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Notes from the Trevorhood

3/12/2019

Notes from the Trevorhood

3/1/2019

I met a young girl recently who was going through a really tough time at school. She does not fit in, feels like an outsider, is exceptionally creative, not very sporty, test averse, and told me she doesn’t like life very much because it is too hard and often sad. Self-harm has crossed her mind.
I chatted with her for a long time and finally discovered that she has ADD and feels ashamed and embarrassed about it because she is teased at school and feels like she is not very smart due to the diagnosis.

I told her some dumb jokes, a few self-deprecating stories and then shared a little secret I have with her. I also struggled with ADD at school and still often wrestle with the remnants today.

She was so happy to learn that I was like her. I told her that we belong to an amazing and exciting subset of people who rock the world, sometimes literally. I am thrilled to say that she was encouraged and inspired to turn her struggle into expression and is now painting up a storm and making little movies and, yes, doing a million projects at the same time as most ADD people do. She has found comfort in her discomfort though, and that warms my heart.

To help her(and anyone else) understand how my brain works, I made this little, animated video about my experience with ADD.

Many people have some of the issues those with ADD experience but most don’t have them all tangled up together.

Other people with ADD include Justin Timberlake, Emma Watson, Zoe Deschanel, Ryan Gosling, Lisa Ling, Adam Levine, Magic Johnson, Mozart, DaVinci, Richard Branson, and astronaut Scott Kelly, to name just a few.

(This short video is my personal experience and not a general statement on the subject:)

The Comical Sense Channel provides meaningful entertainment for kids to make them happy, healthier, and more confident.

Notes from the Trevorhood

2/22/2019

My first book with a major publisher came out a good number of years ago.

I submitted that particular book to over 50 publishers, some big some small and was rejected by them all but one.

Finally, it was acquired by Harper Collins Publishers in New York.

The initial version of the book I had sent them was illustrated in black and white because I wanted it to have the feel of ‘The Giving Tree,’ by Shel Silverstein.

Harper Collins had different ideas. My editor wanted it in full color.

I was excited, but petrified because I was at the beginning of my illustration career and was afraid that I was going to make a mistake when painting the color pictures for the book.

After freaking out for five minutes, I tensed up and painted the illustrations as perfectly as I could.

The publisher wasn't happy with my efforts. They were rather blunt about not liking what I sent them back.

I was devastated because I was so sure they were going to love what I did, but they didn’t.

I tried it again. This time I worked even harder to do the perfect watercolor illustrations.

They still didn't like what I had done.

I felt quite depressed, to tell the truth. My big break was feeling rather broken.

After some calls and discussions, the publisher decided to get, what they called, a colorist to do a sample illustration using my line drawings.

They sent me a sample page of the guy’s work and asked if I minded if that person did the coloring of my book.

I was very disappointed, to say the least. I felt like a bit of a failure actually. My big bright moment had a dark gray cloud hovering over it.

I wallowed in self-pity for about five minutes and then accepted the inevitable.

Truth be told, which I wasn’t going to admit in public, I kind of liked the sample painting the colorist had actually done.

Then I had a revelation. “ $#@*, I bet I could do that." I thought to myself.

While speaking to my mother on the phone later that day, I subconsciously doodled with my paints and duplicated the style the colorist had produced without even realizing what I had done.

My bruised ego suddenly peeked out from behind the dark cloud. I marveled at my own creation. “Hmmmm.” I thought. “It looks really good.”

I did a few more samples, and before any self-doubting could creep back in, I quickly sent the new samples off to the publisher.

Guess what?

They loved it.

And I illustrated the book in the style seen in this picture.

I’m really proud of the way it turned out.

The book came out the next year and was translated into many languages. It even had the honor of being acquired by Yoko Ono for the Japanese market. (Also seen in the picture is Yoko’s photograph (not mine) which appeared on the inside dust-jacket cover in the Japanese edition. I also heard a while back that Yoko Ono is considering turning the book into an animated short film. No news yet but I’m hoping that will come to fruition.)

The lesson I learned from the entire experience is that I was trying too hard to create the perfect pictures instead of enjoying the process, having fun, and painting the way I normally paint.

I was creating what I thought people wanted to see instead of doing what I love doing.

The stress, angst, and pursuit of unattainable perfection almost cost me the opportunity of doing my own illustrations for my first major book with one of the biggest publishers in the world.

Notes from the Trevorhood

2/8/2019

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Go Read!

2/4/2019

Go Read is the inside story of a book written by the book itself. It is an autobiography in which the book explains to readers that they don’t need batteries or a charging cord to read this book. And that if you sit on the book it won’t crack, but you will magically grow taller.

The centerpiece is the introduction of the book’s twenty-six roommates, also known as, The Alphabet. The roommates are presented in a humorous way with funny illustrations and silly situations to showcase each member of the alphabet in a memorable way.

In the end, the book reminds readers that books sometimes get lonely sitting unopened in a pile, or on a shelf, and to remember if you want to make yourself, or a book, very happy then, Go Read.

