Josh Funk's Blog, page 6

Thank you, Debbie Alvarez

I didn’t know Debbie Alvarez all that well. I had been following her blog, The Styling Librarian, for the past few years, and I knew she’d been on the forefront of the kidlit librarian blogosphere. I was a fan of Debbie’s ‘Whatever Wednesday’ posts and the fact that until this fall, all of her posts appeared a day early (due to the fact that she was living and teaching in China). I’d always get to her #IMWAYR posts on Sunday nights.

When I found out that Debbie passed away on Monday after a three year battle with cancer, I was both saddened and shocked. I had no idea she wasn’t well. Her blog was one of the best out there and her enthusiasm for books was unmatched.

In reading Facebook posts written by her friends, a blog post tribute shared by Debbie Ohi, and articles in The Oregonian, I learned just how amazing Debbie Alvarez was as a reader, educator, and human being.

Debbie Alvarez, The Styling Librarian (illustration by Debbie Ohi)

Under normal circumstances I probably wouldn’t have written anything about this. But today on thestylinglibrarian.com, an article posted entitled Styling Librarian Saturday Book Share Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast.

I wish I could thank Debbie for her kind words. I wish her family strength in this difficult time. I wish for Debbie’s passion to live on in every reader she touched.

Debbie says about her Saturday Book Shares: “I’ve had many books I review that I just want to feature. Simple and easy, celebrate a new book encounter. So that’s what Saturday Book Share is about for me, celebrating books!”

Thank you, Debbie Alvarez, for celebrating books.

 

Two for You

(two books I recommend you read)

1. Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs written & illustrated by Tomie dePoala

2. City Dog, Country Frog written by Mo Willems and illustrated by Jon J Muth

B&N National Storytime on 1/2/16

As you probably know, I’m a strong supporter of my local independent book stores – and I’m lucky to have so many near me in New England. But I also know that for many others, the only brick and mortar book store option is Barnes & Noble. And today I have some great news!

Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast has been selected as the first national storytime read of 2016 at all U.S. Barnes & Noble locations!

On Saturday, January 2, 2016 at YOUR local Barnes & Noble, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast will be featured with activity kits and more (probably at 11am). I’m very thankful that Barnes & Noble has chosen to highlight Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast to start the new year!

So on January 2nd, I recommend a hearty brunch, followed by a trip to the book store at 11am! And while you’re there, be sure to check out …

Two for You

(two books I recommend you read)

1. I Don’t Like Koala written by Sean Ferrell and illustrated by Charles Santoso

2. I Love You Already! written by Jory John and illustrated by Benji Davies

Thank you, Tara Lazar

The 7th annual Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo) came to a close yesterday and I’d like to congratulate everyone who took part in the challenge.

I’d also like to thank Tara Lazar, the PiBoIdMo founder and organizer. For those who don’t know, Tara spends countless hours each summer and fall lining up guest posts, contacting agents for prizes, organizing a Cafe Press store (where she donates all proceeds to Reading Is Fundamental – RIF), moderating registration, managing the PiBoIdMo Facebook Group, sorting out and awarding prizes, and probably a dozen more things I don’t even know about.

She does this all for us. PiBoIdMo is completely free. For everyone.

And while all of this work does give Tara’s books some exposure, that exposure doesn’t count for much unless we, the PiBoIdMo participants, take action.

So this holiday season, I encourage everyone to purchase at least one (or more) of Tara’s books, all of which are terrific favorites in my family. If not for yourself, then perhaps as a gift for a child in your life or your local library or school.

While I am a strong supporter of independent book stores (see yesterday’s post), I’ll make it easy for you:

Little Red Gliding Hood

(under $11 at press time)

Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

I Thought This Was a Bear Book

Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

The Monstore

Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Normal Norman

(available for pre-order only, releases 3/1/2016)

Indiebound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Two for You

See the four for you above.

My Shop Small Adventure

One cool thing about being a a Penguin Kids author is that my fabulous editor Leila Sales (who is also a YA/MG author) sometimes reaches out to “her” authors to take part in events that involve the larger literary community. Last year, Leila encouraged us to support Banned Books Week, so I made this video. This year, Leila and Penguin Kids suggested we support #ShopSmall Saturday by visiting independent bookstores and tagging @penguinkids.

So this past Saturday, I took to the road with my trusty pair of assistants. Let me preface this by saying I’m very lucky that the Boston area has so many independent bookstores. We were able to shop small at NINE different indies between 9:30am and 4pm.

We traveled to (in chronological order)

The Concord Bookshop
Porter Square Books
Harvard Book Store
The Curious George Store
Brookline Booksmith
The Children’s Book Shop
The Blue Bunny Books & Toys
New England Mobile Book Fair
Newtonville Books

You can see all my tweets from the day here.

Below is the path we took:

36.4 miles. 16 books purchased. But by 4pm, my trusty assistants were too exhausted to continue and we didn’t get to all the stores we wanted.

At least now we’ll have a number to beat next year!

Two for You

(two books I recommend you read)

1. One Day, The End written by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and illustrated by Fred Koehler

2. Water Is Water written by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Jason Chin

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Shop Small on French Toast Day!

