Opinions appreciated!

[Brittany_Lynn]

I'm writing and illustrating a book about chinchillas...I decided yesterday. I know, sudden, right? It should come out good, my step dad and I wrote a book together a few years ago, I'll attach the cover so you guys can see (it's not published, we've been trying for years, but it is ready to be published lol)
Anyway, the tentative title is "3 Little Chins: Proper Care and Housing for Chinchillas as Pets" and it will mostly adhere to the 3 little pigs story...not sure whether I should have a big bad wolf or a big bad cat, or if I should even involve one.
Here's an example of what some of the text from this book might be like:
"The first little chin lived in a cage with a plastic bottom, and a metal top. One day when he was bored, he chewed and he chewed, and he chewed right on through! He chewed out of the cage and hopped all around the room. While he was out, he nibbled on cords and pooped on the rug, he tasted the paint on the walls and he rolled around in dust bunnies (and a dead bug). In came his owner, shocked and scared, wondering aloud 'Oh where in the world is my chinnie chin chin?!' She searched but she couldn't find him! 'If only I scrimped and saved, and bought a chin-safe cage!''..."
[so that blurb is about the dangers of having a cage with a plastic bottom that's too thin, or about putting a chinchilla in a guinea pig type cage (when it's not sick or something, I just mean long term) but this was off the top of my head and will probably be swapped out for baby safe cages or something, IDK]

...what do you think? Lame? Okay? Good? I was thinking about making it based on a kids story because there seem to be so many people getting chinchillas for their children. I want there to be a lot of information about chinchillas in there, especially about needing A/C. "These little chins come wrapped in a fur coat! In the wild, they live on the top of a mountain, with the cool air blowing their fur every which way. In your home, they need..[something about air conditioners and temperatures and stuff]"
Anyone interested in seeing the final product in a week or so, maybe helping me edit? Anyone think this is something that might be a good product to sell? Any of the bigger ranches/breeders think it might be something to suggest to new owners? Just curious, and wanted some opinions! I'll ad a sketch or two if I see some interest

P.S.
The attached picture is the cover from the book I wrote w/ my step dad. Well I illustrated, he wrote. It's about his relationship with his son's half-brother. He isn't related to the child at all, and it's from the child's POV hence the title, "My Brother's Daddy"...compliments are always welcome lol

 

[lauralynne]

I don't see a need for this.

Honestly, if parents are going to be getting a chinchilla for their child, it will be the parents providing the care 95% of the time. The children aren't going to be the ones saying, "Mommy, we can't have plastic in there."

A book like you're suggesting is a read once thing...which people aren't going to fork out the money to buy, IMO. A book that can be consulted when questions arise are a better bet.

I'd rather see a book to replace the Animal Planet books at the petstores.

 

[mishellyshel]

why not just write a kids illustrated book. maybe just about a story about chinchillas, not eductional.
not that I dont think an educational book is needed, because clearly there are very few out there in the mass market. but it is a lot of work to write one and get it published and in the proper venue.
you may have better luck just writing & illustrating a nice childrens book. me & my son always look for chinchilla books at the library!

 

[furrylovables]

I personally think its a great idea for kids and adults. You wouldn't believe how many adults don't know the dangers of plastic and the death balls. When I get resuces in they all come with the plastic ramps and ledges, along with the plastic igloos and dust baths. Those go right into the trash! Also over the years of having my rescue, I have adopted out to kids- of course the parents are with giving permission, and I think the resposibility is wonderful for them. You wouldn't believe the emails I recieve from parents telling me how their children are taking care of thier new furry pet. I also have a special contract I have the kids sign agreeing to keep of their grades and other chores around thier home. Not saying the parents aren't helping out, but their are alot of responsible kids out there. Just wanted to include the age that I adopt out to is 12 years and older. I think its a wonderful idea and wanted to wish you luck!

 

[RDZCRanch]

I don't think it's a good idea. Reputable breeders won't adopt out a chinchilla to kids or we have a cut off limit (usually 12 years old). A book written and illustrated like that is geared towards five year olds or younger. The people that read these stories to the kids don't take them seriously and won't read them to the kids unless there is some huge life lesson to be learned from the text. The only people I could see remotely interested in this would be people who already have chinchillas and decide to have a kid, but honestly...when/if I have a kid...I can teach it more by talking and showing the chinchillas and their cages than reading them a book.

It would also worry me that after reading the book, people might think that it's a good idea to get a chinchilla for their five year old.

Educational books are great, but they need to be geared towards the proper audience...five year olds aren't what I would call a good audience.

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

Thanks for the input everyone.
I was originally just going to write a children's story featuring chinchillas, but then I thought, why not put some information in there, but with what you're pointing out now, I totally understand that I'm trying to bridge a very large gap here, and my current bridge isn't working.
So, I'll be working on this as a children's book from here on out..and it will stay with the 3 little pigs theme. One day I was watching Super Why with a child I babysit for, and while they were doing the 3 little pigs sketch, the phrase "Little chin, little chin, let me in!" popped into my head. I don't know what they're supposed to answer, though... "Not by the whiskers on my chinny chin chin!"? Not sure about that, lol.
Thank you for the constructive criticism! I'd like to just add that my intention was never to use this as a tool for, like, 5 year olds to get chinchillas. Looking back at my post now, I can definitely see that it seems like that's something I'm suggesting, but I am not! I mean, I'm imagining my 7 year old cousin with a chinchilla...nope. He can come over and pet them and sit outside of the playpen and watch them play, but having one as a pet? Nah, hamsters are much better for young children.
I do think that 12 (as both Tab and Laura suggested) is a great age to let a child get a chinchilla if you're going to let your child have a pet that requires more responsibility.