Author Interview: Josh Funk

On September 14, 2020September 10, 2020 By Only Picture BooksIn Author Interviews

Photo Credit: Carter Hasegawa

Dear OPB family, it’s with great pleasure that I’m able to bring you an all-time OPB fave, Josh Funk. (Please note references in previous posts such as Jamie LB Deenihan’s interview, a review of one of Josh’s books, and this interview by literary agent Kaitlyn Sanchez, which reveal just a bit of the Funkalicious fan clubbing we’ve got going on here!).

With a writing career as big as Josh has (coupled with a full-time day job!), getting this interview to work out took some finessing, but we did it thanks to his generosity and some fortuitous timing related to his new book, Short & Sweet, coming out. So, yay! And a syrupy hooray!

You probably know a lot about him already, but just in case not, he provides a Mad-libs-style bio on his website. Here’s the template:

Josh enjoys _______ during ________ and has always loved __________. He has played ____________ since age __ and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a __________.

And here are what I can only assume are the totally-true-fact answers he fully expects everyone to come up with from this interactive bio.

Josh enjoys living one day at a time powered by the awesomeness of a freshly baked cookie during his weekly attempt to make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs, and has always loved putting the “elation” in writerly “public relations.” He has played the role of a passionate cherry limeade lover since the moment he reckoned to be a force to reckon with, and his biggest fear in life is being eaten by a vampire porpoise that sometimes just wants to give it all up and become a handsome aquatic billionaire.

Just in case that’s not yet enough of a deep dive into All Things Josh, I’ll add these final even-truer-than-those-facts facts sleuthed up by our crack research team (consisting of a single penguin intern named Lefty who’s an especially gifted napper), with a little help from Josh himself.

Josh is:

a member of The Writer’s Loft in Sherborn, MA
a former fantasy football wunderkind
a long-time vegan
a musician who created songs to pair with his picture books
a candy corn aficionado
a fan of sewing
someone who still sleeps with the same stuffed animal he’s had since he was a kid (a Tropical Puffalump named Monkey Dude).

Josh and Monkey Dude. BFFs in action.

Alright, let’s get to it. Unleash the interview! (But if you want some Funky social media stuff, here are places to go, too.)

RVC: Welcome to the world of Only Picture Books, Josh!

JF: Thanks for all of the kind words, Ryan! It’s a pleasure to join you.

RVC: Once people knew you were visiting OPB, they all insisted I ask you about rhyme, so let’s start with that. While I realize you can talk for days on the topic, help us understand a specific way or two that we might move from amateur rhymes to elegant ones.

JF: Great question! The most important thing you need to consider is that to be a successful book, loads of different people are going to be reading these words (agents, editors, reviewers, librarians, teachers, parents). However, not everyone pronounces words the same way you do. The English language, even just in the U.S., has many different accents and you want ALL of those accents to pronounce your words properly. So pay attention to each word and each syllable and each whatever-is-less-than-a-syllable (I’m not a linguist)!

There are only ~549 words in a picture book–take the time to make sure each one is PERFECT.

RVC: What’s more important? Rhythm or rhyme?

JF: That’s a trick question. The most important aspect of a rhyming picture book is the STORY. If it’s not a good book without the rhyme, it won’t be good when you add the rhyme.

But between rhythm and rhyme, RHYTHM is more important. It’s harder to learn and more important to focus on. Any first grader can rhyme. Rhythm can be very tricky.

RVC: Which of your books gave you the most trouble in terms of getting rhymes to really sync up in the way you need them to? I’m going to guess Dear Dragon because of all those pen pal letters. But, you know, pastries! And fairy tale folk!

JF: I don’t really think of rhymes as tricky. Writing a rhyming picture book is more like a puzzle–and I enjoy solving puzzles. There’s always another way to say something. If I can’t get a word to rhyme properly, I’ll use a thesaurus and replace it with another that will work.

RVC: Volume four of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series comes out this month—Short & Sweet. Congrats on that! Is it getting harder or easier to write sequels for your various series?

JF: In general, as long as I have a good story mapped out for characters I’ve written about previously, writing sequels gets easier. I have a sense of what the pacing will be, what the illustrator will be able to add, and a general sense of what I want to do to differentiate one book in each series with the next.

