Stuffing Theory: A Year in the Life of a Bear

You know your stuff when it comes to bringing kids in. The bears' antics are the very thing and they would be all over this book. One of the ones that just has got to be read over and over each night. Excellent fare. Cheers.

BACKED

I'm picturing the bears climbing up the chest of drawers ,using the handles as rungs. And when they fall it doesn't hurt but stirs up their stuffing. Gorgeous.
Some of the things the bears do, like making a tent out of the sheet, I used to do as a child. I think children will probably alternate their viewpoint from themselves to bear when reading this.
It must be magical for them, to imagine all this going on behind their back. And who are adults to say it doesn't? I believe you. Backed. Lynn

Dear Bob
I found the title so captivating and the book cover just popped out at me, I had not choice but to read on. I am so glad that somewhere in your life you decided to write. I just love this book, one that I would get my grandkids for sure. It is well crafted . so heres the thing, I would buy it for the grandkids but keep it myself in an act of pure selfishness. I would take it off my self when alone and read it again and again, oh I may get another copy for the other members of my family,. This is one of the cleverest, most captivating books on this site. You have a wonderful mind which has created a totally original read. CONGRATS
Oh and for the record, I have taken all the old teddied that I have loved so much , out of the attic, and I am just looking at those stuffed beings.
I would be so happy if you would take the time to look at my book and if so back it. . Comments are always greatly appreciated.
BACKING THIS BOOK FOR SURE
Denise
The Letter

Dear Bob, I love, "talking through fur is always going to sound muffled." That's unique. :) Great story. :) Yes, I'm ready for your next "Teddy" story. :) Your pitch is excellent, so set the hook for me to read your book. :) When you use short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, it makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing your book. :) Could you please take a moment to back my TWO memoir books? Thanks. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs."

This is very funny! Will be back to read more. I like your style!

Stuffing Theory -
Love it!!! I still believe that teddy bears do come alive when our backs are turned, so i found it wonderful to come across your book. This is completely original and very imaginative. This is one of them books you could buy and read over and over again. Children would love this, and adults too.
Hope this goes far
abi

This is a fantastic idea and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I still believe that bears come alive when our backs are turned and I'm sure many other readers - children and adult alike - will do too.
I love your sense of perspective from the bears' angle, noticing everyday things that we ignore, and the antics of events such as the midnight feast which are so appealling to children. I like the short chapters and it feels as though you relax into your tone and style as you go along - the further I read the more I felt it was a children's story.
My only comment would be to echo other notes on here - some of the language feels a little ambitious for smaller children. I think simplifying some of the vocabulary would actually help to communicate the personality of the bears better. You make reference a couple of times to 'our fuzzy brains' but the vocab you use suggests the bears are, in fact, very intelligent - which clashes a little. It makes them seem a bit old fashioned. Slightly dozy bears who get a bit confused seem like much more charming characters.
Definitely one for my bookshelf - good luck!

Clare Morris
The Cloud Drivers: The Giant's Storm

The story of the animated bears is very enchanting and great for children (classification children)

However you opening page is very difficult as you mention string theory which is a difficult concept for adults and then move on to Stuffing theory which i found catchy.
Still good theme, title and plot.

Hope you sort it out.
A pleasure to read
Backed

Hello Bob
I really enjoyed "The Year in the Life of a Bear". It could be a picture book or a story for younger readers (so you may want to think about word count). Some of the activities the bears do to fill their days made me smile. I also LOVED how they get squished from being used as a pillow. You may want to think about how you "show" the reader what is going on rather than "telling" us about it. It would have been great to see the teddy bear swinging from the drawer handle or scrabbling under the bed covers - live. I would also like to see more physical descriptions of the bears and for you to show us their different personalities. I hope this helps! Well done. You have some great ideas. Keep going!
Kim

Fresh. Imaginative. Beautiful. Written with skill and keen observation. Great themes. Insightful narrative. Vivid sense of place. Thought-provoking storyline. Memorable writing. A compulsive read. Backed.

