Articles . . .

Here you will find articles from the press, the book's author, and other authorities on children's books and entertainment. The articles may not be exclusively on the subject of Camilions and may change at the site's administration discretion.

Fun Advice Column by William Ash

Doing More With Digital Pictures (September 2004)

No other medium has changed the way we record family memories and events like digital photography. Or has it? Not too long ago, mini malls across America were littered with one-hour photo labs.  These did big business developing film for families who were snapping away at birthdays and holidays. Many of these photos ended stacked away in drawers. Many others ended in albums.  The best pictures went into frames.  Today many of the photo labs are gone.  The photo instrument of choice by families is the digital camera.  The photo snapping has never been more copious and fervent.  The elimination of the cost of film and the instant delete/save photo selection are tremendous advantages.  So what are people doing with all these photos?

According to one of our recent surveys most digital photos a) sit stored in the camera's memory, b) sit stored in a computer's hard drive, c) are rarely e-mailed to friends and family, and d) are rarely printed to show or frame. Doesn't sound much different than drawers and albums, after all, people are known to adopt behaviors slowly. So what is next? What will people do with their children's digital photos?

Next really is today. Many, perhaps the early adopters, have realized that their digital photos can become creative and fun forms of expression.  I've seen families create a website newsletter where events are recorded and communicated and great photos are shared. Software offers many photo creative resources.  All from fixing and touching up a picture, to developing an artistic photo with filters.  Today there's software to create your own electronic cards that include your photos into the design of the card.  Some other software allows one to change the facial expression in a photo to make an angry face look happy! And of course, children's digital photos are being used for personalization. Companies can make anything from a personalized tie, a t-shirt, candy wraps, and my favorite; a photo personalized children's book.

While making a website and learning to use software can be complex, using your children's photos to make a personalized book is really easy.  All that a company like Camilions needs to make a book is a child's photo.  The rest of the work is up to them. The result, a big smile from a child, and a great use of that digital photo that just sat in the computer or camera.

If your children's pictures are stored in a file, please do something fun with them. There's never been as many choices to be creative and fun as there are today!

Self Awareness, Confidence and Fun (May 2004)

In a recent conversation with a child psychologist the topic of Personalized Children's Books came to light.  I have something to show you, I said to the Doctor as I showed him a sample of Camilions.  The expert went on to explain a few things that for the most part are common knowledge about personalized children's books.  This type of books are great learning tools, he said.  Children in general have a short attention span.  With book personalization it is much more likely that a child will show interest in an entire book, and even re-read.   I suspected that much, I said.  What he said next about the Camilions sample really surprised me.  The expert went on to explain that photo-personalized children's books had an additional  possible benefit.  Photo personalized books may increase a child's self awareness and confidence.  How is this I asked?  Through the physical role play that the book provides, the Dr. answered.  A child participates in the role play and interacts with other characters in this Camilions book.  Self-awareness, confidence, role play and fantasy are all important aspects of a child's cognitive development, he explained.  Well, I had a last question.  How about the importance of fun?  Without fun, none of the other benefits will be in place, he replied.  I was satisfied with that answer.

Interview with William Ash  (February 2004)