Over the years most of us will enjoy sharing our lives with a pet. Their companionship is invaluable, even though most of them cannot speak our language. In fact some of the most peculiar pets are not even alive. In 1975, Gary Dahl subsequently became a millionaire with his introduction and invention of the Pet Rock. Cleverly packaged with instructions, it was an instant phenomenon. In the early 1980s another kind of pet, this one a living plant, skyrocketed to fame. Chia Pets are still being produced today thanks to Joe Pedott and his company.
Regardless of the kind of pet in your life, you probably would be as shocked as the protagonist in this story when she wakes one morning. My Pet Feet (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, August 23, 2022) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by debut picture artist Billy Yong is an alphabetical quest. Through a laugh-out-loud narrative with equally funny images, we journey to right a wrong realizing we need the total twenty-six member team.
Today I woke up and was about
to feed my pet when---
"What happened to my pet feet?
I mean my pet feet. Why can't I say 'FEET'?"
It seems that Doodles, this child's pet ferret has become her pet feet. Pet feet?! Scanning her room for possible answers, she notices the letter r is missing from her alphabet mural. Running to her friend Lucas for help, this girl is in for another series of surprises.
The world minus the letter r has turned into mayhem. Lucas is no longer her friend but a fiend. She and Doodles run from a flock of cows (crows) seeking shelter at the doo (door) of the town hall, but they obviously cannot get inside. In desperation, the girl and Doodles climb to the top of a cane (crane) beside the structure.
From this vantage point, she ponders this problem. What has happened to all the eighteenth symbols of the alphabet? In her frustration, she declares she does not want pet feet forever. At Doodles' hurt expression, she hurries to apologize, but Doodles runs away. She tries to catch him. She tries to find him. Doodles is nowhere to be found.
Determined not to give up, she finally discovers him at a sandy beach. Across and on the water, they spy a pirate ship. Oh, yes my friends, a pirate ship. Boarding the vessel after a swim, guess what they discover? Quickly, one letter r and a second letter r are given to Doodles. Back home, everything is normal, or is it? Bedtime supplies the duo with another startling stumper.
Stellar wordsmith Josh Funk presents readers with an instant dilemma. It's not every day you wake up to find your pet ferret has been reduced to feet. With a combination of first person narrative and dialogue, we traverse this mystery with the girl and Doodles. The tension is heightened when it is apparent no one else notices this travesty except the girl and her furry friend. Alliteration contributes to the fast-paced cadence. Here is a passage.
"Come back!" I shouted.
I chased Doodles past a fog and toad,
by the old babbling book, down a tail,
and into a gassy field.
Digitally rendered, the illustrations by Billy Yongare as highly animated throughout the book as we see on the dust jacket. (I am working with an F & G.) The bright, light blue canvas spans the entire jacket. By the wide-eyed expressions on the girl and her ferret we know, even before opening the book, disaster has struck. To the left of the spine, within a circle we see the girl hugging her beloved pet, her whole pet. There is a vivid green border around this image. The first sign of this illustrator's cleverness and attention to detail are four bees buzzing in the lower, right-hand corner just to the left of the spine. One of the bee's wings covers the letter r in Schuster.
The opening endpapers in a midnight blue feature drawings in a light blue. They are elements created by the missing letter r. On the closing endpapers, in a dark rust, the drawings in light brown showcase items after the letter r has been restored.
Billy Yong makes use of every single space to tell his pictorial story. The double-page picture for the title page is a scene of the child's home with large palm trees to the left. In one of the windows, she is waking up, stretching her arms, and yawning. The top of the home's two windows are decorated with the likeness of the top of a ferret's head. On the first two-page visual we get another hit of the conclusion to the story as we look outside from inside the girl's bedroom.
The images' sizes shift from double-page pictures to single-page illustrations and then to a series of smaller visuals to indicate a thought process. Readers will enjoy the two-page vertical image when the climb is made to the top of the crane. White space is used to excellent effect. Careful readers will notice humorous details. (I nearly fell out of my chair when I realized what was dragging a bagel across the street.)
