School Book Project

Nominate your elementary school to illustrate a children's book with Scott. This project is guaranteed to create memories to last a lifetime and inspire thousands.

As featured in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and Wisconsin Public Radio

About the book project

Having cycled around the world, I never thought I'd find an incredible adventure at home. But after sharing my story about living dreams with thousands of kids, I realized it was missing something -- the step of action. So with the help of inspirational teachers, like Kate Krzysik, I've been honored to work with schools as the Artist-In-Residence and together we create dreams and turn them into educational, inspirational and entertaining books.

Some benefits of this project:

• Developing a love to read books. It is increasingly difficult to get kids to read anything; however, kids love to read and share their own book. This project will also teach by example that books are still the best way to truly let your imagination fly, and to feel a flavor of adventure that can't be felt in any other form.
• Participating in a real-world project that will be on bookshelves everywhere and create memories to last a lifetime!
• Teaching kids that the end product (such as passing a test or winning an award or learning some magical formula) is not the solution to life, but that participating in life (including getting your hands dirty and making mistakes) is the solution, in other words: showing students how to find their inner passion, taking a step of action and building wholesome communities.
• Dreaming dreams and turning them into tangible realities — not only the book itself but the ideas within the book, such as lunchroom composting.
• Creating miracles that someone somewhere will be inspired by a student's drawing and that person will think twice about their path through life and rather than do what they feel they have to do, will instead do what they love to do, perhaps becoming a Nobel Laureate or even a cupcake baker and touching the lives of millions more with the passion of a dream.

Some more bonuses:

• As a fun introduction, Scott will present his inspirational slideshow about his journey around the world on a bicycle and how it taught the value of community.
• Scott will attend a week of art classes, as an artist-in-residence, to help guide and inspire the students drawings.
• We can organize an artistic school photograph similar to the ones above. A 12x18" framed photo is hanging in the school offices.
• We can organize a school book signing celebration for friends and family where every student signs their drawing in the book.
• Teachers can organize complimentary classroom activities; for example, the STEM Academy started vermicomposting lunchroom scraps to compliment the red worm book.
• This is also a project that the local media loves and it would create a great opportunity to promote your school and your philosophy of learning. Examples: WPR and The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and much more.
• Potential fundraiser opportunities.

If you are interested in having your school illustrate the next book, please see how the book is made or visit our blog for updates on the current book project. And scroll down to watch the movies about the making of the books and more.

If you are a community leader and interested in championing this project at your school and turning more dreams into reality, please don't hesitate to contact us for a complimentary copy and to talk about how we can create the best project for your students.

The illustrators of Falling Uphill at Poplar Creek Elementary School. Photo by Scott.

I had no idea it was going to be this cool. From the ground it looked like organized chaos. ~ Principal Gennerman

The making of the school photos.

Video

Bicycle touring in the school gym.

A fun intro to Scott's trip around the world and the school book project.

The making of the Spanish edition of
"Falling Uphill: The Secret of Life".

Below are some highlights of my trip to Argentina as the Cultural Ambassador. I worked with the US Embassy and 12 elementary schools to create "Cayendo Hacia Arriba". It was another adventure of a lifetime!

Below is movie about the making of the English edition of "Falling Uphill: The Secret of Life" with Poplar Creek Elementary

Some upcoming books that might interest your school:

These are some of my favorite ideas. These stories sometimes take me years to write (mostly acquiring the wisdom to convey short, sweet and poignant stories), but feel free to suggest any ideas you may have, as I'm becoming a better author all the time.

