Invest in a Culturally-Specific Family Publisher
Donation protected
Children need to see themselves in what they read, in art, in their celebrations, in their community.
Not only do Brian and Josie Parker know this — they are dedicating their lives to this pursuit while also being foster parents and advocates for children in foster care.
The Parkers are the founders of Believe in Wonder, a youth focused publishing entity based in Portland, OR. They publish internally developed works like The Wonderous Science , YOU CAN RELY ON PLATYPI , and Crow in the Hollow , but also actively search out new and amazing works to bring to the public eye.
Take a look at their catalog!
As every artist and author knows intimately, there is often an uneasy choice between CREATING CONTENT and DEVELOPING A MARKET.
My name is Nova Newcomer and I am a supporter of Believe in Wonder. As a non profit leader in the community who partnered with Believe in Wonder to bring their arts education to underserved youth in our community, I reached out to Brian and Josie after seeing a "Drawing Fire Sale" that Brian offered to provide custom artwork to raise funds for their work.
It immediately struck me that what our community so desperately needs is the work of Believe in Wonder and to have Brian and Josie focused solely on creating and distributing their content and achieving their mission.
As someone who has participated in one of these "Fire Sales" in the past to support Brian as an artist, I decided to reach out to Brian and Josie ask instead:
*** What kind of funding do you need to do the work you are meant to do? ***
And, of course, the brilliant professionals they are are...they had a detailed plan of what they would do with 6 MONTHS OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO KEEP DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST, ESPECIALLY DURING THE TRYING TIMES OF THE COVID19 PANDEMIC.
"Our focus is to promote imagination, inspiration, and positive thinking in kids and adults alike. In a time where social pressure and injustices threaten to take away our ability to dream of a better future, we hope to promote endeavors and education that uplifts and inspires, as well as provides creative outlets for the young and young at heart. We have an emphasis on bringing these opportunities to underrepresented communities and their allies, but we hope our work and message is embraced by many."
— Brian and Josie Parker, Believe in Wonder
So here is your opportunity to fight the good fight for a local publisher — to invest in art and art education that will make a difference.
Your opportunity not only to BELIEVE IN WONDER, but to INVEST in it. Scroll down for INVESTMENT REWARDS.
These were determined pre-COVID, but still hold true.
A note from Josie Parker: "We have concerns about this fundraiser at this time. We know so many people have been through a lot this year and that this ask is one more thing. People have lost jobs, been traumatized by the pandemic and the shelter in place. We're just trying to think about the rest of the year, and figure out how we can be a positive force for our community — all of our community."
The BELIEVE IN WONDER plan:
— Believe in Wonder Tools: $1000
- Pencils
- Notebooks
- Crayons & Markers
- Software Updates
- Hardware Updates
- Storage
- Mail out supplies
— Black Santa & Mrs Claus Experience: $1200
- Santa & Mrs Claus Suits: $600
- Art prints (Brian has illustrated a Santa Propaganda series): $330
- Art Show/Venue Promotion: $270
— Believe in Wonder Trade Show Package: $1500
- Believe in Wonder Marketing brochure/catalog ($275)
- Book Inventory ($500)
- Banners ($75)
- Art Inventory ($200)
- Portable display cases for books & art ($250)
- Business Cards ($50)
- Portfolio ($50)
- Storage ($100)
— Event Sponsorship/Tabling: $1200
- Tabling Fees ($900)
- Travel Expenses ($100)
- Child Care ($200) -- Believe in Wonder Chief Inspiration Officers Victor and Kamari (pictured above) love to jump on dad and drive their mom a bit insane, so childcare support will help for some tabling events)
— Believe in Wonder Marketing/Promotion: $500
- Book Marketing
- School Outreach
- Publicity
— "Keep the Lights On": $600/month
- Provide utility support for the Believe in Wonder Operation
INVESTOR REWARDS
— $25+ investors receive Limited Edition Campaign Commemoration PDF (download w/ print permission)
— $50+ investors receive private Santa chat via Facebook Messenger or Zoom for child and VIP adult of their choice to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus (Brian and Josie Parker)
— $100 investors a packet of kid-lit books will be donated in your name to Portland Metro area school library or children-focused organization
— $250+ investors Original Brian Parker art illustration
If you would like to be a team fundraiser, for this campaign, please send me a message.
About Brian and Josie:
The Parkers live in Beaverton, Oregon, and are the owners of Believe in Wonder Publishing. Their lives and their work are devoted to sharing imagination and creativity with young minds and inspiring a new generation of dreamers.
Josie is a southern girl at heart, and her creativity is deeply rooted in her love for helping others. She's spent her adult life as a caregiver for children, adults with special needs, and as a foster parent and advocate for children in the system.
Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He spends his days working in youth publishing, and is the author of Crow in the Hollow, You Can Rely on Platypi, and co-author of Obi the Changeling, Nicholas & Sabina in the Busy Season, and The Wonderous Science.
Not only do Brian and Josie Parker know this — they are dedicating their lives to this pursuit while also being foster parents and advocates for children in foster care.