One of my many favorite illustrations is the second two-page picture. This is when the girl first steps outside her home. On the street winding past her home and through the neighborhood, kids are racing by on go-cats. These vehicles are pure fun. The one on the left is close to readers. The child in the driver's seat is having their best day ever. Across the street on the right is a park. Here a policewoman is barely holding onto a wild hose. Water, in jet mode, shoots out the end as the hose twists and turns.
Author Josh Funk and artist Billy Yong have taken "what if" to hilarious new heights in My Pet Feet. Certain to generate laughter in readers and listeners as well as promote discussions about the importance of letters, words, and language, this title is a welcome addition to the picture book realm. You will want to have a copy for your professional collections as well as a spot on your personal bookshelves.
Throughout the United States and around the globe, there are specific structures, statues, and natural monuments or areas distinctive to specific places. We don't need a sign or a map to know where we are. Those formations are as familiar to us as the place we call home.
If we see Mount Kilimanjaro, we know we are in Tanzania, Africa. We know we are in Paris, France if we see the Eiffel Tower. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon signifies we are in the state of Arizona. When we face an enormous building and see statues of resting lions on either side of the steps leading to the large entrance, we know we are about to walk inside the New York Public Library. These statues are the main characters in recent publications. The first, Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude (Henry Holt and Company, August 28, 2018) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Stevie Lewis, takes readers through the wonders to be found in this marvelous institution as one lion searches for the other missing lion. These artistic collaborators created a companion title, Where Is Our Library (A Story of Patience & Fortitude) (Henry Holt and Company, October 27, 2020). In this newest adventure the duo discovers the contents of their favorite place have disappeared.
Just after midnight, as all New York dozed,
Silently dreaming in bed,
The last of the shops and the markets had closed,
When Fortitude lifted his head.
Now Patience was awake. The twosome was ready to spend the night reading. They enjoyed wandering around the New York Public Library when it was empty of patrons but not empty of books! The children's room was bookless!
Fortitude lead Patience to the bright lights in the center of the city, but the books were not in Times Square. Patience proposed a plan. Off the friends went to the sanctuary and past Central Park Zoo.
Arriving at the pond, the
clever old man with the hat
had not a clue. Alice (of Wonderland) suggested another statuesque literary fellow might assist them. HCA gave them a list of buildings to browse. Off the pals went from branch to branch, finding old and new stories but not their well-known tales. As the hours rushed past, the lions knew they needed to move fast.
Even the recommendation of a kite dragon failed to yield results. The approach of dawn started to light the sky. The dejected lions headed back to rest. Within mere minutes of home, they made a surprising discovery. Indeed, to read was to succeed.
Author Josh Funk has a knack for fashioning poetic narratives. In this tale of the two lions, the first and third, and second and fourth lines of each paragraph rhyme. Although dialog is part of these paragraphs; the rhythm flows flawlessly. We move through the night with curiosity, concern, and longing at each stop along with the feline friends. Here are two passages.
"I once heard the tale of a clever old man
Who sits with a hat in the park.
I'll bet if we ask him, he'll help if he can."
With that, they ran off in the dark.
They entered the park by some fancy hotels
And skirted a fountain or two.
Stealthy as foxes and swift as gazelles,
They scurried by Central Park Zoo.
When you open the dust jacket, the cityscape with lights glowing in windows continues its nocturnal vista on the other side of the spine to the left edge of the back. Neatly, here, the first title fits into the buildings with this text,
Patience and Fortitude,
the noble lions---and best friends---
who stand guard in front of the famed
New York Public Library,
are ready for their next adventure.
The lively figures of Patience and Fortitude on the right, front, speculate where they might journey to locate the missing books. Clearly, they are enjoying the sights of the city.
On the book case a matte-finished black is the canvas for architectural etchings of buildings. They are done in the golden yellow shown on the front of the dust jacket for the title text. The buildings are placed to emphasize perspective.
