WARSAW — “It is a product for kids, benefiting kids,” said Dave Bazzoni, about “Joe Journeyman – The Only Player To Play For All 32 NFL Teams,” a search and find story, created by two local residents and a local business. Net proceeds from the sale of “Joe Journeyman” products are donated to support “Joe’s Kids” in Warsaw, as well as children’s hospitals such as Riley Hospital for Children.

The book debuted in August and has received “outstanding” responses according to the creators. A month ago, a donation of $5,000 was given to Riley Children’s Hospital.

Created by Bazzoni, author, and his middle school friend, Jed Bruce, artist/illustrator, “Joe Journeyman” has expanded from the original search and find book creation. It has expanded to posters, puzzles and a canvas, gallery wrapped, perfect to hang in a “man cave” as a piece of gallery art.

Individuals will have an opportunity to meet the author and artist in a meet and greet at The Party Shop, Warsaw, between 10 a.m. and noon, Saturday, Oct. 3, where they will autograph any Joe Journeyman product purchased. There will also be opportunities to have photographs taken with Joe Journeyman himself and one of his friends along with a coloring contest. The Party Shop is the local distributor for the Joe Journeyman items.

Jed Bruce at work on the next story.

Bazzoni stated the product, which is targeted for kids, helps with cognitivity, imagination, creativity and thinking outside the box. Not only does it have a story line, but literal translations of every day sayings can also be find in each piece of art and illustration. “You see the same reaction in a 3-year-old as you do in a 70-year-old,” stated the creators. “It’s something adults can do with kids.”

However it is great for all ages, fun and challenging.

“Joe Journeyman” is a story of Joe Journeyman as he travels from city to city and team to team with his friends and supporters: End Zone Ernie the elephant, Super Fan Franny the fox, Pom Pom Polly, Touchdown Ted the turtle and Leon the Lion. Each friend has a purpose in the story.

The first volume, which debuted in August, features 16 of the 32 teams. Volume 2, featuring the remaining 16 teams, is set to debut in time for Holiday 2016.

Teams are featured on a two-page story scene where you not only need to find Joe Journeyman and his friends, but his playbook before his enemy Copy Cat Carl finds it. Along the way (and listed in the back of the book) search for wild and wacky things. A bit of each city’s history is also included on the story pages. “There’s a tremendous amount of research,” stated Bazzoni who researches the historical things related to the each team’s city. Such an example is the story for the Patriots. In the two pages you can find the USS Constitution, see the Freedom Trail and other historical items.

A completed 500-piece puzzle.

Bazzoni and Bruce work together to create the story. Bruce however is the one who does the artwork. It takes Bruce a month from start to finish. “Each one is a unique challenge. It keeps you from getting burned out,” stated Bruce. “It is fine art and illustration combined,” said Bruce. The month-long process can be seen through time lapse photography on the book’s website.

The making of Joe Journeyman, the true story is found in the back of the book. Their goal “is to be the best in the world at what we do — search and find genre. We want to be the new gold standard,” said Bazzoni and be a household name.

This also opens the path to future products.

The book is one of many products produced by IDNA Brands, East Center Street, Warsaw.

You can find out more about Joe Journeyman at www.joejourneyman.com