Book #3 is done!

"Fangbone! The Birthday Party of Dread" is done! It will hit stores in August. This one's got some really odd stuff in it. I'm especially fond of the Bouncy Castle Monster! Just a note, the fonts in the above piece are not final.

Long Live Fangbone!

Here's a great review from the one and only Betsy Bird. She really gets Fangbone, and it always feels great when a reviewer sees your book the way you intended.

"Michael Rex has made a career of sorts out of spoofing classic children’s books of yore. As such, Goodnight Moon becomes Goodnight Goon, Runaway Bunny is Runaway Mummy and Curious George is the stellar Furious George Goes Bananas. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery but parody ain’t nothing to sneeze at. Now Mr. Rex switches gears a little. You can go on spoofing picture books until the cows come home but why limit yourself? If you’re going to rework a classic go big or go home. Go for the gold. Take on a classic in the best sense of the term. You don’t need to have read Conan the Barbarian to enjoy Mr. Rex’s new graphic novel series Fangbone! Third Grade Barbarian but knowing the books won’t hurt your appreciation either. Basically, if you’ve been waiting around for a series about third graders with swords and deadpan deliveries your prayers have been duly answered."

For the rest of the review visit School Library Journal/Fuse #8

I have a good job...

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from a mother who said how much her son loved my book You Can Do Anything Daddy! He had found it in the library, but she wanted to get him his own copy. Sadly, it recently went out of print, and is no longer available. Anyway, I sent off a signed copy and today I received this photo. What a way to start the day.

A monster review...

This review comes from a site called "Monsters and Critics" that reviews works that tend to have monsters in them. The site is well named.

From Monsters and Critics..."Eastwood Elementary has a new student, and he's nothing like the other kids in 3G. Fangbone is a barbarian warrior from another world! And he's been charged with the task of keeping a deadly weapon from Skullbania's vilest villain, Venomous Drool. Can Fangbone's new classmates team up to help him triumph over hound-snakes, lava-ferrets, and his first pop quiz?"

For the rest of the review, please visit Monsters and Critics

A review from a different perspective...

Here's another good review from a blog. This time, it comes from Gail Gauthier who is also an author. I like they way she clearly states what works for her, and why. I always appreciate when someone puts this much thought into a review. It's much more satisfying than a little blurb written by committee.

From Gail's blog, Original Content..."In Fangbone's barbarian world, he isn't taken seriously as a warrior because he's a child. He's enthusiastic but treated as a servant. He's ambitious, though, and plans to one day have his own army. When his leader is ordered by the clan master to send someone to another land to hide the big toe of Drool (what that's about is slowly revealed--no info dump at the beginning of the story), the older barbarians feel they are all too adept at fighting to leave the battle. So Fangbone volunteers to become the protector of the toe."

For the rest of the review, please visit Original Content

Another Blog Review

Here's another nice blog review, this time from BSCKIDS which covers all media aimed a teens and pre-teens. It's an interesting read, as I had no idea I had such big fans!

From BSC KIDS, "Hey wait, where is this package from? Hmm it is from someone’s home address, but it sure feels like a book. Return address – Michael Rex?? Oh come now, not Michael Rex New York Times Bestselling Author and favorite author of my children and wife? Why yes it is, and Fangbone! Third-Grade Barbarian has entered our house. So like I try to do I decided to let our 8-year-old son read the book first, but I was a close second finishing the book the day after he did."

For the rest of the review, please visit BSCKIDS

Fangbone Review

I'd like to thank Jen Robinson for the very positive and thoughtful review she posted a few days ago. I agree with her that the "lesson" element might be a bit clunky, and I wish that I had been able to make it blend more smoothly into the flow of the story.

But I also agree with her that it is "pure, boy-friendly fun."

From Jen Robinson's Book Page..."Fangbone: Third-Grade Barbarian launches an entertaining new graphic novel series for early elementary school kids. The premise is that Fangbone, a young boy from a primitive planet (where they happen to speak English), is sent via a wormhole of sorts to our world. Fangbone is tasked with laying low while protecting the all-important Big Toe of Drool. Told to blend in and not attract attention, Fangbone ends up in room 3G, a classroom full of misfits. But his enemies are not far behind... '


For the rest of the review, please visit Jen's extensive children's books site.

Fangbone Book Trailer!

I want to thank my good friend Harry Costner (costnermedia@yahoo.com) for the music.

2012! The Year of Fangbone!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year, and at the same time I'd like to announce the publication of my two new graphic novels for elementary readers. "Fangbone! Third Grade Barbarian!" and "Fangbone! The Egg of Misery!" will be available to purchase on Jan. 5th. You can find them at local bookstores, national chains, and your favorite online bookseller. You can also ask for them at your public library.

I've been working on this project for a while, and looks like I'll be spending another year or so completing books #3 (Fall 2012) and book #4 (2013). I'm really happy with these books and feel that they could really make some young readers very happy. I'll be posting a lot more about Fangbone this year.

Here's to a great 2012!

TRUCK DUCK in TIME

Here’s an unexpected one. A wonderful former editor of mine sent me a scan of an article in TIME magazine that shows Jonah Hill reading a copy of my board book Truck Duck!

The article is a promo piece about Hill’s new movie, “The Sitter.” It’s written by Joel Stein and features Hill babysitting for the author’s son. The coolest part is that not only does is say that Hill read the boy Truck Duck, but that he also read The Cat in the Hat, and Knuffle Bunny. That’s pretty good company if you ask me.

The article was published in the November 28, 2011 issue.


The online version is here, but requires a membership

Not Attractive?

