrations from Have You Seen Elephant?.

 

#3 Original rough "I give up" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($350)

Rough #1 Have you seen Elephant

 

#4 Original rough "Elephant behind a tree" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($400)

Rough #2 from Have you seen Elephant, by David Barrow

 

#1 Signed limited edition print of the illustration "Elephant behind a tree" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($250)

Have you seen Elephant #1

 

#2 Signed limited edition print of the illustration "I give up" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($250)

Have you seen Elephant #2

 

1/3 funded and new rewards to celebrate!

02/06/2017 at 3:05 PM

Dear Curiously Good pledgers,

We’re over 1/3 funded . . . Thank you very much to the 112 pledgers who supported us! And we have some exciting new rewards...

But we need to get to our goal for the campaign to be funded… We believe we can reach 50% of our goal over Queen’s Birthday weekend. Would you like to help us with that? You can share this link on Facebook, or this link pldg.me/gecko and this image everywhere!

Gecko Press PledgeMe Campaign

From Super Rabbit by Stephanie Blake

And we have excellent news for you! David Barrow is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us five signed limited edition prints of two gorgeous illustrations from Have You Seen Elephant?

They are only five of each, you'll have to be quick!

 

Thank you again for your help, 

Julia and all at Gecko Press

20% and Curiously Good Book Club event #1!

26/05/2017 at 4:13 PM

Dear Curiously Good pledgers,

 

Yesterday we had our first Curiously Good Book Club event at Space Place... We launched a book and gazed at the stars, and it was amazing! We would love to organise more events like this one with other great partners. But for that, we need to reach our goal.
 
 
Today we reached a huge milestone of 20%, thank you all very much for your support!
 
With your help, we believe we can hit the $10,000 mark before Sunday. Please tell your friends about the Curiously Good Book Club and about our PledgeMe campaign (pldg.me/gecko). You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And don't forget - if you share our posts on social media, you double your chances to win this huge giveaway! 
 
 
Thank you for your help!
Julia and all at Gecko Press

Thank you + Huge GIVEAWAY!

23/05/2017 at 10:06 AM

 

Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign! We’ve reached 10% of our goal... Help us reach our $35000 by spreading the word!

And keep looking at our campaign page... We've got some contests with great rewards (check out our social media pages and see below).We'll also add new and unique pledges!

 

 

Help us build the Curiously Good Book Club with a little pledge, and you'll go in the draw to win a huge pile of Curiously Good Books! If you pledge AND share, you go in the draw TWICE! Pledge and spread the word! 

 


    Pledgers 307

    Anonymous pledger
    26/05/2017 at 2:36pm
    Wheelers Books
    26/05/2017 at 2:14pm

    "For the Duffy Book Team to help spread the joy of reading, from Wheelers :)"

    Judith Geare
    26/05/2017 at 10:47am
    Jono Manks
    26/05/2017 at 10:25am

    "Great initiative - good luck!"

    Anonymous pledger
    25/05/2017 at 8:35pm
    Sue Allison
    25/05/2017 at 3:16pm

    "Fantastic!! Go Gecko!!"

    Renata Hopkins
    25/05/2017 at 11:10am
    Anna Wallace
    25/05/2017 at 7:29am

    "What a great idea!"

    Simon Moor
    24/05/2017 at 10:00pm

    "What a great cause team"

    Melissa
    24/05/2017 at 7:07pm
    Philip Poppe
    24/05/2017 at 4:49pm
    Cleo Mitchell
    23/05/2017 at 8:46pm
    Helen Wadsworth
    23/05/2017 at 7:28pm

    "Go Gecko!"

    Clare Forrest
    23/05/2017 at 7:01pm
    Chris Weale
    23/05/2017 at 4:07pm
    Anonymous pledger
    23/05/2017 at 10:20am

    "RAUMATI BEACH Good luck!"

    Katrina Henderson
    23/05/2017 at 6:10am
    Ruth Diver
    22/05/2017 at 7:27pm
    Anonymous pledger
    22/05/2017 at 3:54pm

    "Every child reading about their culture, their people, their fun!!!"

