Wednesday, November 2, 2011

uTales.com has launched! And 2 of my books are available today! : )

Go to "Launch!" now!
(currently $3.99 at uTales with a portion going to Pencils of Promise..see below)

Go to "The Gingerbread Man" now!
(currently $2.99 at uTales with a portion going to Pencils of Promise..see below)
Hi Everyone -I want to let you know that it's a very exciting day for me as the launch of uTales.com has happened. "uTales offers unlimited access to an entire library of digital picture books for kids - available anywhere and anytime on your iPad or online!!  You get unlimited access to all our digital picture books with a monthly subscription of just $9.99, or you can purchase books separately." You can gain more information about uTales here and here.

Many months ago, I decided to try my hand at writing and illustrating for a digital picture book platform and Nils at uTales offered this possibility. You'll find a host of wonderful books - some with sound and animation, some classics, and some original picture books written and illustrated by some, or books of collaborations between authors and illustrators. It's a delight to share the news that two of my books are available for viewing and downloading: "Launch!" (written and illustrated by me - remember the IllustrationFriday.com prompt animation I did awhile back?) - and a retelling of the classic, "The Gingerbread Man." Initially illustrated for the SCBWI event I attended and then finished up for uTales - animations and sounds too! : )

Anyhoo..one of the best things about this endeavor is knowing that for each of the books' downloads, a portion (25%) will go to help build schools in developing worlds through a charity called Pencils of Promise. To date, the organization has built more than 30 schools.

This morning, the ability to download the uTales app from iTunes has occurred..it's been an exciting adventure so far...and I encourage all of you to have a look at the uTales library of books so far when you have a bit of time. : )
Shirley
Posted by at

38 comments:

  1. Michaele RaziNovember 2, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Awesome! I'll check it out. Your books look lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bella SinclairNovember 2, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    Oh WOWWWWWW!!! These will be mine, all MINE! Mwahahahahahahaha! Thanks, Shirley, Congratulations to you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousNovember 2, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Shirley, congratulations! This looks like an amazing project and the donation to build schools makes it even better! I'm certain that with your illlustrations, your book is fantastic! I'll be sure to check it out! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. AntoanaNovember 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Once again Shirley congrats and this is just really, really lovely, the kids will love them, Noalinn loves ur Gingerbread man :D...I believe you have a BIG heart!Cheering all the way for you, your current projects and those to follow! xox

    ReplyDelete
  5. JuneNovember 2, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Congratulations Shirley, I thought I had caught a glimps of 'Launch' in one of the uTales information video's. Now I know it WAS your book I saw. I hope your titles sell well and raise lots of money for all concerned, especially to help the charity.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ~Lavender Dreamer~November 2, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    I'm so happy for you! I haven't been on ITUNES lately...I'll go look at these! What an accomplishment, my friend! KUDOS to you! ♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. beeNovember 2, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    Shirley these are AMAZING!!!! Beautiful illustrations as always! How very exciting to be involved in such a brilliant new app! Love the little animations and sound effects in the Gingerbread Man story too. Congrats to you!! xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Brooke Boynton-HughesNovember 2, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    How exciting!! Congratulations Shirley! Your work is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. k.h.whitakerNovember 2, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Absolutely Awesome!!! I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to go and check it out. I love both the covers. They are just too cute.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ShirleyNovember 2, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Thank you thank you everyone...your kind words mean a ton to me!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ces AdorioNovember 2, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!! I love you and I an very proud of youuuuuu!!! I an so excited. Tsup!!! Tsup!!!! These will be mine. Mine@!!!! Oh you draw them in the firestone manner!!!!! Waaaaaahhhh!!!! Whoo!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ces AdorioNovember 2, 2011 at 6:14 PM

    Okay, my retarded phone keeps changing my words. Ugh.

