I so enjoy watching children read my books. Once there was this little girl, with dark brown, very straight hair, wearing a dress mostly hidden by a deep red wool coat (it was a blustery day). The little girl came up to me, or rather was towed towards me, by her mother, who clearly at that point was in more of a shopping mood than her daughter. My guess is that the little girl was tired of shopping, as she looked quite grumpy. I recall thinking, “Poor little thundercloud!” As her mother spoke with me, something about the “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” book caught the little girl’s eye, and she began to read the “Inca Dink” book. Soon the little girl was crouched, as only agile young children can be, with her feet, in her neat black shoes, firmly flat on the floor, and with her knees completely, tightly bent. I remember her red coat’s edges touched the floor, and she looked a bit like a fairy blossom sprouting out of a busy marketplace floor. She was entirely oblivious to the people walking around her. Sometimes her mother would call to her to come closer, but the little girl either didn’t hear her mother or was ignoring her. More people began to notice the little girl, and she created quite an interest in my books! When the little girl finally looked up from the book, she was smiling, all the thunderclouds gone. That was such a treat for me, I shall never forget it! Another fun memory was a little boy who ran away with my phone so he could finish hearing the “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” app that is narrated by the incredible British BBC personality Dominic Byrne. He gave his mother quite a chase!
I think that’s why I say that everything about children’s books is FUN. It is fun to come up with the characters and plots, so free of the restrictions of reality or gravity. It is fun to illustrate the books, with playful colors and lively illustrations. It is also fun to play with the words and rhymes that bring the story lines to life. -and, as I’ve written above, it is endless fun to watch the children discover the books I’ve written, to look at me with bright eyes and happy smiles. I remember how much I loved reading books with my Mother, and to imagine that my books may be a part of those special memories of other children is especially rewarding, gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling!
Photo of the Real-Life Leonberger Dog Inca
“Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™ is my most popular children’s book. I illustrated and wrote the sing-song Seussian-like poetry of the book, and this children’s book has even been licensed for the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, For this digital Apple version, I had the great pleasure of narrating the female narration, while the male narration of “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” was done by popular BBC personality Dominic Byrne. “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” is also available in traditional print at bookstores and via Amazon.com.
First, here is a photo of the real-life Leonberger dog Inca, dressed as Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”(TM) taken from my book, “The Background Story of “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”:
Excerpts from the Children’s Book “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™
Here are some excerpts from M. Nicole van Dam’s book, “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”:
Sketches from the Children’s Book “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”(TM)
Here is a starting sketch that shows some of the process of how a book is illustrated. You will find more information on the making of this children’s book in M. Nicole van Dam’s book, “The Background Story of “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”:
More background on the real-life Leonberger dog Inca:
The real-life Leonberger dog Inca, was an adorable puppy and a much-loved pet therapy dog at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, as shown here from photos taken from M. Nicole van Dam’s book, “The Background Story of “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”:
To purchase “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” and “The Background Story of Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” please visit Butterflies.bz
Following are some blog posts relating to my children’s book adventures – ENJOY!
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Background: M. Nicole van Dam has authored and illustrated several delightful children’s books as well as books for “grown ups.” Children’s books by Nicole are currently published under the trade name “Once Upon a Time”™ and include “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini“™ and “Rosie and Emma Plant a Seed,”™ and “This Little Puppy.”™ Both “Rosie and Emma Plant a Seed”™ and “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™ were inspired by Nicole’s real life Leonberger dogs, while “This Little Puppy“™ (co-authored with Jay Topping) was inspired by the many pets we all love. Nicole’s work is also inspired by nature, her garden, and her family (including many pets!). To learn more about the artist, the real life Inca Dink, and the “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™ children’s book, please visit incadink.com. Fun note: Delightfully narrated interactive digital versions of “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™ are also available for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. To learn more about “Rosie and Emma Plant a Seed” please visit “Rosie and Emma Plant a Seed” and to learn more about “This Little Puppy“™ please visit “This Little Puppy.”™
Following is some fun background information about Nicole’s most popular children’s book, “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini,” which Nicole authored and illustrated. Enjoy these pictures of the real-life Leonberger dog behind “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™, as well as some sketches and excerpts from M. Nicole van Dam’s book, “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”. More fun background information is available in the companion book also by M. Nicole van Dam, called “The Background Story of Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”, We hope you enjoy each of them, and would love to hear your thoughts!
We hope you enjoy our “Once Upon a Time”™ series of children’s books!
The books you buy on Amazon are not signed personally by Nicole, but instead are shipped directly to you by the seller (not Nicole).
From Nicole:
I’m always happy to sign books for you! If you would like for me to sign books (and write a personal note to someone), I’ll be happy to do that, please contact me for details. The process entails your shipping your book(s) to me, in a box with the following things: (1) a legible note to me giving me the name(s) you want on the books and something about each person (helps me write the personal notes); and (2) everything I will need to ship the book back to you (i.e., postage pre-paid packaging addressed to you). Please make sure you give me enough time! Especially in the holiday season!
Links to find the “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™ merchandise:
- Fun merchandise with “Inca Dink”: GreatHoundini.com
“Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” and the Background Story of Inca Dink, The Great Houndini,” including the characters, artworks, and storylines respectively therein, are by and TM & (c) 1999 – 2011 M. Nicole van Dam. All Rights Reserved.
To purchase “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” and “The Background Story of Inca Dink, The Great Houndini” please visit Butterflies.bz
We hope you enjoy “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini.”™
Links to find the “Inca Dink, The Great Houndini”™ book and merchandise:
- Narrated Digital: Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch,
- Traditional Print: Amazon.com.
- Fun merchandise with “Inca Dink”: GreatHoundini.com
TM and (c) 1999-2011 M. Nicole van Dam. All Rights Reserved.
