Josh Funk's Blog

Farewell, Dear Blog

I started this blog 8 years, 7 months, and 14 days ago (that’s 3,151 days if you’re counting). Today, I’ve decided to officially stop updating this site (fwiw, I’ve only posted twice in the past three years, so this shouldn’t come as much of a shock). This will be my 152nd … and final blog post.

If you’d like to stay connected, here’s how you can find me now:

WebsiteTwitterInstagramFacebookYouTubeGoodreadsNewsletterBookshop.orgAmazon.com

Looking back at these last 8+ years, it’s been pretty amazing.

I signed with a literary agent and sold 22 picture books, 15 of which are available now:

One of which is available for preorder:

Two of which you can mark “Want to Read” on goodreads right here,

And four more of which have yet to be announced (SHH! It’s a secret!)

I visited (and virtually visited) 794 schools, libraries, bookstores, conferences, and festivals.

I made a handful of book trailers

And got a little grayer (or is it greyer? or more gray? I should ask a writer).

2013 2014 2015 2017 2020 2021

Regarding the blog, my first post was Sunday’s Poetry Exchange.

Sunday’s Poetry Exchange

My most liked & shared post was How to Buy a Picture Book (without Buying a Picture Book).

How to Buy a Picture Book (without Buying a Picture Book)

And my most viewed post of all time was Don’t Write in Rhyme, which is ironic because more than half of my books are written in rhyme (I wonder if people who stumble across my site when searching for rhyming picture book advice realize this).

Tips for Writing Picture Books: Don’t Write in Rhyme

And that pretty much wraps it up. Thanks for hanging out. I’ll be seeing you around … everywhere but here.

Farewell.

Your pal,

Josh

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This blog is now officially defunked.

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Short & Sweet: The Newest Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast Is Almost Here!

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Dear friends,

​I love independent bookstores. So for the release of Short & Sweet, I’m teaming up with them to give YOU exclusive swag – four collectors’ cards AND an autographed bookplate. All you have to do is preorder your copy from any of the stores listed here.

​What’s Short & Sweet about? It’s the 4th adventure of Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, in which Pancake and Toast fear they’re going stale, visit Professor Biscotti whose faulty gadget transforms them into toddlers, which sends them on an adventure in the refrigerator.

I’ve partnered with over 75 indie bookstores across the U.S. – so reach out to your nearest one and preorder today – and pick up your swag along with the book when it releases in September!

So find your favorite bookstore from the list below and preorder Short & Sweet – bon appétit!

​Your pal,
Josh

​P.S. Feel free to order more books from your indie bookshop while you’re at it.

10th Book Celebration!

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Hi, friends! I feel like it’s pretty crazy that I can say this, but on March 1st – next Friday – my TENTH book will be released. It’s Not Hansel and Gretel is the second book in the It’s Not a Fairy Tale series, illustrated by Edwardian Taylor.

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Available at:

Indiebound B&N Amazon

There’s even a Giveaway going on at Goodreads if you’d like to enter.

If you’re in the Boston area on Saturday, March 9th, I’d love for you to help celebrate the release of this new book – along with all nine of my previous ones.

Starting at 11am Belmont Books (in Belmont, Massachusetts), I’ll be reading and signing all of my books – and *there will be free food* – from gingerbread to pancakes to picnics to taco salads, I’ll be sharing the foods from all of my books (or maybe I’ll just bring a last minute box of cookies)!

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Feel free to pass this invite along to all of your family, friends, students, teachers, and all of the booklovers in your life.

I’m incredibly honored to have been able to publish ten books and have you be a part of my journey. I’d love to celebrate this milestone with you.

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The Breakfast Club Is Back – with Mission Defrostable

Hey, friends! Last week Mission Defrostable was released!

That’s right, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast are back and bready for their next adventure! Can they save the fridge before all the food is iced?

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Available wherever books are sold!

                         

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Hey, librarians & booksellers! If you want one of these Always Stay Hungry for Books Posters for your library or bookshop, just fill out THIS google form and I’ll send one your way!

 

 

While supplies last.

US only.