• Walter the Water Drop. Like Ruby the Red Worm's Dirty Job, this story personifies an eco-friendly theme. Through the eyes of Walter we explore the life cycle of water from a rain drop to a glass of water, and how to conserve this valuable resource. If you would like to bring this project to your school, I have a potential sponsor for this project, or a similar conservation idea like recycling, for school districts in Waukesha County.
• The Pelican't.
• How to be Bullied by the Biggest, the Baddest and the Ugliest. "Are you feeling left out at school? Are you jealous that your friends get bullied more than you? This guide will show you in ten easy steps how to be the most bullied kid in school. Soon, you'll be earning everyone's attention." This book takes the reverse angle on one of the modern challenges of being a kid, and weaves in subtle themes of how to take the wind out of the sails of a real bully.
• The Weather Book. A fun book based on the Weather Stone seen across the world. "If this book is wet, it is raining." "If this book is underwater, there has been a flood." "If this book flew away like a bird, it's windy."
• How to Eat like a Caveman. Everything you need to know about food and nutrition in 4 words.
• 100 Lessons I Learned from Animals. After the first book I learned that kids love animals and love to draw animals, thus this fun book with life-lessons like, how to think like an elephant.
• If You Could Do Anything, What Would You Do? This is the magical question that started my journey around the world on a bicycle. This book would showcase the imaginative drawings of elementary students along with some practical steps to making dreams a reality.
• Contact Scott for even more ideas or to begin co-creating a new one; for example, currently Amy Belle Elementary has committed to doing a book about landfills. Where does it all go?

Testimonials

This book project is what the STEM Academy is all about.... it is great having [Scott] as a part of this school. ~ Principal Krohn

Thank you for your generosity. This was an awesome project to collaborate on — one I am sure many students will never forget! ~ Principal Gennerman

I had the amazing opportunity to team up with Scott and make this spontaneous, fun idea a reality. I have seen his story of finding happiness inspire those from 4 years old to 104 years old! Having children bring his words to life with their illustrations became an unexpected, blissful message that has touched the lives of so many people already. When a school and community come together as one, the force is unstoppable and the message is forever evolving. Any child, adult, school, or community is lucky to have Scott Stoll come in and work with them. Scott has a way to spark the imagination of children and help their dreams become reality right in front of them. ~ Kate Krzysik, student resource teacher

Dear Scott, I love your terp a rand the word. ~ Elisia, Kindergartener. (Read the letter.)

A few letters of commendation for school speaking.

Scott has an incredible number of exciting and challenging experiences to be able to share with his audiences. He does a great job of using these experiences as motivational tools for other. Scott will proved a worthwhile message to your group. In addition to hearing his message of dreaming, people will also truly enjoy hearing his story. Please consider Scott as a speaker for your event. ~ Nic Bur, Guidance Counselor. (Please read the descriptive letter of commendation.)

For one brief hour, through [Scott's] slides and stories, our students traaveeld the world and recognized their dreams can come true. Perphas someday our school will host another traveler sharing his or her tales. But maybe this traveler will be a former student inspired by hearing [Scott] speak. ~ Charles Orvold, Associate Principal. (Read the full letter of commendation.)

His presentation was well-received by students and staff alike ~ Sara Behrendt, Principal. (Read the full letter of commendation.)

I am a substitute teacher in New Berlin and have worked at Poplar Creek for many years. My own children attended school there, so it has a special place in our lives. I was working at Poplar Creek the day you 'flew' up to the roof to take the picture of the students. I became one of many spokes on your bicycle that day! I also bought your book because I had heard so much about it and was excited to hear how your project had evolved. Today I received your book, and sat down immediately to enjoy your message and the uninhibited artwork that only children seem capable of! A year ago at this time, I was living with cancer and was just at the beginning of chemo and radiation. I found so many parallels within your bicycle trip story and my own journey, that I felt compelled to send you this note! I am comforted to know that others seek answers to questions about life, and that you also found that the answers come from within. I know I am a stronger person for finding that faith and belief in myself! May you experience continued blessings and wizardry in your future! You have certainly touched my life by sharing your story! Thanks so much!! ~ Jeni B.

What an amazing adventure and story for children (and adults)! Truly the book is so amazing to share with children! My daughter didn't want me to stop reading until we finished it in one sitting. It will definietly be our topic of conversation when talking about trying new things and following our dreams. Thanks for sharing your story and allowing a small New Berlin school to be a part of the journey. ~ Dana E.

[My son] really enjoys drawing and creating. We were so excited to hear that his drawing was chosen. This was a great opportunity for the kids at Poplar Creek. It was truly wonderful of you to share your time and talent with them. What a great memory and keepsake for the elementary school. Thank you. ~ Robin M.

