It's A Blog Tour To Celebrate The Return Of The Breakfast Buddies In Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Short & Sweet

Depending on the number of days you've been fortunate to reside on this planet, you have at least once wished you could go back in time.  You may want to dial back to relive a magical moment, see a loved one who died, or right a wrong. As each decade passes you miss certain physical advantages of youth.

It seems this challenge of aging is not simply part of the human condition.  It affects all living things, even characters in picture books.  We first met the delicious duo, the breakfast buddies, in Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Sterling Children's Books, September 2, 2015) as they raced toward a flavorful finish.  They returned to solve a mystery in Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Sterling Children's Books, May 2, 2017).  Non-stop action figured heavily in their third adventure titled Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Mission Defrostable (Sterling Children's Books, September 25, 2018) (Cover reveal and interview) For their fourth frolic in the fridge, we find them with a visible dilemma.  In Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Short & Sweet (Sterling Children's Books, September 1, 2020) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney the fearsome friends are fading. 

Still in the fridge and behind the Swiss chard,

in their apartment on Crust Boulevard,

prepping a tea party, ready to host,

stood Lady Pancake beside Sir French Toast.

As they finished their work, each of them noticed a striking difference in their appearance.  They were going stale! Their newly acquired friend, Baron von Waffle confirmed their worst fears, but he also had a solution.  He led them to Professor Biscotti's lab.  It seemed she had a 

patented DE-spoiling ray.

More than a bit apprehensive, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast took their seats and waited to be zapped.  After the smoke cleared, Lady Pancake, Sir French Toast, Baron von Waffle and Professor Biscotti were shocked.  Shrinked to children, the pancake and French toast fled in fear of the giant waffle.  Baron von Waffle was reduced to tears at the loss of his pals.

Much shorter, the duo scampered through Bran Canyon, over, down, and toward enticing edible places.  Eventually, they discovered something better than Pasta Playgroud.  It was the library.  Meanwhile, back at Professor Biscotti's lab, she and Baron von Waffle were mixing up a savory strategy.  As we all known, the best-laid plans can sometimes be a recipe for disaster.

Tension mounted between the adults. Baron von Waffle finally noticed a tasty trick for success can be used more than once.  Listen.  Is that the sounds of Born To Fun or maybe Carrot Clemons is soloing in Crumbleland?

In a word, this title (as are the previous publications in the series) is fun with a capital F.  You'll dash from one scrumptious second to the next relishing the word play and beautifully, balanced beat supplied by the ingenuity of author Josh Funk.  Every rhyming couplet carries the plot forward to its final harmonious happening.  From the boundaries of a refrigerator Josh Funk has presented a bounty of choice cuisine to enjoy again and again.  Here is a passage.

"Phew! Are we safe now?" asked Toast at Pie Pier.

Pancake responded, "No waffles 'round here."

Then in the distance they spotted Limes Square.

Pancake asked, "Race ya?" And Toast said, "I'm there!"

[Note: I am working with a digital copy.]

Readers will hardly be able to contain their smiles and laughter when they first see the front of the dust jacket of this book.  The breakfast buddies are considerably smaller, one carrying a baby blanket and the other a teddy bear.  They are each near a stack of books with puns galore in the titles. This is a foreshadowing of an interior image.  To have the glass of milk, partially spilled, with the cascading cookies about them is a notable nod to the title.

The opening and closing endpapers are a pattern of assorted fruits, vegetables, and desserts found in a refrigerator.  Maple syrup is highlighted as is a juice box.  This is done in several shades of pale red.

There is little doubt readers will be pausing at every single page to ponder the multitude of clever details Brendan Kearney includes in his illustrations.  Everything is food related.  The sofa in Lady Pancake's and Sir French Toast's home is fashioned from bread slices as the back and a sub sandwich as the seat.  Professor Biscotti's DE-spoiling ray is pure genius.  

The size of the visuals switches from two-page pictures to full-page images, and then to a series of smaller illustrations on one or two pages.  The shifts in size place emphasis on the pacing.  At the close of the book is a spectacular double-page wordless picture with another wordless vertical gatefold disclosing the wonder to be found in a fridge created by this author and this illustrator.

The showcased food is highly animated with expressive facial features, and the signature stick-style legs and arms.  The hair and hats on the main characters are perfection.  Brendan Kearney uses a blend of bright and pastel colors.  Sometimes background elements fade to etching to draw our attention to the main characters.