To celebrate the release, in the past few weeks Mission Defrostable was named to the Indie Kids’ Next List, I traveled to Texas and met my cardboard-self, encountered a giant lighted sign with my head on it at a conference in Florida, signed all the books in the Concord Bookshop, and also visited the NYPL to celebrate the launch of my other fall release, Lost in the Library.

Where I’ll Be Next


Saturday, October 6th from 1-3pm: Annie’s Book Stop, 65 James Street, Worcester, MA, USA
Monday, October 8th at 10:30am: An Unlikely Story, 111 South Street, Plainville, MA, USA
Saturday, October 13th at 10:00am:  Storytime at BookEnds, 559 Main Street, Winchester, MA, USA


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Two for You


1. The Yin-Yang Sisters and the Dragon Frightful written by Nancy Tupper Ling & illustrated by & Andrea Offerman


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2. The Spy Who Played Baseball written by Carrie Jones & illustrated by Gary Cherrington


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Mission Defrostable Preorder #Giveaway Winners

A few months back, I offered a Massive Preorder Giveaway Contest for Mission Defrostable, the third adventure in the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series.

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The book came out this past Tuesday, so today I’m announcing the winners!

The Grand Prize Winner who will receive signed copies of all NINE of my books is …

Michelle W

The 10 Lucky First Prize Winners who get swag packs Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast memorabilia are …

Julie V
Kimberly M
April S
Kristine M
Andrea U
Susan K
Stephanie H
Shelly H
Janet N
Jess R

Congrats! And everyone else who entered will get a little something in the mail from me in the coming weeks! (note: if you did not tell me your address, I will not be able to mail you anything)

But there’s more! If you didn’t enter, you can *still* be a winner! Pick up a copy of Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast #3: Mission Defrostable at your local bookstore and enjoy all the excitement the story has to offer!

Bon appétit

Where I’ll Be Next

Friday, September 28th from 6-8pm: nErDcampNNE Nerdy Author Night, Morse Street School, 21 Morse St, Freeport, ME, USA
Saturday, September 29th at 11am: Mission Defrostable Book Launch at The Concord Bookshop, 65 Main Street, Concord, MA, USA
Saturday, October 6th from 1-3pm: Annie’s Book Stop, 65 James Street, Worcester, MA, USA
Monday, October 8th at 10:30am: An Unlikely Story, 111 South Street, Plainville, MA, USA

Two for You

1. Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers: Celebrating Animal Underdogs written by Melissa Stewart & illustrated by Stephanie Laberis

2. Rock What Ya Got written by Samantha Berger & illustrated by Kerascoët

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Launch in the Library

Hey, friends! This past Tuesday my newest book Lost in the Library was released!

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It’s about Patience & Fortitude, the New York Public Library lion statues that faithfully guard the Fifth Avenue entrance … until one night when Patience goes missing – and Fortitude has to venture INTO the library (for the first time ever!) to find him.

And this weekend I’ll be celebrating the launch of the book AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY! How cool is that?! For the first time ever, I get to read one of my books *with* the illustrator! Yes, Stevie Lewis will be reading with me! And you’re invited!

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There will be food, crafts, a band, and possibly REAL LIVE LIONS*! I hope to see you there – Sunday, 9/9 at 10am!

But if you can’t make it, that’s okay. You can still pick up the Lost in the Library at any retailer or library. And the folks at Macmillan have even made a *free* downloadable printable activity kit – so you can celebrate along from the comfort of your home!

*there will not be real live lions.

Where I’ll Be Next

Saturday, September 8th: Bronx KidsLIVE at The Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY, USA
Sunday, September 9th: Lost in the Library Book Launch at The Mid-Manhattan Library at 42nd Street, 476 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, USA
Sunday, September 16th: Double Boston Book Launch with Melissa Stewart’s Pipsqueaks, Slowpokes, and Stinkers at Porter Square Books, 25 White Street, Cambridge, MA, USA

Two for You

1. The Remember Balloons written by Jessie Oliveros & illustrated by Dana Wulfekotte

2. Cute as an Axolotl written by Jess Keating & illustrated by David DeGrand

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#pb10for10 Food Books!

