I have just completed my most recent project (2026) which is a children's book called Ukie Learns the Ukulele. It follows Ukie and his 5th grade class as they have their first lesson on the ukulele.
The story mirrors how I introduce ukulele to my students (Children or adults!), with a foundation that includes the history of the ukulele, how to hold the ukulele, how to strum the ukulele, and how to play the C chord.
I have found that beginning players (whether in school, in ukulele groups, or at ukulele sessions) who are immediately exposed to five (or more!) chords do not remember them--and follow-up sessions are a complete re-learning of the material. I believe in systematically introducing chords over time, and then practicing songs with those chords before learning the next chord.
In Ukie Learns the Ukulele, the class only learns the C chord--and if there are follow-up books, other chords and concepts can be presented in those later books.
A music teacher or group leader could use this book as a first lesson on ukulele--and it also ties nicely into my Beginner Ukulele book (also available here on BuyMeaCoffee).
Ukie Learns the Ukulele is available on BuyMeaCoffee (https://buymeacoffee.com/ukestuff/e/557231 ) with a PDF edition as well as a Google Slides Presentation with embedded play along videos (for educators).
If you want other digital formats (Amazon Kindle, Apple Books), you can find the book there as well--and of course, you can buy a printed copy from Amazon as well. Links to those other resources:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4ynrqEh
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/ukie-learns-the-ukulele/id6790655813
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/4yoUlrI
I truly appreciate your support through BuyMeaCoffee. Every purchase encourages me to continue arranging music and creating new resources for the ukulele community.
Sincerely,
Chris Russell