Take a trip with an Australian kangaroo as he shows you the other six continents in “Too-Da-Loo Kangaroo,” a Waynesboro woman’s first book.
“I believe this book will touch children of all ages,” said author Bobbi Blubaugh. “As Roo makes his way around the world, he bids a farewell to each character he meets.”
Blubaugh, who dedicated the book to her six grandchildren, said the idea was born about two years ago at the home of her daughter. “My granddaughter and I said too-da-loo to her parents and then we started thinking of all the different ways to say goodbye. It wasn’t too long after that I got the idea of rhyming synonyms for goodbye with animal names and somehow that went into animals from different continents.”
Pictured throughout the 32-page book are maps and globes, hidden flags, geographic locations, animals and plants native to each continent, and parent/teacher activity ideas.
The retired teacher, who had 33 years service, was thrilled that youngest grandchild Molly commented, “I really like this book,” as they read the proof copy. “I’m not going to make millions,” joked Blubaugh.“This is a personal accomplishment for me.” The self-published author said the process involved critiquing her work constantly. “Every time I went into it, I changed something else. That’s part of being your own editor.” Blubaugh also said she was happy that a fellow teacher who bought the book recognized, “I know for sure a teacher wrote this.”
Blubaugh said she reached out to other local children’s authors for assistance as well as self-publishing groups on Facebook. “If it wouldn’t have been for these groups … They answered so many of my questions. They are a Godsend.”
The manuscript had been written for a long time, according to Blubaugh, “and I didn’t need an illustrator because I used Canva Pro, which gave me access to formatted graphics and photos.” Blubaugh also did extensive research on plants and other animals from each continent for the book. “I included (photos of) them in a transparent way on each page. They are faint in the background … just a little something extra.”
Blubaugh also credited Debbie Pflager of Waynesboro for her photos taken in Tanzania during a recent mission trip. “When Roo leaves Tanzania, in lieu of ‘The End’ there is a photo (by Debbie) of the back of two zebras and he says, ‘Hakuna Matada,’ a famous quote from the movie ‘Lion King.’”
KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) was the first self-publishing company that approved the book, and it went live on Amazon May 26. IngramSpark also approved the book May 31, which makes it available to be distributed to major retailers including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Barnes and Noble, plus many more.
“I am only permitted to sell books at book signings and book readings, which I plan to do, and I will contact local teachers and schools
for book talks and activities. I also plan to be at an upcoming Market at the Park in Waynesboro, where I will sell and sign books and have an activity for kids that is connected to the book.”
Blubaugh said the text is written for her second book “Too-Da-Loodle Snickerdoodle,” which is “a fractured fairy tale as told by Little Red Hen. I also have two other ideas.”
In addition to writing, the local author keeps busy babysitting grandchildren and volunteering at her church and for other local organizations. ”I also enjoy time at the beach, and I will be taking my laptop there. The second one will go easier. I know so much more now.”
