We have some big news to share! No, we’re not pregnant.
I’m excited to announce that my first parenting book will officially release on October 20, 2015! It’s called Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well.
In anticipation of its release, we want to thank you for celebrating with us and are thrilled you’re a part of this journey.
The publishing team at Waterbrook Multnomah is working hard to make this book attractive to readers. And because your opinion matters to us, we would love for you to help pick the book cover. We’ve narrowed it down to the four covers below.
To vote for your favorite, simply comment below with your vote.
As a special thank you, we’ll randomly choose a name from all who comment before Friday, March 20th at 4pm EST.
The winner will receive our free video and workbook series, The Screen-Balanced Family: Six Secrets to a More Connected Family in the 21st Century.
Thanks for joining us on this journey, voting, and spreading the word!
Related Posts
#51: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well
Creating a Safe Family Where Your Children Can Thrive –Focus on the Family
3 Differences Between “Good Parenting” and “Helicopter Parenting”
The Problem with Being Your Child’s Best Friend
4 Ways to Champion Safe House Together
1
Thank you MT!
I like option 3
3
Hey professor!
I would vote option number four. For a moment there, I did think ya’ll were pregnant! Congrats on the book!
Sarah Columbus
Option 1
4!!!
I like option 1, but with the title text from option 3. I like the title text with the “e” being a light. Great job, Josh!
I vote for option 3!
If I were just browsing books on a shelf I think option #2 would jump out at me more.
Kathy M
I vote for number three 🙂
Through the eyes of a graphic designer, I have to go with Option three. It is the one that best illustrates what the title is really saying. Options one and four are visually compelling but are a bit misleading from the subject of the book. I think more about physical safety when I see those images. All four work on some level and what an accomplishment no matter which cover you go with!
Option 3
Option 3 fits with the title
As I sit and stare at the covers I think #4 pops with my eyes! Riding bikes for the first time is an emotional high for a child and they have to trust the person that is walking alongside them! I vote #4!
Exciting news! No doubt gonna be an awesome book, no matter the cover art.
If I had to pick one as they are, I’d pick #2. Very straight forward and stands out.
I agree with some others that the “logo” from #3 best represents the books topic. But, I like #3 the least, overall.
If I could tweak #2, I’d add the “logo” from #3 and then change the background color to a “Twitter blue”, which “scientifically” (whatever that means) is shown to evoke a sense of trust, strength, and dependability.
Option 3 is best
2
I’d go with 3.
Option 3. Good picture of a kid looking safe and at home
I like 3 because it looks like an emotionally safe and happy child. I’m also drawn to 4, but I think 3 fits the title better. Congrats Josh!! So excited to read and share your new book!
Can we have another option that shows more of “emotional” safety? The bike in #1 is good, but that is showing physical safety. Thank you.
The covers here don’t show what you’re trying to convey.
Option 1 – I like the color scheme, the font and the trike image showing child being a little independent riding on his/her own (I think because the child is on a tricycle, there is an implication that a parent might be nearby – not so much with option 4 with older child on bike) – #3 looks like the child is ‘swaddled’ and seems to only indicate protection, not any independence on part of the child). Jan Phillips
Option 2 conveys the message of this book the best to me, and option 3 would be my next choice. Can’t wait to read it! 🙂
I like option 1. Congrats, Josh!
I like option 4
Option. 1 if choosing from your site. I would like to see a young person sitting on a couch In front of the television or at a desk in front of a computer. Their parent (s) could be in the background. Young people are basing their identity and self worth from what they see on television and / or what they read on the Internet and social media.
Drew
I like option 3. The kid on the cover looks happy and comfortable.
Option 2 to conveys relevance across a wide audience. The child holding the parents hand is symbolic of safety and a sense of home. Options 1 and 4 convey recreation or even a up coming journey the message of Safe “House” is lost. Option 3 is my least favorite; Is the kid getting squished between a hug and a couch? What if I am not caucasian (white)…
My choice is option 2
I agree with Jennifer B. I like Option 2 and my second choice would be Option 3. I am Susan Wells with Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk and was asked to weigh in on the cover. How exciting! Thank you for this opportunity.
3 is best (insofar as playing off of the title/concept) except for the stacked type treatment of author’s name.
Big Earl has a good point.. not sure I’d satisfice with any of these
Josh I’m so excited about your new book. Hey kids sell things that’s why we see so many of them used in advertising. I can picture the kids in the latest auto insurance ad with the one that’s standing in line at the DMV who gets a high number, and the ones at dinner and can’t get the waiter to stop at their table (waiter, waiter…) So number 3 is it. at least in my humble opinion
Option 4 is my first choice. My second choice is Option 3 sans the picture.
1
number 3
Based on the topic, I like option 2. However, I would encourage a different background color. Red often indicates danger. While it is attention grabbing (which is good for attracting consumers), it may not convey the feelings of safety and emotional calmness that you are perhaps hoping to convey once the consumer takes it home.
I also like both bike covers. In order for a child to be independent and confident, he or she must first feel safe.
No matter what you choose, I’m sure it will be wildly successful. I’m looking forward to getting a copy.