One of my many, many favorite illustrations is on a single page.  It's when we first meet Professor Biscotti and see her DE-spoiling ray.  The ray itself (which I won't describe) sits on a machine made of a chunk of cheese with halved orange slices along the bottom, red licorice, and a lollipop.  The assistants to the professor are a group of cookies, all kinds of cookies.  The professor with a large dollop of chocolate curled around her face for hair is kneeling next to the machine with a wrench in her hand.  She is wearing a lab coat and round-rimmed glasses.

You will smile for hours after reading Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Short & Sweet by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney, and then you'll read it again.  The challenge faced by the children and the adults will further connect these companions to themselves and to readers.  Readers will find themselves desiring to eat breakfast, conceive their own rhyming food spaces, and think of puny book titles. You will surely want a copy of this book for your personal and professional collections to complete the set of fab four.

To discover more about Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney and their other work, please access their respective websites by following the links attached to their names.  Josh Funk has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  Brendan Kearney has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  There is a scheduled virtual launch party at An Unlikely Story Bookstore & Cafe for September 1, 2020 at 7pm.  Please follow the link to register.  Enjoy the book trailer and be sure to visit other sites on this tour for numerous interviews and insights.

Mission Defrostable (Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast #3) Cover Reveal

It's one of those evenings at the end of a day when nothing seems to go according to plan.  In fact, the word plan has completely left your vocabulary.  On days such as these there is only one thing to do.  There is only one surefire cure; breakfast for dinner.  Those three words have a magical effect.  It's time to whip up a batch of waffles, pancakes or French toast or all three!

As you gather ingredients, utensils, and cookware, lightness fills your spirit.  You can easily imagine the wondrous odors swirling around you chasing away the woes of the day.  It's like having a warm, comforting blanket wrapped around you.  JUST A SECOND!  Why is it so cold in here?  Did someone leave the freezer door open?

It's hard to believe more than three years ago on March 9, 2015 readers were introduced to two delectable food friends, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast.  The cover reveal for Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Sterling Children's Books, September 1 2015) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney caused quite a stir among the refrigerator crowd.  The release of the title caused an even greater sensation among the ranks of racers.  It's surprising (or not) what someone will do for the last drop of maple syrup.

By December 13, 2016 the book trailer premiere for The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Lady Pancake Sir French Toast) had people toe-tapping and hand-clapping as they awaited the release date of the companion title, a malodorous mystery.  The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Lake Pancake Sir French Toast) (Sterling Children's Books, May 2, 2017) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney had people guessing and gathering clues until the final whiff was taken.

I am happy to welcome author Josh Funk back to Librarian's Quest.  In this third escapade by the breakfast buddies, Mission Defrostable, a chilly chill is permeating the entire refrigerator realm.  What can you tell us, Josh, about this dangerous situation?  Will the duo be racers or sleuths?

If Book #1 was a race, and Book #2 was a mystery, then Book #3 is an action adventure full of twists, surprises, revenge and double-and triple-crosses.  In Mission Defrostable, the fridge is inexplicably freezing over, and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are recruited to help get to the bottom of things.

You have brought to this daring duo's deeds yet another new character.  How would you describe this character to readers?

Agent Asparagus of the F. B. I. (Fridge Bureau of Investigation) leads the charge to determine the cause of the big freeze.  Frankly, when Asparagus shows up, not much is known about her or the F. B. I. - but as Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are counted on as leaders in the fridge, they quickly offer to help.

I believe you are a fan of fairy tales, Josh.  Is this story based upon a particular fairy tale?

I don't believe so-so if you notice something, it certainly wasn't intentional.  Mission Defrostable was based on some of my favorite action adventure movies like Indiana Jones and Mission: Impossible. 

In this story the theme of friendship seems to be stronger than ever.  Do you care to comment on this, Josh?

Truthfully, I don't think I went into writing any of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast adventures with any themes in mind.

In Book 1, there's definitely the 'don't waste time bickering and arguing - or everyone loses' theme.  In Book 2, it ended up with a 'don't judge a character who's down on his luck by his appearance (and odor)' theme.

Or in other words, you're right; the theme of both is friendship.

In Book 3, it's ... well, yes - friendship again.  But this time it might be more with a twist of 'give people a chance to befriend you - don't assume they don't want to be friends'.

Now you've got me wondering why the theme of friendship is so prevalent in this series.  What might this say about the relationship I have with food? Hmmmm . . .