The Parkers are the founders of Believe in Wonder, a youth focused publishing entity based in Portland, OR. They publish internally developed works like The Wonderous Science , YOU CAN RELY ON PLATYPI , and Crow in the Hollow , but also actively search out new and amazing works to bring to the public eye.
Take a look at their catalog!
As every artist and author knows intimately, there is often an uneasy choice between CREATING CONTENT and DEVELOPING A MARKET.
My name is Nova Newcomer and I am a supporter of Believe in Wonder. As a non profit leader in the community who partnered with Believe in Wonder to bring their arts education to underserved youth in our community, I reached out to Brian and Josie after seeing a "Drawing Fire Sale" that Brian offered to provide custom artwork to raise funds for their work.
It immediately struck me that what our community so desperately needs is the work of Believe in Wonder and to have Brian and Josie focused solely on creating and distributing their content and achieving their mission.
As someone who has participated in one of these "Fire Sales" in the past to support Brian as an artist, I decided to reach out to Brian and Josie ask instead:
*** What kind of funding do you need to do the work you are meant to do? ***
And, of course, the brilliant professionals they are are...they had a detailed plan of what they would do with 6 MONTHS OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO KEEP DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST, ESPECIALLY DURING THE TRYING TIMES OF THE COVID19 PANDEMIC.
"Our focus is to promote imagination, inspiration, and positive thinking in kids and adults alike. In a time where social pressure and injustices threaten to take away our ability to dream of a better future, we hope to promote endeavors and education that uplifts and inspires, as well as provides creative outlets for the young and young at heart. We have an emphasis on bringing these opportunities to underrepresented communities and their allies, but we hope our work and message is embraced by many."
— Brian and Josie Parker, Believe in Wonder
So here is your opportunity to fight the good fight for a local publisher — to invest in art and art education that will make a difference.
Your opportunity not only to BELIEVE IN WONDER, but to INVEST in it. Scroll down for INVESTMENT REWARDS.
These were determined pre-COVID, but still hold true.
A note from Josie Parker: "We have concerns about this fundraiser at this time. We know so many people have been through a lot this year and that this ask is one more thing. People have lost jobs, been traumatized by the pandemic and the shelter in place. We're just trying to think about the rest of the year, and figure out how we can be a positive force for our community — all of our community."
The BELIEVE IN WONDER plan:
— Believe in Wonder Tools: $1000
- Pencils
- Notebooks
- Crayons & Markers
- Software Updates
- Hardware Updates
- Storage
- Mail out supplies
— Black Santa & Mrs Claus Experience: $1200
- Santa & Mrs Claus Suits: $600
- Art prints (Brian has illustrated a Santa Propaganda series): $330
- Art Show/Venue Promotion: $270
— Believe in Wonder Trade Show Package: $1500
- Believe in Wonder Marketing brochure/catalog ($275)
- Book Inventory ($500)
- Banners ($75)
- Art Inventory ($200)
- Portable display cases for books & art ($250)
- Business Cards ($50)
- Portfolio ($50)
- Storage ($100)
— Event Sponsorship/Tabling: $1200
- Tabling Fees ($900)
- Travel Expenses ($100)
- Child Care ($200) -- Believe in Wonder Chief Inspiration Officers Victor and Kamari (pictured above) love to jump on dad and drive their mom a bit insane, so childcare support will help for some tabling events)
— Believe in Wonder Marketing/Promotion: $500
- Book Marketing
- School Outreach
- Publicity
— "Keep the Lights On": $600/month
- Provide utility support for the Believe in Wonder Operation
INVESTOR REWARDS
— $25+ investors receive Limited Edition Campaign Commemoration PDF (download w/ print permission)
— $50+ investors receive private Santa chat via Facebook Messenger or Zoom for child and VIP adult of their choice to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus (Brian and Josie Parker)
— $100 investors a packet of kid-lit books will be donated in your name to Portland Metro area school library or children-focused organization
— $250+ investors Original Brian Parker art illustration
If you would like to be a team fundraiser, for this campaign, please send me a message.
About Brian and Josie:
The Parkers live in Beaverton, Oregon, and are the owners of Believe in Wonder Publishing. Their lives and their work are devoted to sharing imagination and creativity with young minds and inspiring a new generation of dreamers.
Josie is a southern girl at heart, and her creativity is deeply rooted in her love for helping others. She's spent her adult life as a caregiver for children, adults with special needs, and as a foster parent and advocate for children in the system.
Brian grew up in Alaska, then Mississippi, and has always been in love with storytelling in every medium. He earned a BFA in graphic design & illustration and an MA in writing & publishing. He spends his days working in youth publishing, and is the author of Crow in the Hollow, You Can Rely on Platypi, and co-author of Obi the Changeling, Nicholas & Sabina in the Busy Season, and The Wonderous Science.
Organizer and beneficiary
Nova Newcomer
Organizer
Portland, OR
Brian Parker
Beneficiary