Go Read is designed to help kids learn the alphabet in a fun-filled way and to inspire them to read. Research shows that kids who are avid readers tend to get better grades and have a better chance of being happier, healthier and more confident.

Written and illustrated by best-selling, award-winning, children’s book author and motivational speaker, Trevor Romain, Go Read is designed to be read to kids in the kindergarten age range.

“On behalf of the World Literacy Foundation, l am pleased to highly recommend “Go Read” to you. Trevor’s use of words and illustrations immediately captivate young readers in the story. The book is helping kids find the joy of reading in their early years. Today’s readers and Tomorrow’s leaders. “

Andrew Kay CEO & Founder
World Literacy Foundation

Connecting with Kids in a Disconnected World...

2/4/2019

For the last thirty years, award-winning children’s book author Trevor Romain has been working with children from all walks of life. In the last decade alone, he has presented to over a million children across the globe. Connecting With Kids in a Disconnected World is the culmination of Trevor’s life-long work and his mission to help kids become happier, healthier and more confident.

The book is filled with practical, proven strategies, effective tools, and inspiring stories designed to help adults shape and improve connections with kids.

Based on his personal experience while working with terminally ill children, former child soldiers, children in orphanages, military children, foster children and at-risk children, Trevor shares ideas, case histories and successful techniques to help adults connect with kids, even under the most stressful and trying conditions. Download Trevor's FREE guide on 3 Great Ways to Connect with Kids!

Notes from the Trevorhood

2/1/2019

A few weeks ago, after an all-day power outage and a severe thunderstorm, on the rural road outside the orphanage where we had been visiting for three weeks, there was a horrific, fatal accident.

Marion Cloete and her family who run the Botshabelo orphanage (in the Magaliesburg, in South Africa) responded immediately and I joined them being some of the first people on the scene as we ran through the rain and pitch-black, mud-soaked, fields to reach the accident.

I won’t go into detail but I was shocked to the core.

Not long after, many of the older kids in the orphanage arrived to help. I was touched beyond words by their compassion, composure, and kindness. In a truly touching gesture, as there were no blankets around, one of the kids respectfully donated his jacket to cover the body.

Because of the power outage, there was no cell phone service due to the storm and other factors. It took the emergency services over an hour and a half to arrive.

They directed traffic, managed the scene, collected belongings that were strewn along the road, said prayers for the man who lost his life and comforted the people who had come from the village and orphanage to help.

Words cannot describe this amazing community and how they came together as one during this gut-wrenching, terrible tragedy.

Botshabelo Strong!

In honor of all at the orphanage, I would like to share this little documentary video I made of a day in the life of my Botshabelo family.

Thank you all for the amazing, love-filled visit. I’ve just been back in the US for half a day, but I miss you all already.

This is Botshabelo.

Notes from The Trevorhood

1/25/2019

I was in Johannesburg, South Africa, for one night a few weeks ago (before going to visit the Botshabelo orphanage) and I awoke to this beautiful summer day.

From the window of an Air B & B on Linksfield Ridge, where I stayed, I looked out over Orange Grove, the suburb I grew up in.

As I gazed out of the window and drank my tea, I imagined myself, half a century ago, as a pre-teen kid sitting on my favorite rock on the ridge, close to where I was now standing, and looking across my neighborhood.
I often did this after school.

I’d have my lunch and climb up the koppie (little hill), sit on the big rock, and contemplate as I looked down on the red roofs of the Grove.

I just loved sitting up there and thinking.

I was a big dreamer in those days (and still am) and often sat up there by myself dreaming of my future. I am very lucky to say that I have reached most of my dreams, but, because I'm an eternal dreamer, I have a whole set of new ones.

I felt safe up there on my big rock.

It’s the place I cried after being bullied.

It’s the place I licked my wounds when my first girlfriend (who did not even know we were dating, because I never told her) started loving my brother instead of me.

It’s the place I cringed with shame and embarrassment after failing school and being told by a teacher that I wasn’t very book smart and that I should consider leaving school and doing a trade.

It’s the place I scratched my initials onto the rock after the art teacher told me I was not talented enough to take art as an elective for school.

It’s the place I went to feel free after feeling trapped in a classroom all day.

I was terrible at school and was told I would amount to nothing. I was spanked for not paying attention and spanked again for doodling in my books and spanked again for questioning why I was being spanked.

My report card often said I would fail if I did not pay attention and stay focused. I didn't pay attention and didn't focus and failed standard six (aka Form one or Grade eight). Truth be told, I almost failed 11th grade too. It was touch and go on that one.

They spoke the truth though. I did not focus and I did not pay attention. I found it extremely difficult to pay attention and felt stupid because I was scolded for being an idiot. They had no idea that I was struggling with Attention Deficit Disorder (and still do.)

To cover my shame I became mischievous and got into trouble to deflect the attention away from my school work. (Funnily enough, many years later I earned the title Dr. Of Mischief while volunteering with terminally ill kids as board president of the American Childhood Cancer Organization.)

