Author Matthew Dobbins
Matt Dobbins
[email protected]
Press Release
December 9, 2020
In 2006, Matthew Dobbins was an All-American pitcher for Jacksonville University and led all of NCAA Division 1 Baseball in wins. Today, Dobbins is pitching a new and unique message to kids and adults alike through his #1 New Release children’s book entitled Duncan’s First Flight.
The Local Connection
After graduating from JU with his undergraduate and MBA degrees, Dobbins has stayed local and contributed to the Jacksonville business community through organizations such as the Gator Bowl, Jacksonville University Alumni Office, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida. Just this year, he was named to the “Top 40 Under 40” list by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Duncan’s First Flight – Book Summary
In November, Dobbins published his children’s book entitled Duncan’s First Flight which is a heart-warming story about overcoming the fear of a new experience: flying in an airplane for the first time. Already ranked an Amazon #1 New Release, the story follows Duncan and his kangaroo sidekick, Ridley Roo, as they learn what the flying experience is all about.
Through vivid illustrations, the book showcases airports, planes, pilots, runways, clouds and panoramic plane window views that will inspire anyone (young or old) to be excited to fly. The book is a quick 3 minute read and after only being released for one month, it has already risen to the top 1% of all books for sale on Amazon! The recommended age is for kids 6 and under.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Duncans-First-Flight-Matthew-Dobbins/dp/B08M8DGSVK
Why Dobbins Wrote It
“Did you know that approximately 35% of all people experience some form of anxiety during the flying experience?” said a women sitting next to Dobbins on a flight home to Jacksonville. That got him thinking and he started writing Duncan’s story on a Delta plane napkin somewhere above 30,000 feet. The rest, as they say, is history.
“On the surface, this book is about a kid who is scared to fly and eventually overcomes his fear,” says Dobbins. “However, the real message I hope will come through is that Duncan was only scared because he had never done it before. Once Duncan found the courage to face his fear and take a chance… he loved it and that decision opened so many other opportunities for him! Especially in this challenging year of 2020, I think it’s a good reminder for everyone.”
The illustrations were done by local artist and University of Florida art graduate Charles Hedrick. Hedrick also happens to be Dobbins’s brother-in-law.
UPCOMING FREE BOOK SIGNINGS:
SPAR – Springfield Holiday Market – 12/11/20 from 5pm to 8pm
San Marco Books and More – 12/19/20 from 10am-2pm
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