It’s #pb10for10 day! It’s #pb10for10 day! For years now, Mandy Robek & Cathy Mere (two all-star educators … but all educators are all-stars, really) have been running #pb10for10. What’s #pb10for10? Pick 10 picture books you simply can’t live without and share today, August 10th, with the hashtag #pb10for10 (see the official rules here). Share your own list and check out all the others in the #pb10for10 Google Community.

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I participated each of the last three years and loved it each time. My themes were Rhyming Picture Books in 2015, Pirates, Dinosaurs, & Dragons in 2016, and Fairy Tales in 2017 (you don’t need a theme, but swith so many incredible picture books out there, it helps narrow things down).

In precisely 53 days, on September 25th, 2018, the third book in the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, Mission Defrostable, will be released. And to celebrate, my chosen theme this year is (anthropomorphic) Food Books!

 

So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here is my #pb10for10 for 2018:

1. The Great Pasta Escape written by Miranda Paul & illustrated by Javier Joaquin

2. Fruit Bowl written & illustrated by Mark Hoffmann

3. Sweet Success written & illustrated by Liz and Jimmy Reed

4. Everyone Loves Bacon written by Kelly DiPucchio & illustrated by Eric Wight

5. The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School written by Laura Murray & illustrated by Mike Lowery

6. Arnie the Doughnut written & illustrated by Laurie Keller

7. Nothing Rhymes with Orange written & illustrated by Adam Rex

8. You Are My Cupcake written & illustrated by Joyce Wan

9. The Great Lollipop Caper written & illustrated by Dan Krall

10. Rot, The Cutest in the World! written & illustrated by Ben Clanton

Don’t forget to check out everyone else’s favorite picture books, comment, and share in the #pb10for10 Google Community! Happy #pb10for10 Day!

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Where I’ll Be Next

Tomorrow! Saturday, August 11 from 10:00am-12:00pm: G. Willikers! Books & Toys, 13 Market St, Portsmouth, NH, USA
This Sunday! August 12th at 11:00am: Print: A Bookstore, 273 Congress Street, Portland, ME, USA
Saturday, August 25th at 3:00pm: Back-to-School Ice Cream Storytime with MOMS Club of Sharon, Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar, 407 Bay Rd. Sharon, USA



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My 2017-18 School Year in Review

During the 2017-18 school year (which, I’m defining as ending on June 30th – therfore, beginning today, on July 1st), a lot of fun stuff happened.

Three books I wrote were released:

I had readings, signings, & events at:

11 Public Libraries
11 Conferences & Festivals
16 Book Stores

I visited 108 schools

8 in-person visits
99 virtual visits

one of the visits was a double-visit – two school in the same districut skyped in at the same time

Dear Dragon was named a 2018/19 Missouri Association of Librarians (MASL) Show Me Award Nominee AND a 2018/19 Indiana Library Federation (ILF) Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee.

It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk was named to the 2018 Wisconsin State Reading Association (WSRA) Picture This Recommendation List.

How to Code a Sandcastle was selected to the 2018 Summer Indie Next List by the American Booksellers Association.

And for 2018-19 … who knows what’ll happen? Have a fabulous summer everyone!

(don’t forget about the *big* MISSION DEFROSTABLE preorder giveaway – details available here:  https://mailchi.mp/2d7e5b10c2c6/the-great-mission-defrostable-pre-order-giveaway)

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Where I’ll Be Next

Monday, July 9th – Tuesday, July 10th: nErDcamp Michigan, Western High School, 1400 S. Dearing Rd., Parma, MI, USA
Sunday, July 22nd: Sandcastle Storytime on the Cape at Eight Cousins Bookshop, 189 Main St., Falmouth, MA, USA
Monday, July 30th: nErDcamp North Carolina, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC, USA

Two for You

1. Iver & Ellsworth written by Casey Robinson & illustrated by Melissa Larson

2. 100 Bugs! A Counting Book written by Kate Narita & illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

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Mission Defrostable Giveaway & On My Way to ALA!

Two weeks ago, I revealed the musical book trailer for Mission Defrostable, the 3rd Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast adventure!

And last week via my newsletter, I announced a …

Massive Preorder Giveaway

One Grand Prize Winner will receive signed copies of all NINE of my Books!
10 Lucky First Prize Winners will get swag packs from all three books in the series!
EVERYONE who enters will get exclusive signed memorabilia!

