By Alex Paramo
I have written several times about the importance of exposing and teaching all of our children to use current technologies. Children from all backgrounds need to have hands-on experience 
with the learning tools of today and tomorrow. Contrary to the trending meme about limiting your child’s exposure to “screens and monitors” I encourage the use of technology by children.
People seem to conflate, confuse and associate technology and video-games. The purpose of this article is not to bash video games (I do not endorse violence-based games/media) but rather to promote the use of technology to promote literacy/learning and support/endorse collaborative local arts. Let us all remember that the medium is not the message. A book printed with terrible messages, like those found in Mein Kampf, is no better because those messages are on paper as opposed to a tablet/screen. Our brains are constantly evolving and changing to suit the changes in our environment. Our preoccupation should be with promoting positive message rather than on the medium messages are promoted on.
Collaboration
Multimedia Books allow for artists of all mediums to collaborate in the at of story-making. For my book, Princess Marisol & the Moon Thieves, we brought together an illustrator (Audrey McNamara), talented musicians (Matias 
Pizarro, Juan Ramirez, Christian Orellana), Voice Actresses (Jackie Zamora, Sofia Zamora and Marisol Paramo) and an author (Me). We also utilized the talents of Audio Engineers to help tell our story.
For my latest Multimedia Book writing endeavor, the Grand Fantastic Life of DJ Flo Fader, I am collaborating with Alex Lopez (Photographer), DJ Flo Fader (Music), and an armada of local artists such as Xian Bass and Hakim Bellamy and legendary figures from the music business such as Masta Ace and J-Live. Here is a track from the forthcoming project called appropriately enough, Elevate Your Mind (by DJ Flo Fader).
Multiple-Media
Today our children are being bombarded with messages from multiple-media outlets: TV, Videos, Games, Books, Multimedia Book, eBooks, Blogs, Radio, Internet-Radio etc. Unlike yesterday where the “traditional” Book/Radio/TV industry was monopolized by a few and we had no alternatives, today we have the power to create our own content. Content that promotes our true values, and embraces our collaborative vision for tomorrow.
Those of us who have access to these new learning tools have a responsibility to share them with those that do not. We need to like, comment and share in order to create the world we have been longing for: a just and equitable world where we can all flourish individually and prosper as a whole.
*DJ Flo Fader produced the music for our 3rd multimedia children’s book Samuel’s Story. Available in print and digital formats get yours today!
[contact-form to=’communitypublishingabq@gmail.com’ subject=’Subscriptions’][contact-field label=’Enjoyed this article? Type in your email address to receive similar articles, no ads, no spam, no charge!’ type=’email’/][/contact-form]
Alex Paramo
Alex Paramo is an Author and Co-Founder of Community Publishing. Community Publishing brings local artists of all mediums together in creative collaborations for distribution as multimedia eBooks while promoting literacy in our communities.
We are proud to be a community partner and digital marketer at the Rail Yards Market and theMonte Vista Fire Station. Need help with your web presence and social media marketing? Click hereto find out how we can help you!
Community Publishing: From the Community For the Community
Alex Paramo
In our Children’s Zone Rachel Harris-Huffman from the Public Art Department will be offer make-and-take art projects and coloring based on pieces in the Public Art Collection, and will have a display including a number of works from the collection. The 
Location, location, location! One of added benefits for the artist participating in 
It is a similar to the feeling one gets when they are preparing to give a birthday or holiday gift to someone. The gift remains hidden until that magic moment when it meets the receiver! When someone knows that there was someone out there that put care, time and planning into making and putting out the art it makes them feel even more special when they find it. Being able to give your art a chance to reach people in such a way takes it on an adventure with purpose.
