March 12, 2015

Father and daughter collaborate on children’s storybook

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Cover of the children’s book “Chipmunk Champs Buddy & Swifty.”

Cover of the children’s book “Chipmunk Champs Buddy & Swifty.”DERWOOD, Md. – An illustrated children’s book published via the Amazon website features two fictional chipmunk characters who live in Beach Lake, Pa., a summer vacation destination for Ukrainian families.The book, “Chipmunk Champs Buddy & Swifty,” is available in paperback and for Kindle download at www.amazon.com/Chipmunk-Champs-Buddy-Swifty-Szul/dp/1508558825.

The two enthusiastic, friendly chipmunks show the benefits of working as a team and getting along.

The story is based on true events, said Andy C. Szul, who collaborated with his 3-year-old daughter Victoria on the writing and illustrations. “From start to finish, it took us about six months to storyboard and then draft, edit, revise and draw these two furry critters as best we could,” he said. Victoria provided creative input and also helped with the book’s art.

“Last summer at Barkley Lake we started sketching these two little animals as they scurried near the bungalow’s front porch and climbed a hammock to get to a hanging bird feeder,” Mr. Szul said. “Their teamwork was obvious – and just absolutely adorable.”

Barkley Lake is located in the Beach Lake area in the Pocono Mountains, about 60 miles west of the Soyuzivka Heritage Center in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

“It’s something special when you can work closely with your child on a project like this, and then get to live it during the summer months at a place as gorgeous as Beach Lake,” said Mr. Szul.

The book’s profits will be donated to two charity organizations: the Wounded Warrior Project and Saving Moses.

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