RVC: Just curious—are the publishers asking for sequels beyond those required in your contract, or are you pitching new ideas to extend any of your series beyond what anyone initially expected?

JF: It’s a combination of both. Usually my agent and I approach the publisher with ideas to see if they’re interested. And most of the time, the answer is based on two factors:

1) Did the previous book do well?
2) Is the new story one worth telling?

I’ve been very fortunate that several of my books have performed well enough that publishers considered the sequels.

RVC: What’s the elevator pitch for Short & Sweet?

JF: Each book in the series is a different genre, which I think keeps each of the stories fresh (pun intended). Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast is a race. The Case of the Stinky Stench is a mystery. Mission Defrostable is an action-adventure/spy-thriller.

And Short & Sweet is a combination of a scifi-comedy (think Honey, I Shrunk the Kids or The Absentminded Professor) mixed with a magical-bodyswap (like Freaky Friday or Big). In this one, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast begin to grow stale and visit Professor Biscotti who has a DE-spoiling ray. Unfortunately, they shrink back into toddlers and run amuck through the fridge causing culinary chaos once again.

If I get to write more, maybe it’ll be an alien invasion or horror. Who knows?

RVC: If might suggest a genre, I’d say Western featuring their Old West ancestors in a breakfast saloon. “There’s not enough room on this here plate for the two of us…”

But let’s circle back to you. What was the biggest challenge you had in writing Short & Sweet?

JF: The ending. Not the plot part of the ending (Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast return to normal), and not the final page (of course there’s a party at the end and a gatefold), but the emotional wrap-up. Figuring out how to show the character changes and saying it concisely–that spread took several emails back and forth to and from my editor–and she was right to keep pushing me, because it took a while to get right.

RVC: Got a favorite rhyme from Short & Sweet?

JF: Not yet. But maybe after I read it a few hundred times I’ll be able to pick one. Ask me again in a few years.

RVC: Will do. I’ve got you down for an interview part II thing in October 2022. Put it in your Google calendar, please!

JF: Actually, I’m washing my hair that month. Maybe November?

RVC: Deal.

Now, while every author is in some way every character they write, who has more Josh Funk DNA—Lady Pancake or Sir French Toast?

JF: Baron von Waffle.

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast were inspired by my kids–but deep down, I know that I’d sacrifice myself and have the last drop of syrup if it stops my kids from bickering.

RVC: What else are you working on these days? What books should we be looking for from you in the near-ish future?

JF: I have two books coming out on October 27^th, 2020. Where Is Our Library?: A Story of Patience & Fortitude, the sequel to Lost in the Library, in which the two lion statues that guard the New York Public Library on 5^th Avenue venture into the children’s room one night, only to find that all of their books have gone missing. Together they search throughout all of Manhattan for their books, visiting literary statues (like Alice in Wonderland and Hans Christian Andersen) and other library branches before finding them … well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.

On that same day, the third book in the It’s Not a Fairy Tale series is being released: It’s Not Little Red Riding Hood. In this tale, our beleaguered narrator tries to tell the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood, but Red rips her hood and borrows her sister’s blue one, the Wolf calls in sick and is replaced by Captain Hook, and pretty much nothing goes according to plan.

RVC: Sounds like a frolicking good time. I’ll be sure to check it out.

Now, you’re often noted as someone who handles book PR better than most. What are two specific things most authors don’t do (or don’t do right) when it’s time to get out there and plug new books?

JF: Well, it’s important to start building your network early. Like now. Before you have an agent or a book deal. Or at the latest, as SOON as you have a book deal–before it’s announced for sure. If you don’t build your network soon, you’ll run into problem number two, which is: don’t say “buy my book.” Ever.

You can share all the good news you have (“I sold a book!” or “I got a good review!” or “Here’s my cover reveal!”), but never say “buy my book.”

RVC: Book trailers. What kind of mileage are you getting out of them?

JF: It’s nearly impossible to tell. But I figure every little thing could possibly help get word of my books out there. And I enjoy making trailers. Some of the best marketing advice I ever received is to do what you like–and conversely, don’t do what you don’t like.

I like making musical book trailers. So I keep making them. I have no idea if they lead to many book sales. But, going back to the previous question, saying “check out my book trailer!” is not saying “buy my book”–yet it still gets my book out there … so why not make them?