I say option two! Red always draws the eye and I love the child walking hand and hand looking at the parent! Congratulations on your new book Josh!
Erin walton
Option 2 – the other covers don’t seem to capture sufficiently the purpose of the book.
Congratulations!
I option 1
Option 2 is my first choice. Option 1 is my second choice. Congrats!
I like option 2. I believe that it conveys the message of the book. The other pictures are very nice, but number 2 tops them all.
Option 1- love the training wheels, implies safety to us mamas 🙂 Also like the light sun-bleached colors, if I saw this book I would pick it up. Classy 🙂
Option 1 is the safest “feeling” cover. Red is not a safe color to me. I’d pick it up and read the back. 🙂
Both Option 1 and 2 are great.
I am having a hard time choosing between 1 and 3. I like the background on 3 better, but I like the wording layout on 1 better. So, I would probably choose 1. Either way I will be sure to read it.
My vote is Option 1, but no to the green for the font and less contrast to the image (more pop, less washed out haze). Option 2 won’t make it off the shelf, because it blends in too much with all the other covers. Nice font style on 3, but layout is wrong; too textbook-like. Option 4 is a DVD/VHS cover.
Option 1 🙂
Congrats!!
Option 2 gets my vote
I think Option 1 or 4 — I’d change the typography placement on #1 but I do like the photos..
Option #4 is my top pick as they stand now. #2 would be my top if the red were either black, navy or some other saturated color.
I am so excited! I can’t wait to read it. Congrats~
Option 4! Modern design and best typography!
1 or 4…can’t wait to read it!
Love the font with the lamp play on ‘f’ on #3, but I love the training wheel image on #1.
I’m no help at all. 🙂
I think option 2 is the best … I think the picture captures the meaning of the best. You could turn that into a real life photo …
Option 1
3 says it all to me.
Option 2.
I like option 4, however 3 I good I would just have your name and title towards the bottom of the cover like the rest of them:)
1
However, I like the creative around the light and would attempt to build that out to better integrate within the messaging of the title. Not sure why the light is illuminating only the “e?” Perhaps it curved more toward the center and illuminated the entire word “house.” Plus, it may help with the branding around the term safe house if a parents hand were on the shoulder of the child sleeping.
Very excited for you!
JT
I like option 3!!
1 or 4.
Option 1, love the training wheels metaphor
option 3
4 is my favorite
Then 1
Then 3
Then 2….red just doesn’t do it for me
Option 3
Wonder would it look like to move the light more toward word “house”
Name seems a little large for the image
Option #2 ~ I like how the child is looking up to his parent. Not sure if it’s mom, dad, or grandparent, but I appreciate the “mystery” of not knowing especially in this day and age when children may be raised in single-parent homes or even growing up with their grandparents.
Option 3 all snugly in the blanket
Option 4
Prefer the layout design of option 1. Very nice eye flow. Consider swapping out images but leave layout.
I like options 1 and 3 because of the analogy of teaching a child to ride a bike. The ultimate goal is for the child to exercise these skills on his/her own.
I like 3 & 4, but I believe 4 is THE ONE! Here’s why, in this day and age, the first thing most parent thinks about pertaining to their safety. I am drawn to the word “safety” in the title of the 4th choice. It gets the most important key across without anything else on the book cover competing for attention. Then you are drawn to read more of the subtitle.I also love the picture.
Option 2 or 3. I like 2 because the child looks so vulnerable, and it is so clear that the adult is in a position to create safety or danger. It could be a boy or a girl.
I like the light shining out of the “f” on Safe on #3. It’s like there is nothing to hide in a house that’s safe.
Option 1 or 2 for sure!
Option 1 looks modern and my eye is attracted to the text and subtext.
Option 2 is very clean and my eye is drawn right to the title and the child; the red makes it pop.
Options 3 and 4 are a little muddled and dark, too hard for my brain to comprehend the message of the book and option 3 looks a little flat and dated.
Option 3
2 for sure!
Option 1
option 1
option #1
my bad, I meant option #3
From Larry Walker: Image 2 is the strongest (note the word “vulnerability” in previous comments linked with the security of a parental/guarding hand), but the art shouts “Self-Published work, Vanity Press!” Image 3 is the most professional and viable on an extremely crowded bookshelf in a retail setting. The others are good but so pale that they “pale” in the face of very aggressive competitors vying for the buyer’s eye.
Can’t wait to read, learn and share your book! I would suggest option 1 or 3. All of them are great!
Option # 1
I would say # 3 or 4 🙂
I like # 1. 2nd would be # 4.
I like 3
We like option #3.
2 is my favorite
I like #3. And yes that reads number 3, not hashtag?!3!
option 1 🙂
Option 2 is my favourite; though I love the images in the other options, the words and message read loudest to me in option 2.
Option #4 is my vote~
Hi, I like the pedaling child, but not the title, sorry! It immediately reminds me of a safe house for women trying to get out of an abusive and violent relationship!
Hello Josh, so excited for you. The book covers #2 and #3 give the image of a child’s emotional safety, #1 and #4 create the image of physical safety. I know regardless of the cover your content will be great! Sharon May