The story behind the concept was simply to try to stop the kids from jumping up and down on the couch as they would use the couch as a prop in many adventures they would imagine having.
as a musician and songwriter i have also used music and made up lyrics as a fun way of getting a message across.
On this occasion, as i sat in front of my piano telling my 2 kids to stop jumping on the couch, i found this became a melody and i began to write the chords with the feel of a walking up beat to match the jumping that was occurring.
Good friend (Andy Tait ) whom lived around the corner was keen to record a project with me, so i suggested this song as i have been asked to record the song for friends who wanted a copy of it.
From this the song was born and it became my anthem to protect the couch. My wife said ” the story would make a good book”. so i began to create a story board and drew out the pictures to match the song.
Once this was done i started looking for an illustrator to create the book. I looked on line and found Thomas through the many many advertised. I liked the idea of working with Thomas as he was local and i could meet with him and he was able to take my notes and follow with instruction as to how i could see the book becoming. It took at least 6 months of back and forward with notes and corrections until i was happy enough to get the first sample copy made. not rushing this process really help with being happy and content with what i had created.
Stop Jumping On The Couch. A Children's Book With Song 