RVC: One last question for this part of the interview. What’s the one question you’ve been waiting for someone to ask in an interview, but no one’s teed it up for you yet?

JF: What were Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast going to do with the syrup if they got it?

RVC: How can I NOT ask that question now, right? So, what’s the answer? What WOULD they do?

JF: I don’t know.

RVC: Alrighty, Josh. It’s time to shift gears from Standard Interview Mode to all that’s required of you to succeed in the Sudden-Death-Quadruple-Overtime-No-Holds-Barred Wrap Up. Are you READY?

JF: Maybe?

RVC: Favorite picture book villain?

JF: The monkeys in Caps for Sale.

RVC: What secret talent does Sir French Toast have that nobody would ever suspect?

JF: He’s a musical theater triple threat.

RVC: What does Baron von Waffle do for fun when he wants to get away from the world of books and breakfast?

JF: Plays NBA2K.

RVC: Rumor has it Lady Pancake’s secretly writing a tell-all. Any idea what the title might be?

JF: Fresh Takes: From Flour to Fame

RVC: I’ve got a universal translator for catspeak on backorder at Indiegogo. If it ever arrives and I pop in the bio your cat wrote for you, what will it say?

JF: “Josh Funk cleans my poop and feeds me.”

RVC: Five things we’d see if we checked out your fave writing place.

JF: Coffee, Sharpies, coffee, laptop, and coffee.

RVC: A recent picture book where you absolutely loved the rhyming.

JF: Ogilvy by Deborah Underwood and T. L. McBeth.

RVC: Two lines that sum up your picture book aesthetic. (FYI—if this isn’t a rhyming couplet, the comment section below might explode like an overfilled jelly donut that got squooshed by a woolly mammoth!)

JF:

Goofy, silly, sometimes smart,

Funny with a little heart.

RVC: Thanks a zillion for swinging by today, Josh. Best of luck with the new books! And if you’d ever like to be part of a non-Monday Bonus Goody for OPB, let me know. We’ll cook something up! I’ll bring the blog, you bring the pastries.

About Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast: SHORT & SWEET

“A series that just keeps improving, with an adorable couple taking center stage. A must purchase.” — *Starred Review* from School Library Journal
“The quality remains consistently high for this series, linking edibles and emotions with excitement and ease.” — Kirkus Reviews

Picture Book Review: It’s Not Hansel and Gretel by Josh Funk

On April 1, 2019March 30, 2019 By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

It’s Not Hansel and Gretel (It’s Not a Fairy Tale)
Author: Josh Funk
Illustrator: Edwardian Taylor
Two Lions
1 March 2019
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (#1 fairy tale fan at Only Picture Books) and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor (and OPB mega-fan) David C. Gardner.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

It’s Not Hansel and Gretel is the newest Josh Funk book, and if you’ve read any of his picture books before (such as Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, How to Code a Sandcastle, and Lost the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude), you know to expect:

an unexpected take on subject matter
a kid-friendly sense of whimsy
witty wordplay

It’s official–It’s Not Hansel and Gretel delivers on all counts.

There’s a narrator here trying their best to keep this story under control, but the rapscallion duo of Hansel and Gretel keep yanking this fairy tale in different directions. The art clues us in when this happens by using speech bubbles that work against the words the narrator uses, which are in cast in a fancy, Old Timey font that seems straight out of the days of illuminated manuscripts written by monks beneath candlelight.

To offer just one example of how these kids push the story off the rails, the poor narrator tells the reader how the pair “left a trail of bread crumbs leading back home” to which the kids respond with:

Gretel: What type of person SAVES bread crumbs?

Hansel: It’s a time of great famine. If there are bread crumbs left, we eat them!

Gretel: Now I’m hungry! Why’d you have to bring up bread crumbs?

Things get worse from there for the narrator who wants to stick with the traditional story, with my favorite moment being when Gretel asks, “Why isn’t it ever Gretel and Hansel?” She even points out that alphabetically speaking, G comes before H, and while a giggling kid reader likely doesn’t stop to think about the problem of legacy thinking–doing something because it’s always been done that way, or perhaps subconsciously privileging males more than females–those topics are there for adults who want to dive into that end of the pool.

