Such a fab weekend full of inspiring conversations and positive vibes at Vegfest UK! The vegan community is AWESOME!

​Follow @vivithesupervegan for more.

𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗜𝗧, 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗘 𝗜𝗧
​
Representation in kids' media is crucial because it helps children see themselves reflected in the stories they read and watch, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth.

𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: Representation in the media helps vegan children feel validated and seen, showing them that their lifestyle choices are normal and valid.

𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆: Including vegan characters in diverse storylines fosters a sense of cultural inclusivity, showing that veganism is not limited to a specific demographic.

𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: Positive representation can serve as an educational tool, providing information about veganism and promoting understanding and acceptance among peers.

Follow @vivithesupervegan for more.

If you share our vision and are interested in hearing more about our project please email us: info@vivithesupervegan.co.uk

 

It was great to chat to @bloodyveganspodcast about what we have been up to and what we are looking to do next...head to @bloodyveganspodcast for the full chat.

If you are interested in hearing more and would like to see our pitch deck/arrange a call with us, please email us: lindsay@canukproductions.com

How it started VS how it's going....

I first connected with Laura Chepner in 2019 after reading an article in the news about her successfully campaigning to get vegan food on her daughters school menu. I needed to do the same thing at my children's school so I reached out to her and we quickly became friends. We soon learned that we shared very similar values, dreams and goals.❤️💪

We first met when I launched 'Vivi the Supervegan' and she travelled 4.5 hours with her daughter to attend my launch party. Laura was doing incredible work with her company 'Primary Veducation' at the time, travelling around the UK, going into schools to provide teacher training about Vegan Inclusion.

After that, we stayed in touch, closely following and supporting one another, sharing a mutual admiration and inspiration for each other's work. Our daughters became penpals, our books were published, our work became intertwined and a true friendship was born.

"From strangers to sisters" 👭👩‍❤️‍👩 Laura - I am so inspired by the work you have done and continue to do. You work tirelessly to fight for our children to bring about inclusion in the education system and I think I can speak on behalf of vegan parents when I say that you are an unstoppable force, we see you, we appreciate you and we THANK YOU!

www.vivithesupervegan.co.uk

​31st January 2023 - London, UK Investors take note; Veganuary isn’t over for these ambitious entrepreneurs! Co-founders Tina Newman and Lindsay Watson are launching the world’s first digital community dedicated to connecting global vegan brands with their fast-growing children’s audience.  

​Eating less meat is said to be one of the easiest ways to reduce carbon emissions. With over half of all Brits (58%) committed to or trying plant-based products the global vegan meat market alone is expected to be worth $ 8.3 billion USD by 2025.  
Set up to solve the problem of kids and parents not being able to access vegan-inspired content the pair will capitalise on an opportunity to produce ethically crafted, age-appropriate, entertaining stories.  

Their goal is to become the world’s first BCorp, SDG, and ESG-qualified children’s media company dedicated to promoting the philosophy of veganism through ‘edutainment’.  The flagship platform will deliver high-quality resources in the form of a dedicated “Vivi and the Planet Protectors” App and YouTube channel. Set to host books, videos, games, licensed merchandise, consumer products, music, podcasts, celebrity coverage, data, networks, and live events they hope to contribute to one of the only markets that have continued to grow throughout the pandemic. They are excited to start Series A fundraising, seeking an investment of $2.5M and forecasting a 10x ROI of $25M by Year 5.  

​Peace in a Pod offers an alternative ‘ethical investment’ model to the traditional children’s licensing route aimed at reducing waste and decreasing greenhouse emissions. Competitor brands like Peppa Pig generate an average income of $90-100M-USD per year exporting to over 180 countries. Other YouTube-first companies like Moonbug have sold for $3B. With the vegan market quadrupling since 2016 the timing is just right to introduce characters Vivi (the Supervegan), Pax (the Planet Protector) and Lily (the Sea Saviour) to the world.  

In 2019 Tina released her first book entitled “Vivi the Supervegan” attracting global attention and selling in over 13 countries with subsequent books sparking 50% year-on-year sales growth. As Britain’s No.1 best-selling, award-winning and celebrity-endorsed plant-powered children’s author she is seeking international partners to support book sales and distribution.  
 
The company has attracted interest from the Greater London Authority’s “Green New Deal” and is delighted to announce its participation in the “Better Futures +” programme, the Mayor of London’s flagship project for early-stage cleantech companies.  
 