On the opening and closing endpapers we find Patience and Fortitude on a black background. On both sets of pages tiny floral details are present. In the first endpapers, the lions look forlornly at only six books between them. An abundance of books, most of them open, appear with the duo on the closing endpapers. The two lions are at rest in the top corners of a wide column of text reading:
The Sights of Where Is Our Library?
Six bulleted sections offer further information.
On the verso, dedication, and title pages Patience and Fortitude are walking toward the Children's Center with a single light illuminating them. A thin line of light comes from the Children's Center doorway.Each two-page picture and single-page image is a marvelous portrait of the lions, the New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, sights in the city, and other branches of the library by illustrator Stevie Lewis. The color palette accentuating nighttime is wonderful!
Readers will by enthralled by her attention to detail along with her literary liberties. The marquees in Times Square glimmer with the names of books and references to felines. When Patience and Fortitude enter the branch libraries careful readers will see more beloved book titles like Ida, Always, Nana in the City, Red & Lulu, The Gardener, and The Curious Garden.
One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a double-page visual. It shows the feline friends traveling through Central Park. Many of the prominent features of the park are shown. They start in the upper, left-hand corner looping back and forth, cross the gutter and loop around the pond to the group of statues from Alice in Wonderland. Their trip is highlighted by longer dashes in a contrasting hue to the shades of night, but alike those colors in the carousel.
Whether readers live in or near New York City or thousands of miles away, they will be captivated by the explorations found in Where Is Our Library? (A Story of Patience & Fortitude) written by Josh Funk with artwork by Stevie Lewis. You'll want to use this in a storytime about libraries, books, reading, or for the sheer fun of adventure. I know your personal and professional collections will benefit from having a copy of this book.
To learn more about Josh Funk and Stevie Lewis and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their respective websites. Josh Funk has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Stevie Lewis has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr. Both Josh Funk and Stevie Lewis are guests at Maria Marshall's site. At the publisher's website you can view interior images. There is also an activity guide for both books.
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, andtoward 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.
Distance and decades do not weaken the bond between them. Unexpected circumstances do not deter these individuals. Strength, courage and good fortune are offered in the face of weakness, fear and adversity. They tend to place others first and themselves second.
Friends appear when they are least expected and most needed. They know us better than we know ourselves. In the following three volumes published in 2018, friends come in all shapes and sizes.
Friends Stick Together (Dial Books for Young Readers, April 10, 2018) written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison (Extraordinary Jane and Bernice Gets Carried Away) is a classic case of the attraction of opposites. What's one to do when another wishes you would disappear? You don't give up.
I'm Rupert. I like reading dictionaries, listening to classical overtures, and eating cucumber sandwiches with no crust.
The next character we meet is Levi. He is not a rhinoceros, but he is a tickbird. Corny jokes, armpit farts and popping wheelies are a few of his favorite things.
One minute he isn't in Rupert's classroom and the next minute he is on Rupert's nose. Levi is one obnoxious bird and he won't leave Rupert alone. Rupert doesn't really have many friends but Levi chases everyone away.
Rupert starts a campaign to get rid of Levi. Rupert tries once, twice and three times to vanquish this pest. Finally, the truth works and Levi leaves.
Levi does not appear at school the following day; not in music, or gym class and not during lunch. Guess what? Rupert is miserable without Levi. There is a path to take. Will Rupert follow it?
Author Hannah E. Harrison begins slowly and with intention acquainting us with the two main characters. They are total opposites which brings in the humor. It intensifies in a combination of narrative and conversations. When each character reaches their point of no return, we are hopeful and totally engaged in the story. One clever bit of writing by Hannah E. Harrison is the inclusion of two different definitions of symbiosis at the beginning and at the end of the story. This ties every portion of the story together. Here is a passage.
During lunch, he makes a big to-do about eating my ticks, and grosses everyone out.
"Yummy! Tastes like chicken!" "Just kidding, tastes like tick!"
