Kids...are you sick of hearing the same lame jokes from adults?

Adults...are you sick of telling the same lame jokes to your kids?

If you can't bear to tell one more "knock-knock" joke or hear about another animal crossing the road, then I have some great news for you! The Laugh-a-bull joke book for kids and adults is ready to come to your rescue...well almost!

The truth is, we are all faking it when we hear a knock-knock joke. And that chicken crossing the road has had wayyyyyy too much airtime.  In fact, did you know that the chicken crossing the road joke was first published in a newspaper in 1847? That was 153 years ago! It's high time we moved on people. Wouldn't it be great to stop pretending and forcing smiles? Personally, I wouldn't miss hearing any of those jokes again. How about you?

And how about jokes adults try to tell children? This is a huuuuuge problem! 

For starters, everyone knows old people aren’t funny. I mean my parents aren’t funny... are yours?... and Dad jokes… oh boy, don't start me on the Dad jokes. I mean they are so... well...hang on a second... I was going to say lame, but I have to out myself here; I happen to be a Dad myself... and I think some Dad jokes are hilarious. There, I said it. 

What do you call a guy with a rubber toe? Roberto. Classic!

But that's not the point. 

Now where was I? 

Oh yeah... the other problem with us adults sharing jokes with kids is that there's no middle ground... it’s 0 or a 100. Either all the jokes we tell are terrible and no fun for anyone at all, or we get way too colourful. One minute it’s all, "Why did the chicken cross the road”, (which plays to ZERO LAUGHS), or it's "There’s a bear and rabbit are taking a <BEEP> in the woods….." (Great joke, but probably not appropriate for Uncle Mike to be telling at your daughter's 8th birthday party)!

Introducing Laugh-a-bull

With your help, a new day is at hand. Laugh-a-bull is a book that we can all have fun with. It's the joke book we've alll been waiting for and it is destined to become a game changer. 

It’s great fun for kids, and adults love it too. And here’s the clever part; not only are the jokes kid friendly and fantastically funny, but Laugh-a-bull will actually help teach your young ones some new words as well... no, not the bad ones. Genius right? 

Now I know what your thinking.... did this lunatic just try to use education and early development learning to promote his kids joke book?

Yep, I did. But hear me out. 

I've found that every single kid (and adult) that hears one or two Laugh-a-bull jokes, instantly starts trying to come up with their own, (that is after they have stopped laughing uncontrollably).... and guess what? ...to do it, they have to think of a bunch of new words and their meaning...BOOM...your child is educated and happy! You're welcome.

So what exactly are Laugh-a-bull jokes?

Using amazingly simple puns, this revolutionary style of joke, takes everyday words ending in "ble" and turns them into "bull". The result? People of all ages, instantly hooked on the silliness and laughter that ensues.  Like I said, the reaction to these 'new' jokes is almost identical - everyone ends up hooked! 

It never fails to make me laugh when I hear the stories or recieve text messages from people about their latest  "bull" jokes and how they tried them out on family and friends.  

What, you don't believe me? 

Let's put it to the test.

Is this project right for you? (Part 1)

At this point, I would like to propose a deal.

I will give you two jokes from the book Laugh-a-bull, (for FREE I might add), to use as you wish. Just imagine how popular you will be with your mates and ho good it will feel to brighten the lives of your loved ones and everyone around you.

Here's the deal, if your not smiling AND thinking of your own Laugh-a-bull joke within the next 30 seconds, then you agree to fund this project. 

Deal? Read on. No Deal? Please skip to Part 2, as you don't qualify for Hank's Unbelievabull Free Joke Offer.

Ok, so you you're in....great...here goes.

Laugh-a-bull joke #1;

What do you call a bull who can touch his own toes?

Flex-i-bull.

Ok, have you stopped crying? 

Here comes #2:

What do you call a bull who likes to go scuba diving?

Submers-i-bull

Now, I know you're definitely smiling at this point, but how about part two of the test? Are you thinking of your own Laugh-a-bull joke yet?