    Mākaro Press
    22/05/2017 at 1:23pm

    "Excited to support a new venture involving children's books and reading. "

    Emma Wood
    22/05/2017 at 11:56am

    "Thanks for your great books, Gecko Press! Love this idea and hope it succeeds so my children can join the Club. "

    Caroline
    20/05/2017 at 2:13pm
    Crissi Blair
    19/05/2017 at 7:48pm

    "I'm looking forward to seeing what the Curiously Good Book Club has in store for its members in the future, and being a part of it all."

    Anonymous pledger
    19/05/2017 at 7:31pm
    Anake Goodall
    19/05/2017 at 5:37pm
    Anonymous pledger
    19/05/2017 at 5:03pm
    Anonymous pledger
    19/05/2017 at 5:02pm
    Anonymous pledger
    19/05/2017 at 4:58pm
    Catherine Cheesman
    19/05/2017 at 2:52pm
    Jess Ducey
    19/05/2017 at 12:03pm

    Followers 4

    Followers of Gecko Press Curiously Good Book Club

    Gecko Press Curiously Good Book Club

    Project 2017-05-01 14:08:30 +1200

     

    (From Super Rabbit by Stephanie Blake)

    What is our aim?

    At Gecko Press our aim is that every child loves to read. 

    Gecko Press publishes a small number of carefully chosen, edgy yet proven - what we call curiously good - children's books, from the best writers and illustrators in the world, translated into English, for readers in New Zealand, the US, the UK and Australia.

    And in a world of digital distraction, we want to do our bit to keep kids' noses in books. 

     

    (From A Day with Dogs by Dorothee de Monfreid)

     

    What is the Curiously Good Book Club?

    We want to create a digital and real life community where people can share knowledge about great books for children (not just our books) and find creative ways to encourage children to love to read. The Curiously Good Book Club will include activities for kids, real people events and rich digital experience.

    We would love to have storytelling sessions at the beach; workshops on how to be a good reader-alouder; give every child a tiny reading journal and I'm a Curiously Good Reader badge.

    We want to collaborate with anyone and everyone, and to be loud about the joy and benefits of being a good reader.

    Because one good book can kickstart every child into a lifetime love of reading. 

     

    Curiously Good Book Club

     

     

     

    What will you get if you pledge?

    You can simply opt to join us at a Curiously Good Party in November in Wellington, to toast the festive season. 

    Or you can choose a surprise pack of curiously good books (tell us what age you're interested in!) or a book subscription (regular parcels delivered to you, or directly to a favourite child, school or library).

    You can choose to donate books directly to a school or library, or to receive all Gecko Press books with an All you can eat subscription.

    Everyone who pledges goes in the draw to win a pile of Gecko Press books! And check our social media pages - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) as there will also be fun new pledges... so keep looking!

     

    Why do we need you?

     It will cost at least $50,000 to get the club off the ground. We are investing $15,000 and crowdfunding the remaining $35,000 by offering tangible rewards.

    Most of this money will go to improving the digital experience and backbone of the club, so we can offer fun things like events, reading incentives - such as tiny reading journals and stickers - and ways to share knowledge of great books. Your money will go to real life events, a digital marketing system that allows us to target the right book to the right child, videos, webinars, workshops, etc.

     

    (From A Book is a Book by Jenny Bornholdt and Sarah Wilkins)

     

    Thank you for your help!

    Julia, Faustine, Rachel, Grace & Frances

     

     

    Comments

    287 pledgers, $35,000, and a big THANK YOU

    20/06/2017 at 5:12 PM

    Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,


    Thank you!

    Here we are...we did it! Thanks to you – the 287 people who pledged and who talked about our campaign – we’ve made over $35,000!

    We’re ready to offer a great Curiously Good Book Club, and to kickstart every child into a lifetime love of reading.

    We still have one day to go, and there are still great rewards for you to pledge for. Extra funds will be used to offer incentives to children (“Curiously Good Reader” badges and more reading journals).

    Curiously Good Reader Badge

    We can't thank you enough for your help and support. Thank you to those who’ve pledged. Thank you to our illustrators for their gorgeous illustrations. Thank you to the authors, publishers, illustrators, and art directors who will join us for the workshops. Thank you to all the people who’ve shared the Curiously Good Book Club. All of you have made this possible! We're over the Moon, and you've brought us here.

    Now we're bringing books to children! 