One clear instance of Funk’s wordplay happens when the witch begins to cast a spell, intoning “Double, double toil and trouble.” And Gretel says, “I can’t hear you over that noisy oven. Did you say TOILET trouble?”

That’s a burst-out-loud kid pleasing moment, to be sure. It’s entirely possible a member of the OPB staff had chocolate milk come out of their nose thanks to laughter here, as well.

I’m also quite taken with how the kids are practical and have a positivity about them that helps save the day. Those are two good lessons beyond the legacy thinking idea and issues of gender and power that are lightly touched upon during the course of this story.

The ending, too, is full of cameos from other fairy tale friends, and it’s a surprising yet satisfying conclusion to this irreverent take on an old, old tale. Highly recommended. For those who get a real kick out of this kind of fun, check out the first book in Funk’s It’s Not a Fairy Tale series–It’s Not Jack and the Beanstalk.

4.75 out of 5 pencils

– David’s Review of the Illustrations–

In the 1800s, children’s books were meant for moral education. But in the last century, some argued that it was enough to aim to entertain a child.

There’s no deep message in It’s Not Hansel and Gretel, but it’s a heap of entertaining fun.

Flipping through the illustrations by Edwardian Taylor is like watching a cartoon on TV, one of those vintage Fractured Fairytales, or Powerpuff Girls. This no accident; Taylor also designs for animation. I’ll confess, I’m not a big fan of the trend of children’s books mimicking slick Cartoon Network shows, but Taylor knows his stuff, and he takes full advantage of the picture book form, packing each spread with funny visual asides for kids (and adults). Look closely and you’ll discover treats on every page: Thumbelina in a corner chatting with a bird twice her size, the Seven Dwarves marching to work in the forest background, cute recurring elves in just about every spread. The clever, ebullient pictures establish from the start that we are in a world populated by fairy tale characters (a device that pays off wittily in the end–but I won’t give anything away.…)

Another note on the visuals: The great art direction makes it a breeze to tell who is talking on each page; every voice has its own font, a trick Walt Kelly pioneered in his classic comic strip Pogo.

Taylor’s character designs are fluid and manic in a way that perfectly fits the story’s tone, and his color palette is fabulous, too–muted greens and browns in the opening pages make way for the explosion of candy colors when the kids discover the gingerbread house. Close-ups pull us into the center of the action, sometimes making an image hard to read at first glance. But in a picture book, where the child has plenty of time to peruse a picture, that’s not a problem. Add the bright, but controlled, colors–as sweet as the witch’s house–and you’ve got a book that’s an immersive experience, a cool hybrid of children’s book and animated cartoon, a perfect confection for our time.

5 out of 5 crayons

David C. Gardner is an award-winning illustrator and visual development artist. A former artist for Walt Disney Animation Studios, he has illustrated numerous picture books, including his latest from Sleeping Bear Press, Write On, Irving Berlin! by Leslie Kimmelman (which appeared on OPB not so long ago). It tells the true story of little Izzy Baline, who immigrated to New York City in 1893 and grew up to become Irving Berlin, one of the most well-known composers of popular music in America. David teaches illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design.

To learn more about David’s own work, please visit FlyingDogStudio.com.

Only Picture Books’ 18 Favorites of 2018

On December 31, 2018December 31, 2018 By Only Picture BooksIn OPB Favorites, Picture Book Lists

What better way to close out 2018 than with a list of OPB’s 18 favorites from this past year?

Some of these titles appeared in the (digital) pages of OPB.

Some didn’t. (Alas, this isn’t a comprehensive PB review site like PW, Kirkus, or others.)

But make no mistake–I’m a fan of these 18 titles. I’ll even offer up a sentence or three for each to give a sense about why I liked them.

Note #1: Every book listed below is a total winner via my super-subjective estimation. By that, I mean:

I own a copy. (Yep. Not just the freebie ARCs/galleys here!)
I’d be happy to read any of these with a child.
I’d be happy to re-read any of these, even without a child handy.
I’d be happy to have written, illustrated, and/or edited ANY of these.
I’d be pleased as Hawaiian punch for any of the involved authors, illustrators, and editors to hit up OPB for an interview. HINT HINT HINT!

