Turning Pooja’s 58 Pages into a Show: Our Library Adventure Begins!
Hey there, friends of Pooja and big ideas!
We’re in talks with Sedona Library (fingers crossed!) and gearing up for a reading at Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston on March 28 at 10:00 AM. But here’s the fun part—how do we turn a 58-page book like Pooja: Destiny Awaits into a live show that hooks kids and parents? With 50 English hardcovers in hand and Pooja: El Destino Aguarda (Spanish!) just uploaded to IngramSpark, we’re dreaming up a library event that’s more than a reading—it’s a mini adventure!
Jamison’s Voice: The Star of the Show
Jamison Shults, our author, isn’t just the guy who wrote Pooja—he’s a trained actor with a degree in acting and a voice-over pro. His voice? Incredible—think warm, dramatic, the kind that pulls you into a story. He’ll read key chunks of Pooja: Destiny Awaits—not all 58 pages (too long for little attention spans!), but the best bits: Pooja meeting the Great Animal Council, her big rescue moment, or her trek with Jay. He’ll bring that actor’s magic—soft for suspense, bright for joy—making a South Indian puppy’s tale leap off the page. It’s the perfect fit—he wrote her, now he’ll perform her!
My Pen: Drawing the Story Live
So, what do I do while Jamison’s voice fills the room? I speak with my pen—it’s my best megaphone. I’m thinking of drawing in real time as he reads, sketching Pooja and her animal pals on a big sheet of paper (5.28" x 4.08" blown up to poster size). Picture this: Jamison says, “Pooja meets the Council,” and I sketch her wide-eyed under a tree—kids watch the lines grow! It’s not just hearing the story; it’s seeing it unfold. This hits two senses at once—sound for the analytical thinkers, visuals for the dreamers. I might even ask, “What animal next?”—let their shouts shape the art. Fun for them, a blast for me!
Selling with a Show
A 58-page book can’t all fit in 20-30 minutes, but a show can sell it. Jamison’s voice and my sketches tease the big moments—enough to leave kids begging for the full tale and parents reaching for wallets. We’ve got 50 English hardcovers ($25.00 each) to sell direct, and Pooja: El Destino Aguarda ($25.00) hits mid-March—perfect for Lincoln Parish or Sedona stops. We’re aiming for 40-60 sales by March 20, and this live combo could nudge us there—5-10 copies per event adds up fast!
Coloring Pages with a Twist
Here’s the cherry on top: we’re bringing coloring pages—Pooja, Jay, some animals—free for kids to grab post-show. Each page has a QR code linking to www.jamisonshults.com, where families can snag the $7.99 eBook or order a $25.00 hardcover (English or Spanish soon!). Kids color, parents scan—it’s a sneaky-smart way to keep Pooja in their hands and ours selling. My 15 X followers (@PoojaAdventures) are loving the buzz—maybe they’ll weigh in!
Showtime’s Coming
March 28 at Lincoln Parish is our test run—Jamison narrating, me sketching, QR codes flying. If Sedona bites, we’ll bring this show west—libraries, bookstores, big dreams! It’s all about making Pooja’s 58 pages a live, loud, colorful moment. Got show tips? Drop them on X—I’m all ears!
Grab Pooja: Destiny Awaits at www.jamisonshults.com—English now, Spanish soon. Follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok (@poojaadventures)—let’s turn pages into playtime!
Warmly,
Marla Emory
Illustrator of Pooja: Destiny Awaits & Pooja: El Destino Aguarda
Professor, School of Design, Louisiana Tech University