New “Storybooks Club” is Bringing the Magic of Books to All Children with Special Needs in the U.S.

Published on March 28, 2023

• Professional narrators describe all the pictures so blind and low vision children can enjoy the whole story.
• Videos include sign language and captions that include the picture descriptions for deaf children.
• Both video and audiobooks have pictures being richly described, so children who are dyslexic, autistic, or have other learning challenges can understand the story.

Imagination Storybooks Club members receive access to a library of children’s illustrated books in three formats: videos with ASL (American Sign Language) and captions; videos with AD (Audio Description); and audio files with AD, as well as bonus content for parents and teachers.

Now that the 1926 edition of Winnie-the-Pooh by AA Milne is in the public domain, Imagination Storybooks is producing accessible video and audiobook adaptations of the classic to everyone. The finished project will be over two hours in length.

“Our accessible audiobook version of Winnie the Pooh debuted at #1 in Children’s Anthology books on Audible,” says Richard.

Richard adds, “we want all children to fall in love with Winnie-the-Pooh and the beloved characters of Hundred Acre Wood including children who are blind, deaf, and learning challenged.”

The American Council of the Blind awarded ISB its Special Recognition Award in 2021 for dedicating its mission to fostering early literacy for children who are blind or have low vision.

Imagination Storybooks also produces the weekly Illustrated Audiobooks podcast, winner of the 2022 Communicator Award for Excellence as “Best Storytelling Podcast.”

About Richard Rieman, “The Storybook Wizard.”

Richard is the Founder and CEO of “Imagination Storybooks” at ImaginationStorybooks.org. He has narrated and produced hundreds of Indie-published audiobooks and is the author of the award-winning book, “The Author’s Guide to Audiobook Creation.” Richard Rieman is gradually losing his own eyesight due to glaucoma, but not his vision to make illustrated books accessible to ALL children. Audio and Video clips of Winnie the Pooh and other accessible books are available for all media.

Contact Richard Rieman at Wizard@ImaginationStorybooks.org | 720-507-5970

Ignite Publishing Company Honors Fallen Employee Dania Zafar With A School Of Hope In Pakistan To Keep Her Legacy Alive

Published on March 27, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that the team at Ignite Publishing, a Canadian-based publishing house, shares that their team member and friend, Dania Zafar, passed away in a tragic fire this past week in Montreal. “Dania was truly family to us, and her passion, ingenuity, compassion, and friendship will be truly missed,” shared Ignite founder JB Owen in a heartfelt statement to their community. “We are proud that Dania has been part of our team for 4 years since Ignite began. Her art and design gifts were instrumental in dozens of our books and magazines. Many of our beautiful creations are because of her artistic vision. Her smiles, soothing presence, and light will always be remembered, and her amazing talent and creativity as a designer will live on through the wonderful projects she created that have impacted many around the globe.”

Dania’s touch was seen in everything Ignite built as a company. She was fundamental in bringing their Ignite Humanity mission to life and intuitive to Ignite literacy and connections worldwide. She spearheaded Ignite Possibilities, a charity initiative to raise funds for schools in Indonesia and Cambodia. She worked hand-in-hand with many of our authors on their journey to bestseller publications. She was an integral part of all that Ignite is, and her impact on countless people cannot truly be measured. We also know that she worked with other amazing initiatives, including working with Discovery Education—which provides curriculum resources for elementary classrooms across the globe. Her impact will forever continue through these amazing projects in which she strove to immerse herself.

To honor the genuine and kind soul Dania was and to ensure her legacy of creativity and kindness is remembered forever, Ignite will be building a school in Pakistan, her home country, in her name. The Dania Zafar School of Hope will be a haven for children who dream big and love the arts. They hope this school will provide comfort to Dania’s family and create a place for them to honor and celebrate her life.

“This school is our way of showing the world just how valued and loved Dania was and always will be.” Owen shared. “She was a truly gifted individual whose calm, joyful, and giving nature will live on through all who cared for her and the countless children who will walk through the halls of her school.”

Many of the team, authors, and friends of Dania still cannot comprehend how such a gift to the world is gone, but they vow to carry Dania’s light with them in creating a place for Dania to be remembered. They send their love, prayers, and compassion to all who knew her. Her friends at Ignite have shared how loved she was by everyone whose life she touched:

“She brought goodwill into all she did, making sure everyone felt cared for and important around her. It is hard to imagine she is gone and not here to share her joyful spirit and peaceful glow. If ever there was a person who cared more than most, it was Dania.” -JB Owen

“Your light and your smile will forever be remembered. I have always admired you and your capacity to see the good in everything, always looking for the positive side, always looking for the best in everything you did. It has been a true honor and a privilege to see your creativity at work, your grace, and your calmness when accepting challenges. I pray for you and your family to find comfort and solace in knowing that your legacy will always stay with us, just like your beautiful smile.” -Carolina Gold.

“Dania’s creativity was outstanding. She was truly talented and a dream to work with. I will forever remember her laughter, humor, and caring. My love and prayers are with her and her family.” -Mimi Safiyah.

“Dania is an incredibly talented soul, and I saw her gifts in every project she touched. I will forever remember how blessed I was to work with Dania and feel comfort when I hold the books she created the covers on.” -Steph Elliot.

“It saddens me that the world has lost such a talented and wonderful person. Her brilliance was so apparent in everything she did, and her serenity and creativity were a blessing to be around. It is not often you get to meet someone so gifted and kind.” – Grace Regan.

To learn more about The Dania Zafar School of Hope, visit https://fundraise.classroomofhope.org/t/daniazafarschoolofhope, and read more about the impact Dania has made on people.

Please reach out to JB Owen, CEO & Founder of Ignite Publishing, for more information and comments.
Phone number: 250-864-3740 – WhatsApp +001-250-864-3740
Email address: jb@iginteyou.life
Exc. Coord of JB Owen: – Carolina@igniteyou.life

Moerlein Lager House Is Hosting the Arlinghaus Opening Day Home Run Hang Out

Published on March 26, 2023

Moerlein Lager House, located adjacent to The Banks, is hosting a special event to kick off baseball’s Opening Day celebrations in Cincinnati. “The Arlinghaus Home Run Opening Day Hang Out” will take place on Thursday, March 30th, from noon to 4pm on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn & Stage at Moerlein Lager House, followed by a Reds Opening Day Game Watch Party on a 17′ Jumbo Screen. The event is free and open to the public, so baseball fans and party-goers alike are invited to come out and enjoy the festivities.

Location Info:
Moerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
+1-513-421-2337