Is there anything else you would like to share with readers before we reveal the exciting new cover for Mission Defrostable?

Well, I'm pretty psyched about this book.  It's probably the best one yet.  And so is the cover!  I think it's brilliant - it works both as a winter book (cold theme) - but also as a summer book (see the popsicles).  Illustrator Brendan Kearney has done it again!

And thank you, Margie, for hosting this cover reveal!  You're the best! 

Thank YOU, Josh, for visiting here again and for the honor of revealing this frosty fabulous cover. 

It seems our fearless adventurers are ready to spring into action when dastardly deeds have upset the status quo for the inhabitants of the refrigerator.  Obviously the popsicles are happier than happy at the turn of the temperature but others are shivering with the chilly chills.  Brendan Kearney has managed to give us the feeling of an icy atmosphere but our heroes maintain warmth with their true hearts.  I have to admit that looking at the ice cream carton in the center has me dreaming about my next hot fudge sundae.  

To discover more about Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney please follow the links attached to their names to access their respective websites.  Both Josh and Brendan maintain blogs which are linked at their websites.  You can find them on Twitter at @joshfunkbooks and @brendandraws

The Breakast Buddies Are On The Case of the Stinky Stench--Book Trailer Premiere

It doesn’t matter whether you are the cook or the consumer; a batch of pancakes, French toast or even waffles any time of the day is cause for a culinary celebration.  Each mouth-watering bite is ambrosia for your senses.  The smell circulating in the air will not only lift your spirits for the moment but take you back to all those wonderful memories associated with the delight…WAIT A MINUTE!  WHAT IS THAT REVOLTING REEK?

On Monday March 9, 2015 the world met two new delicious children’s literature characters in the cover reveal for Josh Funk’s debut picture book, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, illustrated by Brendan Kearney.  In this post we were treated to behind-the-scenes information from both Josh and Brendan about the process for creating a narrative and pictorial fun and funny fare.  When Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast was found on bookshelves in our favorite stores and libraries on September 1, 2015 we discovered the breakfast buddies did battle but they realized everything is not as it appears…or disappears.

In their second adventure to be released in the spring of 2017, the cuisine companions heed a desperate call to action from a pastry pal.  Something malodorous this way wafts.  What will the duo discover?

HAPPY BOOK-TRAILER-REVEAL DAY TO YOU JOSH!  Thank you for visiting Librarian’s Quest again.  It’s an honor to have you back today.  Ever the answer-seeker, I have a few questions for you before the curtains rise on the production.

As if two foods having a race for the last drop of maple syrup is not inventive enough, this time their adventure takes not the form of a competition but of a mystery.  Granted that at the end of their first escapade the duo decide working as friends is better (to taste butter), what made you decide to have them become sleuths?

Well, Margie, have you ever opened the fridge and realized that something went bad? You know that you’ve got to immediately find the culprit and get rid of it before the entire house is consumed. So you start with the usual suspects: the dairy, the leftover takeout, maybe some spoiled produce that slipped in the cracks. And if you’re lucky, you discover it quickly.

But sometimes, after sticking your nose into nearly every jar, tub, and container … you still haven’t found it. So you end up spending all day cleaning the fridge. And when the fridge is nearly empty, and you think you’ll never find it, and you wonder whether your sense of smell has been permanently destroyed, it turns out to be the last thing you’d have suspected. Maybe that hasn’t happened to you, but I’ve certainly been there once or twice.

The first book was a race, a competition. But there’s a whole world inside the fridge. In this adventure we experience a mystery. Maybe next time it’ll be a spy thriller...

What prompted the introduction of another character as the Inspector?

Just like I couldn’t have (spoiler alert) either Lady Pancake or Sir French Toast get the syrup in the first book, it would have been unfair to make just one of them a detective (I mean, which would be Holmes and which would be Watson?). And if they both were detectives, they’d constantly bicker … again (and we’ve already seen that). So we meet Inspector Croissant.

In some ways, both Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are side characters in this story and Inspector Croissant takes the lead. As he’s Sir French Toast’s nephew, we get that he’s younger, and very inexperienced (and unsuccessful) at detective work. And I know someone will say “who puts croissants in a fridge?” to which I’ll answer, “Emily Dickinson, of course!”

Your food places such as Trifle Tower, Taco Bridge and Marshmallow Coast add to the whole picture of a refrigerator being an entirely unexplored world.  How do you think of these places?  Is there a special technique you use?