We loved the book! [My daughter] told me all about the book signing, she was really excited about it. What a wonderful experience you've given these kids! One they'll never forget.... ~ Vanessa D.

We both read Falling Uphill immediately and were spellbound by it. This is truly a master piece. You put your heart and soul into this book and truly revealed your inner self in a way that a child can understand. And every page I look deeper into your inner self through a child's eyes. Just marvelous! We both can't rave enough. The illustrations are priceless, and how you fit all the pieces together. We both wish we had enough money to supply a whole school with them. The dreams you will instill in those children.... I remember as a child renting from a small bookstore in my home town [in Germany] an American novel about the wild west and look where it brought me! As you well know, without dreams there is no future and we are in stalemate — and you reveal that in you book. ~ R & I Adams

Thank you for being such an inspiration to our children. ~ J.E.

I would just like to thank you for bringing this adventure to my child's school. It was very exciting for them to be able to experience something like this. ~ S. K.

Thanks for the link to your recent interview on WPR. I listened to both programs and again, I am amazed at the wonderful information you had both about your journey, but also about the work you do with the schools in writing your books. You are really talented. We are really looking forward to your visit with us. ~ Muriel R. People to People

[My son] very much enjoyed working on this project and this is going to be a special surprise for him to receive a book. ~ H. D.

And many more....
Please don't hesitate to ask for personal reference contacts.

Artist-in-residence rates

The cost of producing a book is high, and school budgets are low; nonetheless, I am so passionate about spreading stories of inspiration and education that I donated my first project to the school. I worked full-time for 3 months and spent about $833 to fund the project (book sales did not cover my business expenses). On my second and third books, with the help of a stipend to cover expenses I made a small profit but not enough to cover my cost of living. Nonetheless, I am seeing evidence of my ultimate vision come to life: Idealistically speaking, I am sowing seeds of ideas and opportunities in my community and watching them grow in marvelous ways. Practically speaking, with a few more books on my shelf, I hope to reach a critical mass of fans, so that I can earn a self-sufficient living wage and eventually be able to pay forward even more.

Funding

After many conversations here are three options for funding this project. Remember these are just ideas and we can co-create a solution to fit your school:

1. Option 1) Ideally this project will pay for itself; so, if there is little to no budget for this project, we can organize a book signing & book sale to offset the cost of the project, which means I would be donating my time and/or investing in hundreds of books that I risk not being able to sell. (I am hopeful this model will "pay forward" more opportunities in the future.)
2. Option 2) If there is a budget of around $4000. This would include a free book for 500 students, pay for the costs and minimum wage for my time (FYI this is about 2 months of work).
   1. Option 2A) Rather than give the students a book, the school could sell the books to the parents at the book signing or holiday and donate the proceeds back to the school. See the fundraiser option below
3. Option 3) Creating a new solution, such as finding a sponsor to support the costs of the project, build awareness of an issue, and help donate the profits back to the school. I'm working on ideas like this with K-12 Energy Education Program for a book about energy conservation, and the Waukesha Park & Rec for a book about water conservation.

Fundraiser

If your school doesn't want to create a book, perhaps you would like to organize a simple fundraiser with Scott's 5 children's books. (Here is an example of a book sale.) Scott could also visit your school as a guest author to sign the book. Meeting Scott in person inspires students to dream big dreams and discover the faith that dreams, like cycling around the world, are really possible. The books make great gifts for friends of family. We'll even donate a set to the school library.

The logistics. We can donate back to the school 55% of the cover price of all books sales, compared to Scholastic's book drive, which pays as low as 25% for $2500 in sales. Of course, this event would take some organization with the parent-teacher committee, but I have personally seen the success. Assuming the event is well-organized and sells about 300 books (less than 1 book per family), we would earn enough money to fund a SMART Board for the classroom. The fundraiser could also include cupcakes (baked and donated by parents), postcards of the school photograph (see kids standing in a bicycle shape above) and raffle prizes.

Please contact me to discuss creating a book at your school.