What people remember the most about the artwork of Hannah E. Harrison in her books is her portraits of her animal characters. Their animated body positions and facial expression endear them to us. When we look at the front of the matching dust jacket and book case, we can already see the distinction between Rupert and Levi; the one is straight-laced, and the other is happy-go-lucky. We are already curious about events to come.
To the left, on the back, Levi is standing with his arms spread wide and says:
"A friend is a friend through TICK and thin!"
The opening and closing endpapers are different. The first is a blue and white check. The second is shades of golden yellow-orange in an argyle pattern. Rendered with acrylic paint on Bristol board the illustrations shift in size to place emphasis on portions of the story and assist with pacing.
There are collections of small images, full-page pictures, and illustrations in circular shapes with elements extended beyond their borders. Sound effects inserted in the visuals add to the emotional engagement of readers. Although all the items in the illustrations are valuable Hannah E. Harrison makes sure our attention is drawn to the animals.
Her animals look and act as if they could walk off the page at any minute. Their physical traits are realistic, but how many rhinoceros do you know that own headsets for listening to Beethoven? You can hardly contain your laughter at Levi making arm farts when he's on the back of Rupert.
One of my many favorite pictures is a bird's eye view of Rupert on the spinning roundabout. He is hanging on tight as can be with most of his body off and above the ground as it circles. He is hoping Levi will fly off. This takes up most of the full-page picture on a grassy background.
While enjoying the antics of Levi and the annoyance of Rupert, readers also see the value in having a friend, even if at first we are not sure of their intentions. Friends Stick Together written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison is an excellent selection for an introduction to symbiosis and friendship. By following the link attached to Hannah E. Harrison's name, you can access her website. At the publisher's website you can view interior illustrations. Hannah E. Harrison is interviewed at Brightly.
Being a new student in a new town is rarely easy for any gal or guy. If you happen to be a child genius, it's even harder to acquire friends. Albie Newton (Sterling Children's Books, May 1, 2018) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Ester Garay is an exploration of the dynamics of friendship.
Little Albie Newton was a thinker from the start. He built a mega-stroller after taking his apart.
Before attending school, this brilliant boy counted to infinity and learned multiple languages with ease. A cheerful song was sung by his classmates on Albie Newton's first day in the classroom and that gave him an idea. He would build a gift hoping to make new friends.
It wasn't long before everyone realized Albie was super smart. They would do one activity and he would do another. They were painting shapes on paper during art and Albie created a masterpiece like those seen in museums. Soon he was working alone, gathering discarded items and sneaking away with materials others were using.
During reading time the noise from Albie's newly established science lab rang out over the entire school. Albie just kept working. His classmates were at the proverbial end of their collective ropes. They were mad. Shirley stopped them in their tracks. Wait a minute!
She asked them to look at Albie's creation. It was a spectacular sensation. (I couldn't resist the urge to rhyme.) In a heartbeat they knew this wasn't going to be a normal year. Albie was going to take them into their wildest imaginations.
Readers are quickly invited into the story of Albie with the cadence Josh Funk builds through his use of language. Every two sentences or phrases has a rhyming word at the end. What is striking about Albie is he does not flaunt his intelligence but uses it instead to form friendships. Readers will also appreciate the wisdom Josh gives to Shirley; the ability to see deeper into Albie's persona. Here are two passages.
Kai and Jane played dress-up till they heard a giant CRASH! Albie dumped the garbage bin and sifted through the trash. Arjun ate his snack and finished Albie's cleanup duties as Albie built a science lab (and found a cure for cooties!)
The bright red used as a canvas for the matching dust jacket and book case spreads cheer to all who see it. Albie looks like someone you want to know. All the gadgets and gizmos surrounding him peak your curiosity. Who are the cat and red-haired girl? What is the significance of the watch? Portions of the front of the jacket are varnished.
To the left, on the back, text further invites us to open the book. Images of Albie, his drawings and new friends have us wondering what will happen next. On the opening and closing endpapers all kinds of tools, scientific experiments, drawings and pictures, placed on a green background, hint at what is to come and what happens. The two sets of endpapers are different.
