Same Is Lame - Little Jimmy Vee

Little Jimmy Says, “Same Is Lame”
Title: Little Jimmy Says, “Same Is Lame”
Author: Jimmy Vee
Illustrator: Mike Motz
Children’s Picture Book: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Price: $17.99
Publisher: Atlas Press; First edition (August 01, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0985478225
ISBN-13: 978-0985478223
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014939559
Contact: James Venezio
Address: Atlas Press
3718 Avalon Park East Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32828
Office: 407-275-8667
Mobile: 407-592-6939
Email: [email protected]
.com
Little Jimmy Says,
“Same Is Lame”
"IT IS YOUR UNIQUENESS THAT'S REALLY THE SEED. EMBRACE IT!
EXPLOIT IT! AND YOU WILL SUCCEED."
Little Jimmy is a small guy with a BIG mission... help people realize how special they really are. Why is
everyone trying so hard to fit in when there is so much uniqueness to celebrate?
Jump in and follow the miniature ringmaster through his circus-inspired world of weird, where normal is
ordinary, and ordinary is boring. In these fun-filled pages you'll discover what makes you unique and why
being different is actually cool.
So hurry, hurry! Come one, come all! Step right up. Kids of all ages, shapes and sizes are welcome and
special in Little Jimmy's wondrous and wacky world. Read this book and prepare to be amazed at what
you see in the mirror the next time you take a look!
REVIEWS FOR LITTLE JIMMY
This Book Is Marvelous Reading This book is marvelous reading that will make kids feel good about themselves and realize that
different is not necessarily a bad thing to be. Mike Motz's illustrations are fabulous. They're bold
and bright and perfectly fit Jimmy Vee's text. Little Jimmy Says, "Same Is Lame" is a book that
will inspire kids to go out and have fun being themselves while they're learning to read at the
same time. The story is easy to follow and the pictures will help kids guess at unfamiliar words
in the text. Little Jimmy is phenomenal and this book is, too. --Reviewed By Jack Magnus for
Readers' Favorite Inspiring Book For Kids! This is a cute children's book that centers on the theme of self-acceptance & self-image. This
short, but poignant book, focuses on motivating children to embrace their differences and their
unique personalities. There are many books out there that teach kids to accept others, but not
enough books that teach kids to appreciate themselves. Kudos to the author for that! My son
enjoyed the story and was captured by the pictures. The awesome illustrations fit the text like a
glove. I would certainly recommend this book as an inspiring book for kids! --Official
OnlineBookClub.org review Atlas Press, 2014, 32 pages, full-color Illustrations, ISBN 0-978-098547822-3, $17.99. Preschool-grade 6
Jimmy Vee
3718 Avalon Park East Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32828
407-275-8667 ★ [email protected]
www.LittleJimmy.net
What Other People Say About
“Same Is Lame”
Parents Will Love The Idea Of Sharing This Book With Their Children As a children’s entertainer, Jimmy Vee has combined his love for kids and passion of children’s books in
his rhyming picture book by using his “Same Is Lame” philosophy—a philosophy that is all about selfacceptance and knowing it’s okay to be different, as well as embracing the differences of others.
It’s ironic and exactly to the point that the protagonist, Little Jimmy, small as his name suggests, has such
a large idea to convey. The charivari text is zippy with solid cadence and delivers in a super kid-friendly
way. Set to the scene of a circus—the perfect backdrop to a world of oddities and zaniness—the
illustrations are eye-catching and add loads of entertainment to the text. They raise the humor level and
add an intelligently safe amount of light-heartedness to the deeper message of embracing one’s unique
qualities—it’s clear that the illustrator, Mike Motz, understood Vee’s vision.
This is a book geared toward 4-to 8-years-olds and more than suitable for all ages—grown-ups, too.
Parents will love the idea of sharing this book with their children, encouraging them to spend less time
trying to fit in and more time focusing on being true to themselves.
“Same is Lame!” Note: All of the proceeds from this book will go to fund the Same Is Lame Foundation
for kids—a non-profit organization (501 C3 pending) created by Jimmy Vee to support exceptional
children with extraordinary talent. —The Children’s Book Review (www.thechildrensbookreview.com) Readers Will Be Drawn To This Book In this children’s celebration of diversity, 5-foot-tall marketing expert Vee shows children that their
differences can also be their strengths. Little Jimmy, the author’s cartoon stand-in, is “unusually small,” but he doesn’t mind. “Each person is
different,” he assures young readers, before going on to share how being short, tall, bespectacled, big,
bald, large-nosed or scarred can be beneficial in life. He also highlights learned skills: “I can talk without
moving my lips. / That’s what makes me a ventriloquist! / It is a thing that most people can’t do… / And
something that makes me unusual too.” The book also touches on race as a quality that can make readers
unique, although this aspect isn’t emphasized. The cartoonish illustrations show a multiethnic cast of
various sizes and shapes, as befits the narrative, and Motz’s art style is sure to appeal to young readers.