As soon as I saw Brendan Kearney’s art for the original Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, I began to imagine all the things that were possible in the fridge-world he created. It was magical. All I had to do was come up with some absurd combination of location-mixed-with-food … and Brendan would create a visual representation that far exceeded my expectations.

And I generally write about foods that I like. I think I knew I wanted to work some sort of mexican food into the story and enchiladas don’t work with the rhyme scheme. But tacos do, and they’re easy to say (and tasty to eat!). It actually took a while to figure out what the coast was gonna be. I think at one point it was some sort of pie. But who wouldn’t want to swim around and slurp up that ooey gooey ocean Brendan drew (sorry - hold on a sec - let me wipe the drool off my mouth).

The tune is very catchy for this trailer Josh.  The voices are familiar.   Is it the same group as your previous trailer for the first title?  Did you write the words? the music?

Thanks, Margie! Yes, the voices are me, me, me, me, me, me, and me. I also wrote and arranged all the words and music. If the GarageBand app existed when I was in college, I’d probably be a rockstar right now (or at least a roadie). As it was, all I had was a four-track recorder - which was much more difficult to use than my phone. I’ve recorded all of the audio for all of my trailers on my phone. It’s so fun!

I know you are very knowledgeable about computer software.  Did you create this trailer, Josh?

I did. I made it with iMovie (on a laptop, not my phone).Other than a few custom images I created (using gimp), it’s mostly just a slideshow set to the song. Not too tricky to create. It gets a little easier every time, and this is the fourth one I’ve made (the first three being Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, Pirasaurs!, and Dear Dragon).

Are there any final thoughts you would like to share with readers before we reveal the trailer?

I hope you enjoy it. I know Jess Keating thinks it’s a little creepy, but that’s just because she has a debilitating fear of glockenspiels. Oh, and make sure to clean out your fridges before May 2nd!

BOOK TRAILER:

Thank you so much for hosting the trailer, Margie! I can’t wait to share the entire book with everyone! Give my best to Mulan!

You are most welcome, Josh. Mulan thinks these books are pretty tasty. Clearly readers are in for a rollicking romp as our intrepid heroes seek to rid the fridge of the foul fragrance.  Who or what could be the cause of the interior’s destruction?  With each page turn, the clues will be compiled.  Dare we speculate on the despicable scoundrel responsible?

Thank you Josh for answering these questions and for giving readers another chapter in the lives of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast.  I know you will want to learn more about Josh Funk and his other work which you can do by following the link attached to his name to access his website.  Josh Funk also maintains a blog brimming with information about his books and the writing process.  Josh can be found promoting all children’s literature on Twitter at @joshfunkbooks.

Breakfast Buddies Battle

Anyone with an ounce of sense will tell you it's ridiculous.  You think it's ridiculous.  There are certain books though, books you have finished reading, which cause you to look at inanimate objects with a different mindset and a more cautious approach.  The line between fiction and maybe-it-could-be-real tends to blur in these stories.

Long after the cover is closed there's a teeny, tiny voice in your mind whispering words, reminding you.  Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Sterling Children's Books, September 1, 2015) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney will have you wondering about those odd noises you hear your refrigerator make after all the lights are out.  Even in the middle of the day upon opening the door, your eyes will scan the shelves wondering if something (someone) has moved.

Deep in the fridge and behind the green peas,
way past the tofu and left of the cheese,
up in the corner, and back by a roast,
sat Lady Pancake beside Sir French Toast.

Within seconds of hearing the news, the two best friends become rivals in a race.  There is only one drop, a single sweet taste, of maple syrup left.  They both want it. (cue Chariots of Fire).

Food becomes a forest, a fountain and a mountain to navigate at an ever-increasing speed.  They strive to be first abandoning caution.  One nearly falls off a ledge; the other does plunging into a jar of jam.

Nimble Lady Pancake rappels with ease using pasta and leaps over veggies and a fruit like a champion hurdler. Surpassing the skill and style of medal-winning Alpine skiers Sir French Toast swiftly glides from a summit of sauerkraut.  There's a thump!  Then someone else is mired in a spicy mix of mud.

Ignoring the plea of a chickpea starts an icebox disaster.  A ladder provides safety and leverage.  A parachute supplies a heightened view.  The duo, looking the worse for wear and feeling it too, trudge toward their goal.  Finally standing side by side with the bottle reached, they are stunned.  Evil lurks when you have your eyes on the wrong prize.


