At a Glance
Sam Demma, motivational speaker and children’s book author, turned Be Someone’s Taco into a full-cast children’s audiobook using professional audiobook production. Instead of a standard audiobook narration, he created an immersive audiobook experience with character voices, music, and storytelling designed to hold kids’ attention. The result was a children’s audiobook that increased engagement at live family events, improved memorability through music, and expanded accessibility for families who prefer listening together.
Who Is Sam Demma?
Sam Demma is a motivational speaker, youth speaker, and children’s book author who believes kindness is a daily decision. He built his career by showing up consistently, telling stories that move people, and proving that small acts can create massive impact.
Sam’s journey began in high school when a teacher challenged him to make an impact through everyday effort. Sam took it literally. He started picking up trash on his walk home. Then he invited a friend. Soon, the cleanups grew into a local movement, and Sam began speaking at schools to recruit more students to join.
A principal once told him that students listened when he spoke. That moment helped Sam understand something that would shape his career: stories inspire action when they come from a real place. Sam has been doing that work ever since: on stages, in classrooms, and now, through audio storytelling.
Sam also credits his grandfather as a guiding force in his life. His grandfather built a life for his family despite never learning to read or write. Sam often draws strength from that resilience, especially when he faces challenges of his own.
For more information about Sam, visit: www.samdemma.com
What Was the Challenge Sam Demma Faced With Audiobook Production?
When Sam released Be Someone’s Taco, he knew the story had power because it came from real life.
During the pandemic, one of Sam’s close friends was struggling. After a difficult phone call, Sam wanted to do something simple to lift his friend’s spirits. His friend had posted about tacos online, so Sam surprised him by sending a taco meal through Uber Eats.
The tacos arrived quickly. Minutes later, his friend FaceTimed him, crying and filled with gratitude.
His friend explained that he and his wife had recently shut down their business, laid off an employee, and felt unsure about the future. That meal did not solve everything, but it gave his friend a moment of relief and hope. For the next year, his friend kept bringing it up as something that helped him hold on.
Sam later turned that moment into a children’s book with the help of a husband-and-wife creative team. He launched the book in May of 2025. But as the book gained traction, Sam faced a question that many authors face:
How do you turn a children’s book into an audiobook that parents and their kids will want to listen to and replay?
Sam had produced an audiobook before, but it was a simple narration. This time, he wanted something more immersive. He wanted a children’s audiobook that could compete with YouTube, Netflix, and short-form content, and still hold a kid’s attention with heart, humor, and energy.
What Solution Did Sam Choose? Full-Cast Children’s Audiobook Production
Sam’s audiobook opportunity arrived unexpectedly at CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers), an annual speaking conference he attends.
During a foundation fundraising gala, Sam and another speaker made a point to bid loudly and energetically to encourage donations. In the middle of that energy, Sam won an audiobook automation package, even though he did not know exactly how he would use it at the time.
Then it clicked.
This was his moment to bring Be Someone’s Taco to life as a professionally produced children’s audiobook.
When Sam connected with the audiobook team, Chris Huenke, Vice President of AI Voice Technology and Audience Engagement at Futuri, immediately saw the creative potential. Instead of producing a standard audiobook narration, Chris recommended building something designed for children’s listening habits and attention spans:
- Full-cast audiobook narration with character voices
- Original music scored specifically for the book
- An immersive audio format that feels like storytelling, not simply reading
Sam shared his files, clarified pronunciations, and stayed involved where needed. But he emphasized that the process felt easy. The team handled the production complexity so Sam could focus on delivering the message.
Read Be Someone’s Taco, or Listen to it on Audible.
Why Professional Audiobook Production Works for Children’s Stories
Professional audiobook production gives authors a chance to create an experience. For children’s audiobook narration, full-cast voices, music, and sound design keep young listeners engaged and make the story more memorable. That matters for authors who want their message to travel further than the printed page.
Sam also realized that the biggest barrier for many authors is not time. It is the assumption that turning a book into an audiobook has to be complicated. This experience proved the opposite.
What Were the Results of the Children’s Audiobook Production?
When Sam received the final audiobook, he felt like the team created something bigger than a product.
He described it as a “masterpiece”, a full-cast children’s audiobook with music and character performances that made the story feel alive.
The impact showed up immediately:
1) Increased Engagement at Live Family Events
Sam now plays the audiobook during ticketed family shows. Kids stay engaged from beginning to end, and parents respond strongly too. The immersive audio format holds attention far better than a traditional reading, especially in environments where children are easily distracted.
2) Stronger Memorability Through Music and Performance
The audiobook includes “the taco wrap,” a playful song Sam and his friends wrote when the idea first began. Kids connect with it instantly. They laugh, they sing along, and they remember it long after the show ends.
3) Expanded Accessibility Through Audio Storytelling
Audio gives families more ways to experience the story together. Parents can play it in the car. Kids who learn differently can engage more easily. Families who prefer listening can still connect with the message without needing a physical book in hand.
4) A Scalable Strategy to Grow Reach
For Sam, this audiobook became a growth tool. It helped him scale his message and deliver it in a format families could carry into everyday life.
Why Do Authors Need Audiobook Production Today?
Sam believes audiobooks should be part of every publishing strategy.
He says writing and releasing the book is the hardest part. But adding audiobook narration expands accessibility and can significantly increase reach, engagement, and even book sales.
Sam compares it to an ice cream shop. If one shop only offers vanilla, and another offers vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, the second shop wins.
To Sam, formats are flavors. Paperback. Hardcover. Audiobook.
Authors who stop at one format leave impact and opportunity on the table.
What’s Next for Sam Demma?
Sam is already building on the momentum. He is writing another book (title still under wraps), and he continues expanding his speaking work and family programming. His message remains consistent: people should do good without expecting recognition or ROI. They should do good because it is right, and the return will show up in ways you cannot always measure, but can feel.
With a professionally produced audiobook now supporting the book, Sam is positioned to reach more families, more schools, and more people who need a reminder that one small act can change someone’s entire day.
FAQ: Children’s Audiobook Production & Full-Cast Audiobook Narration
What is full-cast audiobook production?
Full-cast audiobook production uses multiple voice actors to play different characters, often paired with music and sound design. This approach creates a more immersive audiobook experience, especially for children’s stories.
Why do children’s audiobooks benefit from music and character voices?
Children stay engaged longer when the audiobook feels like a performance. Music and character voices support attention, emotion, and memory, helping kids connect with the story more deeply.
How long does it take to produce a children’s audiobook?
Timelines vary based on length, casting, and production style, but children’s audiobook production often moves faster when the process is streamlined and the author provides clear creative direction.
Can audiobook production help authors increase reach and book sales?
Yes. Audiobook narration expands accessibility and gives audiences more ways to engage with a story. Many authors use audiobook production to reach people who prefer listening, increase distribution opportunities, and deepen audience connection.
What makes a professionally produced audiobook different from basic narration?
Professional audiobook production includes higher-quality audio engineering, improved storytelling pacing, and often additional creative elements like music, sound effects, or full-cast narration. It creates a more polished listening experience.
Ready to Turn Your Book Into an Audiobook? (CTA Block)
If you are exploring audiobook production for a children’s book, nonfiction title, or brand story, professional audiobook narration can help you expand reach, improve accessibility, and create a deeper connection with your audience.