Although the rhymes are occasionally clunky,they flow well when read aloud. The book includes a page
for young readers to write down “what’s unique about you,” and uses some vocabulary words, such as
“ventriloquist” and “exploit,” clearly enough in context that independent readers should be able to gather
their meanings. The book also encourages readers to learn about Vee’s Same Is Lame Foundation, at the
author’s website.
Lap readers and independent readers alike will be drawn to this book’s cartoonish illustrations and
inclusive message. —Kirkus Reviews Jimmy Vee
3718 Avalon Park East Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32828
407-275-8667 ★ [email protected]
www.LittleJimmy.net
REVIEWS FROM AMAZON.COM
“You Gotta Get This Book
Great story about how people, children and adults, with certain appearances have a choice they can
make. That choice is to either shy away from others for fear of being called different or capitalize on
being noteworthy or uniquely qualified compared to the crowd. Very attractively illustrated. Great book
for younger kids and for teachers, parents and grandparents to read to them.”
“Inspiration At Its Core
This book is amazing! Little Jimmy inspired my son to walk with confidence and it even sparked a
little something in me as I read it to him. This is a great book for encouraging the little someone in your
life to be anything or do anything. A MUST have!”
“Creative Along With a Beautiful Message
Jimmy Vee is a brilliant author with a unique form of creativity that's rather rare in authors these days.
A major problem faced by people of all ages in this generation is not being able to fit in. Jimmy uses
creative and clever illustrations to tell us that it's perfectly okay to not be like everybody else! It is in fact,
a lot better. He reminds us that every one of us is unique and that is something we should all cherish.
When I babysit my 7 year old cousin, I read this book to her and she loves it! The book is adorable and
sends such a positive message to the reader. This book is simply beautiful and anybody who doesn't buy it
is missing out on so much! This book is a must for anyone who's craving to feel special or wants to make
someone else happy. It's a joyful and vibrant book and it makes me feel warm and gooey inside every
time I read it. It sure was worth every penny.”
“One Of The Best Kids Books In Years
If you have children, this is an excellent read. With all of the bullying and peer pressure going on in
today’s world, Same Is Lame comes at just the right time ... Same Is Lame does an amazing job of
showcasing just how special we all are. A great confidence-building book for young children. I would
highly recommend this book.”
“A Great Story For All Ages
My students enjoyed the book "Same is Lame"! We spend a lot of time discussing how to embrace
who we are and not try to be like others. This story will be a wonderful addition to my all about me unit!”
“An Adorably Entertaining Book with a Great Message
I have to say that this book turned out to be quite a fun read for my son and I. It's catchy, vividly
written and has a great message that just puts a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart. The
book is well-written with a light and bouncy tone, drawing kids into Little Jimmy's unique world where
it's not only okay to be different, but it is celebrated and explored with interest. I think that Jimmy Vee
did a wonderful job of writing an engaging story that makes kids eager to read, eager to explore their own
uniqueness and eager to celebrate the uniqueness of others as well. The illustrations perfectly capture the
same vibrantly engaging storytelling and bring the story to life in colorful and vivid ways... adding to the
story extra layers that draw the eye and set the stage for the memorable message. Overall, this was fun,
adorable and provides a wonderful message to kids and adults alike.”
Jimmy Vee
Children’s Author, CEO, Father
Jimmy Vee is known around the world as the “Five Foot High Marketing Guy.” He has
been creative since any one in his family can remember. Today he spends his days
making things up and joking around (that’s how his kids and clients describe it).
Jimmy got his creative start acting with action figures, building high tech gadgets
out of trash, tooting made-up tunes on his trumpet and practicing the ancient arts
of magic and ventriloquism.
In real life, Jimmy is the co-owner of an advertising agency and has co-authored
multiple books on sales and marketing, including the bestseller Gravitational
Marketing: The Science of Attracting Customers.
His agency has received numerous accolades and is recognized by INC. Magazine as
one of fastest-growing private companies in America. His marketing campaigns have
been heard all over the US and Canada and have been featured in Ripley’s Believe It
Or Not.
Jimmy has dedicating his life to helping people discover what makes them unique
and showing them how to capitalize on it.