“We are looking forward to working with the partners involved in this programme; Sustainable Ventures, Imperial College, ICON, and West London Business,” says CEO Lindsay Watson.  
 
“Drawn together by our shared ethical values and ‘passion for compassion’ it’s a joy for us to try and make the world a better place for future generations,” says CCO Tina Newman.  ​

Tina has garnered fantastic support from vegan celebrities including Jasmine Harman (A Place in the Sun) and Evanna Lynch (Activist and Actress from Harry Potter) who says: 
 
"I loved this story and Vivi's mission to be a fierce protector of animals! Her story reminds us that compassion is a true superpower and that we each have the capacity to be real-life heroes to the animals who desperately need us to care more. Vivi's idealism and the charming illustrations reflect a harmony between people and animals that I dream about!" ​

The award-winning team of global vegan and veggie creatives includes female-owned animation studios, an Emmy-nominated comedy writer, a Vegan Society Educational Expert and possibly the world’s first “Vegan Technical Officer (VTO). 
 
If you’re interested in driving the change you want to see in the world, get in touch!  

​Peace in a Pod Productions Ltd. is a multimedia research, development, production, technology, marketing, and sales company that exploits IP (trademarked characters, stories, and content) for distribution to the global kids and family entertainment market. It is the parent company of “Vivi and the Planet Protectors”. 
 
CEO Lindsay Watson is a Canadian, British and Irish citizen based between UK and Europe; an IP, Media & Entertainment Executive with fifteen years experience in the kids and family content sector. Focused on developing and producing female-led, diverse and inclusive content, this is her third venture after founding CANUK Productions and Animated Women UK. She has also held senior leadership positions at award-winning companies and worked with channels including Disney, Family Channel, Channel5/Viacom, NBCUniversal and Sky Kids. With an MA in Professional Media Practice from Bournemouth University she is a published academic and guest speaker in the areas of girls’ animation and media finance. As a graduate of the Diversity Venture Capital course and a BAFTA-Albert eco-certified member of the UK’s Producers Alliance she is passionate about working with under-represented groups on eco projects to ‘be it’ so she can ‘see it’!  

CCO Tina Newman is the creator of the “Vivi the Supervegan” brand. Her books are endorsed by Vegan Trader and Vegan Founded networks and in 2022 Tina was the recipient of the Vegan Choice Award. She is an ambassador for the Animal Justice Project and has previously been a topical journalist for The Vegan Review. She has an HND in Stage & Screen with a background in media production, having worked with the BBC, Pinewood Studios and on numerous television commercials. With an interest in early childhood education, she is an expert contributor to The Vegan Society Educational Network and has helped develop “A Vegan Inclusive Education Resource - Supporting Veganism in Education: A Guide for Educators” which is available to educational settings across the UK. With a passion for inspiring and supporting others, Tina has launched and led local community groups. She is a super-mom and believes anything is possible if you put your mind to it! ​

​For more information please visit: 
 
WEBSITE: https://www.vivithesupervegan.co.uk   
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivithesupervegan/   
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ViviSupervegan  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vivithesupervegan   
 
Illustrations: Luke Ives 
Photos: Garry Carbon - Carbon Productions Ltd.  
 
© Peace in a Pod Productions Ltd. 2023 

It has felt like it has been a long time coming with this book, due to the pandemic, Brexit, and various other factors constantly pushing the release date back. However, it all worked out perfectly in the end as we could coincide the launch day with World Ocean Day, and I couldn't think of a more apt day to launch this new book on!

"With a twist and a tap, she takes Pax’s hand and they find themselves balancing on the rocks. Under the water, something is zooming around and coming their way."

Vivi and Pax join forces again but this time they're at the beach and they're not alone! Join them as they race against time to save their friends in this sea-splashing adventure.
​
​It is never too early to teach children about compassion, and I really hope my books can help to do this. I want children to see how much power they have in their choices, and that isn't just where the planet and land animals are concerned, but with the oceans and the animals that live in them too. It seems like these days everyone is happy to discuss plastic, ditch plastic straws, bags, etc. and don't get me wrong, the fight against plastic is real and so important, BUT... what people don't realise is that 👇

"Straws Aren't the Real Problem. Fishing Nets Account for 46 Percent of All Ocean Plastic. While ditching plastic may make you feel good inside, the best thing we can do to help marine life and the planet is to leave fish off our plates and switch to a compassionate vegan diet."
https://mercyforanimals.org/straws-arent-the-real-problem-fishing-nets

This is why it was so important to me to write a story for children and tackle the BIGGER picture, when it comes to 'saving our seas' and looking at plastic pollution. 