I'll give it 10 seconds before you do. 

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

You've got one, don't you? Told you - it's addictive. 

Now, those donation buttons are on the right of the page in case you can't find them... the get 1 and donate 3 would be perfect for you!

Is this project right for you? (Part 2)

Ok, now for the serious part.

Raising the funds needed to get this book into your hands is the obvious reason why I am crowd funding. Another reason is that I think together, we can really make a positive difference in the world.

While I hope many people as possible get to enjoy the book, I am also looking to help the amazing work of the Starlight Chilrdren's Foundation. To do this, reward levels have been created to allow you to not only purchase your own copy of Laugh-a-bull, but there is also an opportunity for you to donate one, (or several), copies to a sick children in hospital.

About the Starlight Children's Foundation

Where once-bright lives become dulled by needles, hospital visits and painful treatments, the Starlight Children's Foundation is on hand to help sick kids forget their illness and re-discover the joy of childhood.

The Starlight Children's Foundation know there's more to treatment than medicine. That's why since 1988, they've partnered with Australian health professionals to develop programs based on positive psychology principles that support the 'total care' of our children and teens. 

They know what kids and their families are facing when serious illness or injury consumes their lives. They disrupt the relentless cycle of pain and trauma and offer a welcome break so that sick kids can simply be kids.

They believe fun fights fear and wins every time...and so do I.

Reward Levels

I've tried to keep the rewards as exciting as possible. Here's a quick rundown:

Hank's Eternal Gratitude ($10)

For those who believe in the project and just want to contribute. This reward gets you a special shout out on Hank's social media accounts, including Facebook.

Hank's Digital Pack ($20)

This is our entry level pledge and includes DIGITAL rewards only. When you select this option you receive:

• 1 Digital copy of Laugh-a-bull (you will receive an email with a personal download link)
• 1 Hank digital wallpaper
• 1 Laugh-a-bull colouring page
• Special shoutout of thanks on Hank's Social Media accounts

Hank's Book Pack ($30)

This is level includes a HARDCOPY of the book. When you select this option you receive:

• 1 Hardcopy of Laugh-a-bull
• 1 Laughabull digital colouring book
• 1 Digital copy of Laugh-a-bull (you will receive an email with a personal download link)
• 1 Hank digital wallpaper
• Special shoutout of thanks on Hank's Social Media accounts

Hank's Herd - Get a copy and Give a Copy to the Starlight Children's Foundation (starts at $55)

This pledge level is for anyone who would like to purchase the Laugh-a-bull Hardcopy Pack AND donate a Laugh-a-bull hardcopy pack of the book to a child in hospital. You can choose to donate either 1, 3, 5 or 10 packs with your donation. When you select this option you receive:

• 1 Hard copy of Laugh-a-bull
• 1 Laughabull digital colouring book
• 1 Digital copy of Laugh-a-bull (you will receive an email with a personal download link)
• 1 Hank digital wallpaper
• Special shoutout of thanks on Hank's Social Media accounts
• Your donated copies of Laugh-a-bull will be sent to the Starlight Children's Foundation on your behalf

Hank's Business Heroes - Get a copy and Give MANY Copies to the Starlight Children's Foundation (starts at $525)

The Heroes pack was created primarily for businesses, (and any other heroes out there), who want to make a significant contribution to the lives of sick children and support the Starlight Foundation. At this level, your donation is for either 25, 50 or 100 book packs. 

**HANKS HEROES BONUS** 

Anyone who selects a Hank's Hero Reward will also receive an exclusive framed artwork. This piece will consist of your favourite joke from Laugh-a-bull, drawn by our talented illustrator Cassie Fleming and signed by Hank and the Author.

When you select this option you receive:

• 1 Hard copy of Laugh-a-bull
• 1 Laughabull digital colouring book
• 1 Digital copy of Laugh-a-bull (you will receive an email with a personal download link)
• 1 Hank digital wallpaper
• Special shoutout of thanks on Hank's Social Media accounts
• Your donated copies of Laugh-a-bull will be sent to the Starlight Children's Foundation on your behalf

PLUS: 

• Framed orginal and exclusive artwork created by our illustrator Cassie Fleming and signed by Hank and the Author.

