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Elmo Jackson... Man of Action
Nov. 10, 2004
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As a parent.. it may be difficult to find stuff for your kids to read.. that you know is acceptable. And, as a kid... it's probably hard to find a lot of fun, imaginative books that also teach valuable lessons. A local author is looking to fill that gap. Meet Bret Nybo and Elmo Jackson...

"THIS IS A SUPER HERO SERIES."

Elmo Jackson: Man of Action

"AND THEN ALL THE SUDDEN... WHAM!!"

Or as author.. Bret Nybo describes... Harry Potter with a twist.

"I'VE BEEN A BIG ADVOCATE OF FUN, IMAGINATIVE BOOKS AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE ARE ENOUGH OF THEM."

He talked to kids... like these local elementary school students.. and found they were on the same page. They were reading the same ones their parents had when they were kids. Which is not necessarily a bad thing.. but, Bret believes more options are better. So, he came up with the Elmo Jackson series... a super hero.. with a softer side.

"BY PLUGGING INTO THE CHARACTERS AND IDENTIFYING WITH CHARACTERS, A LOT OF POSITIVE VALUES COME OUT, SELF-ESTEEM, ANTI-BULLYING."

"THE IDEA IS NOT LECTURING THESE KIDS, THEY LEARN AND IDENTIFY WITH THESE CHARACTERS." It's an interactive program with fun stuff on their website and a CD.

"IF MOVIES CAN COME OUT WITH THEIR OWN SOUNDTRACKS... WHY CAN'T WE DO IT WITH BOOKS?"

Bret says this project is a dream come true... something that was a little scary.. but rewarding.. a real life lesson he uses to make a point.

"I'M CONVINCED THAT WE LET FEAR STOP US FROM DOING SO MANY THINGS THAT WE NEVER EVEN KNOW." It may have taken him a little while to put his dream into action.. but he hopes Elmo will be on kids' bookshelves around the world.

"HE TURNS INTO WHAT I CALL THE HUMAN PIN BALL."

And, if these kids' reactions are the norm.. He shouldn't have any problem.

Bret Nybo has written two books. "Elmo Jackson: Man of Action" is out already.. you can find it in local bookstores or online. And, "Elmo Jackson: Special Sauce" should be out by mid- next year.