November 28th is a great day! Not only is it French Toast Day, but this year it’s also Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is a movement encouraging people to support local business, especially book local indie book stores.

So if you’re inclined to shop today, whether for yourself or for others, I highly recommend that you visit a local brunch establishment followed by a local independent book store (click here to find a local indie near you). I know that’s what I’ll be doing! #ShopSmall

Two for You

1. Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show written by Michael Buckley and illustrated by Dan Santat

2. Rex Wrecks It written and illustrated by Ben Clanton

Writers’ Loft Holiday Bazaar at An Unlikely Story

As you may know, I am an active member of The Writers’ Loft, a local writing community in the Boston, MA suburb of Sherborn. This Saturday, November 21 from 1-4 pm, we will be holding our 2nd Annual Holiday Bazaar and Book Fair. But because the Loft has grown so much in the past year, we needed a bigger venue. So this year we’re partnering with Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney’s new bookstore, An Unlikely Story, in Plainville, MA and holding the bazaar in their amazing 2nd floor event space.

The following authors (including me!) will all be on hand signing copies of their books all afternoon.

Sarah Brannen (Madame Martine, Madame Martine Breaks the Rules, Feathers: Not Just For Flying)
Greg Fishbone (​Galaxy Games: The Challengers)
Josh Funk (Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast)
Susan Goodman (How Do You Burp in Space?, See How They Run, The Truth About Poop And Pee)
Thea Iberall (The Swallow and the Nightingale)
Jane Kohuth (Anne Frank’s Chestnut Tree, Duck Sock Hop, Ducks Go Vroom)
Lisa Kramer (P.O.W.ER)
Michael G Lewis (The Great Pirate Christmas Battle)
Sharron Kahn Luttrell (Weekends with Daisy)
Ellen Mayer (A Fish to Feed, Red Socks)
Marika McCoola (Baba Yaga’s Assistant)
Susan Meyer (New Shoes, Black Radishes)
Ammi-Joan Paquette Princess Juniper of the Hourglass, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids, Nowhere Girl)
April Jones Prince (Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing, Dig In!, Who Was Frederick Douglass?)
Warren Ross (Teapots and Assorted Things)
Anna Staniszewski (The Dirt Diary, My Very UnFairy Tale Life, I’m With Cupid, Power Down, Little Robot)
Tara Sullivan (Golden Boy)
Jane Sutton (What’s Up With this Chicken?, Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster)
Laura Woollett (Big Top Burning)

So if you’ve been meaning to check out Jeff Kinney’s gorgeous book store, or want to see what The Writers’ Loft is all about, or feel like purchasing some great signed books as holiday presents, or just want to meet and hang out with some fun authors -> then stop by on Saturday and say hi.

The Writers’ Loft in Sherborn, Massachusetts is a retreat, a conference, and a writers’ room of requirement all rolled into one supportive community. Like a year-long writing conference, the Loft hosts classes and workshops. The Loft also hosts frequent panels and free craft chats with authors and illustrators. The Loft offers critiques from agents and editors, and hosts monthly write-ins, social gatherings, manuscript mixers, and book launches. It’s also home to critique groups and think tanks for writers and illustrators in all genres, for those who are traditionally published, self-published, and pre-published. And, like any good writing retreat, The Writers’ Loft always has a quiet space for you to write. The Writers’ Loft is a 501(c)3 organization, centrally located just West of Boston, but not far from the New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut borders with members from all over New England. For more information about their groups and upcoming events, please visit www.thewritersloft.org.

Two for You: Lofter Holiday Edition

1. The Great Pirate Christmas Battle written by Michael G. Lewis and illustrated by Stan Jaskiel

2. Esther’s Hanukkah Disaster written by Jane Sutton and illustrated by Andy Rowland

My PiBoIdMo Post: Do Your Worst

Quick note: My 2015 PiBoIdMo Post Josh Funk Dares You to Do Your Worst went live yesterday. I encourage everyone to check it out and if you register for PiBoIdMo and comment on the page, you’ll be eligible to win some Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast swag (see image below):

Registration for PiBoIdMo is now open (click here) but it’s only open for TWO MORE DAYS! So register now if you want to have a chance at winning any of the giveaways (literary agent consultations, books, swag, etc) throughout the month.

Two for You

1. Stone Giant written by Jane Sutcliffe and illustrated by John Shelley

Enthralling story of how Michaelangelo’s David came to be.

2. Hiding Dinosaurs written and illustrated by Dan Moynihan

Boy hatches dinosaur eggs. Hilarity ensues.

7th Annual Picture Book Idea Month Is Here!

Why is November 1st one of my all-time favorite days of the year?

No, it’s not my wife’s birthday! (or is it?)

November 1st is the start of Tara Lazar’s PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month)! According to the FAQ (found here), “PiBoIdMo is a free November writing challenge for picture book writers and illustrators. The object is to jot down one picture book concept daily. By the end of the month you’ll have at least 30 bright & shiny new ideas! You can then refer to these ideas throughout the year to jumpstart your creativity and write new manuscripts.”

