Clyde
asked
C.S. O'Kelly:
I was fortunate enough to share an advanced copy with my niece this past weekend. Your smart characters and their intimate relationships were striking. After searching around for your other works, I came to understand that this is your first Children's Book - if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to know what inspired you to write this? I look forward to Book 2 and the continuation of this series! Thank you!
C.S. O'Kelly
Thank you Clyde for sharing the book with your niece.
I am happy you found one of the advanced copies, as there were only a handful released. The idea behind the Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear originated while I watched my own niece (five years old at the time) playing with my Bernese Mountain dog Seamus (who I also call MonkeyBear). She had a cowboy hat on and Seamus was the ultimate 120 pounds of supper-furry-faced clown-dog and my niece loved him.
There was a moment while they were spastically running about when she stopped, put her hands on her hips and looked to the sky, Seamus sat next to her (his head even with hers) and looked up to see what was so interesting. The sun cast a shadow of the two on the lawn behind them and all I could think of was Albert Einstein (Seamus fluffy head) and Indiana Jones (niece with her hat)... & the characters of Gracie & MonkeyBear were born. Best part is creating an infinite storyworld built on "Gracie's" imagination for the two of them to explore. They share a partnership of equals – similar to superheroes with different skillsets and strengths.
You are correct, this is my first Children's Picture Book and luckily, I found the right illustrator (Jordy Farrell) and editing team to work with. Book 2: Winter is about halfway finished and hopefully will be out by Christmas 2016 (just in time for people to begin noticing Book 1). We are in the process of placing the books in the best independent bookstores we can find and you can always buy the book on Amazon or the website (www.gracieandmonkeybear.com).
There will be other books series to come, but the Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear will continue as long as there is interest by readers like yourself.
Appreciate your questions and I hope to hear more from you and your niece in the future! All the best and enjoy the day.
C. S. O'Kelly
**Make sure and enter the GoodReads Giveaway! Ends on May 22.
I am happy you found one of the advanced copies, as there were only a handful released. The idea behind the Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear originated while I watched my own niece (five years old at the time) playing with my Bernese Mountain dog Seamus (who I also call MonkeyBear). She had a cowboy hat on and Seamus was the ultimate 120 pounds of supper-furry-faced clown-dog and my niece loved him.
There was a moment while they were spastically running about when she stopped, put her hands on her hips and looked to the sky, Seamus sat next to her (his head even with hers) and looked up to see what was so interesting. The sun cast a shadow of the two on the lawn behind them and all I could think of was Albert Einstein (Seamus fluffy head) and Indiana Jones (niece with her hat)... & the characters of Gracie & MonkeyBear were born. Best part is creating an infinite storyworld built on "Gracie's" imagination for the two of them to explore. They share a partnership of equals – similar to superheroes with different skillsets and strengths.
You are correct, this is my first Children's Picture Book and luckily, I found the right illustrator (Jordy Farrell) and editing team to work with. Book 2: Winter is about halfway finished and hopefully will be out by Christmas 2016 (just in time for people to begin noticing Book 1). We are in the process of placing the books in the best independent bookstores we can find and you can always buy the book on Amazon or the website (www.gracieandmonkeybear.com).
There will be other books series to come, but the Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear will continue as long as there is interest by readers like yourself.
Appreciate your questions and I hope to hear more from you and your niece in the future! All the best and enjoy the day.
C. S. O'Kelly
**Make sure and enter the GoodReads Giveaway! Ends on May 22.
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