Books are available worldwide (apart from countries in the EU at the moment) directly from our shop! Thank you for all of your support and we hope you enjoy this latest adventure! 

The blog below is written by Nigel Dunn - Animal Justice Project Volunteer.

"Animal Activism has many forms and many guises: street protests, occupations, petitions, social media campaigns and undercover investigation to name a few. One area of activism that isn’t as well known or supported focusses on children, to promote discussion with young children within centres of early learning, schools and nurseries, they are vital and until now have been untapped places to grow veganism and the rights of animals. 

Children are powerful advocates for change, current teachings are outdated and ‘traditional’ where the cruelty and violence within animal agriculture is normalized and desensitized, the horrendous exploitation inherent within dairy production is a classic example as our recent investigation has exposed. We need to offer these children the truth and balanced learning to enable them to challenge these outdated teachings, Vivi the Supervegan is a book that a child can hold up to the world and ask why? Why does it have to be this way, it will empower a child to challenge and to change.

Children are born gentle, caring and empathic. Traditional and current education promotes an entirely blinkered and sanitised view of farmed animals, turning sentient beings into commodities, numbers and profit. We at AJP recognise this and this is the reason we launched our ‘Free Vegan Books in Schools’ Campaign! 

When starting the campaign, I looked at a number of books and spoke to various children’s authors across the world. One book stood out: ‘Vivi the Supervegan’ by Tina Newman. A book that spoke about animal welfare, empathy and veganism in a subtle, honest and gentle way. Tina's book is written and illustrated in a sympathetic and engaging way for young children and perhaps most importantly is a visually acceptable book for a school to allow through those traditional school doors! 

We had the commitment, we had the idea, and then we had the book. But blindly gifting a vegan book to a random school would not have been productive or a good use of donated monies; we didn’t want Vivi simply to be placed on to a library shelf never to be seen again! We needed to target receptive schools and find a way for the book to be read, used, shared and understood. 

Step forward: ‘Vegan Inclusive Education’, who supplied us with a list of nominated schools who have at least one vegan child in their care, and also welcome to the stage, Laura Chepner founder of ‘Primary Veducation’ who has developed and created a trail blazing ‘Teaching and Learning Pack’ to accompany Vivi the Supervegan, for compassionate Year 1 teachers and children and much, much more!                              

We now had the tools we required to embark on this endeavour of enlightenment, and so last spring we launched our ‘Free Books for Schools Crowdfunder’ and we began fundraising with our friends at ‘Global Vegan Crowdfunder’. Then came the onerous task of contacting hundreds of schools across the UK!

School Report!
In total we individually contacted 500 schools, nurseries and early learning centres. 

x392 were happy to receive our free gifted Vivi The Supervegan.
x89 schools are currently ‘consulting and thinking about’ accepting our free book 
x19 politely (or not so politely) declined our free book!

Thanks to amazing donations from our supporters, we raised over £3,000!  Allowing us to gift over 390 separate schools and nurseries …outreaching to thousands of children!
Comments below are from those involved in helping me grow this Vivi seed...

“Things are currently not vegan-friendly in the school system and early years setting. Everything is geared towards the way we exploit animals from nursery rhymes, songs, to the food and school trips. This campaign is so incredibly important as it aims to bring about balance and inclusion to schools which is so needed, not only to support vegan pupils but to introduce non-vegan children to veganism and a kinder way of life”  – Tina Newman, Vivi the Supervegan book series Author.

“I love this project! It harnesses the power of vegans all over the country to get Tina’s brilliant books into schools where they can help dozens of children discover the power of veganism. I cant wait for the next push!” – Ruth, Vegan Inclusive Education.

“Vegan children deserve to look in a library at their school and find vegan literature, not only to see themselves represented in wider society but also to provide a crucial platform for understanding and acceptance. This wonderful project enables that and i’m all for it!” – Laura Chepner, Chair of the Vegan Society’s Education Network.

We will relaunch again this year and hopefully push past 500 books!

Peace, love and thank you!
Nigel Dunn, Volunteer