Parents love creating memories with their children. Children’s book author Dr. Frank Clark went above and beyond for his daughter, Claire. Together, the pair wrote a children’s book. The result is a beautiful, encouraging book that will empower readers to dream big and remember the best dreams are shared with those you love.
Read on to learn more about how this father-daughter duo made their coauthor dreams a reality.
Dreaming Together is the first Argyle Fox Publishing book written by a father-daughter duo. Explain how the idea for the book came about and how you worked together to create this sweet book.
Dr. Clark: The goal of Dreaming Together was to emphasize the importance of connectedness. We are living in a world where loneliness and social isolation have resulted in a deferment of dreams. Dreaming Together highlights the importance of leaning into family and friends who help us see and believe in our dreams during all seasons. Our hope is that the reflective text, vibrant illustrations by Daria Ponomarenko, and moving music by award-winning composer Nan Avant invite readers to have the collective dream of embracing humanity.
Claire was instrumental in creating the theme and illustration ideas for our book. It was a joy to partner with my daughter who has an innovative and imaginative spirit.
Dr. Clark—this is your fifth book with Argyle Fox Publishing. How would you describe the process for this one compared to your previous books?
Dr. Clark: I am thankful and blessed for the opportunity to continue publishing with Argyle Fox Publishing. The process of bringing Dreaming Together to fruition evoked a different type of exuberance, given that it was a partnership with my daughter. I promised her that we would coauthor a children’s book after publishing my fourth book, Anticipating Growth. My wife, Jennifer, and I recognized that Claire has a proclivity for the arts. Therefore, we wanted her to have early exposure to the process of creating a book. We are hopeful and prayerful that the process will help instill in her the confidence to dream with unwavering faith and courage.
Claire—this is your first book. Tell us a little bit about yourself, how old are you and what do you enjoy doing (hobbies, etc.)?
Claire: I am six years old. I love to read, dance, paint, draw, and exercise. I like to eat pizza and popsicles. My favorite colors are purple and orange.
What goals do the two of you have for Dreaming Together?
Dr. Clark and Claire:
- Inspire parents to create a book with their children.
- Cultivate a sense of belonging.
- Encourage growth, compassion, and reflection.
How are you marketing your new book and letting readers know about it?
Dr. Clark: We have marketed our book via social media platforms. Additionally, my wife and I have shared the book with members in our neighborhood, church community, and work environments. We are excited to read our book during children’s story time at All Good Books in Columbia, South Carolina, in June.
What feedback have you received so far on your new book?
Dr. Clark: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Here is an excerpt from one our friends who wrote a review on Amazon: “Upon learning that this was a father-daughter duo, my daughter exclaimed, ‘I’m going to write a book,’ and has been writing and illustrating since. This is a great addition to any library!”
Daria Ponomarenko illustrated Dreaming Together (and Dr. Clark’s other books). What makes Daria the perfect fit for your books, especially this one?
Dr. Clark: Daria is a talented illustrator who never ceases to amaze me. Her illustrations are illuminative, diverse, and engaging. I love her color schemes and her ability to bring the text to life. I look forward to future collaborations with Daria.
Do the two of you have plans to work together on another project in the future, or is this a one-off event?
Dr. Clark: Claire is already in the planning stages for us to create another book in the future.
Claire—what is most exciting about being a published author?
Claire: I like coming up with ideas for illustrations and theme of our book.
Do either of you have more book ideas bouncing around in your head that you’re itching to publish? If so, can you share a little insight on what that book is about?
Dr. Clark: We are always thinking about different ideas for our next book. Claire wants to write a book about cats but has not shared any details with me.
Is there anything else about you, your writing, or your publishing journey you would like to share?
Dr. Clark and Claire:
- Do not be afraid to invest in yourself and your creativity.
- Work with a publishing company that cares about you as a person and wants to promote your brand.
- Do not ever miss an opportunity to share your book with others.
Thanks again, and here’s to loads of readers finding and falling in love with your wonderful book!