I love the concept! I often wondered what happened to my toys once I left the house!
I particularly like your writing with lines like “Historical memories which cannot come back to reality …Ponder for a while .where we are and what we are doing …A simple & effective line …

Just one question –who is this book geared at? Adults or children? And if Children what kind of age range are you looking at? I feel there would be too many words in this for my nephew who is 5.

Best of Luck-Backed!

Your target audience will absolutely love this as will many adults, like me, who are still kids at heart. A great idea and a great start to the book. Well done! Gordon - The Harpist of Madid

What an absolutely brilliant idea for a book. I would defiitely buy it. And it is so well written! Best wishes, Gordon - The Harpist of Madrid

A delightful tale of teddy bears coming to life when we are no around. I bought in to this one easily, still being the owner of a bear who had to have an operation and had zigzag black stitching my Mun did to save his life. I’m sure I hear him crying. I once went on holiday (as an adult) to a small hotel in Linton Devon. The hotel was full of bears, on the stairs or on the window sills. They moved twice daily. I of course believed of their own free will my husband was suspicious It was the hotelier, what bunkum. Lovely story for children with something special to cuddle



Wilma1

Knowing Liam Riley- I hope you have a moment spare to look at it

Hi Bob, This has philosophy besides the anthropomorphic. The synopsis drew me in with the new stuffing theory and the style of writing has a objective and theoretical intent. Once into the bear zone, it's becomes sunny and setting-oriented. Different and intriguing. Shelved - katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Backed! Children would love this. Toys that are alive just waiting for the moment to move about. This would be a good read aloud for parents or grandparents to children. I feel the language would be too difficult for most children to read or understand on their own though. example: benefactor, behavioural, or nocturanal.
CC Brown
Dark Side

Obviously charming and with huge potential but is chapter one necessary if this is for children? Will there be illustrations? As I say, huge potential here. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

Excellent book and backed with pleasure.

There are, however, a lot of typos, spelling errors and changes from one spelling to another. As you say, you have difficulty catching all of the errors. Well, it turns out that everyone has trouble proofreading their own work. As comrades on this website, we are willing to overlook and forgive minor errors, but agents and editors do not forgive errors.

I am mildly dyslexic. Thus I have trouble spelling and difficulty spotting certain types of errors.

My solution has been to hire a proofreader. I found a teacher of English who is willing to proofread my work. It costs a few dollars so, I only have her proofread manuscripts just before I am preparing to send them out. The point is that my money is well spent. She not only catches typos, spelling errors and missing commas, but now and then she will point out to me a paragraph that needs to be reworked for clarity.

I eagerly await your sequel.

Reynold (Dognaped)

I love the concept of this book--what are the eddy bears doing when we aren't watching?--every kid fantasizes about this. And the ideas you come up with are believable and comforting. The tone is also perfect for a children's book. I do think you want to tone down the philosophy and vocabulary a bit to be a better fit for your audience. The analogy between string and stuffing theory is clever, but over the head of your audience, I would guess, as are words like "anthropomorphic," "entail" and "pervade." With a bit of young-it-down editing, Stuffing Theory should be a very successful children's book.
Niobrara Kardnova (Family Irregulars)

Stuffing Theory: A Year in the Life of a Bear is clearly intended for children, but this grownup was captivated. It reminds me of Polar: The Titanic Bear on my list of favorites. A story told from the perspective of a stuffed animal doesn't come along every day and the other one I used to create three historical characters including Polar in the first half of Chapter Fourteen in Titanic: Rose Dawson's Story. Backed with pleasure.

This was a really cute story! Kids love stuff like this, most consider their stuffed animals real people so I think you've got something here that is going to be very popular and a hit with your readers. I know this adult loved it!Great writing,easy to read, and a sense of a fun adventure, and like we learned a secret. That kids were right all along, they are alive! Awesome job.

Missy

Bob, what is the target age of your readers? I ask because some of the language is close to young adult "entail", "nocturnal".