     

    Join us for a tea or coffee on Saturday

    To those of you who live in Wellington, or who will be in the area this weekend, we would be delighted to invite you to have a tea or coffee with us. Join us at our office (9 Holland Street) this Saturday 24 from 10am to 12:30pm. You can pick up your books, and we would love to have a chat with you and get more ideas or feedback about the Curiously Good Book Club. RSVP essential to [email protected], so we can prepare your rewards.

    For those of your further away, we will send your rewards next week.

    If you’ve pledged for packs of books, please send us an email with the reading age you would like and we’ll try to match it as much as possible.

    If you have pledged for original illustrations and prints, this will take a bit longer – the illustrations come from all around the world! We hope to send these within a month, and we’ll let you know when they’re on the way.

     

    What’s next?

    As you know, the aim of the Club is simple – that every child loves to read.

     

     

    1 day to go - less than $1000 to reach our goal... and gorgeous new rewards!

    20/06/2017 at 11:34 AM

    Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

    We have received amazing support over the weekend...we have less than $1000 to reach our $35,000 goal (before tomorrow 8pm). We're nearly there!

    Our wonderful illustrators are supporting the Curiously Good Book Club until the last minute so we can offer you new gorgeous rewards (see below)! Ole Konnecke has drawn original Bert illustrations just for you, and he even sent us a video of him drawing it so you can see how he does it! 

    And we still have packs of books, invitations to our end of the year party, prints, and tickets for a great illustration workshop with award-winning illustrators and a famous art director.

    The writing workshop is sold out, but you can have a coffee with publisher Julia Marshall to get feedback on your writing.

    Illustrator Workshop (August 28 - Wellington) - $350

    Illustration workshop

    New original illustrations!

    #24 Original illustration "Bert with hats" by Ole Könnecke ($850)

    Lots of Bert

     

    #25 Original illustration "Bert 1" by Ole Könnecke ($500)

     

    #26 Original illustration "Bert 2" by Ole Könnecke ($500)

     

    #27 Original illustration "Bert 3" by Ole Könnecke ($500)

    Little bert

     

    #28 Four signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Have You Seen Elephant - Cover" from Have You Seen Elephant, by David Barrow ($250 each) - 4 left

    Have you seen elephant cover by David Barrow

     

    And still available:

     

    Original illustration by Gavin Bishop:

     

    #12 One original illustration "Snake and Lizard" from Snake and Lizard ($800)

    Bishop

    #17 One original illustration "Big Help - Little Help" from Helper and Helper ($500)

    Bishop

    #10 One original illustration "Squirrel and co" from Helper and Helper ($700)

    Bishop

    Signed limited prints by Paul Beavis:

    #5 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster with backpack" from Hello World ($250) - 5 left

    Mrs Mo's Monster

    #6 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster painting" from Hello World ($250) - 5 left

    Mrs Mo's Monster

     

    Limited prints by Leo Timmers:

     

    #18 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Fire Truck" from Who's Driving ($180 each) - 4 left

    Timmers

    #19 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Plane" from Who's Driving ($180 each) - 4 left

    Timmers

     

     

     

    Thank you to everybody for your huge help!

     

    Julia and all at Gecko Press

    5 days to go - over 65% - and a new reward!

    16/06/2017 at 5:11 PM

     

     

    Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

     

    We are now over 65%...Thank you to each of the 182 pledgers who have supported us!

     

     

    We told you we would be announcing an exciting writing workshop very soon...Here it is!

     

    We are offering a workshop for new or aspiring children's book writers, with publishers (from Gecko Press and another local publisher) and two experienced children's books writers, publishers and editors (Susan Paris and Kate de Goldi, the editors of Annual looking for new talent!). Participants will be able to present and get feedback on their work, and to learn from publishers and writers…And we are also very interested to see new writers' work.  

     

    Writing workshop (August 7 - Wellington)

    9:00-10:00 am: Julia Marshall, Rachel Lawson and another local publisher discuss what they are looking for from writers, and how they work with them

    10:00-10:15 am: Morning tea

    10:15-12:30 am: Participants are invited to present a story, while the publishers offer feedback and advice on one-to-one

    12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch

    1:15-4 pm: Workshop with writers and editors Susan Paris and Kate de Goldi (the tasks resemble something that could turn into Annual content)

    4:00-5:00: Drinks

     

    A Day With Dogs

     

    An illustration workshop is also available.