Note #2: They aren’t ranked in any particular way, save alphabetically by title. Want to know the #1 picture book of 2018? Read them yourself and make your own choice. Post your choice as a comment here. Or offer it up on your social media. Or add your glowing recommendation on an Amazon or Goodreads page.

Note #3: I like notes.

Note #4: There should be more picture books about sloths. (Please refer to question #1 of the Speed Round of editor Kait Feldmann’s OPB interview for proof of this profound sloth lack!)

Note #5: Refer to notes 1–4, as needed.

Are You Scared, Darth Vader? by Adam Rex (3 July 2018)

I often bring a picture book to share at my SCBWI PALs meetings, and this one brought the house down. It’s loads of fun, but it’s far more than just a Star Wars nostalgia riff. Well done, Mr. Rex!

Carmela Full of Wishes by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson (9 October 2018)

If you liked Last Stop on Market Street, you’ll love de la Peña’s new book that powerfully spotlights children who are worthy of our attention. Plus Robinson’s acrylic paintings are rich and captivating. Simply terrific.

Enjoy an Oct 2018 interview about Carmela Full of Wishes with Matt and Christian at PW.

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Marlon Bundo and Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller

To everyone’s surprise, political satire and picture books can go together like chocolate and peanut butter. Plus Jim Parsons really rocks it on the audio version.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López (28 August 2018)

It’s a memorable, inclusive story with lyrical writing and dreamy art. This is a book for every child who feels alone (which is to say “everybody” at one time or another).

Here’s The New York Times article on two of Woodson’s books (including this one).

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat (5 June 2018)

This gorgeous book shows the power of art–and the creative process–in action. It’s a visual WOW.

Here’s a June 2018 NPR interview with Minh Lê about Drawn Together.

Giraffe Problems by Jory John, illustrated by Lane Smith (25 September 2018)

About twice a month, I go to my local library and grab two huge bags of whatever picture books catch my eye. Then I read them all at home. That’s the story of how I got introduced to this book, and it was the star of the whole batch by far. Clever. And full of positive messages too.

Here’s a Dec 2018 “speed interview” with Jory John on this cool book.

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang (15 May 2018)

The simplistic yet powerfully expressive illustrations are first-rate. Plus there’s something wonderful about a grumpy monkey screaming “I’m not grumpy!” This is great for a kindergarten reading session. They’ll all make the faces along with the characters for sure.

How to Code a Sandcastle by Josh Funk, illustrated by Sara Palacios (15 Mary 2018)

No rhymes or delicious puns here, but instead you have a kid-friendly book that shows how to break down a seemingly big problem into small, manageable steps. It’s smart, useful, and just silly enough to keep all the learning fun.

Here’s a “Simply 7” interview (by Jena Benton) with the always-interesting Josh Funk.

I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds (2 October 2018)

I’ve been paying attention to this picture book team since I Am Yoga and they continue to deliver. This book is a fine celebration of the beautiful imperfectness of humanity. It’s a book that says it’s okay to make mistakes, and that’s a fine lesson for young readers that counteracts the over-tested, over-scheduled, must-have-GPAs-higher-than‑4.0 world in which we live.

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët (24 April 2018)

I’ve been a fan of this husband-wife team since their graphic novel Beautiful Darkness. This picture book shows just how magical a wordless story can be.

Here’s a fine review of I Walk with Vanessa at Unleashing Readers.

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (23 April 2018)

This is a book that could’ve gone wrong in a host of ways … but doesn’t. It’s beautiful and empowering without being preachy.

Here’s a May 2018 interview with Jessica about this book at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung (3 July 2018)

This celebratory book feels more relevant by the day. I’m also a fan of the graphic, eye-catching style.

Read the full review of Mixed at OPB!

Night Job by Karen Hesse, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (11 September 2018)

This gentle story has a great big heart and Karas’ mixed media illustrations are spot-on in every way.

Here’s the starred review of Night Job at Kirkus.

Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders, illustrated by Steven Salerno (10 April 2018)

I know Rob pretty well and despite that (just kidding, Rob!), I think this book is tremendously good and tremendously important. When Rob visited my Writing Picture Books class at Ringling College in spring 2018, he shared this book with them–it became the #1 most talked-about book of the entire semester for the students, and for that reason alone, it’s got to be on this list. I also really dig the back matter timelines.