By The Time I'm Nine

Written by Kyle Canfield
Illustrations by Marlon Sagana Ingram

The seed for our collaborative project was planted in the summer of 2017, sparked by Kyle's playful suggestion that his foot injury might finally afford him the time to write his novel. Marlon countered with the idea of a children's book, and thus, our creative journey began. Kyle, brimming with ideas, took on the role of concept creator and writer, while Marlon eagerly transformed his living room into a makeshift studio, armed with a folding table, vibrant watercolors, and a collection of colored pencils. Together, we embarked on a truly symbiotic process, completing the initial draft of the book in a mere two days, fueled by our shared enthusiasm and a desire to bring this whimsical tale to life.


"One of the greatest gifts we can give children is the ability to believe in themselves and understand that their choices shape their future. By the Time I'm Nine—written by my son Kyle and delightfully illustrated by his friend Marlon—is a wonderful book that introduces young readers to essential life lessons like gratitude, perseverance, kindness, and self-belief in a way that is both engaging and fun. The simple but powerful heartfelt messages help children see that they are capable of setting goals, making a difference, and creating the life they imagine. This isn't just a book—it’s a foundation for a lifetime of confidence and success. I highly recommend it to parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone who wants to empower the next generation of young children."

— Jack Canfield, Co-Author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul^® series and The Success Principles™

Following the initial draft, we dedicated months to meticulously editing and refining the book, eager to share our creation with the world. However, the onset of the pandemic abruptly halted our progress, as the world, including
our project, was forced to pause.

After navigating the challenges of the past few years, we received an unexpected and exciting phone call from Kate Butler. Years prior, we had sent her a copy of the book based on a recommendation from Jack Canfield, who believed Kate possessed the expertise to guide us through the publishing process. This serendipitous connection proved to be a turning point. Kate graciously offered her guidance on the intricacies of self-publishing, and the rest, as they say, is history.


About The Authors

KYLE CANFIELD
Hi, I'm Kyle, a Sound Scientist with 30 years of experience as a Producer, Songwriter, DJ, and Vinyl Lathe Operator. I remain passionate about the creative process, consistently producing music for both underground and Grammy-nominated artists. One of my favorite parts of writing lyrics & poetry is the interplay of words and the power of multimedia experiences, blending traditional and cutting-edge technologies to weave together music, language, and learning. My own love for language was sparked during my early childhood. As an immigrant to the U.S. in 1980, I struggled with English. My resourceful mother introduced my brother and I to the music of Sugar Hill Gang and then Treacherous Three. turning language learning into a fun and engaging experience. The transformative power of reading soon followed, expanding my vocabulary, and feeding my inner dialogue & voice. I hope this book is able to ignite a similar passion for language and creative expression in the next generation.

"The size of your vocabulary is the salary cap of your thoughts." - Kyle Canfield

MARLON SAGANA INGRAM
Marlon is a highly versatile creative professional with a remarkable three-decade career encompassing storytelling, video production, and educational administration. His diverse talents have manifested in successful brand development, engaging curriculum design, and groundbreaking creative projects within the vibrant skateboarding and Hip Hop scenes since the mid-1980s. Beyond these realms, Marlon's creative expression extends to museum and gallery exhibitions, as well as illustrating children's books like "Passing Gas in Class," "NBA MathHoops", and the newly released "Security Hippo" with Corrin Haskell. Currently residing in California, Marlon continues to innovate by embracing technologies in 3D art, NFT development, and designing plush collectibles for children.

PUSLISHER
Kate Butler is a #1 Best Selling Author, Certified Professional Success Coach and International Speaker. Kate has been featured on HBO, in the Huffington Post and many other news and radio platforms.