Author Josh Funk Talks About Updating Old Fairy tales With Humor

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Yesterday I reviewed It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk, a  classic fairy tale with a twist (don’t forget to comment for a chance to win a copy). Today I’m featuring a guest post where the author, Josh Funk, provides a funny look at why he choose to write the story the way he did. Here’s a bit of info about Funk:

Like Jack, Josh Funk loves telling his own stories. He is the author of the popular picture books Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast and its sequel, The Case of the Stinky Stench, illustrated by Brendan Kearney; Dear Dragon, illustrated by Rodolfo Montalvo; and the upcoming How to Code a Sandcastle illustrated by Sara Palacios in partnership with Girls Who Code. Josh lives in New England with his wife and children. Learn more about him at www.joshfunkbooks.com, and follow him on Twitter @joshfunkbooks.

You can find a book trailer, collector’s cards, and more at www.joshfunkbooks.com/stuff-for-kids.

Why did I choose to take a familiar old tale and inject it with humor?

A guest post by It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk author Josh Funk

Josh Funk photoFive beans?

Jack traded his cow for five beans?

Jack, a poor boy, with no father, traded one of his few possessions for ONLY FIVE BEANS?!

Apparently, the answer is yes. And amazingly, Jack selling his cow for a handful of beans is the most sensible thing that happens in the traditional tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Because next:

  • A giant beanstalk grows to the heavens overnight (a little magic never hurt a fairy tale).
  • Jack decides to climb the beanstalk (cause that’s definitely what I’d do if a mutant beanstalk grew in my backyard while I slept).
  • Jack decides to break into a huge house in the clouds (despite the fact that the inhabitants are clearly a hundred times his size).
  • Jack decides to steal from the giant homeowners (at this point, what else is there to do?).
  • Jack manages to outrace the giant DOWN the beanstalk (physics, shmysics).
  • Jack takes his axe (which must be his only possession left), chops down the beanstalk (should he apply to be a woodsman with these skills?) and kills the giant (hooray for death!).

And after committing three counts of grand larceny and murder, Jack lives happily ever after.

Are you as perplexed as I am?

Good.

I wondered what would happen if Jack had keen sensibilities and a sharp wit? The story probably wouldn’t get past page 2—at least, not without Jack giving the storyteller a piece of his mind.

And that’s why I wrote It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk—a picture book where Jack talks back to the narrating storyteller. Reluctantly he sells his cow. He doesn’t climb the beanstalk without a hefty argument. And breaking into a giant’s house? Spoiler alert: that’s a terrible idea!

In It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack is no longer the lucky fool. No, no, no. In It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk, the fool is played by the story’s reader—who actually expects Jack to follow the irrational, albeit traditional, story.

And it’s my hope that children get huge laughs at seeing their parents, teachers, librarians, and caregivers look utterly foolish while trying (and failing) to tell the familiar old tale.

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Book Review: It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk by Josh Funk and Edwardian Taylor

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It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk cover imageJack really doesn’t want to sell Bessie the cow, but the narrator of his tale says he must, so he must. Then he wants to eat his magical beans, but the storyteller says he must throw them out the window. And when he discovers he must climb the gigantic beanstalk, he wants to grab his climbing gear.

So goes the fractured fairy tale, It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk by Josh Funk. Cinderella makes an appearance while Jack climbs, and he develops a rapport with the giant, who prefers to go by his name, which is Fred. It’s all good, silly fun that children are likely to love. Edwardian Taylor’s illustrations are whimsical and funny as they show Jack interacting with an animated cow, winking magic beans, and a vegan giant dressed up with a bow tie. Other fairy tale figures make an appearance in the final scene, and children should enjoy naming characters from other familiar tales. Expect lots of laughs.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice TsuTsumi

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The dam is the only thing that keeps the deadly fog from rolling into Sunrise Valley. Pig’s father built it before he disappeared into the void. Now Pig is responsible for keeping the fog at bay by tending the windmill dam. Not that the other townspeople appreciate what he does; they have forgotten what life without the dam was like.

But one day when Pig’s friend visits and brings a bullying classmate, they all three get sucked out of their village and into the dark land. There they may find answers to turning back the fog for good. But can they trust the strange creature who says he can help?

The Dam Keeper by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi begins a graphic novel series about a responsible hero out to save his world. The illustrations are gorgeous, with muted colors and dark pages that reflect the dire times Pig, Fox and Hippo find themselves living in. First appearing as an Oscar-nominated short film, the graphic novel series brings the story to a whole new audience.

The story is full of mystery and adventure, with images emphasizing forces of light and dark, and while I believe the first book ended a bit abruptly, I find it a promising start with an interesting premise. I recommend The Dam Keeper for readers aged 9 to 12.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Book Review: Longburrow: Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood

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Longburrow cover imageA storyteller arrives at a cozy warren on a blustery holiday eve. As he warms himself by the fire, little ones and adults gather around to hear his tale. It’s a story of an ordinary rabbit who achieves great things, Podkin One-Ear, and his journey to becoming a hero. The tale is full of villains, chases through the forest, daring escapes and other adventures. It captivates the storyteller’s audience to the end and leaves them wanting more.

