Derwood Couple Creates Children's Book, Builds Memories

First-time parents Andy Szul and his wife developed a children’s story, and they did it with the help of their 3-year-old daughter Victoria.

While toys and TV shows keep kids entertained, the Derwood couple chose to engage Victoria through creativity. A naturally creative toddler whose favorite things include reading, writing and drawing, Victoria was very involved in the development of the book.

During a vacation in Beach Lake, Pennsylvania, the family observed chipmunks scurrying around the porch and onto a bird feeder. The playful animals quickly turned into family entertainment, as Victoria and her parents started drawing simple sketches of the critters in action. The sketches soon turned into the basis of a children’s story and the beginning of a family’s life-long memory.

After a six-month process filed with storyboarding, revising and all the work in between, the family finally published “Chipmunk Champs Buddy & Swifty” in February of this year. The story features the chipmunk pair working together, highlighting a positive theme of teamwork and getting along.

Why take on the added project of writing a children’s book when an energetic toddler can be stressful enough?

“For the child it sparks their imagination, taps their energy, teaches them commitment, and sharpens their focus on life and everything that surrounds them,” Szul said. “And, from this experience, we think it also helps build their vocabulary!”

The book, available on for purchase on Amazon.com, is also making a difference on a larger scale. The family chose to donate the profits to two nonprofit organizations important to Andy and his wife: Wounded Warrior Project and Saving Moses.