    You can become an art collector, and of course we have lots of books to buy, offer or donate...

     

    We are in the last week of our campaign, and we need you more than ever. Please talk about our PledgeMe campaign with everyone you know!

     

    Thank you to all of you for your help!

     

    Julia and all at Gecko Press

    One week to go, over 60% funded . . . and new rewards!

    14/06/2017 at 4:13 PM

    Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

    Thank you to each of the 167 pledgers who have supported us! We’re now over 60% funded and are on the way to reach our goal... so you can get your rewards!

    It seems you’ve loved our latest rewards – generously offered by our illustrators. Only a few artworks are left, but good news! We have some new, unexpected illustrations from Gitte Spee and Peter Schössow – pledge for them before they’re all gone. Check the full updated list here.

    We also have a new reward aimed at new and aspiring illustrators. We are offering a workshop with publishers (from Gecko Press and another local publisher) and experienced and award-winning illustrators (Paul Beavis and Josh Morgan) and an award winning art director (Vida Kelly) who worked with some of the best children's book publishers and illustrators. Participants will be able to present and get feedback on their work, and to learn from publishers and illustrators…And we are also very interested to see new illustrators' work. 

    The workshop will be in central Wellington on August 28.

    Here are more details:

    Illustrator workshop (August 28 - Wellington)

    9:00-10:00 am: Julia Marshall, Rachel Lawson and another local publisher discuss what they are looking for from illustrators, and how they work with them

    10:00-10:15 am: Morning tea

    10:15-12:30 am: Participants are invited to create a storyboard – supervised by Vida Kelly (award winning art director who worked with some of the best children's book publishers and illustrators!), while the publishers offer feedback and advice

    12:30-1:15 pm: Lunch

    1:15-4 pm: Workshop with award-winning illustrators Paul Beavis and Josh Morgan

    4:00-5:00: Drinks

     

    We will be announcing an exciting workshop for writers very soon . . . check our upcoming update.

    We are in the last week of our campaign, and we need you more than ever. Please talk about our PledgeMe campaign with everyone you know!

    Thank you to all of you for your help!

    Julia and all at Gecko Press

     

    #20 Original Illustration "Tea Time" from "Detective Gordon", by Gitte Spee ($500)

    Detective Gordon

    #21 One limited edition print of the illustration "Two Red Cars" from "My First Car Was Red", by Peter Schössow ($150) - SOLD OUT

    My First Car Was Red

    #22 One limited edition print of the illustration "One Car" from "My First Car Was Red", by Peter Schössow ($150)

    My First Car Was Red

    #23 One limited edition print of the illustration "Red Cars Race" from My First Car Was Red, by Peter Schössow ($150)

    My First Car Was Red

    Become an art collector, and kickstart every child into a lifetime of reading!

    08/06/2017 at 5:37 PM

    Dear Curiously Good Pledgers,

    Thank you to each of the 130 pledgers who have supported us! We’re now over 40% funded and are on the home trail...

    We have some gorgeous new rewards to help us reach our goal to build the Curiously Good Book Club.

    Our illustrators from New Zealand and around the world are supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering limited edition prints, limited edition signed prints and ORIGINAL illustrations. The prints will be numbered (only 2 or 5 copies available of each) and printed on thick, beautiful paper. Below is a preview of a few of them (To see them all, please go to the previous updates, page 1 and 2 where they are listed by illustrator. You then match the #number to the Pledge. Illustrators include Gavin Bishop, Kieran Rynhart, Paul Beavis, Leo Timmers, David Barrow, Sarah Davis, Ole Könnecke.

    Here you go!

     

    #9 Original illustration "Robot" from Franky, by Leo Timmers ($850)

    Franky, by Leo Timmers

     

    #15 Two signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Whale" from "If I was a Banana", by Kieran Rynhart ($250 each)

    If I was a Banana, by Kieran Rynhart

     

    #10 Original illustration "Squirrel and co" from Helper and Helper, by Gavin Bishop ($700)

    Helper and Helper, Gavin Bishop

    #4 Original rough "Elephant behind a tree" from Have You Seen Elephant?, by David Barrow ($400)

    Have you seen Elephant, by David Barrow

     

    #6 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster painting" from Hello World, by Paul Beavis ($250)

    Hello World, by Paul Beavis

     

    #8 Original illustration "Toucans endpapers" from Toucan Can, by Sarah Davis ($400)

    Toucan Can, by Sarah Davis

    And much more! 