    ReplyDelete
  13. CarolineNovember 2, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    What a marvellous project - just been over to look! Congratulations Shirley, your Launch and Gingerbread Man are are delightful - especially like the illo with the Fox transporting GB Man on his snout!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Erin KNovember 2, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Oh wow!! Congrats!!! *hugs galore!!* I'll have to go check these out. Woooo!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousNovember 2, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    Congratulation,Shirley!!! I am super happy for you!!!!!! Big milestone for your great achievement!!! Now, everyone can ENJOY your cute characters and stories as well. How exciting!!!!!!! Simply happy for you!!!!! ^________^ Big smile and hug for you!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Elizabeth Rose StantonNovember 2, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Congrats!!! So cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. JaneNovember 3, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    How wonderful Shirley, these look just so cute, I am sure there were be lots of downloads and lots of children to enjoy your charming new ebooks. I am delighted for you; you deserve so much success with your work
    Happy November,
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  18. kjNovember 3, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    congratulations shirley. i flipped through 'launch' last night and i only need to say CHARMING!
    ♥
    kj

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lisa M GriffinNovember 3, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Sounds wonderful! Congratulations to you as well. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sarah MellingNovember 3, 2011 at 5:03 PM

    Wow, Shirley...how exciting is that? I'm so happy for you. You're right on the cutting edge of technology, bringing your wonderful stories and artwork to some very lucky kids! Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ces AdorioNovember 3, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Ugh Shirley. You won't believe what happened with my typing today.
    I typed the word "crap" and my phone changed the word to "veal."
    I typed my name "Ces" and my phone changed it to "Devillish."
    Whuh??? How the heck did my phone know??? Emailing my address. Tsup!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Andrew FinnieNovember 3, 2011 at 10:08 PM

    Shirley this is just splendiferous, this is wonderfully exciting! :) I have been trying to get back here all day but they just let me out of the clinic (they changed my medications) But seriously... I cannot wait to see this.

    PS:


    Heh Ces, oh those funs have minds of their own err I mean phones have a mint of ther ownd.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Vicki SmithNovember 4, 2011 at 4:32 AM

    Congratulations, Shirley!! What a wonderful project.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ces AdorioNovember 4, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Heheheh! Andrew programmed my phone!

    ReplyDelete
  25. micheleNovember 4, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Congratulations to you! This is exciting news! Wishing you many more successes as these projects "Launch!" ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Dear FirefliesNovember 4, 2011 at 3:02 PM

    Oh, you are super awesome, Shirley!! I'm so proud and happy for you...just look at those covers, they're amazing! It's great that you can create and help for a good cause in the same time. A brilliant idea, in fact. :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. BradNovember 5, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    whoa! CONGRATS! shirley this is awesome, i just got an ipad and what perfect way to use it then to go and get these books!! how cool

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ben ClantonNovember 5, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Congrats! I'm definitely going to get these books. Really awesome. :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Art Collector's CornerNovember 5, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Your works are so nice!!!
    You might want to check out the International Illustration Showcase hosted by International Art Guide - www.InternationalArtGuide.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. Melissa MackieNovember 6, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    Congratulations Shirley!!! Well Done!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Leen ChristensNovember 7, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    WAW, great news!! The books are looking fabulous!! Great way to show your talent!! I'm so happy for you! Love the sketchy feeling in the book of Skippy!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Vanessa Brantley NewtonNovember 9, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    Absolutely, completely, and utterly, charming Mrs. Shirley!! HOORAY for children's and adults everywhere! They are in for something magical and special. I can't wait to down load them to my I pad. How awesome Shirley. Are you going to be doing more of this?? I hope so. Congrats on a job very well done.
    Hugs
    V

    ReplyDelete
  33. Amanda DilworthNovember 9, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Congratulations Shirley, just been to look at the previews, they look amazing, really like Launch, what a cutie:)

    ReplyDelete
  34. MrBibleHeadNovember 9, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    Wow Shirley! You are so amazing. These books look terrific. You are also such a blessing to me and my wife. I’m almost recovered, but she has really been having some medical issues which is part of the reason I’ve been so quiet lately. Thanks for stopping by and mucho success on the books!

    ReplyDelete
  35. KristaNovember 10, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    Woweee!!!! Such great work, Shirley!! Congratulations to you!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ces AdorioNovember 11, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Congratulations! Your prompt was selected for IF today, "Silent."

    ReplyDelete
  37. Francisco MartinsNovember 13, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Oh Shirley, congratulations my friend! this is so well deserved! Proud of you! hugssss from Lisbon

    ReplyDelete
  38. Andrew FinnieNovember 14, 2011 at 12:10 AM

    Hey how cool are you? That's wonderful your prompt was picked. Silent! Arrrrggggghhhh :) (That's a pirate sound I picked up this week - just practicing)

    ReplyDelete

Feedback! You rock! Thanks for your words...

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)