If there were a contest for rhyming with rhythm, Josh Funk would walk home with the blue ribbon.  Not only do his characters run, romp and roam through the confines of a household appliance with rambunctious remarks but his words leap off the pages and linger in our collective minds.  Each has been chosen with care entertaining us and asking us to look at our food as a landscape of possibilities. Here is another passage.

Pancake made use of her seafaring skills
and sailed across oceans of soup, causing spills.


When you open the dust jacket and run your hands over the front and back you will notice the heavy textured paper.  On the front, on and around the jar, the elements are raised.  The crown, dots, ampersand and moustache are in copper foil.  Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are off and running with a smile and a glint in their eyes.  On the back readers are treated to the reverse of the front, the jar, beans and the two main characters.  A third party lurks off to the left, foreshadowing an unexpected future.

On the opening and closing endpapers Brendan Kearney, in two shades of green, has sketched in outlines all varieties of food.  The textual design from the front of the dust jacket and book case is repeated on the title page.  In full color, animated food is placed beneath it.

Rendered in pencils and digital media the illustrations span across two pages or single pages.  Kearny keeps us close to the action using color, shading, and circular framing.  Prominent characters including Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are boldly depicted many times against outlines of food stuff in the background.  Tiny dots, lines and curves portray an array of emotions on the other food.  At the close of the story two brilliantly hued images will delight readers as will the special fold-out.

One of my favorite illustrations is of Lady Pancake.  She is sailing in the soup.  An appetizer pick with a tiny flag on top is her mast.  Swiss cheese is her sail.  It looks like she is standing on a bow of bratwurst.  At the moment her gaze is triumphant.

Are you introducing a unit on food?  Are you hosting an overnight party, needing a book for breakfast?  Are you teaching a writing unit on rhyme?  Are you looking for a fun food fight without the mess?  Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney is exactly the book you need.  Readers and listeners will be cheering for their favorite but realize, as the pals do, most things are not worth the loss of friendship.

To discover more about Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney please follow the links attached to their names to access their respective websites.  Josh Funk maintains a blog.  Brendan Kearney's blog is older but has some great illustrations there.  I was fortunate enough to interview both Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney when their cover was revealed.  John Schumacher, Scholastic Ambassador for School Libraries and blogger at Watch. Connect. Read. premiered the book trailer.  If you go to Josh Funk's page for this title he has a complete list of all articles, interviews, blog posts and podcasts relative to this book.

UPDATE:  Josh Funk was recently a guest at Picture Books Help Kids Soar.  Read his interview. April 16, 2016

UPDATE:  Josh Funk was interviewed by Karlin Gray.August 15, 2016

Lady Pancake And Sir French Toast Cover Reveal--Champions At Breakfast

When someone mentions breakfast the first thing I think of is Sundays.  Growing up, during the other six days of the week, we had cereal and fruit for the sake of brevity.  Sundays were not only designated family days in our home but they were a time for making pancakes for breakfast.  No one could make buttermilk or buckwheat pancakes like my dad.

Under his watchful eye we were allowed to help add and mix the ingredients.  The griddle had to be the right temperature.  After the batter was poured, we watched for the bubbles to form signaling the time to flip the pancakes over.  It was sheer heaven when the maple syrup was drizzled over the top before we took the first bite.  Without the maple syrup the meal would not be complete.  I shudder to think what would have happened if there was not enough maple syrup for everyone.

Debut picture book author, Josh Funk, is stopping by today with a monumental feast for our eyes regarding the release of his first picture book, Lady Pancake And Sir French Toast (Sterling, September 2015).  Bickering between his children when added to a mind relishing the thought of

funny ideas that will entertain 

and

something he would like to see illustrated

equal a rhyming race for readers.  Josh has graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions.

In your PiBoIdMo article you explain the competition between your two characters.  Could you briefly go over the main story line of the book again for readers here?

Hi, Margie!  Of course I can!  Inside a food-filled-fridge, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast are the best of leftover friends-UNTIL they find out there's only a single drop left of maple syrup left in the bottle.  Almost instantly they begin racing through the fridge for that last drop-causing calamitous culinary chaos along the way.

I do think the blurb written by the folks at Sterling Children's does a great job of summing it up, too:  

"A thoroughly delicious picture book about the funniest "food fight!" ever! Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have a beautiful friendship—until they discover that there's ONLY ONE DROP of maple syrup left. Off they go, racing past the Orange Juice Fountain, skiing through Sauerkraut Peak, and reeling down the linguini. But who will enjoy the sweet taste of victory? And could working together be better than tearing each other apart? The action-packed rhyme makes for an adrenaline-filled breakfast . . . even without a drop of coffee!"

