Hello, amazing LetsFund community! I’m Coco Short, a songwriter, recording artist, and the proud creator of Mr. Tummy , a vibrant children’s book series that inspires kids to embrace healthy eating and joyful learning through stories, songs, and adventures.

For 18 years, I’ve served as a pastor, volunteering at Los Angeles food banks to uplift families with love and nourishment. By day, I work at Boyd Funeral Home, offering compassion to those in need, but my heart beats for children’s education through music and stories. Mr. Tummy—inspired by my incredible daughter, Yasmin Emoni—is a multimedia world of sing-alongs, animations, games, and plush toys teaching phonics, colors, and the magic of fruits and veggies. I’m raising $20,000 to share this message globally, reaching kids in Japan, China, Korea, and beyond. Your support will help me balance raising Yasmin and spreading this joy to empower kids everywhere.

It all started with Yasmin, my miracle born when I was 41. She was bright and full of life, but feeding her was a challenge. I tried every baby food—purees, cereals, you name it—until one day, I handed her a crisp apple. Her tiny face lit up, and at just two years old, she squealed, “More, Mommy!” That moment sparked everything. Broccoli became her favorite, berries fueled her soccer sprints (she was the fastest!), and greens sharpened her mind for straight-A grades.

Thus, Mr. Tummy was born—a lovable cartoon tummy making healthy eating an adventure. From self-published books like Mr. Tummy Chases Rainbows! to CDs, animations, and games, I’ve built this world on a tight budget, sharing it at local schools and food banks where I volunteer. Going global is the next step, but I need your help to seize this publishing window for international markets.

Here’s how your support will bring Mr. Tummy to kids worldwide, based on vetted industry quotes:

• Multi-Language Translations ($2,000): Professional translations of our 32-page core book into Japanese, Chinese, and Korean, with cultural edits to ensure phonics, colors, and healthy eating lessons resonate globally.
• 1000 Custom Book Bags ($15,000): Adorable backpacks stuffed with a Mr. Tummy book, stickers, and a healthy snack guide, distributed free to schools, airports, and kid hubs to spark joy and learning.
• Global Video Challenges ($2,000): Heartwarming videos of kids in three countries reading Mr. Tummy, launching the #MrTummyChallenge on YouTube and TikTok to promote reading over screen time, with editing and my original music.
• E-Book Digitization ($1,000): Interactive e-books for Amazon and Apple, embedding sing-alongs and animations for global access.

Picture a world where Mr. Tummy’s rainbow-chasing adventures inspire millions: stronger bodies from veggie snacks, sharper minds from story-time songs, and happier hearts from reading. Yasmin, now sharing these habits with friends, dreams of her “apple moment” lighting up playgrounds from LA to Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo.

With your help, we’ll reduce screen time, build reading habits, and show kids they can shine. From my heart, thank you for joining this mission. Every dollar and share counts—donate today, tag a parent, and let’s grow healthy roots together!