He is also children’s entertainer and regarded by his peers as one of the leading
professional ventriloquists and kid show entertainers performing today.
Jimmy lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Christy, and
their two children, Autumn and Vincent and a horde of
ventriloquist dummies.
This is his first children’s book. All proceeds from this
book go to the Same Is Lame Foundation for children
“Jimmy Vee inspires us to be our best.”—Donna Fuller, mother of 3 Jimmy Vee
3718 Avalon Park East Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32828
407-275-8667 ★ [email protected]
www.LittleJimmy.net
“WE BELIEVE THAT EXCEPTIONAL KIDS CAN
MAKE AN EXTRAORDINARY IMPACT”
The Same Is Lame Foundation is a non-­‐profit organization that believes exceptional people create extraordinary impact in the world. To that end, the foundation encourages and supports exceptionalism. Our Mission:
The mission of the foundation is to find, encourage and support children with exceptional talents, unique abilities and extraordinary skills. Our Charter:
The foundation, its projects and its volunteers help outstanding children foster their unique talent through financial support, emotional encouragement and mentorship. “One rare and exceptional deed is worth far more than a thousand commonplace ones.”—Saint Ignatius “To create something exceptional, your mindset must be relentlessly focused on the smallest detail.”—Giorgio Armani Same Is Lame Foundation
3718 Avalon Park East Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32828
407-275-8667
www.SameIsLame.com
Contact Name: Jimmy Vee
Contact Phone: (407) 592-6939
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.LittleJimmyBook.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 1, 2014. | Orlando, Florida. Visit www.LittleJimmy.net/press-­‐kit/ for contact details, review copies, photos and an author bio. BULLIES QUAKE IN THEIR BOOTS OVER NEW KIDS BOOK Five-­foot high father pens confidence boosting kids book to help children and parents combat the bullying epidemic in schools, homes, the workplace and on the playground Father, CEO, children’s entertainer and marketing guy, Jimmy Vee, releases first children’s book—Little Jimmy Says, “Same Is Lame” Atlas Press, August 2014; ISBN-­‐13: 978-­‐0985478223—to help combat the bullying epidemic that affects 13 million American school children. One hundred percent of the profits from his book are being donated to the Same Is Lame Foundation for kids. According to the USA Today, every day, about 160,000 American children miss school because of fear of physical and psychological attacks on the basis of their skin color, ethnicity, physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. The five-­‐foot-­‐tall father of two is no stranger to standing out for being different or relating to kids. “I've seen all kinds of kids and I've seen how confidence and esteem affects their ability to interact with others, deal with unfamiliar situations and enjoy life. It makes all the difference in everything they do,” Vee explained. This new book encourages both children and adults to embrace who they are and the things that make them different. The book, expertly illustrated by Mike Motz, is visually appealing but the concepts push far beyond normal kids-­‐book fare. Parents will take away as much from reading the rhyming verses in this book as their kids will get from listening. “It’s amazing how a new perspective can change how people feel about themselves,” Vee explains. “Self confidence is the cure to the bullying epidemic. It prevents kids from becoming bullies and from being bullied. It changes you from the inside out.” Jimmy Vee is known around the world as the “Five Foot High Marketing Guy.” He is living proof that big things really do come in small packages. He is a savvy CEO, a loving husband, a funny father, a bestselling business book author, a sought-­‐after advertising copywriter, a wannabe musician, a master magician, a stand-­‐up comedian and a stiff-­‐lipped ventriloquist. Vee is co-­‐owner of an advertising agency recognized by INC. Magazine as one of fastest-­‐growing private companies in America. His marketing campaigns have been heard all over the US and Canada and have even been featured in Ripley's Believe It Or Not. All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Same Is Lame Foundation for kids. Learn more about the foundation and the author at www.LittleJimmyBook.com -­‐ENDS-­‐ Atlas Press | P. 407-­‐275-­‐8667 | 3718 Avalon Park East Blvd. Orlando, Florida 32828 Contact Name: Jimmy Vee
Contact Phone: (407) 592-6939
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.LittleJimmyBook.com
EMAIL TEMPLATE Subject line: Bullies quake in their books over New Kids Book Orlando | 08/01/2014 Visit www.LittleJimmy.net/press-­‐kit/ for contact details, review copies, photos and an author bio. Bullies Quake in Their Boots Over New Kids Book Five-­‐foot high father pens confidence boosting kids book to help children and parents combat the bullying epidemic in schools, homes, the workplace and on the playground. Father, CEO, children’s entertainer and marketing guy, Jimmy Vee, releases first children’s book—Little Jimmy Says, “Same Is Lame” Atlas Press, August 2014; ISBN-­‐13: 978-­‐0985478223—to help combat the bullying epidemic that affects 13 million American school children. One hundred percent of the profits from his book are being donated to the Same Is Lame Foundation for kids. According to the USA Today, every day, about 160,000 