If this post was a pie chart the biggest slice (probably red) would be 'parental pride'. Then there'd be a biggish yellow slice of 'here's an interesting thing a friend of mine did', a thin blue slice of 'actually this would be a tremendous way to present qualitative research' and a pink slivver of 'aahhh'.
Stefan (you must remember Stefan) has been working on a children's book about monsters. And since he doesn't possess a child unit of his own he sent me some pdfs and asked me to show them to Arthur. I think he was hoping for some written feedback. But, since I'm a lazy tyke, I thought it would be easier just to talk Arthur through the book, record his reactions and send the mp3s to Stefan. Which I duly did and Stefan seemed very happy.
Right now, Stefan's looking for a publisher for said book and one of his contacts asked to hear some of that conversation. And Stefan, being an irresistible designer, built a lovely little webpage with an edit of the audio and some pages from the book. I think it's brilliant, but I'm biased. I also think it'd be a fantastic way to do a qualitative research debrief. If you're a fan of books check it out, if you're a publisher, publish it.
Amazing ideas Russell. Yours to send the mp3s and his to make the website. And the book is really cool.
Posted by: fernanda | September 19, 2006 at 12:52 AM
That's fantastic. When is Arthur writing his?
Posted by: Anne | September 19, 2006 at 07:08 AM
This is brilliant. A great book made even better by your and Arthur's commentary. How about you shop it to Radio 4? I can see a kid's book review show in your future...
Posted by: mark | September 19, 2006 at 07:50 AM
It would be interesting to hear what Stefan thought of Arthur's "review". I love the way kids just take an ideas and run away with it.
Posted by: MarcusBrown | September 19, 2006 at 08:52 AM
Russell,
Absolutely delicious. Stefan's website IS the ad for the book. Done. Sorted.
You are an true jewel on the Web. Your idea velocity is amazing.
Tone, ideas, the lot. You've figured something out my friend and it's working. Big time.
Cheers,
Doug
email: douglass dot turner at gmail dot com
Posted by: Douglass Turner | September 19, 2006 at 01:53 PM
doug and everyone, that's very kind. Thanks. Glad everyone liked it.
Posted by: russell | September 19, 2006 at 11:05 PM
Inspired and inspiring. Reminded me of Tom Hanks in Big. Does Arthur want a job as Big Al's creative director?
Posted by: Stef Jones | September 20, 2006 at 04:04 AM
Love it. Great example of bringing insight to life. Have posted on it (wheresthesausage.com) But your interactive story-telling session made me feel like Crapdad... I normally skip through the stories at hyper speed so I can get the kids to bed asap.
Posted by: David Taylor (from Where'sTheSausage) | September 21, 2006 at 01:35 PM
thanks David, kind of you to say.
But you should hear how crap i am when there's no recording equipment around.
Posted by: russell | September 21, 2006 at 01:46 PM
thanks to this I can't get ANY work done, I just keep playing it. Arthur didn't have a voice or much of a personality when you all lived here, this is SUCH A TREAT but it's also ruining my life! Just kidding, thanks Russell! We miss you three.
Posted by: patty in portland | September 21, 2006 at 08:04 PM