The antics are very engaging but my suggestion is to be very sure who you're writing for - are they reading it themselves or having it read for them? In either case the language can be simpler without losing the quality of the prose. hope this helps. I will back your book today.

All the best,
T. L. Bartush
Bleak House Bleak Shed (a satire on lawyers you may find funny)

Dear TL,

Thank you very much for your valued comment. The language and target issue is one with which I have been grappling and I agree that putting the more complicated words in simpler phrases wouldn't lose impact.

Attempting to show that the characters are of a highly articulate and so, educated, nature, (i.e. they are intelligent beings, and especially so, the one who is telling the story), probably works in itself, as that is what it was originally designed to do, but it does indeed possibly indicate possible conflict in target audience.

It was envisaged to be a learning work, which is read to younger ones, and a reading experience which parents like to take part in themselves as it could be a good read for them too, and in this latter case where parents take on the mantle of "teacher of longer words" the instructional side could be readily accepted, as are the longer words by the child being read to.

Having said this, it could be that simplification may be the order of the day, and I shall be giving some time to it.

By the way, yours looks a must. I love real life satire and humour surrounding serious occupations and situations. Without making comparisons, I always loved the Rumpole stories too, but of course, yours isn't a story! The subject is fascinating and illuminating. I have read the first chapter and it is in my watch list for a bit later on.

Thank you, and regards,

Bob

Bob, what is the target age of your readers? I ask because some of the language is close to young adult "entail", "nocturnal".

The antics are very engaging but my suggestion is to be very sure who you're writing for - are they reading it themselves or having it read for them? In either case the language can be simpler without losing the quality of the prose. hope this helps. I will back your book today.

All the best,
T. L. Bartush
Bleak House Bleak Shed (a satire on lawyers you may find funny)

Hi Bob
I thought this was going to be a bit like Toy Story, but I was wrong. This is really insightful and an interesting way of looking at things from a different viewpoint. Charming and good fun.
DP Walker
Five Dares

You are totally fantastic, Bob! :) How can I ever thank you enough for backing my 2 memoir books? :)
God bless you. :) Love, Susie :)

I like your decision to use the first person narrative voice. It creates an immediate connection with the reader and your smooth flowing writing style keeps the pace of your story flowing nicely. Your descriptive writing ensures that your work will appeal to the children's audience. In your forward the second paragraph is probably too long and a natural break could be the sentence starting with "Then at the same time." Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Bob: wishing you the best on this website. But remember the caveat: you can only get out of it what you put into it. My thoughts are this: that long pitch should be broken into the smaller paragraphs for it to succeed in a Childrens' genre. The short pitch works. BACKED!

I can use your comments on my novel when you get a chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Hi JC,

Thank you, and yes, will do. I did type up the Long Pitch with lots of paragraphs, but when it came out, it was all in one. It still is in paragraphs in the edit function so I don't know how to remedy this!

Cheers,

Bob

It's a shame this site doesn't give you the chance to illustrate childrens books as they would if they were professionally published. The premise isn't unique, but the writing and the style (confidence and projection) stand it in the more mature end of the young market - ie those already reading on their own to a degree (though I'm not quite sure if using a word like 'paradox' would be acceptable to some publishers.)

Read and enjoyed - and backed accordingly

Bob: wishing you the best on this website. But remember the caveat: you can only get out of it what you put into it. My thoughts are this: that long pitch should be broken into the smaller paragraphs for it to succeed in a Childrens' genre. The short pitch works. BACKED!

I can use your comments on my novel when you get a chance. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Absolutely adorable! This is a book I'd buy and I'm old!! backed with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

A charming and original take on the secret lives of our children's favourites. Backed.

As a family our bears (indeed all fluffy toys) have always 'lived'. I don't know which of my ancestors started 'talking' the bears, but generation after generation (including me) have carried it on. Of course I have to back this book, there was never a question of not doing. I love it and your way of writing such an engaging story is perfect. You don't have to be a child to get a lot out of it. I wish you luck in getting it into print.