I just got my first “industry” review for “Fangbone.” It’s an odd one. They seem to say many nice things about the book, but lead it off with some really negative comments. Dealing with reviews can be tough sometimes, but at this point in my career I don’t let them get to me. My book was reviewed on the “Kids Comics” page where every other book reviewed was full color. Perhaps the anonymous reviewer had certain expectations that “Fangbone” did not meet.

“Flat, primitive art in yellow and gray brings to mind “what if the Wimpy Kid was instead Conan’s kid?” The book’s not attractive, but it is easy to read and very expressive. It looks like something a classmate might have scribbled on notebook paper and passed around, providing a sense of “I could do this!” The familiar plot sends the young Fangbone, normally picked on by the bigger warriors, on a mystical quest that, if successful, will reward the clan with victory against the enemy army. The young fighter is surprised to find that his mission involves blending in at an elementary school, which leads to much culture-clash humor. It’s cute, funny, and will win over most readers with its commitment to its premise. It’s even heartwarming, as Bill (Fangbone’s friend, previously thought to be a loser) learns confidence, and Fangbone gains an appreciation for teamwork during a dodgeball-like game. The modern touches—such as hot wings and Bill’s ADD medicine—ground the book, while jabs at school philosophy through the character of the goofy principal will entertain adult readers. Ages 7–9. (Jan.)”

---Publisher’s Weekly

The Best Question Ever

In October, I spent a week in the Norristown area of Pennsylvania doing five days of school visits. On the last day, during my last presentation, I had the single best question ever from a student. Now, I’m not talking about a cute, “out of the mouth of babes” type question, such as, “When did you go bald?” I’m talking about a smart, thoughtful question that made me pause, and took me out of my “performer” mode and really made the day memorable.

During my presentation, I talk about how my boys, Declan and Gavin, give me lots of ideas. I explain that they are responsible for some of the more crazy and disgusting scenarios in an upcoming series I am working on. In short, I let the children know that my two boys are my biggest inspiration.

During the Q&A part of my presentation, I let the kids ask anything they want. Usually, they want to know how many books I’ve done, or which book is my favorite. But this one, wonderful, thoughtful and insightful fourth grade girl raised her hand, and calmly asked…wait for it…

“Before you had kids, what was your muse?”

Wow. Best question ever. Not only did she know, and understood, what a muse was, but figured out that I’d been making books long before my kids were born. I actually paused for a moment with a huge grin on my face. She completely made my day, and my week. It seems that the teachers were equally shocked and impressed.

My answer was, “My niece, nephews, and other kids that I have known,” had all inspired me in some way or another. Then I looked right at her, and said, “I also get very, very inspired by the kids I meet at school visits!”

Halloween 2011

My boys were zombies for Halloween this year. However, Halloween almost didn't happen. Half the town had no power (no doorbells or lights to see who's home), there were trees all over the streets and we had to navigate piles of snow and slush. We've only been in our new house in Leonia, NJ, for a week. For four of those days, we have had no power. The blackout ended this morning around 6:30 and we were happy to have heat and light again.

Fangbone Book #3

The last two months have been very unproductive, yet I've been very busy. I'm not sure how that happens. Fangbone Book #1 and #2 come out in a few months. Right now, I'm working book #3. It will hit late summer/early fall. Here's the cover sketch done on an ipad.

School Visit Programs

Hello, and I hope you've all had a wonderful summer. Here's some updated information on the different programs I do when visiting schools. Each of my presentations can be tailored to fit a specific age group and the needs of a curriculum. If you are interested in having me visit your school, and if you have any questions about adapting any of these programs, please feel free to ask.

Contact me at mikerexbooks@gmail.com

Beginning, Middle, End: How Does a Book Get Made?
This is a very nuts and bolts presentation about the long, involved process of how a book is made. From the initial idea, to the printed book, I show the students all the steps in between. Notes, sketches, final art, revised art, and story revisions will be explored and analyzed. I will draw for the students, and, if time allows, have the children draw along. This is my "basic" program and is best for large assembly groups.

Story Cards!
Using a few random index cards with carefully selected words written on them, I show students how a story can quickly be created. The students can join in, create their own cards, and generate their own wild and unpredictable stories.

Parody This!
Drawing from my experience learning under Mad Magazine creator Harvey Kurtzman, I discuss my parody work (Goodnight Goon, Runaway Mummy, Furious George Goes Bananas) and lead the students through their own parody of a poplar song, TV show, book, or movie. Sticking to a theme, being satiric without being rude, and most of all, keeping it funny will be covered.

What Makes it Funny?
Using picture books, comic strips and gag panels, I work alongside the students to investigate why something is funny. Through discussions about timing, simplicity, expectations and opposite outcomes, students will learn how to inject more humor into their writing and drawing. Laughter guaranteed.

Listmania!
Writer's Block got you down? Try making a list. Students will be asked to generate a list of subjects, people, places, and activities that peak their interest and that are important to them. This list will then be used as a blueprint for their own original stories.

Parent's Night: Meet the Family!
In this evening presentation, I cover the basics of creating a well-rounded character. Using list-making techniques and interviews, students and their parents will learn more about each other, and then pick and choose the most interesting answers to build a new, fictional, member of their family.

Grades
K-5 is best. However, I have started to do Middle Schools, and have talked to an occasional High School group. With the older students, the process, not the content, of my writing is the main focus.

Length of Programs
All programs are about 45-50 minutes long. Shorter, 25 minute long presentations can be made for Kindergarten students if needed.

Audience Size
I'm comfortable with audiences of all sizes, and I will work to meet the needs of each individual school.