Author: Josh Funk

Learn How to Code a Sandcastle – Tomorrow!

~ Josh Funk ~ 1 Comment
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

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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Happy (Book) Birthday, Albie Newton

~ Josh Funk ~ Leave a comment

Today, May 1st, 2018, my 6th book, Albie Newton, hits shelves – and I’d love for you to celebrate with me!

Untitled design

What’s Albie Newton about?

Meet Albie Newton: child genius. He’s a whiz at inventing things. But is he inventive enough to figure out how to make friends?

“Part ode to creativity, part reminder to be a conscientious classmate, this title will find its niche in elementary STEM collections and classrooms everywhere.”—School Library Journal

“This engaging tale offers messages about being oneself, accepting differences, and forging friendships.” —Publishers Weekly

“Funk’s playful, rhyming descriptions of his impressive toddlerhood feats immediately land this story in the realm of tall tales. . . . Throughout, Garay’s colorful, digital, cartoon illustrations match the text’s silly, humorous tone.” —Kirkus Reviews

Check out the book trailer here:

How can you celebrate Albie Newton‘s book birthday with Josh?
  • Tweet a picture of the cover (don’t forget to tag me, @joshfunkbooks)!
  • Request that your local library order a copy!
  • Review it on Goodreads or Amazon!
  • Share Albie Newton all over social media, in your neighborhood coffee shop, or with strangers on the street!
  • Download and print the *Free* Albie Newton Activity Kit right here!
  • Come to the Albie Newton Book Launch at Blue Bunny Books on Saturday, May 12th (see below)!
  • And consider buying the Albie Newton all for yourself (and a second copy for your kids) – it’s available at all of the booksellers below:
                         

Where I’ll Be Next

Two for You

1. You Know What? written by Carol Gordon Ekster & illustrated by Nynke Mare Talsma

2. What If … written by Samantha Berger & illustrated by Mike Curato

Mission Defrostable!

~ Josh Funk ~ Leave a comment

Mission Defrostable, the 3rd book in the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, has a cover!!! I’m so excited about this book! It’s the best one  yet!

_Mission Defrostable

Check out the full cover reveal over at Margie Myers-Culver’s website, including a short interview with the author (that’s me).

Mission Defrostable, illustrated brilliantly once again by Brendan Kearney, and published by Sterling Children’s will be served on 9.4.18 – but you can put your order in for it right now at every bookseller everywhere!

                              

Where I’ll Be Next

 

Two for You

1. The Breaking News written & illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul

 

2. Alfie written & illustrated by Thyra Heder

Global Read Aloud Finalist

~ Josh Funk ~ Leave a comment

I’ve got incredible news this week! I am one of the finalists for the 2018 Global Read Aloud Picture Book Study. And you can help vote!

What’s the Global Read Aloud? Well, in short, for every age group, a book is picked that classrooms across the globe read aloud and then use to connect over Twitter, Skype, etc. with others reading the same book (in the case of picture books, an author, illustrator, or author/illustrator is picked to have many of their books read). Founded by Pernille Ripp in 2010, the Global Read Aloud has millions of participants across 80 countries annually.

(Note for all teachers out there – GRA is an incredible experience – you should totally look into it. Details are here.)

What does being a finalist mean? It means that YOU can help select which of the following picture book creators will have their books read aloud to classrooms across the globe in 2018. The finalists include:

  • A combination of Julie Flett and Monique Gray Smith.
  • Christian Robinson
  • Pat Zietlow Miller
  • Josh Funk*
  • Dan Santat

I’m incredibly honored to be on a list with these amazing artists. To be honest, it’s a bit surreal.

Global Read Aloud Picture Book Finalists.png

With all that said, I encourage you to head over to the Global Read Aloud website and vote for your favorite!

* That’s me.

Where I’ll Be Next

 

Two Four for You

1. My Heart Fills with Happiness / Ni Miyawaten Niteh Ohcih written by Monique Gray Smith & illustrated by Julie Flett

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2. Sophie’s Sqaush writtenby Pat Zietlow Miller & illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf

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3. Gaston written by Kelly DiPucchio & illustrated by Christian Robinson

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4. The Three Ninja Pigs written by Corey Rosen Schwartz & illustrated by Dan Santat

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Lions, Inventions, and Books!

~ Josh Funk ~ 4 Comments

In the past week, I received some fun mail! First came Advanced Reader Editions* of Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude (illustrated by Stevie Lewis, published by Henry Holt / Macmillan, available on 8.28.18).