Illustrator Ester Garayrendered the illustrations digitally. On the title page the text is fashioned from tools Albie might use in his inventions. Each image, sometimes two on a page, full-page, or double-page, is lively and filled with fun-loving details. The hamster in the classroom is also singing to Albie on his first day at his new school. The pictures and posters on the classroom wall make you wish you were a student there, too.
One of my many favorite pictures spans two pages. On the left, Shirley, the red-haired girl is peeking around a barricade of blue storage crates. She watches Albie hard at work on his invention. Albie has built a lab from other furniture in the classroom. He, wearing special glasses, is totally focused on his latest project. There are lots of pieces of objects around him.
When I think of Albie Newton written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Ester Garay I know there are children who can readily identify with him from personal experience. This book shows readers there isn't a single right path to friendship. This is an excellent choice for a theme on friendship, inventions and determination. To learn more about Josh Funk and Ester Garay, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites. Josh is interviewed at Jena Benton's website. The cover for this title is revealed at educator Pernille Ripp's website. The book trailer is premiered at KidLit TV. Josh has accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Ester has an account on Instagram.
Oh, the comfort many find in a treasured toy. Stuffed animals make wonderful friends. They can go wherever you go. They listen to your out-loud-thoughts, wishes, dreams, happiness and sadness. Their silence absorbs everything and provides constant reassurance.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if they could talk and walk? Brave Enough for Two (A Hoot & Olive Story) (Henry Holt and Company, June 12, 2018) written and illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss is about a girl and her toy owl and their remarkable adventures. Courage comes in many forms.
Hoot was Olive's very best friend in the whole wide world. But as you know, best friends don't always like the same things.
Their definition of adventure was one of their differences. Olive liked to read about them. Hoot preferred the action of experiencing them in real life. Hoot decided he was going to change Olive's outlook.
One day he took her to something he made, hoping to make her braver. It was a basket big enough for two, topped with a huge bundle of balloons. Olive worried about the heights they would climb. Hoot told her it would go up but not scary up. They went so high everything appeared in miniature below them. It was amazing but for Olive it was a bit frightening.
It started to rain. It started to storm. Olive was afraid they would get lost. As suddenly as it appeared, the thunder, lighting and rain left. (Whew!) Hoot got them safely to the ground, one balloon at a time.
Full of ideas, Hoot had another plan. They took that basket and used it like a boat on a river. It was going much too fast. They barely made it to shore. When they did, Hoot went quiet. He had a tear. His stuffing was coming out. In a beautiful reversal of roles, Olive knew exactly what they needed to do. And they did.
With gentleness and truth Jonathan D. Voss pens a story of friendship all would welcome. Each character recognizes their insecurities, but the other is there to bolster them. They do this with confidence, shown in the repetition of certain phrases. In a marvelous blend of narrative and conversations these characters find a special place in our hearts. Here are two passages.
"I've never been in a boat before," said Olive. "Then it will be the first time for both of us," said Hoot. "Will we go fast?" asked Olive. ""Maybe just a little," said Hoot, tying a flag to their new ship's mast. The boat bobbed and spun like a carnival ride. "What do you think?" asked Hoot. "I think we are going faster than just a little!" said Olive.
The view on the front of the dust jacket moves across the spine to the back. It's a peaceful pastoral scene with gorgeous clouds and birds which you can almost hear singing. Although Olive likes her adventure in books, she certainly looks determined in our introduction of her. Placing Hoot riding in the red wagon allows us to be surprised when he comes alive in the story. The single yellow balloon is a delightful bit of foreshadowing. The title text is varnished.
On the book case a wide, rich red (the shade seen on the dust jacket) creates a cover for the spine. To the left a single balloon floats in the air. On the right Olive is still pulling Hoot in the wagon but her stride has changed. The hues for these images are like old photographs, sepia-toned, in an album.