How did you come to assign distinguished titles of royalty to their names?

Lady Pancake was always a Lady.  It's just the title that came out of my mouth (er...fingers on the keyboard) when drafting.  As a rhymer, a lot of it comes down to rhythm.  I'm a big stickler for rhythm in rhyming picture books and based on that it flowed well.  Sir French Toast was originally Mister, but some folks in my critique group suggested sticking with the royalty theme (in fact, I just dug out that first draft from late 2011.  It was Carole who suggested Sir-so thank you, Carole).

But the real question is why did breakfast foods get regal names?  Well, to my mouth and stomach, there is no more majestic and dignified meal than an exquisite brunch buffet.

Why did you select the particular setting for your characters over another scenario?

Maybe it's just me, but I've always been suspicious about what goes on inside the fridge when the door is closed.  I imagine it's like Toy Story, but with food.  Which foods would be friends?  Who are the leaders?  Who are the troublemakers? (I'm looking at you Brussels sprouts)  Who are the villains?  What would happen in a bean avalanche?  Come on, Margie, you must have wondered about these things?

And as you already noted, I write what I'd like to see illustrated.  And Brendan Kearney did an amazing job of depicting this setting-so much better than I thought it could ever be.

As a matter of fact, Josh, I have wondered what happens behind the closed door of the refrigerator.  My food seems to disappear.  There have been days when I've looked at Xena with a more critical eye.  

 Do you prefer pancakes or French toast?

Waffles.

Is maple syrup your favorite topping for pancakes or French toast?

I gotta say, a high quality maple syrup from Vermont or Canada is fabulous, although I don't have such an experienced palette as to distinguish between grades of Golden or Amber, etc.  The boysenberry syrup at IHOP is a personal family favorite, but I couldn't have that all the time.

Do you have anything else you would like readers to know?

I just want to thank you, Margie, for hosting my debut Cover Reveal!  I've been a huge fan of your site for a while and I'm honored to have this little book be a part of your world.

And hi, Xena!

Thank you Josh for your kind words.  Woof! Woof! Xena sends you doggy snuggles.



I was able to connect with Brendan Kearney about his illustrations for Lady Pancake And Sir French Toast to ask him a few questions.


From the time you first read the manuscript until the finished illustrations, how much time did it take?

This varies from project to project, but the illustrations for this book came together
fairly quickly.  I think Josh, Sterling and I had a similar idea for the feel of the book from the
beginning.  It took about 6 months to get from manuscript to final art and then a few weeks of tweaking and making adjustments.


Could you briefly explain your process and form of medium used to create the pictures?

I draw all the lines by hand with black colouring pencils.  I then scan the drawings and colour and texturise them digitally.

What is your favorite character Lady Pancake or Sir French Toast and why?

I love all the characters in this book, but I had some real fun coming up with all the background character, like the broccoli and the beans.  I love adding detail to my work, and it was especially fun to add faces to everything, bringing everything to life. ☺

Without further ado let's dive into this delicious treat, the cover reveal for Lady Pancake And Sir French Toast.  My appetite for this scrumptious read is growing by the minute.

Clearly we may be looking at morning meal mayhem with the royal duo on the run.  I can think of several questions I hope are answered in the story especially the presence of spilled beans.  Brendan Kearney's color palette is absolutely mouth-watering; a pleasing mix of warm hues on a soft cool background.  I'm also getting a distinct craving for maple syrup.  How about you?

I want to extend my thanks to both Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney for answering my questions.  To discover more about each of them and their work please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names.  Josh Funk's blog contains wonderful posts about this title and his thoughts on the writing process in general.  Brendan Kearney's blog on Tumblr contains bits and pieces of his artistic life.  Brendan Kearney's Facebook page is a great place to visit.
Josh Funk is on Twitter @papafunk  Brendan Kearney is on Twitter @brendandraws

I have started a Pinterest board for this title including recipes, other books about breakfast food especially pancakes.  I am thinking of including books about the ingredients found in both pancakes and French toast along with lessons in following directions and the math used to cook.  Other suggestions are welcome.

Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Activity Kits are now available! https://t.co/PAyWUeQsjo pic.twitter.com/Z219YpnjIt

— Josh Funk (@joshfunkbooks) July 25, 2015