News and updates from Stephanie Campisi, a children’s book author focusing on whimsical picture books and darkly funny middle grade novels.
Exciting news! Familius Books is hosting a special sales event to coincide with NBC’s “Clear the Shelters” event. On August 18, 40% of proceeds from the sales of Luis and Tabitha from Familius.com will be donated to the Oregon Humane Society.
OHS is close to my heart, as it's where I adopted my cat Bunbury - the very kitty who inspired Luis and Tabitha.
Okay, so he's not quite as dashing as Luis, but he has his charms.
I'm delighted to announce that Annie Berger at Sourcebooks Jabberwocky has acquired my picture book Very Lulu, about a free-spirited black Lab who flunks (in the best possible way) out of the K9 Unit School. Jessica Gibson will illustrate.
Huge thanks to both Annie and my incredible agent Kira Watson for making it happen!
That's right, The Ugly Dumpling has made Buzzfeed's list of 39 products that are almost too adorable to look at.
New book news! My folktale The Five Sisters will be published by Familius in Autumn 2019. Thanks to Kira Watson of Emma Sweeney Agency for making it happen!
Quite lovely, isn't it? (Psst, it's also available for pre-order!)
New book news! My picture book Luis and Tabitha, about an alley cat's extraordinary efforts to win over the owner of the indoor cat he loves, will be published by Familius in 2018. Fellow PNW-based creative Hollie Mengert will be illustrating. Stay tuned for updates!
Nothing to read this summer (or winter, for my compatriots Downunder)?
The SCWBI has put together a whopping list of books that'll single-handedly break your library budget. The Ugly Dumpling's on it, so clearly it's a well curated list.
The fine booksellers at Powell's also agree:
Greg and Sarah of Funemployment Radio! were brave enough to have me on their show. We discussed puns, the Green Card lottery and driving on the wrong side of the road. Oh, and my book. The mischief starts around minute 23.
The Ugly Dumpling has been travelling far and wide down the West Coast of the US leaving hilarity, horrible puns and temporary tattoos (and hopefully the odd real one) in its wake.
If you want to grab a signed copy, you can swing by:
Vroman's, Pasadena CA
Powell's, Portland OR
Broadway Books, Portland OR
Green Apple Books, San Francisco CA
Green Apple Books on the Park, San Francisco CA
City Lights Books, San Francisco CA
The Ugly Dumpling's launch date is looming, so keep an eye out at your local bookshops and libraries for this delightful piece of whimsy.
Alternatively, if you're a Portland local or like the idea of a road trip, swing by Powell's at 11am on Saturday the 9th for the official launch. I'll be reading and signing stuff, there'll be dumpling-themed temporary tattoos, and you get to go to Powell's. Not bad, in all.
The lovely team at Mighty Media have put together some colouring worksheets for you to try your hand at. Click through to download and distribute them however suits your fancy.
Kirkus has some nice things to say about The Ugly Dumpling, even going so far as to give it a starred review:
“Specifically told without gendered pronouns, this is...a story about love. Kober’s illustrations are characterised by delicious changes in perspective, and Campisi’s sly, humorous asides ensure that the message of identity is not heavy-handed: ‘The ugly dumpling was overjoyed. / It puffed with meaning. / It puffed with importance / and yeast.’
Quirky retellings often lean on clever titles alone, but this surpasses and delights. ”
The Ugly Dumpling is going to be doing the rounds on a host of spiffy blogs, including the following:
The NCBLA was after recommendations for its Great Reads campaign, so I thought I'd do some promo for fellow Aussie author Shaun Tan. Given he's won just about every award under the sun, including an Oscar and an Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, Shaun probably doesn't need my help, but still. That's what mates are for. You can read the write-up over here.
The Ugly Dumpling gets some props in this vegan cookbook roundup. Sure, it's not a cookbook, but this little dumpling is used to being mischaracterised. And, besides, no animal products are consumed in the narrative of this book.
"This is not a cookbook, but a children’s book that updates the familiar story of the Ugly Duckling and places it in a Chinese restaurant. The story of self-acceptance (and the acceptance of others who are different) is powerful, and this version and its illustrations are cute and engaging."
A heads up for reviewery types: galleys for The Ugly Dumpling are in the post, or may even be waiting patiently in your letterbox.
If you're a blogger, critic, or someone who can otherwise make a case for getting your hands on the book before the official publication date, get in touch with Sammy Bosch of Mighty Media.
Publishers Weekly has featured The Ugly Dumpling - including a sneak peek at one of Shahar Kober's delightful illustrations - in its Spring 2016 roundup. Spiffy, no?
Publishers Weekly, in much more measured tones than I used when I first heard the news, notes that Mighty Media will publish The Ugly Dumpling in spring 2016. Shahar Kober is set to illustrate. And having snuck a peek at his character sketches, I can say quite honestly that you've never seen a more delightful picture of a cockroach in your life. Promise.