How do I enter? (easy as 1-2-3)

Pre-order MISSION DEFROSTABLE.
Snap a picture of your receipt.
Email the picture (and your snail mail address) to:

joshfunkbooks+giveaway [at] gmail [dot] com

*** Bonus: Your entry counts double if you pre-order from

an independent or brick-and-mortar bookstore ***

Wait, what’s the book about?

From the publisher: Brrr! There’s a frost in the fridge—and it’s hardened Pudding Pond and frozen Yogurt Falls. Agent Asparagus is on the case, and she begs Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast to join her superspy team. But when the enemy snatches Asparagus, Pancake and French Toast have only one man to turn to for help: the evil Baron von Waffle! Will he help them save the fridge . . . or are they doomed to become frozen food? Our favorite breakfast food friends are back and all bready for their next chilling adventure!

Where I’ll Be Next – ALA New Orleans Edition

Are you heading to ALA’s Annual Summer Conference in New Orleans this week? So am I! Here’s where I’ll be – come and say hello!

Saturday, July 23rd from 9:00-10:00am: How to Code a Sandcastle Signing at Penguin Booth #2410,  American Library Association Annual Summer Conference, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
Saturday, July 23rd from 11:30am-12:30pm: Albie Newton Signing at Sterling Booth #3536,  American Library Association Annual Summer Conference, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
Saturday, July 23rd at 3:00pm: Picture Book Storytime *with Camille Andros, Lita Judge, Baptiste Paul, and Miranda Paul* at Octavia Books, 513 Octavia Street, New Orleans, LA, USA

Three for You

1. Adventures to School: Real Life Journeys of Students from Around the World written by Baptiste Paul and Miranda Paul & illustrated by Isabel Muñoz.

2. Charlotte the Scientist Is Squished written by Camille Andros & illustrated by Brianne Farley

3. Hoot and Peep written and illustrated by Lita Judge

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Learn How to Code a Sandcastle – Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, May 15th, 2018, my 7th book, How to Code a Sandcastle , will be released!


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How to Code a Sandcastle is the first in a series of picture books about coding, which, if you didn’t know, is my day job. I’m a software engineer, and have been for my entire “adult” life. Writing for children is a more recent endeavor.

What’s How to Code a Sandcastle about?

All summer, Pearl has been trying to build the perfect sandcastle, but out-of-control Frisbees and mischievous puppies keep getting in the way! Pearl and her robot friend Pascal have one last chance, and this time, they’re going to use code to get the job done. Using fundamental computer coding concepts like sequences and loops, Pearl and Pascal are able to break down their sandcastle problem into small, manageable steps. If they can create working code, this could turn out to be the best beach day ever!

What are people saying about How to Code a Sandcastle?

“Josh Funk has written a smart, engaging, and easy-to-follow book about coding that easily explains the subject to readers of all ages. Add a fun beach setting as we head into summer and amazing illustrations by Sara Palacios, and it’s a perfect equation for success.” – an Indie Next List selection by the American Booksellers Association (review by Holland Saltsman of The Novel Neighbor)

“An excellent, age-appropriate introduction to the world of coding. Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal

“[T]his painless introduction to coding basics will engage, entertain, and educate audiences.” – Booklist

“An accessible introduction to coding rules that also easily entertains.” – Kirkus Reviews

What do I do now?

Now, you pick up a copy of How to Code a Sandcastle at any of the following bookstores for anyone ane everyone who either might want to be a coder someday or just likes entertaining picture books!

                             





Where I’ll Be Next

Saturday, May 19th at 11:30am: How to Code a Sandcastle Book Launch at Newtonville Books, 10 Langley Road. Newton Centre, MA, USA
Tuesday, May 22nd at 7:00pm: So You Want to Write a Children’s Book Panel with Nandini Bajpai, Nancy Tupper Ling, Ammi-Joan Paquette, & Tracy Geary at Whitelam Books, 610 Main Street, Reading, MA, USA
Saturday, June 2nd at 11:00am: Pancakes & Coding Storytime at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, USA

Two for You

1. Twilight Chant written by Holly Thompson & illustrated by Jen Betton

2. Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship written by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes & illustrated by Scott Magoon

 

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