You know your stuff when it comes to bringing kids in. The bears' antics are the very thing and they would be all over this book. One of the ones that just has got to be read over and over each night. Excellent fare. Cheers.

BACKED

I love this! Charming and original, and puts me in mind of one of my favorite reads here on authonomy: Last Days of the Transitional Objects Institute. Anyway, a lovely voice for children and endlessly interesting.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

Hi Bob, this is unusual and delightful for children. Perhaps break your long pitch into separate paragraphs for easier reading online?
Backed with pleasure,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

Hi Bob, fun stuff! Backed.

blessings,
jim
jack & charmian london

I'm picturing the bears climbing up the chest of drawers ,using the handles as rungs. And when they fall it doesn't hurt but stirs up their stuffing. Gorgeous.
Some of the things the bears do, like making a tent out of the sheet, I used to do as a child. I think children will probably alternate their viewpoint from themselves to bear when reading this.
It must be magical for them, to imagine all this going on behind their back. And who are adults to say it doesn't? I believe you. Backed. Lynn

STUFFING THEORY
This book is a fun read, beginning with the clever title. It’s witty and really takes a reader inside a stuffed bear’s life. It reminded me of the old song “Teddy Bear Picnic” everyone used to sing. It’s the kind of book I’d buy to read on vacation because it so would so thoroughly take me away from my usual world. I’m adding it to my shelf. If you have a moment, would you look at mine (Grain of Salt)? I’m in 8th place but only holding on by my teeth. Burgio

Dear Bob,
What a wonderful beginning! Your voice is unique and fascinating. I look forward, with pleasure, to reading more. Backed.
Best,
January

Dear Bob, I love, "talking through fur is always going to sound muffled." That's unique. :) Great story. :) Yes, I'm ready for your next "Teddy" story. :) Your pitch is excellent, so set the hook for me to read your book. :) When you use short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, it makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing your book. :) Could you please take a moment to back my TWO memoir books? Thanks. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs."

Very interesting and unique. Best wishes with this and I'll back it for you. Dave

Dear Bob
I found the title so captivating and the book cover just popped out at me, I had not choice but to read on. I am so glad that somewhere in your life you decided to write. I just love this book, one that I would get my grandkids for sure. It is well crafted . so heres the thing, I would buy it for the grandkids but keep it myself in an act of pure selfishness. I would take it off my self when alone and read it again and again, oh I may get another copy for the other members of my family,. This is one of the cleverest, most captivating books on this site. You have a wonderful mind which has created a totally original read. CONGRATS
Oh and for the record, I have taken all the old teddied that I have loved so much , out of the attic, and I am just looking at those stuffed beings.
I would be so happy if you would take the time to look at my book and if so back it. . Comments are always greatly appreciated.
BACKING THIS BOOK FOR SURE
Denise
The Letter

backed :)
Love, Susie :)

I'm having difficulty in determining just who this is aimed at. The short pitch suggests it's for kids who have Teddy Bears, but a few seconds reading the script dispels that thought. If it's for adults it should be apparent in the short pitch, or your reader may not get any further. And yet I had a look at chapter 13, just to see how it was going, and it seamed to be written from the point of view of a child. Are you, yourself, clear about this? If so, please advise. Sylvia.

Sylvia, I know there is an issue over where it should be aimed, and I am not sure how to get over the problem. I don't think however that it is written from the point of view of a child, more so the point of a Bear who probably belongs to a child, although he could belong to anyone. It could be therefore a read for anyone who enjoys having stuffed toys in their house. Any assistance with pitching or editing would be welcomed of course.

the idea of following a bear is great. the first person is the best option. simply written, and enjoyable- on watchlist...
read SEASONS...

I'm having difficulty in determining just who this is aimed at. The short pitch suggests it's for kids who have Teddy Bears, but a few seconds reading the script dispels that thought. If it's for adults it should be apparent in the short pitch, or your reader may not get any further. And yet I had a look at chapter 13, just to see how it was going, and it seamed to be written from the point of view of a child. Are you, yourself, clear about this? If so, please advise. Sylvia.