A Blend of Empathy and Storytelling
Gary Vaynerchuk, the multifaceted entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author, has embarked on a new journey in the realm of children’s literature. His upcoming picture book, “Meet Me in the Middle,” is set to be published by HarperCollins Publishers on July 16, 2024. This marks a significant expansion of Vaynerchuk’s diverse portfolio, which already includes his renowned role as the creator of VeeFriends.
The VeeFriends Universe
Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends, a contemporary entertainment company, serves as the foundation for “Meet Me in the Middle.” It features 283 unique characters, each born from Vaynerchuk’s imagination and creativity. These characters are not just figments of fantasy; they embody traits Vaynerchuk deems crucial for success and happiness in the modern world. VeeFriends aims to create a culture of kindness, creativity, and personal growth.
A Unique Storytelling Approach
“Meet Me in the Middle” introduces a novel concept in children’s books: a two-sided, flip-the-book format. It narrates the day of Eager Eagle when read from one end and switches to Patient Pig’s perspective when flipped over. This inventive style encourages children to understand empathy by seeing a story from two different viewpoints.
The Philosophy Behind the Pages
Following his previous works like “Twelve and a Half” and “Day Trading Attention,” Vaynerchuk continues to explore emotional intelligence in “Meet Me in the Middle.” The book aims to nurture empathy in young readers, a skill indispensable for their future endeavors.
Beyond the Book
HarperCollins Children’s Books, a respected publisher of award-winning books for young readers, is excited about this collaboration. Editorial Director David Linker expressed that Vaynerchuk’s approach aligns perfectly with the publisher’s ethos of teaching fundamental values through literature.
“I have been thinking about these characters and how to bring their traits and characteristics to the world for years,” said Vaynerchuk. “I am incredibly excited to introduce Eager Eagle and Patient Pig to new generations through this VeeFriends book. This isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about injecting a dose of patience and eagerness into the hearts of the newest generation. There’s balance in meeting in the middle.”
Gary Vaynerchuk, known for his foresight in business and culture, is not just an author but a serial entrepreneur and a significant figure in the digital world. His insights into internet culture and business acumen have made him a respected figure in various industries.
A Message for the Future
With “Meet Me in the Middle,” Vaynerchuk isn’t just telling a story; he’s imparting valuable life lessons to the next generation. The book promises to be more than a children’s tale; it’s a tool for building a future rooted in understanding and balance.
TLDR: Gary Vaynerchuk, an entrepreneurial icon and creator of VeeFriends, ventures into children’s literature with “Meet Me in the Middle,” a unique flip-book published by HarperCollins. This book, featuring characters from the VeeFriends universe, teaches empathy and perspective-taking, key skills for future success.
ABOUT GARY VAYNERCHUK
Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur and serves as the Chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia, and the Creator and CEO of VeeFriends. Gary is considered one of the leading global minds on what’s next in culture, relevance, and the internet. Known as “GaryVee,” he is described as one of the most forward thinkers in business. He is a New York Times bestselling author, sought-after public speaker, and a prolific investor in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, Snapchat, Coinbase, and Uber. Gary serves on the board of Bojangles Restaurants, Global Citizen Forum, MikMak, and Pencils of Promise. He is also a longtime Well Member of Charity: Water.
ABOUT VEEFRIENDS
VeeFriends is a contemporary entertainment company that combines stories, games, events, collectibles, and technology to build a community around a movement of kindness and accountability. The company’s mission is to scale 283 unique VeeFriends characters and their attributes to create a better world. These characters foster a sense of community and inspire creativity, self-discovery, accountability, and personal growth. For more information, visit VeeFriends.com, join the Discord channel, and follow VeeFriends on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS CHILDREN’S BOOKS
HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s and teen books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many timeless treasures and bestsellers such as Charlotte’s Web, Goodnight Moon, The Hate U Give, A Long Walk to Water, The One and Only Ivan, The Polar Express, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and Where the Wild Things Are; series including The Chronicles of Narnia, Curious George®, the Giver Quartet, Little Blue Truck, Pete the Cat, Ramona, Red Queen, The School for Good and Evil, and Warriors; and graphic and illustrated novels such as Invisible Emmie, New Kid, and Nimona. Consistently at the forefront of digital innovation, HarperCollins Children’s Books delights readers through engaging storytelling across a variety of formats and platforms, including the largest young adult (YA) book community, Epic Reads, and Shelf Stuff, where kids and parents can discover the best middle grade books. Part of HarperCollins Children’s Books, HarperCollins Productions develops and produces TV, film, and interactive media for HarperCollins’s major franchises, which include Carmen Sandiego, The Oregon Trail, and Pretzel and the Puppies. HarperCollins Children’s Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, which is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, has operations in 17 countries, and is a subsidiary of News Corp. You can visit HarperCollins Children’s Books at HarperCollinsChildrens.com and EpicReads.com and HarperCollins Publishers at corporate.HC.com.