September 04, 2011

I'm on Brain Burps!

September 04, 2011/ Jonathan Auxier

You may recall that I went on blogging hiatus a few months back to complete the illustrations for Peter Nimble.[1. This was an ordeal that ended in my losing my eyesight for a few days. You can read about it here.] One of the wonderful things about drawing for days on end was that it gave me time to listen to all the audiobooks and podcasts I'd been putting off. One of the best things I listened to during this time was Katie Davis' Brain Burps About Books.

Brain Burps is a podcast dedicated to the world of children's literature -- every week Katie has marketing tips, business talk, interviews, and book reviews. I listened to every back episode of Katie's Podcast (nearly 50 hours!) while drawing one particularly frustrating picture. To my mind, this will always be the "Katie Davis" chapter:

So imagine my delight when Katie Davis asked if she could interview me for her show! We had a great time trying to conduct a conversation in post-hurricane conditions. Among the topics covered were inspirations for Peter Nimble, the importance of rules in a magical world, and our mutual love of the movie Jaws.[2. As if Katie wasn't cool enough to begin with, I learned in the interview that she was actually in the movie Jaws as an extra!]

Anyone interested in entering the world of children's literature need only to listen to Katie's show to learn the ropes ... any why not start with my episode? Check it out!

The Scop

The Website of Jonathan Auxier

Hi, I'm Jonathan! I write strange stories for strange kids. This is my website, where I talk about children's books old & new. — Hi, I'm Jonathan!
I write strange stories for strange kids. This is my website, where I talk about children's books old & new.

The Fabled Stables

The Fabled Stables

Welcome to the Fabled Stables, a magical building filled with one-of-a-kind creatures. Creatures including the Gargantula, the Yawning Abyss, the Hippopotamouse . . . and Auggie. Auggie is the only human boy at the Stables, and he takes care of all the other animals. The Fabled Stables have a mind of their own, and every so often, the building SHAKES and SHUDDERS, TWITCHES and SPUTTERS—it’s making room for a new arrival! It’s Auggie’s job to venture out and rescue a new creature from mortal danger. But will he be able to complete his mission before it’s too late? With some help from Fen (a literal stick-in-the-mud) and his animal companions, Auggie saves the day and makes a new friend in the process.

A thrilling, silly new series packed full of stunning full color illustrations by Olga Demidova. The Fabled Stables received STARRED reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly and was named by Amazon as a Best Book of 2020. Available at your awesome local indie!

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and her Monster

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and her Monster

It's been five years since the Sweep disappeared. Orphaned and alone, Nan Sparrow had no other choice but to work for a ruthless chimney sweep named Wilkie Crudd. She spends her days sweeping out chimneys. The job is dangerous and thankless, but with her wits and will, Nan has managed to beat the deadly odds time and time again. When Nan gets stuck in a chimney fire, she fears the end has come. Instead, she wakes to find herself unharmed in an abandoned attic. And she is not alone. Huddled in the corner is a mysterious creature—a golem—made from soot and ash.

Sweep is the story of a girl and her monster. Together, these two outcasts carve out a new life—saving each other in the process. Sweep received six starred reviews and was the winner of the Governor General’s Award and the Sydney Taylor Book Award.

The Night Gardener

The Night Gardener

A chilling ghost story about two abandoned Irish siblings who travel to work as servants at a creepy, crumbling English manor house. But the house and its family are not quite what they seem. Soon the children are confronted by a mysterious spectre and an ancient curse that threatens their very lives. More than just a spooky tale, it’s also a moral fable about human greed and the power of storytelling.

The Night Gardener is a New York Times bestseller, a Junior Library Guild Selection, Amazon “Best Book” for May 2014, and an ABA “Indie Next” pick. It received five starred reviews and won the ILA Book Award! You can read more reviews here.

Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes

Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes

The adventure of a small, blind orphan ... who also happens to be the greatest thief who ever lived!

Peter Nimble was an ABA New Voices pick, an Indie Next List Selection, and Bookpage magazine Best Book of the year! It won the Paterson Poetry Prize, The Diamond Willow Award, and an MYRCA Honor. It was shortlisted for: the Monica Hughes Award, the Sequoyah Award, Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, The Blue Hen Literary Award, and the Canadian Children’s Book Award.

Visit PeterNimble.com for games and more info. Read the first chapter for free! Or read some reviews here. Or watch the book trailer!

Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard

Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard

The long-awaited followup to Peter Nimble! It’s been two years since Peter Nimble and Sir Tode rescued the kingdom of HazelPort. In that time, they have traveled far and wide in search of adventure. Now they have been summoned by Professor Cake for a new mission: To find a twelve-year-old bookmender named Sophie Quire. Sophie knows little beyond the four walls of her father’s bookshop, where she repairs old books and dreams of escaping the confines of her dull life. But when a strange boy and his talking cat/horse companion show up with a rare and mysterious book, she finds herself pulled into an adventure beyond anything she has ever read.

You can learn more and read some starred reviews here … or check out the first few chapters for free!

INSTAGRAM:

This week saw our 14th wedding anniversary. Below is a picture of my wife dancing with her father, Marshall Lynn Burke. He passed away on our anniversary this week. It was beyond sudden. He did not get any proper final words. Mercifully, he was not i

My 7yo learned how to make paper fortune tellers last night. This one offers a possible four outcomes:

"Fall in a pit"
"Baby on your birthday"
"Candy!"
"Beheaded in France"

FABLED STABLES Book 2 comes out on May 21! Kirkus gave it a STARRED review and called it "Funny, charming, and bighearted." Come join me for the virtual book launch at @whitewhalebks! The series has glorious illustration by @popupdoodle! I

One more Creature Creation Tip: Have some fun with the name! Sometimes a little wordplay can open up a new idea. Learn more in THE FABLED STABLES -- in stores now! @abramskids

Here's another Creature Creation Tip for those who want to make their own one-of-a-kind beasts. Learn my in THE FABLED STABLES -- in stores now! @abramskids

I'm getting lots of kid submissions for new creatures to add to the #FabledStables. Here's a creature creation tip to jumpstart your own ideas ...
@abramskids