    For overseas pledgers, please add $20 to your pledge for shipping.

     

    Thank you to our illustrators - and to all of you for helping us!

    Julia and all at Gecko Press

     

    Kieran Rynhart limited signed edition prints

    08/06/2017 at 3:12 PM

     

    Kieran Rynhart is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us limited signed prints from If I was a Banana.

     

    #15 Two signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Whale" from "If I was a Banana" ($250 each)

    If I was a Banana, by Kieran Rynhart

     

    #16 Two signed limited edition prints of the illustration "Elephant" from "If I was a Banana" ($250 each) 

    If I was a Banana, by Kieran Rynhart

    Ole Könnecke limited edition prints

    08/06/2017 at 11:13 AM

    Ole Könnecke is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us limited prints from The Big Book of Words and Pictures.

     

    #13 Five limited edition prints of this alphabet - without the words - from The Big Book of Words and Pictures ($180 each)

    The Big Book of Words and Pictures, by Ole Könnecke

    Gavin Bishop original illustrations from "Snake and Lizard" series

    08/06/2017 at 10:15 AM

    Gavin Bishop is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us four original illustrations from the Snake and Lizard series.

     

    #17 Original illustration "Big Help - Little Help" from Helper and Helper ($500)

    Helper and Helper, Gavin Bishop

    #10 Original illustration "Squirrel and co" from Helper and Helper ($700)

    Helper and Helper, by Gavin Bishop

    #11 Original illustration "Lizard and Rabbits" from Snake and Lizard ($1000)

    Snake and Lizard, by Gavin Bishop

    #12 Original illustration "Snake and Lizard" from Snake and Lizard ($800)

    Snake and Lizard, Gavin Bishop

    Leo Timmers limited edition prints and original illustration

    08/06/2017 at 9:49 AM

    Leo Timmers is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us one original illustration from Franky and two limited prints from Who's driving.

     

    #9 Original illustration "Robot" from Franky ($850)

    Frank, by Leo Timmers

    #18 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Fire Truck" from Who's Driving ($180 each)

    Who's driving, by Leo Timmers

    #19 Limited edition prints of the illustration "Plane" from Who's Driving ($180 each)

    Who's driving, by Leo Timmers

    Sarah Davis original illustrations from Toucan Can

    07/06/2017 at 4:55 PM

    Sarah Davis is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us two original illustrations from Toucan Can.

    #7 Original illustration "Toucans color" from Toucan Can ($500)

     

    #8 Original illustration "Toucans endpapers" from Toucan Can ($400)

    Toucan Can, by Sarah Davis

    Paul Beavis signed limited edition prints

    07/06/2017 at 4:42 PM

    Paul Beavis is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us signed limited edition prints from Hello World.

     

    #5 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster with backpack" from Hello World ($250)

    Hello World, by David Beavis

    #6 Limited edition signed prints of the illustration "Monster painting" from Hello World ($250)

    Hello World, by Paul Beavis

     

    David Barrow original roughs and signed limited edition prints

    07/06/2017 at 4:29 PM

    David Barrow is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us original roughs and signed limited edition prints of gorgeous illustrations from Have You Seen Elephant?.

     

    #3 Original rough "I give up" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($350)

    Rough #1 Have you seen Elephant

     

    #4 Original rough "Elephant behind a tree" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($400)

    Rough #2 from Have you seen Elephant, by David Barrow

     

    #1 Signed limited edition print of the illustration "Elephant behind a tree" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($250)

    Have you seen Elephant #1

     

    #2 Signed limited edition print of the illustration "I give up" from Have You Seen Elephant? ($250)

    Have you seen Elephant #2

     

    1/3 funded and new rewards to celebrate!

    02/06/2017 at 3:05 PM

    Dear Curiously Good pledgers,

    We’re over 1/3 funded . . . Thank you very much to the 112 pledgers who supported us! And we have some exciting new rewards...

    But we need to get to our goal for the campaign to be funded… We believe we can reach 50% of our goal over Queen’s Birthday weekend. Would you like to help us with that? You can share this link on Facebook, or this link pldg.me/gecko and this image everywhere!