American children miss school because of fear of physical and psychological attacks on the basis of their skin color, ethnicity, physical or mental abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. The five-­‐foot-­‐tall father of two is no stranger to standing out for being different or relating to kids. “I've seen all kinds of kids and I've seen how confidence and esteem affects their ability to interact with others, deal with unfamiliar situations and enjoy life. It makes all the difference in everything they do,” Vee explained. This new book encourages both children and adults to embrace who they are and the things that make them different. The book, expertly illustrated by Mike Motz, is visually appealing but the concepts push far beyond normal kids-­‐book fare. Parents will take away as much from reading the rhyming verses in this book as their kids will get from listening. “It’s amazing how a new perspective can change how people feel about themselves,” Vee explains. “Self confidence is the cure to the bullying epidemic. It prevents kids from becoming bullies and from being bullied. It changes you from the inside out.” Jimmy Vee is known around the world as the “Five Foot High Marketing Guy.” He is living proof that big things really do come in small packages. He is a savvy CEO, a loving husband, a funny father, a bestselling business book author, a sought-­‐after advertising copywriter, a wannabe musician, a master magician, a stand-­‐up comedian and a stiff-­‐lipped ventriloquist. Vee is co-­‐owner of an advertising agency recognized by INC. Magazine as one of fastest-­‐growing private companies in America. His marketing campaigns have been heard all over the US and Canada and have even been featured in Ripley's Believe It Or Not. All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Same Is Lame Foundation for kids. Learn more about the foundation and the author at www.LittleJimmyBook.com -­‐ENDS-­‐ Atlas Press | P. 407-­‐275-­‐8667 | 3718 Avalon Park East Blvd. Orlando, Florida 32828 Jimmy Vee Interview for The Children’s Book Review The Children’s Book Review: Little Jimmy Says, “Same is Lame” is all about self-acceptance
and embracing differences and personal uniqueness. As someone who has co-authored
business books for adults, what was it that inspired you to write an inspirational book for
children?
Jimmy Vee: As well as being a CEO and marketing guy, I am also a children’s entertainer. I put
myself through college doing magic and ventriloquism shows for kids. I have continued to do that
into my adult life. Because of that experience, I have both a love and an appreciation for kids. I
also seem to relate to them well. Potentially that’s because of my height (I’m literally five feet
tall). I have always loved kids books. I loved Dr. Seuss growing up and the amazing art in picture
books. The phrase and concept of “Same Is Lame” came as something I would teach business
owners and CEOs. I experienced the impact it had on these adults and figured it could even have
bigger impact if I were able to teach it at an earlier age. So that’s how I came up with the idea of
incorporating my love for kids and children’s books and the “Same Is Lame” philosophy. It’s a
bit early but it seems to be working.
TCBR: With its picture book format and eye-catching illustrations (which we’ll get to in a
moment), it would be easy to pigeon-hole the appropriate age range to around 4- to 7-yearsold. And, due to the nature of the message, it could also be deemed for all ages—yes, grownups, too. Which age range do you find enjoys Little Jimmy Says, “Same is Lame” the most?
JV: This is a really hard question. As a marketing guy I am frequently teaching my clients to
narrow their target base of customers. Broader and bigger is not necessarily better in marketing.
But I’ve had trouble following my own advice with this project. I have a two-year-old son who
asks me to read the book to him every night. I have had mothers tell me their tween and teenage
kids love it and I have both adult men and women thank me and tell me they wish they had read it
when they were a kid. I guess the prime age is the 4-to-8-year-old range because they are old
enough to get the message but don’t necessarily think picture books are only for babies. It’s a
universal message and I’m just happy it’s making an impact on so many people.
TCBR: Mike Motz is responsible for your illustrations. How did you come to end up
working with him?
JV: As a self-published author, I found it very difficult to find a professional illustrator that was
willing to work with an individual. Most of the illustrators that have done a lot of picture book
work are only willing to work through major publishers and are busy with commitments. I really
wanted to work with someone who was at the top of his/her game. I wanted this project to be top
notch so I was reaching out to many illustrators whose work I had seen and admired. All of them
declined. That’s when I luckily found Mike Motz online. Mike runs a website that specializes in
working with self-published children’s authors. He represents several illustrators and connects
them with authors looking to self-publish. I contacted Mike about my project and he liked the
manuscript, my vision and my enthusiasm so much that he asked if he could personally do the
work. I was eager to work directly with the artist so I agreed and it was a phenomenal
collaboration. I can’t wait to work with Mike again. He is talented, brilliant and a true
professional.
