How we make stuff

Articles about how we concept ideas, write words, draw pictures and — most importantly — test our ideas! We believe that kids are driven by passion and that they learn by doing — playing. And we believe the concepts, games and activities should be evidence-based, meaning tested and proven in the real world.​

Vamos Chicas, a young girls club pose in front of a scenic Paraguay mountiain.
Make-A-Book Project

Vamos Chicas Vamos

The Spanish edition of my “Falling Uphill” kids book “Cayendo Hacia Arriba” is being used by the Peace Corp in Paraguay to teach kids how to read and dream.

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How to fall uphill infographic. A bicyclist falls up a mountain until they are standing on the top.
Games

How to fall uphill

Here is a fun new graphic that I created. It has been simmering in my brain for years. I think it really captures the essence of how doubt and fear are essential to any adventure. The trick is harnessing that emotional fuel and turning disadvantages into advantages.

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Cayendo Hacia Arriba Paraguay Peace Corp 03
How we make stuff

Falling Uphill in Paraguay with the Peace Corps

Scott Stoll is an author from my hometown who served as the U.S. Embassy’s cultural ambassador in Argentina during the 2011-2012 school year. His time in Argentina and collaboration with Argentine schools resulted in a Spanish language version of his book, Falling Uphill: The Secret of Life, about his 4 year journey around the world on his bicycle.

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Students from Argentina holding their certificates of achievements and their copy of "Cayendo Hacia Arriba," the book that we created together.
Make-A-Book Project

Celebrating the book

Students from Argentina holding their certificates of achievements and their copy of “Cayendo Hacia Arriba” the book that we created together. In my opinion, the celebration of the book is the most important step. It helps the students realize their purpose in life, take a step of action with their passion.

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Purple and orange cupcakes matching the Cupcake Boy Cover
How we make stuff

The Cupcake Boy is here

The Cupcake Boy is the story about a boy who makes the most beautiful and tasty cupcakes in the world; however, the villagers take the boy for granted.

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Sunflower cupcakes made out of candy corn.
How we make stuff

The Cupcake Boy Book Celebration

We celebrated the new book, The Cupcake Boy, at Amy Belle Elementary at their Spring Fling. It was a big success! It makes me feel fulfilled to see all the proud young student illustrators. And, the cupcake bakesale led by the PTO raised enough money to pay for the whole

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A satellite view of my giant cupcake.
How we make stuff

Making of the Cupcake Boy School Photo

I think this is a beautiful picture even though it didn’t turn out as I imagined. The photo was taken on St. Patrick’s Day when all the kids were wearing green. I asked everyone with a red coat to be part of the cherry. I also didn’t account for perspective,

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Colorful Gummi worm cupcakes being served on a silver platter.
How we make stuff

Gummi Worm Cupcakes

Here’s a very strange coincidence. Guess what!? “Dirt cupcakes” with grass and a gummi worm on top. Bizarre!

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Stack of 1500 drawings for the new book
How we make stuff

The Cupcake Boy Book Project

Pictured here is a stack of about 1500 drawings for our new book “The Cupcake Boy” with Amy Belle Elementary. On top are disco-flavored cupcakes.

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Welcome to Yebrail Matta school
Make-A-Book Project

Ambassador to Argentina

A quick summary of my trip as Cultural Ambassador to Argentina with my 5th and favorite video of distributing 2000 books to the kids.

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US Embassy Buenos Aires folders
Make-A-Book Project

Return to Argentina

I was honored to return to Argentina as the Cultural Ambassador of the US Department of State. Read the overview and see the movies.

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Scott presenting his story of bicycling around the world
Make-A-Book Project

Sharing my story in Argentina

As the Honorary Cultural Ambassador to Argentina, here I am sharing my story with an elementary school in Corrientes, Argentina, the same place I got stuck in the mud for 5 days.

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