    Gecko Press PledgeMe Campaign

    From Super Rabbit by Stephanie Blake

    And we have excellent news for you! David Barrow is supporting the Curiously Good Book Club by offering us five signed limited edition prints of two gorgeous illustrations from Have You Seen Elephant?

    They are only five of each, you'll have to be quick!

     

    Thank you again for your help, 

    Julia and all at Gecko Press

    20% and Curiously Good Book Club event #1!

    26/05/2017 at 4:13 PM

    Dear Curiously Good pledgers,

     

    Yesterday we had our first Curiously Good Book Club event at Space Place... We launched a book and gazed at the stars, and it was amazing! We would love to organise more events like this one with other great partners. But for that, we need to reach our goal.
     
     
    Today we reached a huge milestone of 20%, thank you all very much for your support!
     
    With your help, we believe we can hit the $10,000 mark before Sunday. Please tell your friends about the Curiously Good Book Club and about our PledgeMe campaign (pldg.me/gecko). You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And don't forget - if you share our posts on social media, you double your chances to win this huge giveaway! 
     
     
    Thank you for your help!
    Julia and all at Gecko Press

    Thank you + Huge GIVEAWAY!

    23/05/2017 at 10:06 AM

     

    Thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign! We’ve reached 10% of our goal... Help us reach our $35000 by spreading the word!

    And keep looking at our campaign page... We've got some contests with great rewards (check out our social media pages and see below).We'll also add new and unique pledges!

     

     

    Help us build the Curiously Good Book Club with a little pledge, and you'll go in the draw to win a huge pile of Curiously Good Books! If you pledge AND share, you go in the draw TWICE! Pledge and spread the word! 

     


      Anonymous pledger
      26/05/2017 at 2:36pm
      Wheelers Books
      26/05/2017 at 2:14pm

      "For the Duffy Book Team to help spread the joy of reading, from Wheelers :)"

      Judith Geare
      26/05/2017 at 10:47am
      Jono Manks
      26/05/2017 at 10:25am

      "Great initiative - good luck!"

      Anonymous pledger
      25/05/2017 at 8:35pm
      Sue Allison
      25/05/2017 at 3:16pm

      "Fantastic!! Go Gecko!!"

      Renata Hopkins
      25/05/2017 at 11:10am
      Anna Wallace
      25/05/2017 at 7:29am

      "What a great idea!"

      Simon Moor
      24/05/2017 at 10:00pm

      "What a great cause team"

      Melissa
      24/05/2017 at 7:07pm
      Philip Poppe
      24/05/2017 at 4:49pm
      Cleo Mitchell
      23/05/2017 at 8:46pm
      Helen Wadsworth
      23/05/2017 at 7:28pm

      "Go Gecko!"

      Clare Forrest
      23/05/2017 at 7:01pm
      Chris Weale
      23/05/2017 at 4:07pm
      Anonymous pledger
      23/05/2017 at 10:20am

      "RAUMATI BEACH Good luck!"

      Katrina Henderson
      23/05/2017 at 6:10am
      Ruth Diver
      22/05/2017 at 7:27pm
      Anonymous pledger
      22/05/2017 at 3:54pm

      "Every child reading about their culture, their people, their fun!!!"

      Mākaro Press
      22/05/2017 at 1:23pm

      "Excited to support a new venture involving children's books and reading. "

      Emma Wood
      22/05/2017 at 11:56am

      "Thanks for your great books, Gecko Press! Love this idea and hope it succeeds so my children can join the Club. "

      Caroline
      20/05/2017 at 2:13pm
      Crissi Blair
      19/05/2017 at 7:48pm

      "I'm looking forward to seeing what the Curiously Good Book Club has in store for its members in the future, and being a part of it all."

      Anonymous pledger
      19/05/2017 at 7:31pm
      Anake Goodall
      19/05/2017 at 5:37pm
      Anonymous pledger
      19/05/2017 at 5:03pm
      Anonymous pledger
      19/05/2017 at 5:02pm
      Anonymous pledger
      19/05/2017 at 4:58pm
      Catherine Cheesman
      19/05/2017 at 2:52pm
      Jess Ducey
      19/05/2017 at 12:03pm

      Followers of Gecko Press Curiously Good Book Club

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 21/06/2017 at 8:00 PM.