The pattern on the opening and closing endpapers is in two shades of green. It looks like wallpaper. A closer examination shows Olive holding Hoot's hand as they walk away from us. This is in the center of a leafy frame. On the verso page entwined leaves form a corner border. Olive and Hoot peek at each other around the trunk of a tree in the opposite corner. The basket and two balloons, in full color, are under the text on the title page.
The artist used watercolor with pen and ink on Arches Hot Press Watercolor Board and added color digitally to create the illustrations for this book.
Each picture is brimming with whimsy. Jonathan D. Voss shifts his perspective and image sizes. He often extends the illustration over the gutter to make a column for text. A smaller image in brown accompanies the narrative. Sometimes we are right next to the characters, other times it's as if we are birds watching them from the sky. And we often feel out breath catch when a double-page illustration is spread before us.
One of my many, many favorite illustrations is a double-page visual. From left to right a vista of rolling hills, plowed fields and hedgerows are spread before us. A clearing sky still holds stormy clouds, but a wide rainbow extends from the left, over the gutter and disappears to the top right. Just off center to the right, on the right, Olive and Hoot ride in the basket with the colorful balloons keeping them afloat. Their backs are to us. Readers will long to join them.
Tender and loving, this story, Brave Enough for Two (A Hoot & Olive Story) written by Jonathan D. Voss, is like having a best friend you can keep on your bookshelf to help you whenever you need it (of even if you don't). We would count ourselves very fortunate to have either of these two for a friend. Read this aloud often and share it widely, please. This is Jonathan D. Voss's author/illustrator debut.
To learn more about Jonathan D. Voss, please follow the link attached to his name to access his website. At his site and the publisher' website, you can view interior illustrations. Jonathan maintains an account on Twitter.
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 Kearneyplease 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
If there was ever a library so large people could literally get lost in there for hours or maybe even days, it would be wise to head to one section and one section only. Hopeful of finding the nonfiction books and then carefully following the numerical order on the spines, you should seek the 398.2 titles. Within folklore, fairy tales specifically, we can usually find our way home. Those stories entertain and educate us, as well as guide us to where happily ever after is possible.
Each variant on those original narratives enlarges our thinking about alternate and creative paths leading to the same ending. It's Not Jack And The Beanstalk (Two Lions, September 19, 2017) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Edwardian Taylor takes an entirely new approach. What if the characters rebel against the status quo?
Once upon a time, Jack lived in a tiny cottage in a dreary village. He always dreamed that someday he would find his fortune. Psst! Jack! Wake up! No-o-o-o. I'm dreaming... And put on some pants!
As the well-known events continue Jack needs to sell the cow, his only possession. Since this is no ordinary fairy tale, Jack objects. Bessie Cowpoke McPinwheel just happens to be Jack's BFF. He's even more upset to find out she's only worth five beans. Five beans!?
When their so-called magical qualities fail to function, he tosses them out the window after he's told he can't even eat one. (The poor lad is operating on an empty stomach.) Every time the unseen narrator moves forward in the action, Jack fails to comply without a grumble and a gripe. The next morning he is elated he did not eat a bean considering what grew overnight. He is also flabbergasted he has to climb it. (Who wrote this story anyway?)
With every phrase uttered by the narrator, Jack is increasingly belligerent. He's not tired from scaling the stalk plus he spies Cinderella's castle on his way up. An invitation is issued but the now equally frustrated voice reading the story urges him in no uncertain terms to keep going. Upon his arrival at the giant's home, an imminent clash ensues.
It's a blend of traditional and (cue Getting To Know You sung by Julie Andrews) exceedingly friendly conversation between a captured Jack and the giant. A rip roaring argument escalates between Jack and the giant (Fred) and the reader. If you can manage to stop laughing the conclusions, all of them, are exactly as they should be. The End. Maybe.
With every sentence read silently or aloud written by Josh Funk, you feel the urge to share this book. The snappy asides by the reader/narrator as part of the story text and Jack's comments provide an abundance of humor. As the story and alternate story unfold you can't help but wonder why more characters have not objected before Jack and Fred, the giant.