I remember sitting up there on that rock, as a teen, dreaming about being a best-selling author one day.

Then, ever the romantic, I hauled my guitar up there and dreamed of a being songwriter.

On some days I wanted to be an artist and others a photographer.

I dreamed about making movies often. And acting in one. And writing radio plays and giving speeches.

I dreamed of working with kids and making cartoons and traveling the world and living in America and helping kids like me feel better about themselves.

I was always passionate and enthusiastic, even about the smallest things like making characters out of clay or making mini movies on my dad’s super 8 camera.

As a bona fide member of the Attention Deficit Disorder club, my dreams changed daily and even hourly. (They still do.)

Because I have such a fertile imagination, I decided to float down and speak to the younger me who was sitting on the rock, dreaming.

I put my arm around my younger self and said:

Don’t stop dreaming and hoping, and don’t believe that you are an idiot.
Don’t ever lose your passion and enthusiasm. Even when you get a lot older.
Don’t let someone else dim your light simply because it’s shining in their eyes.
You won’t remember me visiting you in your dreams, but I am here to tell you that, after a lot of hard work, many rejections, days of deep disappointment, and even days of being physically hungry, you, my friend, will one day become a best-selling author and illustrator with more than a million books in print in 22 different languages.
You, young man, will star in your own award-winning animated TV series on a station called PBS in America.
You will co-write an album of songs with an amazing music composer named Carl Thiel.
You will act in a short movie called Drawing Closer. You will have both art and photographic exhibitions.
You will travel the world and do over 1200 school assemblies in 16 countries and speak to more than a million kids about resilience and how to keep dreams alive even if the going gets tough.
You will co-own a children’s media company.
You will co-found a non-profit called The Comfort Crew.
You will meet Prince William and his wife Cate.
You will work with the United Nations in The Congo, Uganda and Burundi to help child soldiers.

You will get through some really sad, difficult and uncomfortable experiences by using these three quotes as a foundation upon which to grow:
‘Little by little, a little becomes a lot.’

‘Nothing will grow in your comfort zone.’

And last, but not least, ‘Failure is NOT permanent.’

Now go back down that hill and do your homework.

Comical Sense YouTube Channel

12/4/2018

The Trevor Romain Company was originally called The Comical Sense Company. We decided it was time to introduce some new and exciting animations to our growing library by introducing the Comical Sense YouTube Channel. This channel will feature some new animated stories from Trevor and short animations that should brighten your day.

Check out our newest video, "The Old Man and the Bicycle" narrated by Trevor. This video is great to watch as a family or classroom. Be sure to subscribe to our channel and see when the latest videos are released!

National Bullying Prevention Month

10/15/2018

Every day thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers while at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts. We have created many resources to help Educators and parents to help facilitate a conversation about bullying and ways to prevent bullying along with offering proven strategies to help kids dealing with bullies.

Tips for Parents

If you are a parent, you may not be aware that your child is being bullied. Many kids are afraid to let an adult know what's happening. They feel embarrassed and think they have to handle the situation on their own. Have you noticed any of the following signs in your child?

Skips school or is often too sick to go to school
Has unexplained bruises
Has experienced a slip in grades
Is reluctant to talk about school
Is missing belongings
Frequently requests lunch money to replace "lost" money
Comes home in dirty clothes (from fights)

Here's what you can do if your child is being bullied:
1. Talk with your child, letting him or her know that you understand and care.
2. Get in touch with your child's teacher or with school officials to inform them of the situation. Do this after school, by phone, or in a letter to protect your child's privacy and to make sure the bully or other kids don ’t find out. Keep written accounts of the bullying incidents and the times when you've talked with school staff members about the problem.
3. Teach your child the skills needed to resolve a bully situation such as being verbally assertive and having the confidence to seek the help of an adult.

If you suspect that your child is the one doing the bullying, try some of these options:
1. Talk to your child about the reasons behind the bullying. Reassure your child that you still love him or her.
2. Consider family counseling to determine the cause of the problem. Your child may need help learning to manage anger and to resolve conflicts peacefully.
3. Help your child understand the differences between aggressive and assertive behaviors.
4. Let your child’s teacher know that your child is trying to stop bullying. The teacher may be helpful in setting goals and correcting bad behavior.

Tips for Educators

If you are an educator, you can take steps to curb bullying in your classroom and beyond:
1. Find out how common bullying is in your school. Create and distribute an anonymous questionnaire, or talk privately with other teachers, your students, and their parents.
2. Set firm rules against bullying in your classroom.
3. Be aware of incidents of aggression that take place in the bathrooms, on the playground, in the lunchroom, and in the hallways. Monitor these areas to ensure a safer school environment.
4. Keep a written record of bullying incidents, including names, dates, times, and circumstances. Submit the reports to the principal.
5. Give students a chance to talk about bullying and its effects. Hold workshops or class discussions.
6. Get administrators and parents involved in reinforcing good behavior and supporting victims of bullying.