The Children’s Book Review | www.thechildrensbookreview.com
TCBR: How closely did you collaborate on all of the fun happenings going on behind your
text? The pictures certainly raise the humor level and add an intelligently safe amount of
light-heartedness to your message of embracing one’s unique qualities.
JV: I initially wrote a description of what I thought would be happening on each page. Mike
suggested I start with that. I wanted the book to have a bit of circus/carnival/sideshow feel. In
many instances Mike took my suggestions and brilliantly brought it to life in a way that exceeded
my vision. In a few cases, Mike recommended a change to my concept and suggested something
completely different. I embraced that. It gets me excited when an artist puts himself/herself into
the project that they see and feel something radically different and are willing to suggest a
different idea.
TCBR: Let’s talk about your ability to rhyme. From where do you think you draw
inspiration, or, does the ability to rhyme just come naturally to you?
JV: That’s an interesting question. I did a lot of research before I wrote this book and many of the
books I read about writing kids books said NOT to attempt to rhyme. I love rhymes and some of
my favorite books growing up rhymed. So I wanted to write a rhyming book. I think my ability to
rhyme is half natural ability and half practice. I have been writing radio and television
commercials and sales scripts for my entire adult life. Rhyme and cadence are very important
when writing advertising copy.
TCBR: You’re a pretty busy guy: A CEO, husband, father, advertising copywriter, kid
show entertainer, magician, stand-up comedian and a ventriloquist. When do you find time
to write?
JV: I consider myself a writer doing all those other jobs. I believe the ability to write is the most
versatile and important skill in life. You can do so much with it and it truly is both an art and a
skill that few people can do well. Each one of the careers you mentioned require the ability to
write so I try (and am sometimes forced to) write often. The draft of this book came to me about
five months after I had written down the goal to write a children’s book in 2013. I woke up with a
few lines in my head out of nowhere. I had programmed my subconscious to work on it in months
in advance and then it came to me. After I had the first few lines I was able to complete a rough
draft by then end of the day. It took months to refine that draft and craft the final product (and I’m
still tinkering with it).
TCBR: Do you think any of your experiences and skills used as a kid show entertainer
helped you to execute this first children’s book?
JV: I think it gave me the confidence that I could—and maybe even should—write for them.
Having entertained kids for so many years empowered me and helped me realized that they
needed this message and would greatly benefit from it.
TCBR: Are you working on anything new?
JV: I’ve been bitten. I can’t stop thinking of children’s book ideas. I’m keeping a list and I’m
working on new ideas and bits every day. I have joined the SCBWI and am going to a workshop.
I think my next career is going to be as a full time children’s book author. Aside from children’s
books, I have been working on a business parable book for the last two years. I was planning to
The Children’s Book Review | www.thechildrensbookreview.com
self publish it but a fabulous agent contacted me and I am confident we’ll have a publishing
contract before the end of the year.
TCBR: What were your favorite childhood books?
JV: The Berenstains’ “B” Book by Stan and Jan Berenstain. I had that book memorized when I
was a kid. I also loved Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss. Today my favorite kids books are And to
think that I saw it on Mulberry Street by Dr. Seuss and My New Teacher and Me! by Al Yankovic
TCBR: Before we end, do you have any parting words of inspiration or anything in general
that you would like to share about Little Jimmy Says, “Same is Lame”?
JV: On the surface, the message of Same Is Lame is all about self-acceptance and the
acceptance of others. Simply, being comfortable with who you are and understanding that
it’s okay to be different and it’s okay that others are different. But at a deeper level, I’m
trying to get people to realize the power of fully embracing the traits that make you
different and give you the confidence to leverage them, capitalize on them and exploit
them. Only when you fully embrace your differences—not just accept them—will you
truly be able to stand out and use them to your full advantage and leverage your true
authentic self.
All the proceeds from this book are going to fund the Same Is lame Foundation for kids.
It’s a non-profit organization (501 C3 pending) I created this year to support exceptional
children with extraordinary talent. Kids who want to leverage their gifts but don’t have
the financial or emotional support. I’m excited to see what kind of impact the book and
foundation can make on the lives of both children and adults.
The Children’s Book Review | www.thechildrensbookreview.com
Little Jimmy Asks,
“What Makes You Unique?”
Color Little Jimmy
For more Little Jimmy visit www.littlejimmy.net