Another technique adding to the comedic effect is the use of modern phrases,
You're joking, right? SERIOUSLY? Spoiler alert.
The flow between the known narrative, the reader's statements, and Jack's and the giant's observations is seamless on the individual pages and as it resumes on the following pages. There is not a skipped beat in the cadence. Here is a sample passage.
Everything inside the house was tremendously large. Spoiler alert: A giant lives here. Can I go home now? Suddenly, Jack heard a booming voice--- FEE-FI-FO-FUM, I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN. Umm, that doesn't even rhyme. How about: Fee-fi-fo-fum, I can see the giant's bum?
Upon opening the exuberant, colorful dust jacket readers are treated to two views of the skyward climb up the beanstalk. Although our focus is drawn to the main character in each image, the two blend together nicely across the spine. The title text carved into a sign reflects the old world quality of the tale but the two painted words make it clear this will be no normal rendition of the story. To the left, on the back, framed in stalks and leaves, the giant's harp is singing out a fun challenge for readers. Two birds are watching her from above as ladybugs rest on a leaf. Bean blossoms are seen throughout the illustrations. (I am working from an F & G so I don't know if the book case is the same.)
On the opening and closing endpapers is a pattern featuring leaves, beans, Jack's backpack, his rope and ax, the magic beans, the magic bean bag, a compass, tiny blue gloves, boots, a framed picture of Bessie, tortilla chips and Jack's hat. These items are placed on a crisp white background. Across the verso and title pages a night scene with Jack and Bessie out and about amid fireflies is full of cheer and friendship.
Rendered digitally by Edwardian Taylorthe pictures vary in size from two page spans to single page illustrations and to smaller images set in larger ones. His shifting perspectives enhance the hilarity of this variation. His exaggerated facial expressions with the wide-eyed looks leave no doubt as to the current emotional state of the characters.
Careful readers will note familiar individuals even without reading the invitation on the back of the dust jacket. This draws attention to the details Edwardian Taylor includes in each picture. You pause to look because you don't want to miss any nuance he places in his pictures.
One of my many favorite illustrations is spread across two pages. The giant's face covers nearly every bit of space, edge to edge. His nose is meticulously aligned in the gutter. His mouth is open in anger. His fingertips grip the table edge. To the left of the picture a small human Jack, standing on the table with his arm, hand and finger raised to make a point, eyes closed, is stating a couple of facts, seemingly unconcerned with the trouble he is facing.
As soon as you begin It's Not Jack And The Beanstalk written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Edwardian Taylor you can already hear the laughter of readers and listeners. The very idea of characters objecting to the story line is funny enough but the chosen words and energetic pictures created by these two collaborators elevate the hilarity. You will most definitely want to place this title on your 398.2 professional shelves and add it to your personal fairy tale collections at home.
To discover more about Josh Funk and Edwardian Taylor and their other work please visit their websites by following the links attached to their names. Edwardian Taylor also has a Tumblraccount. The cover was revealed on Mile High Reading hosted by Dylan Teut, the director of Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival. Today at the Nerdy Book Club Josh revealed the book trailer.
On more than one occasion my canine companion stops in her tracks, nose sniffing the air with enthusiasm. Her sense of smell proves to be acute and highly accurate repeatedly. She may refuse to move, looking in one particular direction. To be able to detect odors with her skill is usually astonishing; a signal for caution or a declaration of company's arrival. At other times I imagine how unpleasant an aroma is.
As soon as the refrigerator door opens this same furry friend with four paws is sitting next to me; head lifted to savor the scents. Most of them are wonderful. When one is highly offensive enough to attract my attention, a search begins. The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Lady Pancake Sir French Toast) (Sterling Children's Books, May 2, 2017) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney brings back the breakfast buddies introduced in Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast (Sterling Children's Books, September 1, 2015). Within their realm something reeks.
Back in the kitchen and deep in the fridge, past Trifle Tower, across Taco Bridge, on a vacation at Marshmallow Coast, sat Lady Pancake beside Sir French Toast.