A Note from the Author

Hi! 

I'm Daniel Stones, the Author and Creator of Laugh-a-bull.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdowns, like many others, I was stood down from work without pay and asked to stay home to do my bit for the cause, (a.k.a. do nothing!). One day, while I was contemplating how fast the grass was growing in the paddock across the road, I remembered a fun game I used to play with my family in the car. It was of course, telling Laugh-A-Bull jokes. 

For a couple of years I have been sitting on the idea of turning my funny thoughts into a book series. But life, work and about a million other things always got in the way.

Like many of you, I also experienced the roller-coaster of emotions that come with living life in isolation... some days good, some days tedious and some increasingly quite dark and depressing. As this cycle dragged on, I decided I wanted to be happier. So I began creating Laugh-a-bull.

I sincerely hope that this book helps you be happier too. More than this, I want you to continue sharing and creating Laugh-a-bull jokes with your family and friends long after the book takes its place on the shelf. Speaking as a father of two older children now, the moments of silliness and laughter we shared as they were growing up are still some most vivid memories that I carry with me today. And let's face it, we all could do with an extra reason to laugh right now.

As I highlighted above, the reason I want to crowd fund this book is that not everyone has the same opportunity or time to create "fun" memories. It's easy to forget the families of children who are sick and in hospital. They live very different lives to most of us, but that doesn't mean they don't still enjoy a laugh as much as we do. That is why I've partnered with the Starlight Children's Foundation and hope to deliver a truckload of books to help spread some good cheer to those kids in hospital.

I would be forever grateful to you for funding this project and together let's do something great for a very special group of kids.

Thank you for being so generous with your time and help. 

Daniel (and Hank)

P.S. Feel free to send a message on email me using [email protected] 

That's me out and about having fun with my family.

Who's behind the amazing pictures of Hank?

I'm so glad you asked! This book is going to feature the artwork of Cassie Fleming, a very talented, up-and-coming Australian digital artist and animator. Cassie is just 19 and comes from Pyalong in country Victoria. She has given a great deal of her time to the project already and it's been a pleasure having her on the team. 

And if you want to see some of Cassie's other work, you can check in with her on Instagram... @ichiyocherry. 

Thanks Cassie!

All-Or-Nothing

All projects on Pozible are all-or-nothing - that includes this one. All-or-nothing campaigns means I have set a funding target that cannot be changed once the project is live. All or nothing means that money is only successfully transferred to if the target is reached within the campaign duration. Put simply, if I dont reach the target, you dont have to pay.

How the money will be spent

Everything is done as far as the writing goes and now it's time for Bull jokes to take over the world. All that’s left creatively is to get the artwork done. As mentioned, I’ve already lined up a great up-and-coming artist in Cassie Fleming. With your help, I'm hoping to get the funding needed to have Cassie finish illustrating the book, then we get it published, printed and into your hands...(and more importantly, out to the Starlight Children's Foundation)! 

The plan is for books to be ready for shipping by early November. I'll keep you updated as we go.

Your donations will be funding the following:

Illustrations $2,750

Publishing (Book Design & Typeset) $1,785

Printing & Distribution $2,375

Creation of Digital Assets (Wallpapers & Colouring Book) $775

Web & Marketing $250

Risks & Challenges

In previous roles as a software architect and now as a management consultant, I'm experienced in leading projects that have many “moving parts”. Therefore, I'm confident I can successfully work with the creative team and my publishing company to complete this project and fulfill orders on time. 

However, as with any project, there may be unexpected delays due to unforeseen circumstances. I will keep you informed and updated if anything arises. 

There may also be shipping disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time of writing, my Australian-based book production company is up and running, producing books without delay and we are all taking care to mitigate the risks of spreading COVID19 as much as possible.