So unfolds Longburrow: Podkin One-Ear, the first in a series by Kieran Larwood. It’s an imaginative story that should captivate young readers the same way the storyteller enthralls his audience. Podkin, who starts out as a lazy boy who just wants to avoid his lessons, is relatable as someone who is thrust into danger and must rise to the occasion. His sister and younger brother are key characters in the story as well, and all three have lots of room to grow as the series unfolds.

Longburrow should appeal to those who love the Redwall series as well as anyone who likes a good adventure sprinkled with humor. David Wyatt’s illustrations are perfect for the story, showing the gritty world where Podkin lives in great detail. I recommend Longburrow for mother-daughter book clubs and any readers aged 9 to 12.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Castle in the Stars by Alex Alice

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Castle in the Stars cover imageThe time is the late 1800s. The place is Europe. Scientists want to find the mysterious element that will let man travel to space. Governments want to control it so they have power over others. One boy wants to follow in his mom’s footsteps as an aviator and explorer to protect the elusive aether from those who would exploit it.

Castle in the Stars: The Space Race of 1869 by Alex Alice is a steampunk graphic novel that moves from Paris to Munich with scenes in Berlin. Young explorer Seraphin travels with his father to the castle in Bavaria where the king dreams of finding a way to fly. Seraphin forges a friendship with Hans and Sophie to protect the king from spies who would steal his plans.

The adventure is fast-paced with beautiful, detailed illustrations that detail flying balloons, lofty laboratories and a soaring castle. I recommend it for ages 9 to 13.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Muddy by Michael Mahin and Evan Turk

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Muddy cover imageBlues legend Muddy Waters grew up in the Mississippi Delta, playing music on whatever he found at hand: an old accordion, a piece of wire, a beat-up can. His grandma tried to steer him away from music, saying, “you can’t eat the blues for breakfast.” But Muddy persisted. And when he got tired of earning little money for sharecropping, he moved to Chicago where his skill at playing the blues eventually gained him recognition.

His journey from child to musical trailblazer comes to life in a picture book called Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters. Author Michael Mahin touches on the areas of Muddy’s life that influenced his music, including gospel choirs, music at family picnics and juke joints, and the back-busting work of sharecropping. His move to Chicago exposed him to jazzy blues. But Muddy insisted on playing “deep-feling, gutbucket, gut-aching music full of life and love and trouble and pride.” Muddy sang with his heart, and people loved it.

Evan Turks’s illustrations flow like water and music in bold colors. And they give the essence of Muddy’s experience from cotton fields and country churches to dance halls and city scenes. The result is a gorgeous picture book that parents and children will want to read again and again.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Older Than Dirt by Don Brown and Dr. Mike Perfit

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Older Than Dirt cover imageThe story of Earth is a story of geology — continents shifting, volcanoes erupting, plates shifting, rocks forming, and more. That story comes alive for young readers in Older Than Dirt: A Wild But True History of Earth by Don Brown and Dr. Mike Perfit.

This “kinda-sorta biography” graphic novel is narrated by a groundhog with the help of an earthworm. Together they talk about how Earth was formed, different phases that have occurred in the last 4+ billion years, and how all those changes led to the planet we live on today. They even discuss predictions for the phases that may occur in the next 2 billion years.

The combination of clear language with illustrations makes the story easily understandable and fascinating to read about. The authors compare hot magma to gooey chocolate fudge; the Earth’s core is likened to a peach pit. Carbon dioxide hovers in the sky as a blanket over the land. There are also a few interesting diversions into the history of the science of geology and the people who made major discoveries.

It all adds up to a fascinating account that is sure to appeal to young scientists and their parents. Source notes and a bibliography at the back encourage further exploration. I highly recommend Older Than Dirt for family bookshelves everywhere.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Book Review: Survivor Diaries: Overboard by Terry Lynn Johnson

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L Survivor Diaries Overboard cover imageots of kids love stories based on true events, especially when those events happened to kids like them. That’s the appeal of the Survivor Diaries series by Terry Lynn Johnson.

I read Overboard! for review. It’s the story of an 11-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl who get tossed in the water when their whale-watching vessel flips over. They don’t make it to the rescue raft and drift off among rough seas. They fight hypothermia as they figure out how to survive long enough for rescuers to find them. It’s a gripping tale that also relates survival skills for anyone caught in a dangerous situation. There’s even a U.S. Coast Guard-approved list of cold-water survival tips at the end.

An author’s note says the story was inspired by true events, although names and some details were changed. I recommend the Survivor Diaries for readers aged 9 to 12.

The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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