Their idyllic hours are about to be interrupted. Inspector Croissant, nephew to Sir French Toast, is rushing toward them. A terrible tang is permeating the fridge. It must be located immediately. Croissant needs to succeed or his job is history. Lady Pancake is sure Baron von Waffle is at the center of this repugnant problem.
It seems Waffle is not the culprit in this case; the odor increasing as tater tots make haste. A green veggie gives them a clue but the water dweller in Corn Chowder Lake is not a helpful hint. Pancake and Toast are certain the mystery will remain but the detective has everything to gain with finding a solution.
The trio trudges to new heights encountering a revolting stink. There a cringe-worthy sight greets their eyes. This guy has to go. But wait!
Detective Croissant points out a well-known fact. Back to the beginning the delectable gumshoes go. Will a foul fungus be their first failure? Will this riddle be their ruin? Can they turn this mess into success?
One thing is abundantly clear; Josh Funk can turn your refrigerator into a food fantasyland. Readers will roam with relish through his tasty places as the rhyming words cook up a rhythmic feast for our minds and ears. The clever use of a red herring educates as it entertains; no mystery is complete without at least one. Acquainting readers with new characters heightens their desire to connect with the case. It will have them wondering when they will meet these fridge friends again. Here is a sample passage.
"What are you doing here?" Waffle said, sneering. "I'm sleuthing," Croissant said. "And you're interfering. What do you know about smells that are vicious?" "Nothing!" said Waffle. "My home smells delicious."
I know for a fact when readers open the matching dust jacket and book case, the first thing they will do (after they smell it, Mr. Schu) is run their fingers over the jacket. The title text, crown, mustache and decorative dots are raised. The outline of Inspector Croissant has additional texture. The colorful gummy bears will generate a comment or two. To the left, on the back, we see the back of the bears, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast. In a spotlight stands Inspector Croissant looking right at the reader, ready to solve the case.
In keeping with the rich purple hues, outlines of food are etched on the opening and closing endpapers. Nearly all of them are animated wearing looks of happiness. In full color the food surrounding the text on the title page literally looks good enough to eat. Rendered in pencils and digital media most of Brendan Kearney's illustrations span two pages, edge to edge. To supply pacing he includes single page pictures and small visuals on a single page. The vertical gatefold at the end is fabulous.
It's a given readers will pause at every page turn to look at all the included details. The Trifle Tower, the labels on the maple syrup, the flag outside Baron won Waffle's abode (with gummy bears peeking out the door), and the inspector's suitcase and magnifying glass will increase the laughter factor along with the facial expressions when the stinky stench goes drifting past the fridge residents. A super technique Kearney uses is to show outlines of the places previously visited behind the current scene.
One of my favorite of several illustrations is when the trio, Lady Pancake, Sir French Toast and Inspector Croissant, are rowing on Corn Chowder Lake. We are looking at them as if through a porthole. The lake is a golden orange with large chunks of corn, cheese and herbs floating in it. The friends are rowing with carrot sticks for oars. They are seated in a Portuguese Sardines can with the lid curled open with the key.
The Case Of The Stinky Stench (Lady Pancake Sir French Toast) written by Josh Funk with illustrations by Brendan Kearney is sure to have readers laughing out loud as they trek with the trio through the smelly refrigerator. I guarantee you'll be looking and smelling in your appliance with fresh senses the next time you open the door. Who knows who you will discover within the chilly realm? Make sure you have a copy of this title for your personal and professional shelves to partner with the first book.
To discover more about Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their personal websites. At Josh Funk's site he has quite a few fun things for readers to do. Josh Funk maintains a blog here. At The Children's Book Review a giveaway of both titles is in progress until June 5, 2017. Author Josh Funk is featured at KidLit 411. On KidLit TV Josh Funk reads Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast before he reveals the cover for this title. I was thrilled to be able to interview Josh and present the book trailer premiere here at Librarian's Quest.
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.