Registration for PiBoIdMo is now open (click here)! It’s free and it’s awesome. Every day throughout November a different author or illustrator will post on Tara’s blog in order to inspire and ignite your creativity. I posted last year (see here) and I’ll be posting this year again (on November 2nd!). Here’s the calendar for the entire month:

What a lineup, eh? And what a logo! PiBoIdMo founder and organizer Tara Lazar works tirelessly every fall to organize this event.  And today happens to be the book birthday for her third picture book, Little Red Gliding Hood. So let’s give Tara a hearty congratulations! I’d also like to congratulate Little Red Gliding Hood illustrator (and PiBoIdMo 2015 Artwork Creator), Troy Cummings.

Congrats to Tara & Troy!

And as I do at the conclusion of every blog post, here are two recommendations for you:

Two for You (Tara Lazar Edition)

1. The Monstore written by Tara Lazar and illustrated by James Burks

Just in time for Halloween, pick up this family favorite, Tara Lazar’s debut!

2. I Thought This Was a Bear Book written by Tara Lazar and illustrated by Benji Davies

Alien crashes into a bear book. Hilarity ensues. Meta at its finest!

Rhyming Picture Book Revolution: Best in Rhyme Award

19 awesome rhyming picture books (and Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast) were recently nominated for the first annual Best in Rhyme Award. This award will be presented at Angie Karcher’s Rhyming Picture Book Revolution Conference.

It’s such an honor to be listed with these 19 other fantastic books:

Circus Train written by Jennifer Cole Judd & illustrated by Melanie Matthews
City Kitty Cat written by Steve Webb & illustrated by Magali Le Huche
Duddle Puck written by Karma Wilson & illustrated by Marcellus Hall
Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred) written & illustrated by Josh Schneider
Interstellar Cinderella written by Deborah Underwood & illustrated by Meg Hunt
It’s Only Stanley written & illustrated by Jon Agee
Jampires written & illustrated by Sarah McIntyre and David O’Connell
Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast written by Josh Funk & illustrated by Brendan Kearney
Monkey and Duck Quack Up written by Jennifer Hamburg & illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham
Monster Needs Your Vote written by Paul Czajak & illustrated by Wendy Grieb
Monster Trouble! written by Lane Fredrickson & illustrated by Michael Robertson
Outer Space Bedtime Race written by Rob Sanders & illustrated by Brian Won
Pirate’s Lullaby: Mutiny at Bedtime written by Marcie Wessels & illustrated by Tim Bowers
Smick! written by Doreen Cronin & illustrated by Juana Medina
Snoozefest written by Samantha Berger & illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Spots in a Box written & illustrated by Helen Ward
Stick and Stone written by Beth Ferry & illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
There Was An Old Dragon Who Swallowed a Knight written by Penny Parker Klostermann & illustrated by Ben Mantle
What About Moose? written by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca J. Gomez & illustrated by Keika Yamaguchi
Sharing The Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story written by Pat Zietlow Miller & illustrated by Jill McElmurry

What is Angie Karcher’s Rhyming Picture Book (or RPB) Revolution Conference? It’s a conference dedicated entirely to writing rhyming picture books. Faculty include all-star rhyming authors Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Lori Degman, Karma Wilson, Corey Rosen-Schwartz, and the Kidlit TV-ers! More info on the conference and registration can be found at Angie Karcher’s RPB Revolution website here.

And as I do with every blog post, here are two recommendations for you (in addition to the 19 up above):

Two for You

1. Under a Pig Tree: A History of the Noble Fruit (A Mixed Up Book) written by Margie Palatini and illustrated by Chuck Groenink

My new favorite book. So clever and meta and funny!

2. Ally-Saurus & the First Day of School written and illustrated by Richard Torrey

Very cool layered first day of school imagination book! The illustrations add a ton to the story.

Featured Interview in Huffington Post

I was interviewed by The Book Doctors in the Huffington Post today in an article entitled “Josh Funk on the War Between Pancakes & French Toast, SCBWI & Getting Published” – it’s probably the most in depth interview I’ve done to date, with some seriously awesome questions, such as:

How did you go about getting a book contract not only for Lady Pancake, but also for your next two books which are coming out?
Hasn’t anyone told you that rhyming books don’t sell? How did you overcome this ridiculous idea, and why do you think people keep saying that?
What are some of the most horrifying things about being a professional author?
How has being a member of SCBWI helped you in your career and as a person?
Why in the name of all that’s good and holy would you choose to get into the publishing business? Have you had your head examined recently? Been checked for brain parasites?
How do you keep it so funky?
and more …

And I got to share the #TeamKrush logo designed by Jessie Devine.

Check out the entire interview here.
Two for You

(two books I highly recommend)

1. Backhoe Joe written by Lori Alexander and illustrated by Craig Cameron

Want a backhoe for a pet? Of course you do!

2. There Was a Wee Lassie Who Swallowed a Midgie written by Rebecca Colby and illustrated by Kate McLelland

A Scottish twist on this much-loved rhyme!