I’m giving away five copies on Twitter (Retweet or Quote Tweet the above by Monday, 2.19 to enter). See more about Lost in the Library in my last post here.

(Wanna know a secret? You can even see some of the incredible interior art at Macmillan’s site here! Shh! Don’t tell anyone!)

Then, came my first final copy of Albie Newton (illustrated by Ester Garay, published by Sterling, available 5.1.18):

albie

I’m so excited to share this book! Albie Newton is a creative whiz. On his first day of school, he attempts to make friends – but he doesn’t necessarily understand the other children’s social cues and ends up causing lots of problems without realizing it.

It’s my sincere hope that this book acts as a mirror and window for many children and classrooms who need it.

All four of my 2018 picture book releases – including How to Code a Sandcastle and the third installment of the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, Mission Defrostable (cover coming soon) – are now available for pre-order. I can’t wait to share them all with you!

 

Where I’ll Be Next

 

Two for You

1. Bear and Chicken written & illustrated by Jannie Ho

2. Born to Swing: Lil Hardin Armstrong’s Life in Jazz written by Mara Rockliff & illustrated by Michele Wood

 

*Advanced Reader Editions (or ARE’s) are Macmillans’ advanced copies of books. Most publishers create F&G’s (which stands for Folded & Gathered) when creating advanced copies of picture books – which do not have staples. Because Macmillan uses staples, they are more than just ‘folded and gathered’ – requiring a different name. But for all intents and purposes they serve the same function.

Wanna Get Lost in the Library with Me?

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude Cover
~ Josh Funk ~ 6 Comments

Yesterday, the New York Public Library (yes, that New York Public Library) revealed the cover of Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude, a book I wrote as part of a Macmillan team-up with the NYPL, illustrated by Stevie Lewis.

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude Cover

Lost in the Library: A Story of Patience & Fortitude is the first picture book about Patience and Fortitude, the two lion statues that faithfully guard the New York Public Library. When Patience goes missing, Fortitude realizes the secret to Patience’s disappearance may be within the Library itself.

The NYPL Twitter feed says, “With clever rhyme and vibrant art, Lost in the Library introduces young readers to Patience and Fortitude, the noble lions who stand guard in front of NYPL.”

Here’s a picture from one year, one week, and one day ago (1.9.17) when I visited the library to do research for this book (at the time, Patience in his rightful place).

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I’m particularly excited about this book because Stevie Lewis’s illustrations are utterly glorious – and the writing isn’t half bad, I guess.

Lost in the Library will be released on August 28, 2018. You can pre-order it everywhere and mark it ‘to read’ on goodreads right now!

Indiebound   B&N   Amazon   Goodreads   BAM!   Book Depository   Indigo

 

Where I’ll Be Next

Two for You

1. I Love You for Miles and Miles written by Alison Goldberg and illustrated by Mike Yamada

2. Accident written & illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi

My Small Business Saturday Adventure

~ Josh Funk ~ 1 Comment

It’s gift-giving season again! Two years ago I spent Small Business Saturday visiting as many independent bookstores as I and my minions could handle. In 2015, we made it to 9  (see the post here).

This year, we made it to 14 independent bookstores! We traveled 75 miles from door to door between the hours of 9am and 6pm.

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I’m not sure if this means anything, but the trajectory we took sort of looks like a human head, maybe wearing an oddly shaped jester’s cap? Hey, Debbie Ohi, any thoughts?

*** UPDATE ***

Within minutes of tweeting to Debbie Ohi, she came up with this brilliant image:

*** END OF UPDATE ***

We made purchases at each of the stores below (in order):

  1. The Concord Bookshop
  2. Belmont Books
  3. Book Ends
  4. Porter Square Books
  5. Harvard Book Store
  6. The Curious George Store
  7. Trident Booksellers and Cafe
  8. Brookline Booksmith
  9. The Children’s Book Shop
  10. Papercuts J.P.
  11. The Blue Bunny Books & Toys
  12. Wellesley Books
  13. New England Mobile Book Fair
  14. Newtonville Books

Remember two things:

#1: Books make the BEST gifts

#2: Independent bookstores do more than just sell books – they’re essential parts of our community.

 

Where I’ll Be Next

Two for You

1. Barnaby Never Forgets written & illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby

2. Small written & illustrated by Gina Perry