Resident’s Bible Trading Cards Hit a Home Run with Kids

At a time when most companies might wait to introduce a new product, Steven Kaye had faith that the time was right for his Bible trading cards.

In November 2010, Creation by Design’s full product line of trading cards, books, postcards and posters hit the market. What Kaye and his colleagues soon learned was that Bible-themed merchandise can appeal to the younger masses when it’s presented in an imaginative and visually appealing way.

AN IDEA GROWS

It was 2007, and Kaye said he had just sold his law firm and was looking to make a career change.

“I had heard on the radio a very famous pastor who I like to listen to, and he said that in his opinion religion cannot compete for the attention of today’s kids against the Internet, video games and television. And having young kids myself, I agree that it’s very hard,” said Kaye, who has two daughters ages 7 and 10. “There are a lot of positive and negative influences out there, and if we want our kids to follow the more positive, then we need to do something about it.”

Kaye began to do research on the Christian retail market. He worked with editors and writers on what information would be put on the back of the trading cards, and he shared his drawings with computer artists who could transform his sketches into “computerized reality.”

When the products hit the shelves around Thanksgiving 2010, Kaye said they were an instant hit.

“They say when you come up with a product, 9 out of 10 people hate it, but if that one person loves it, you’re doing OK. We actually didn’t have that,” Kaye said. “Ten out of 10 people loved our products. In such a short time, we went from being brand new and just on the market one day to being carried by all of the major Christian chain stores; we’re carried by 1,000 independent stores. And, we’re currently in talks for some larger chains around the country.”

Kaye, who is the company’s chief creative officer, works out of his home office in Teaneck. He has staff in various parts of the country, including his CEO in Nashville and an artist in San Francisco.

CHILDREN GIVE THEIR INPUT

The company chose a trading-card format for their main product because they’re easy for kids to hold, and they provide a showcase for the computer generated images (CGI) that make Creation By Design’s graphics and characters pop.

“I would have to say the kids enjoy the artwork the most,” said Kaye. “All of our artwork is done in CGI, which is what kids are used to seeing in all of the modern animated films and video games. So, they like the fact that it’s not your parent’s Bible stories. Kids also like the adventures of Xander. They identify with him, and they like following his travels.”

Xander Nash is the star of Creation By Design’s story books. Kaye describes Xander as a 9-year-old Indiana Jones-type adventurer who travels back in time to interact with people in the stories of the Bible.

Creation By Design has been recognized by National Parenting Center, Parent to Parent, Parent Tested Parent Approved and Mom’s Choice Awards. Despite the recognition, Kaye said it’s the input from his youngest fans that validate his company’s work.

Kids send emails through the company’s website and even make phone calls occasionally to tell representatives how much they enjoy the products. They even make story suggestions for Xander Nash.

“The first three books of Xander are out. Book No. 4 is about Noah’s Ark, and it’s called The Wet and Wild Ride. That title was suggested by a 10-year-old boy through an email,” Kaye said. “I love that the kids are involved, and to me that’s more important than the other accolades.”

Even Kaye’s daughters have a hand in the production process.

“They are my biggest fans and my biggest critics,” Kaye said. “Nothing goes to market until they have read it. They read the Xander Nash books. They write down their edits. I give them a big red pen, and they make all the changes they want on the prototypes. And they love the artwork, and they love the fact that they’re involved in creating it.”

FUTURE PLANS

Not only do children appear to be enjoying the Bible-themed products but also parents and educators who purchase the items for their own kids and students.

“What parents like the most is the fact that they are getting across to their kids stories and message that they want their kids to have without the kids feeling like they’re in Sunday school,” said Kaye, who added that his company’s merchandise isn’t about promoting any one religion but about telling the stories found in the Bible.

Biblical scholars verify each trading card, which features a timeline, a narrative and a fun trivia fact that ties into the theme of that particular card. So far, only the Old Testament is featured in the 818 collectible cards. Cards for the New Testament eventually will be produced.

Future products for the company include a card game called Bible Strike and Bible trading cards that feature a lenticular (grooved) surface, which allows for the surface picture to change when the card is shifted at an angle. These lenticular trading cards will have a limited runtime, adding to their collectability.

Kaye said he’s excited about the growth his company faces, and he’s happy that he’s found a way to make the Bible more attractive to young kids.

“There’s drama, there’s intensity, there’s miracles. It’s just a fantastic story from beginning to end,” said Kaye, referring to the Bible. “Kids love it; it just needs to be presented to them in a way they want to see it.”